|
AMVIC News Release
Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC)
Bob Hamilton, Executive Director
Phone: 780-462-0860
#303, 9945 - 50th Street Fax: 780-462-0633
Edmonton, Alberta T6A 0L4 Email: bhamilton@amvic.org
Website www.amvic.org
26 September 2007
AMVIC's thoughts on Imported Vehicles
Edmonton... With the strength of the Canadian dollar, many individuals are starting to think of purchasing a vehicle in
the United States or elsewhere in the world. Here are a few things to think about to decide whether to import a vehicle.
New Vehicles
As a consumer, what do you have to be aware of in purchasing a new vehicle from the U.S?
1. Check the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) website (www.riv.ca) or call them at 1-888-848-8240 to make sure
that the vehicle you are interested in is admissible in Canada.
2. Transportation of the vehicle - don't forget to include the costs you will incur in going and getting the vehicle or
getting it shipped. Shipping will likely cost you at least $1,500.
3. There are several steps and costs that you will incur prior to being able to register the vehicle:
a. The U.S. Customs requires the title of the vehicle and Bill of Sale 72 hours prior to the vehicle arriving
at the border so don't think that you can arrive at the border, spend an hour or so and keep on driving
with everything done. There is a $500 fine if this is not done properly.
b. The Canadian Registrar of Imported Vehicle (RIV) requires that you complete a Form 1 which will cost
you $195 plus GST
c. GST on the vehicle - will be collected at the border
d. Canadian Federal Inspection - refer to the RIV website for locations - cost included in RIV fee
e. Provincial Out of Province inspection - variable cost (Brand new vehicles may be exempted)
f. Provincial Registration - you are required to provide the original U.S. title, RIV Form 1 and the Out of
Province inspection
4. Warranty - you need to research this thoroughly if you want a warranty. Some manufacturers cancel the new
vehicle warranty as soon as they find out that the vehicle is out of the country. Go to the dealer where you would
go for any warranty work and tell them what you are planning on doing. They will inform you of any warranty
issues that you will encounter. Several manufacturers cancel the warranty on vehicles brought in from the U.S. so
you would have no warranty in Canada.
5. Canadian manufacturers have created CAMVAP - the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan which helps out
consumers if there is a problem with a new vehicle. This program would be unavailable with a vehicle purchased in
the U.S.
6. AMVIC is there to help you if you have a problem with a vehicle purchased in Alberta - AMVIC cannot help with
vehicles purchased out of country.
7. Service - check with the dealer where you would plan to have the vehicle serviced and see if there will be any
issues with having the vehicle serviced.
8. Vehicle modification - not all vehicles from the U.S. are identical in Canada. Some features such as day time
running lights are mandated in Canada and the vehicle will have to be changed to comply.
9. Financing - no manufacturer financing is available to Canadian citizens purchasing in the U.S. You either pay cash
or get financing from your own financial institution.
10. Instrument cluster - Canadian vehicles are required to register speed in km/hour. If the vehicle that you are
importing does not register speed in both km/hr and miles/hr, then you will have to get the instrument cluster
changed.
Used Vehicles
You are also likely to find that used vehicles are priced cheaper in the United States. Just as you have to be cautious
with new vehicles, you need to be doubly careful with used vehicles.
1. The same requirements are in place at the border for used vehicles as for new. Be especially careful to check with
the RIV to assure that the vehicle is admissible in Canada.
2. If you purchase a used vehicle from a dealer in Alberta and you have a subsequent problem, you can go to the
dealer for help. AMVIC is also there to help if you can't get a resolution from the dealer. When you purchase from
an individual in the U.S. and you have a problem you are going to be on your own. Sellers are going to be very
careful to tell you that you are buying the vehicle "As is" and that no warranty will be available.
3. Ask to see the most recent registration and insurance for the vehicle, and to see receipts for any service done on the
vehicle. This will be a good indication if the seller has actually used the vehicle. If they cannot provide them, ask
where the vehicle came from. The U.S. has a titling system so every vehicle in the U.S. will have a title. If the
vehicle has been financed the financial company will be listed on the title. If the seller cannot provide a title, be
very careful. Don't buy a vehicle in the U.S. without a clear title. The RCMP runs a web site where you can check
to see if a vehicle is stolen - www.cpic-cipc.ca
4. AMVIC investigated and is laying charges on an organized group that was purchasing salvage vehicles from the
U.S. - most had been in large accidents but some had come from flood areas. The vehicles had been imported into
Ontario, repaired and then sold as if the vehicle had never had a problem. Be very careful to find out where the
vehicle is from.
5. You can check the vehicles history by getting a vehicle history report. CarFax and CarProof are two popular reports
that will give you important information from a third party. You can get these at Registry Agents or via internet
web sites. These reports will not tell you everything about the history of the vehicle but will give you a sense as to
where the vehicle has been and will usually report significant problems.
6. Don't rush into buying a vehicle. There are over 200 million vehicles in North America so don't think that there
won't be another one!
7. If you do want the vehicle, try to get it inspected by an independent mechanic near where the vehicle is located.
You probably found the vehicle using the internet so you can also find a mechanic that will give you a third party
opinion.
8. If you are uncomfortable at all, stop the purchase. This is an instance where "Buyer Beware" has real meaning.
Business and consumers with questions can contact AMVIC at 1-877-279-8200 or at www.amvic.org. The Alberta
Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) is the authority delegated by the provincial government to protect Alberta
consumers from wrongful behavior in relation to the purchase or repair of motor vehicles.
|
