Quebec car buyers now better protected
As of April 5, Quebecers who buy or lease a vehicle benefit from improved protection.
The Act to Protect Consumers from Programmed Obsolescence and to Promote the Durability, Repairability and Maintenance of Goods, assented to last October, has come into force in the province.
For example, when selling or leasing a used car, the dealer is obliged to grant the consumer, free of charge, a warranty of good working order, which is now applicable to older models. It covers not only the parts and labor required to keep the car running smoothly, but also reasonable towing and breakdown costs.
The duration of the guarantee of good working order varies according to the vehicle's market launch date and mileage:
|
Warranty |
Now |
Before |
|
6 months or 10,000 km |
4 years or less, max. 80,000 km |
2 years or less, max. 40,000 km |
|
3 months or 5,000 km |
5 years or less, max. 100,000 km |
3 years or less, max. 60,000 km |
|
1 month or 1700 km |
7 years or less, max. 120,000 km |
5 years or less, max. 80,000 km |
In addition, new rules apply to long-term leases entered into on or after April 5. Among other things, the dealer must offer a free inspection of the car at least 90 days before the end of the contract. Consumers will be able to have parts repaired if, in the dealer's opinion, they show abnormal wear and tear.
If the dealer fails to offer this inspection within the prescribed time, he will not be able to claim charges for abnormal wear of a part. To claim such charges, the dealer must also provide the consumer, upon delivery of the car, with a written notice indicating the parts he considers to be subject to such wear.
