Photo: American Honda (Honda US Newsroom). 2026 Honda Accord. Part of the Car Buyer Protection Series by Henry Chen, Maple Honda, Vaughan.
OMVIC's enforcement advisories are the public record of every charge, conviction, discipline decision, Licence Appeal Tribunal ruling, and Registrar's order issued against an Ontario dealer or salesperson. The advisories cover records since 2010 and run into the thousands.
For a GTA Honda buyer, the enforcement advisories are an information source most people don't know about. A quick search before visiting a dealer — or before signing a contract — tells you whether the dealer has any history of MVDA violations or discipline.
What OMVIC's enforcement advisories include
- Charges and convictions — provincial offences under the MVDA and the Consumer Protection Act, with the specific section violated, the disposition, and any fine
- Discipline Tribunal decisions — outcomes of formal discipline hearings, including any penalties, suspensions, or revocations
- Licence Appeal Tribunal proposals and decisions — appeals of Registrar's decisions, with the LAT's reasoning and outcome
- Registrar's Orders — orders issued directly by the Registrar against a dealer or salesperson
How to search the advisories
- Go to omvic.ca/enforcement/enforcement-history/
- Filter by enforcement type — charges/convictions, Discipline Tribunal, LAT, or Registrar's Orders
- Search by name or date range
- Review the entries for the dealer or salesperson you're researching
- Cross-reference with the dealer-search tool at omvic.ca/dealer-search
Photo: American Honda (Honda US Newsroom). 2026 Honda HR-V.
How to interpret the records
- A record doesn't necessarily mean the dealer is currently problematic. Many advisories are old, resolved, or minor
- Recent activity matters more than old activity. A 2026 charge matters more than a 2012 charge
- Multiple similar violations matter. One mistake is forgivable; a pattern is structural
- The severity of the violation matters. An all-in pricing violation is different from a fraud conviction
- Unresolved activity (open charges) is more concerning than resolved activity (convictions with fines paid)
What the most common violations look like
- Acting as an unregistered dealer or salesperson — operating without OMVIC registration (this is the most common curbsider-related charge)
- Retaining an unregistered salesperson — dealer used a salesperson who wasn't individually registered to that dealer
- Failing to provide a copy of the contract — dealer didn't give the buyer their paperwork
- Failing to keep records at the registered location — dealer's records weren't where they were supposed to be
- False, misleading, or deceptive representation under the Consumer Protection Act
- Unconscionable representation — the most serious misrepresentation category
The practical takeaway for a GTA Honda buyer
- Search the advisories for any dealer you're seriously considering — it's a 5-minute check
- Look for patterns, not isolated incidents — a dealer with one violation a decade ago is different from a dealer with three violations in the last two years
- If the dealer has serious current charges or open discipline, walk away — the registration could be suspended
- Most GTA Honda dealers have clean records. A clean record is normal, not a red flag — but a clean record plus a posted OMVIC registration certificate plus a real business address is a strong combination
Frequently asked, Vaughan edition
Does OMVIC publish all enforcement actions or only serious ones?
OMVIC publishes all charges, convictions, discipline decisions, and Registrar's Orders. Minor infractions are included alongside major ones. The list is comprehensive — the database has thousands of entries.
If a dealer is charged but not yet convicted, is that in the advisories?
Yes. OMVIC publishes both active (open) charges and concluded charges. Active charges are flagged as such. As a buyer, open charges are more concerning than resolved ones because they indicate an unresolved issue.
Does an old violation from 2012 disqualify a dealer?
Generally no. OMVIC's framework is designed so that dealers can resolve violations, learn from them, and continue operating. Old, resolved violations are informational. Recent, unresolved, or repeated violations are more concerning.
What is the difference between an enforcement advisory and a discipline decision?
An enforcement advisory is OMVIC's public notice about a dealer or salesperson under investigation or facing a hearing — issued before the case concludes. A discipline decision is the Tribunal's final ruling after the hearing, including the violation finding and penalty. Advisories are 'in progress' updates; decisions are the final word.
Are convictions under the Criminal Code reported in enforcement advisories?
Sometimes. OMVIC issues advisories when a registered dealer is charged with a criminal offence related to their dealer activity — typically fraud, odometer tampering, or title fraud. The advisory stays on OMVIC's website until the criminal case is resolved and any OMVIC discipline is complete. Buyers can see criminal history (convictions only) through court records separately.
Can I sue a dealer who appears in an enforcement advisory?
You can always file a Small Claims Court action against any dealer for any reason — an enforcement advisory strengthens your case but is not required. If OMVIC's discipline process finds the dealer committed misconduct, that decision becomes evidence you can use in court. Henry encourages any buyer with a concern to file with OMVIC first — it is free and the discipline record is valuable.
How long do enforcement advisories stay on OMVIC's website?
Advisories typically stay posted while the underlying investigation or proceeding is active. After resolution, the final discipline decision (or a summary) replaces the advisory. There is no fixed retention period — OMVIC errs on the side of keeping public records visible so buyers can make informed decisions.
Can I report a dealer I think is acting illegally?
Yes. Call OMVIC at 1-800-943-6002 or file a complaint online. You can also report suspected criminal activity (fraud, odometer tampering) to your local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Anonymous tips are accepted. Even if OMVIC does not pursue every tip, your information may be the missing piece that triggers an investigation.
Want me to walk through the OMVIC piece of your next deal?
If you have a quote from another store, a private sale you're considering, or just a question about how OMVIC's rules apply to your situation, send me the details. I will help you pressure-test the structure.