(NC) — Provincial legislation passed in 2010 now requires all Ontario-registered vehicle dealers to inform buyers of all material facts and information about a vehicle's history, including any accident damage of more than $3,000.

“Consumers should ask registered dealers for a vehicle history report, such as Carproof or CARFAX,” says Carey Smith, Director of Investigations of the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC), Ontario's regulator of vehicle sales. “These reports will provide you with the vehicle's reported accident history and other facts which may be relevant to your buying decision. Most dealers willingly provide a vehicle history report for prospective purchasers to review.”

“Buying a vehicle that's been in an accident is not necessarily a bad thing—but you need to know if it's been in an accident, and what kind of work has been done to it, because you often can't tell. The issue is knowing the history and facts and making an informed decision,” adds Smith.

To benefit from Ontario's motor vehicle consumer protection laws, always buy from an Ontario-registered dealer. To find an Ontario-registered dealer, look for the official blue and yellow decal or visit BuyWithConfidence.ca.