Driving in BC
This publication explains the laws relating to getting a driver's licence and driving a car in BC.Read more
Our Work It Out pages offer in-depth, step-by-step guidance for dealing with a legal problem from start to finish.
Easy-to-read Need to Know pages offer tips and highlights.
This publication explains the laws relating to getting a driver's licence and driving a car in BC.Read more
How to avoid "curbers" when buying a used car.
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"The ad on Craigslist looked so tempting. The vintage Buick was a beauty, the price was good. The seller asked to meet at his cousin’s house, which I thought was odd, but when I took the Buick for a test drive, it ran great. The seller told me he was selling the car on behalf of his cousin. I was worried, but then the cousin told me over the phone that he approved of the deal. So I signed the paperwork to buy the car. Two weeks later, the real owner called to say he wanted the car back. I phoned the seller. I got a 'phone out of service' message. I'd been taken by a curber."
– Carlos, Surrey
A significant percentage of car ads that look like they are placed by private sellers are actually placed by curbers. A curber is someone who sells cars to earn income, but has not been licensed as a car dealer. Many curbers misrepresent the real condition of the car, hide major issues, or fail to disclose liens.
Buying a used car from a curber is particularly risky because there are laws that offer you protection if you buy a car from a licensed car dealer but not if you buy from a private seller. If you buy from a curber and have a problem, often your only option is to go to court.
Here are four steps you can take to protect yourself from curbers.
Ask the seller to see a piece of their ID such as a driver’s licence, as well as the original vehicle registration form (not a photocopy).
Check the owner and address information on the vehicle registration form.
If either doesn’t match, ask the seller why that is the case.
Look for these warning signs that a seller may be a curber:
The Vehicle Sales Authority of BC, which helps resolve complaints with licensed car dealers, has additional tips on how to spot a curber.
Car dealers in BC must be licensed by the Vehicle Sales Authority of BC (VSA) and follow certain laws.
It’s a widespread myth that a person can sell five vehicles a year without being licensed as a car dealer. Anyone selling five or more vehicles per year is automatically deemed to be a car dealer under BC law. This law helps authorities take action against curbers. It is not an exemption to being licensed. The sale of even one vehicle to a retail consumer as a business activity may require a licence.
The VSA website features a public registry of licensed dealers. If you think the seller is someone who should be licensed as a car dealer, you can search the registry to confirm whether or not they are licensed.
Learn more about how to protect yourself when buying a used car, and the steps to negotiate and finalize the sale.
Steps to protect yourself when buying a used car.
Negotiate and finalize the sale of a used car.
Learn your rights if a used car you bought from a car dealer is faulty.
What to do if the used car you bought from a private seller has issues.