I bought a new car last year, but it’s been plagued by problems. And even though it’s still under warranty, my dealer is balking at making further repairs. What should I do?

If you think you’ve bought a lemon and your dealer has soured on covering repair bills, don’t despair. The best way to settle this stalemate is through the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP). Available in every province, CAMVAP is an arbitration program that allows consumers to resolve disputes about car defects or new vehicle warranties.

Your case will come before an independent arbitrator who will review the facts and then make a ruling — either for you or for the car dealer/manufacturer. Your role is to use relevant documents (invoices, letters, service records, bills, work orders) to convince the arbitrator that you’re in the right. And take heart — the majority of decisions end up in favour of the consumer. Usually, a ruling will force the dealer to either repair the vehicle or buy it back at a fair price. The whole process is fair, fast (usually within 70 days), free (no legal bills!) and all decisions are final.

Visit www.camvap.ca for full details.

ShareThis