Mediation

Resolving problems is not always easy. Sometimes a neutral unbiased third party is called for. This person known as a mediator can help parties in a dispute focus on the main issues and move away from a motion or personal conflicts that may be preventing them from reaching a solution. For over two decades, the UCDA has offered free mediation to Ontario consumers and motor vehicle dealers. In the unlikely event that you and the dealer can't resolve a problem with a used car you bought anywhere in Ontario we may be able to help. Just contact the UCDA, by phone, mail, fax or email and UCDA staff lawyers will take it from there.

Discuss your concerns with the dealer first. Dealers want your business, they want you to come back and they want you to tell your family and friends to come and look at their cars too. Give the dealer a chance to show you the goodwill that keeps their customers happy the vast majority of used vehicle complaints are resolved. However, if there are still concerns just contact the UCDA. We can talk about the issues gather the facts and documents and contact the dealer to begin the mediation.

UCDA mediation is available to all consumers who have purchased or leased a vehicle from an Ontario dealer. If you have been unable to resolve the complaint yourself with the dealer, we offer an informal and unbiased service for consumers.

To speak to our mediation team and begin the mediation process, call 1-800-268-2598 or (416) 231-2600 locally, fax us at 416-232-0775 or email at web@ucda.ca.

We pride ourselves on the speed with which we can address concerns. Most of the time we're able to resolve the problem to the satisfaction of both the customer and the dealer within just a few days. Sometimes on the same day that we’re contacted. There are many advantages to mediated settlements but most importantly, it saves you the need to spend time and money on unresolved complaints or court actions. You can be secure in the knowledge that when you buy from a dealer you're not on your own as you would be if you'd bought your vehicle privately.

The dealer doesn’t have to be a member of the UCDA to offer mediation. In this way we enhance the reputation and image of the industry as well as help consumers.

It's free. Many consumers and dealers are surprised the UCDA doesn't charge for such a useful service, but we feel more people will use mediation if it's free. We want to encourage mediation not make it harder for people to resolve disputes. In this way, the UCDA fulfills an important aspect of its mandate which is to enhance the image of the used vehicle industry.

Generally no. However, if a buyer has been duped by a curbsider the UCDA will try to help. Remember a curbsider is someone who poses as a private seller, but who is actually in the business of selling used vehicles. Many of which have liens against them, rolled back odometers, undeclared accidents, insurance right off history or other safety concerns. As a rule, there's little chance of getting money back from a curbsider.