The VSA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Motor Dealer Act (MDA), its regulations, and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCP Act) as it relates to the retail sale of cars, light trucks, motorcycles and recreation vehicles to consumers.
The VSA’s Compliance Officers routinely inspect dealerships and carry out investigations in response to complaints. Much of the work and subsequent dialogue between Compliance Officers, dealers and salespeople is healthy and constructive and does not lead to serious enforcement measures. The chief goal of the VSA's regulatory activity is to obtain compliance with the statutes.
If discussion fails to achieve compliance or the issue is so serious that additional action is required, the VSA has adopted the following Progressive Enforcement Program. It consists of:
- a written warning (inspection infraction or investigation issue)
- a violation ticket (MDA or it regulations which apply to dealers only)
- an undertaking (BPCP Act)
- a compliance order (BPCP Act)
- an administrative penalty (BPCP Act)
- issuance of freeze orders (MDA or BPCP Act)
- apply to the courts to place a receiver in charge of a dealership or an order to comply (MDA)
- a hearing or reconsideration
- placing conditions on a dealer or salesperson licence
- suspension or cancellation of a dealer/salesperson licence.
A dealer and/or salesperson may agree to an undertaking or may be required to adhere to a compliance order. An undertaking or compliance order may include an Administrative Penalty.
The Registrar may opt to hold a hearing to hear evidence for offences under the MDA, its regulations or the BPCP Act. If a dealer or salesperson is found to have breached the MDA or BPCP Act, they may be required to pay hearing costs in addition to an Administrative Penalty.
Available below are the decisions made by the Registrar of Motor Dealers, since the VSA (previously known as the MDC) commenced operations on June 1, 2004.
Compliance Decisions of the Registrar of Motor Dealers
Disclaimer: This section of the website is still under construction and will be updated on a continual basis.
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