NEW CARFAX TOOLS COMING

This is a message from Carfax Canada and the UCDA.

Protecting Your Dealership from VIN Fraud: A New Tool in Your Corner

Coming soon

 

VIN fraud remains a persistent risk in this industry, and it isn’t disappearing anytime soon.

Re-vinning and VIN cloning continue to be serious problems across Canada and used car dealers are on the front lines of that exposure. The good news is that UCDA and CARFAX Canada are doing something about it. We’re integrating the CARFAX Canada VIN Fraud Check directly into the UCDA member portal.

VIN fraud, sometimes called re-vinning or VIN cloning, occurs when someone takes the VIN from one vehicle and illegally copies it onto another. The goal is usually to hide the fact that the second vehicle is stolen, making it look legitimate so it can be sold without raising red flags.

Unknowingly buying or selling a re-vinned vehicle can have real consequences. There are significant financial, legal and reputational risks that accompany unintentionally getting entangled with a vehicle with a fraudulent VIN.

CARFAX Canada is a recognized leader in VIN fraud detection in this country. Their VIN Fraud Check works by analyzing billions of North American VIN records to flag signs of unusual or suspicious VIN history. Those VIN records include critical location data which allows CARFAX Canada to identify patterns and inconsistencies that might otherwise go undetected.

The goal here is straightforward: to help UCDA members make smarter, more informed decisions at the point of purchase.

Pairing a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report with a VIN Fraud Check is one of the best ways to do that.

New Tool Predicts Upcoming Service Needs on Used Vehicles Before They Hit Your Lot

Coming Soon

 

Making smart inventory decisions starts with having the right information before you buy, and UCDA has another new tool to help you do exactly that.

In addition to CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Reports and VIN Fraud Check, UCDA members will soon have access to CARFAX Canada Service Insights Reports through the member portal, at an affordable price.

Service Insights is powered by the largest database of vehicle service records in North America – over 10 billion! Using advanced data analytics, it goes beyond telling you what’s happened to a vehicle in the past, it predicts what service that vehicle is likely to need in the near future.

Each report is comprehensive, easy to read, and includes predictive service recommendations based on the vehicle’s history, OEM maintenance schedules, and any open recalls still outstanding on the vehicle.

For dealers, the practical value here is straightforward. When you’re acquiring used vehicles for your inventory, you want quality stock, with predictable reconditioning costs, not problem cars that eat into your margins or come back to bite you after the sale. Service Insights gives you a clearer picture of what you’re buying, so you can make smarter decisions at acquisition and avoid bringing headaches onto your lot.

This is the kind of predictive intelligence that takes some of the guesswork out of stocking your inventory.

Combined with the CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Reports and VIN Fraud Check, UCDA members now have a more complete set of tools to source better vehicles and sell with greater confidence.

OMVIC EDUCATION

OMVIC’s REVS also known as Continuing Professional Development requirement (CPD) officially began on April 1, 2026.

You can confirm your CPD Requirements on your online OMVIC portal under the Education Tab in your account’s dropdown menu, ie. do you need REVS, what OMVIC is now calling their in-house CPD courses offered online, or do you need Key Elements for grandfathered registrants (who never had OMVIC education and have been registered since before January 1, 2010).

REVS (CPD) EDUCATION

90 days before your renewal, you will receive a registration link on your portal.

All of the OMVIC options are online, self-study only, compatible with desktop, mobile, and tablet devices. The course takes about 4 to 6 hours to complete, with tests throughout, and you need a minimum score of 80% (with unlimited attempts).

Cost: $99, payable within the 90-day window before renewal, for registrations with renewal dates on or after July 1, 2026.

UCDA’S FREE OMVIC CPD Primer

A seminar to review and prepare you to succeed with the OMVIC Continuing Professional Development courses. It’s designed as an informal session that can be conducted via Zoom or in-person. We focus on topics that are important to you, such as the application of laws, financial responsibility, ethics, and professionalism.

GRANDFATHERED REGISTRANTS

Dealers and salespeople registered before January 1, 2010, who renew on or after July 1, 2026, and who have not completed either the Certification Course ($283.25 for domestic students) or the MVDA Key Elements Course ($202.86) offered by Georgian College, will need to do the Key Elements Course prior to renewal. This group will not have to do CPD for their first cycle/renewal.

Individuals can study independently using the digital Student Manual while awaiting delivery of the physical copy.

Schedule the test online or in-person at select ServiceOntario locations https://tinyurl.com/2s4cwth9

The test is 60 minutes long and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. The test is open book.

You have 12 weeks from registering for the course to write and pass the test with a minimum score of 80%.

Cost: $202.86, payable to Georgian College, upon registration.

Enrol here: https://tinyurl.com/hajvj3wv

UCDA’s Key Elements Primer

Designed to help grandfathered registrants or anyone else required to take the Key Elements Course offered at Georgian College. Offered in-person or virtually.

FREE to UCDA Members (and their salespeople)

Registrants

For your renewal:

  • if you are a UCDA Member (or a salesperson of a Member), and
  • if you do not pass your first attempt at Key Elements

WE WILL PAY THE COST OF YOUR RE-WRITE!!!

A Value of $202.86

WHO MUST COMPLETE REVS “CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT” (CPD)

For Dealer Registrants

Renewal cannot proceed until CPD has been completed annually by:

  • All Persons in Charge (PIC) registered under the dealer, and
  • At least one director, officer, partner, or sole proprietor must also complete CPD, unless that individual is already a

Note: For dealer classes that are subject to exemptions relating to salespersons (i.e., fleet lessors and, in certain circumstances, lease finance dealers), the education must be completed by at least one director, officer, partner, or sole proprietor.

Salespersons

For salesperson registrations, renewal cannot proceed until CPD is completed every two years.

For more information about continuing professional development call the UCDA or visit: https://tinyurl.com/3u3er9xa

Or email education@omvic.on.ca or call OMVIC at 1-800-943-6002 (ext. 6).

UCDA – OTHER CONTINUING EDUCATION OFFERINGS

OMVIC Certification Course Primer

A workshop for new applicants, to help prepare you to succeed when you take the OMVIC Certification Course required to become a dealer or salesperson in Ontario.

$49.99

Fast Start Sales Training is a one-day introductory workshop, launched in 2014, designed for new salespeople and taught by Wye Management. It covers every stage of the sales process—from understanding dealership operations and qualifying customers to handling objections, appraising trade-ins, and closing deals—providing participants with practical, modern techniques for successful automotive sales. Cost $245+HST for Members, $325+HST for non-members.

If you are interested in any of our educational offerings contact education@ucda.org or call the office at 416-231-2600 or 1-800-268-2598 and ask for Val or Sukh. Please visit our website for more information on all of this https://www.ucda.org/education/ucda-continuing-education/

USE THE UCDA BILL OF SALE PROPERLY

The UCDA prides itself on its suite of forms and bills of sale, the industry gold standard. Considerable time, effort, and research go into developing these forms to ensure compliance with key legal statutes such as the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and the Consumer Protection Act. However, these forms are only as good as your ability to use them correctly.

To properly use these forms, you must complete them, explain them and read them thoroughly, front and back, and ensure that your customer can do so as well. This means that if documents are sent to your customer electronically, be sure to provide both the front and back of the document.

Many of the questions and concerns that can arise in a deal are already answered by the bill of sale.

For example, the UCDA is often called by members with questions about what happens to a customer’s deposit when they fail to take delivery of a vehicle. The answer is simple. The dealer can only lay a claim to a deposit if they have a signed bill of sale. If there is no bill of sale, the dealer must return the deposit in full. Where the dealer has a signed bill of sale, section 3, on the backside of the latest version of the UCDA Used Vehicle Bill of Sale, explains how to deal with the deposit.

In other words, you must send the customer a registered letter, wait seven days, and resell the vehicle for the best price you can manage. Then you itemize any losses or “damages” you incur along the way and then take those damages from the deposit provided by the customer and give them back any remaining amount along with the itemized list of damages.

What happens if the customer signed the bill of sale sent to them digitally, but was not provided with the backside of the UCDA bill of sale and now wants out of the deal? The customer cannot agree with a clause that they did not have the opportunity to read or that they did not even know existed! In these cases, the dealer should refund the customer’s deposit in full and let them out of the deal. This is why it is very important that customers are provided with the whole contract.

Members with questions about UCDA forms or who want a copy of the template registered letter can contact the UCDA’s Legal Department at (416) 231-2600 or toll-free at 1-800-268-2598.

ONTARIO MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

The Ontario Minimum wage is increasing to $17.95 an hour effective October 1, 2026, marking the second highest rate among provinces

The Ontario government is increasing the general minimum wage from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour on October 1, 2026, benefiting more than 700,000 workers across the province. This annual increase, tied to Ontario’s Consumer Price Index at 1.9 per cent, helps ensure wages continue to reflect economic conditions while protecting workers and providing businesses with greater stability.

Quick Facts

  • Ontario’s minimum wage increases every October 1 based on the Ontario CPI, as required by the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA)
  • Roughly 35 per cent of minimum-wage workers are employed in retail trade and 24 per cent in accommodation and food services
  • Ontario maintains one of the highest minimum wages in Canada

CANADA’S USED CAR WEEK

 

Strong on the heels of a celebratory milestone last year with its 20th year offering, the premier event of the season is back – the 2026 Canada’s Used Car Week (CUCW).

This year, for the first time, the UCDA is partnering with Cherokee Media Group to bring this event forward with great new speakers, forums, panels and an upgraded, high-impact schedule.

It’s all designed to deliver even more value through expanded connections, deeper insights, and business-building opportunities packed into just two powerful days.

Even better, the venue is not downtown, but closer to where the UCDA lives in Etobicoke, ON!

Easier to get to, less reason not to come!

CUCW is where the Canadian auto industry comes together to learn, grow, and lead. From retail and remarketing to fleet, auto finance, and leadership development, our expert-led sessions and dynamic networking experiences offer attendees and exhibitors a truly unmatched opportunity year after year.

Designed to help professionals navigate the “foundational transformation” currently reshaping the automotive landscape. Join us for two powerful days of expert insights, elite networking, and strategic business-building opportunities:

  • Deep Industry Insights: Master the evolving trends in retail, remarketing, fleet, and auto finance
  • Future-Ready Strategies: Gain a competitive edge with sessions focused on AI integration, shifting supply chains, and intelligent operations
  • Celebrated Leadership: Attend our signature luncheons honouring the Remarketing’s Under 40 Trailblazers and the Women & Automotive Profiles in Leadership honorees
  • High-Power Networking: Engage with the industry’s top executives and decision-makers during our dedicated networking receptions

Featuring expert speakers on Auto Theft and Crime Prevention, the Honourable Zee Hamid MPP and Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform and Peel Regional Police Detective Greg O’Connor, Commercial Auto Crime Bureau and Organized Vehicle Crime.

In addition, we will feature sessions, workshops, and industry award segments with executives from:

Stay tuned for Agenda to follow!

FREE TICKETS FOR UCDA MEMBERS HERE:

https://tinyurl.com/3vfnu6mx

UCDA KEY ELEMENTS TRAINING HAS BEGUN

We had a long-time member come to us late last year in a panic.

He failed the Key Elements education course.

He needed to pass to keep his licence as he was a grandfathered registrant who’d never had OMVIC education before. He had a reading disability and this weighed heavily on him.

Our member was facing an increase to the passing grade from 75% to 80% (a move we opposed, by the way) and the cost of another $202.86 to re-write a test he was afraid he’d fail again.

He sought help from OMVIC and Georgian College and predictably, got none.

So, we told him about our new UCDA Key Elements primer course, which is FREE to UCDA members AND we told him we’d pay the cost of his re-write.

Well, he took our course, he re-wrote the test, and guess what?

HE GOT AN 85% PASSING GRADE!!!

MVDA Key Elements Course (for Grandfathered Registrants)

Remember, the Key Elements Course must be completed prior to renewal date.

If your profile indicates the Key Elements course as your CPD requirement, you should register with Georgian College at least 5 months prior to your renewal date to allow time for completion, testing, grading, and processing. For example, if your renewal date is July 1, 2026, you should have registered by February 1, 2026 to be safe.

Dealer and Salespeople Registrants who were registered with OMVIC before January 1, 2010, with renewal dates on or after July 1, 2026, that have not yet completed the updated OMVIC Certification Course or the MVDA Key Elements Course offered through Georgian College must complete the Key Elements course as their CPD requirement prior to renewal.

The cost is $202.86 and the passing grade is 80%. Re-writes, for those who fail, will be $202.86 with no discount.

The Key Elements Course must be completed prior to renewal date.

This is the only requirement for CPD for grandfathered registrants in the first registration cycle. In subsequent cycles, they will take CPD like all other registrants.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/ty625w76 for more information or email education@omvic.on.ca

UCDA IN-CLASS EDUCATION

https://www.ucda.org/education/ucda-continuing-education/

If you are interested in any of our educational offerings contact : education@ucda.org or call our office at 416-231-2600

or 1-800-268-2598 and ask for Sukh or Val.

DESROSIER / UCDA 2025 SURVEY

Continuing our partnership with DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC), the UCDA once again reached out to Members to take the pulse of the industry in Ontario.

This time, we asked members to comment on their experience in the used vehicle market in 2025 and to look forward to 2026.

The majority of respondents were independent used car dealers (77.8%), but a sizeable number of new franchised dealers (22.2%) also took the time to provide their feedback.

In 2025 franchised respondents reported a drop in used vehicle sales, while independents reported a rise. This seems to underline a theme in 2025 over 2024, where franchised dealers seemed a little less pleased than used vehicle dealers with how the year went.

The result, not surprisingly, is that franchised dealers are less optimistic than independents about 2026 with new car dealers projecting sales of 404 units (down from projections of 426 in 2025) and used vehicle dealers looking more hopefully at 201 units over 182 in 2025.

Franchised dealers felt sourcing used vehicles in the last 6 months had gotten much harder (52% felt this over 34.3% in 2024). Independent dealers opinion on this saw little change from 2024 (48.2% in 2025 over 45.3% in 2024).

Interestingly, used vehicle dealers noted an easing in supply difficulties for used vehicles in the 1 – 7 year categories, the most desirable used vehicle inventory. This is in line with the UCDA’s expectations of the effect of tariffs and other pressures on better used inventory in Ontario.

New car dealers continue to source most of their used vehicles (65.4%) from consumers, while auctions continue to be the most important source of used vehicles (50.6%) for used car dealers.

The survey also provides some interesting data on how customers are paying for their vehicles. The majority of customers (65.9%) continue to approach used car dealers with cash in hand, whereas most customers of new car dealers (58.1%) are purchasing vehicles through loans arranged at the dealership.

Leasing is very quiet at both new (2.3%) and used vehicle dealerships (4.5%).

Overall, customers continue to prefer to complete their deals entirely at the dealership (53.4%), with some (39.8%) contacting the dealership online first before closing the deal at the dealership, only 6.9% complete entirely online, and this is down from 8% in 2024.

The shift to electric continues to be slow on the after-market side.

Approximately 34.7% of new car dealers report that a small portion (1 to 5%) of their used vehicle sales were full battery (BEVs). Used plug in hybrids (PHEVs) appear to be slightly more popular with customers of new car dealers with 65.3% of these dealers reporting that PHEVs account for between 1 to 5% of their sales and a handful (12.2%) reporting that they account for 6 to 10% of used vehicle sales. Even less new car dealers (4.1%) reported that PHEVs account for over 10% of their used vehicles sales.

Used electric vehicle BEV sales appear to be down for independents in 2025 over 2024. Only 21.1% reported 1-5% of sales in that category, down from 35.7 in 2024. A huge jump in 0% of such sales can be seen in 2025 with 71.1% up from 44.6% in 2024.

By contrast, it’s a little less grim on the PHEV side where sales in the 1-5% category are up to 26.4% over 13.3% in 2024. Overall, the numbers remain stagnant.

You can see the full survey here:

UCDA January 2026 Dealer Survey

 

GEARING UP FOR FINTRAC

On February 24, 2026, the UCDA and KPMG presented a unique FINTRAC webinar designed just for dealers.

With enforcement expected to ramp up by April 1st, the time was right to roll this out and introduce the resources we have created for UCDA members at https://www.ucda.org/fintrac/

There you will find guidance and links to useful information and templates.

If you missed the webinar referred to above, just log in to your member account and we have a recorded version there.

https://www.ucdasearches.com/fintrac

Financial crimes, including fraud and scams, are no longer just a banking sector problem – criminals are using new methods and creative ways to move money. Many industries – including car dealerships – are becoming increasingly targeted.

Financing and leasing arrangements are vulnerable to financial crime activities, given that they accept most payment methods (including cash, electronic funds transfers, money orders, cheques) which offers an avenue for criminals to launder money through this sector.

As of April 1, 2026, dealers (both new and used) are required to comply with the obligations under Canada’s Proceeds of Crime Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and associated Regulations.

Both in-house and third-party vehicle financing and leasing arrangements are captured in the regulation whenever a car dealer provides, offers, or is party to financing or leasing as part of a vehicle sale.

For example, this includes dealer-provided financing or leasing, as well as indirect (third-party) arrangements where a bank or credit union finances or leases a vehicle sold by the dealer.

If your dealership finances or leases any non-passenger vehicle used for business, valued above $100,000, that also triggers the obligation to comply with the requirements.

Financial entities under the PCMLTFA (e.g., banks, credit unions) that provide similar financing and leasing services are also subject to the obligations that are monitored and enforced by FINTRAC.

Failure to Comply is Not an Option

Non-compliance with any of the regulatory obligations can lead to reputational damage, penalties for non-compliance including criminal charges, fines, and further investigations by law enforcement. These include, but are not limited to:

Failure to provide assistance or information during a compliance examination or respond to law enforcement inquiry:

  • Fines up to $500,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years

Failure to report suspicious transactions:

  • Fines up to $2 million and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years

Failure to report large cash transactions or electronic funds transfers:

  • Fines up to $500,000 for the first offense and up to $1 million for subsequent offenses

Failure to meet record-keeping requirements:

  • Fines up to $500,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years

“Tipping off” or disclosing the contents of a suspicious transaction report:

Can lead to imprisonment for up to 2 years, especially if done with the intent to undermine a criminal investigation or tip off the subject of the report

If you are interested in more one-on-one training for your dealership, which does cost some money, we have that option ready for you with KPMG as well. Just call us and ask about it.

As a member of the UCDA you are well positioned to be ready for FINTRAC, take advantage of another benefit of UCDA membership and don’t be caught unaware and unprepared.

 

CANADA’S USED CAR WEEK

Mark Your Calendars!

June 16–17, 2026

Delta Hotels Toronto Airport & Conference Centre

655 Dixon Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 1J3

It’s back!!!

Strong on the heels of a celebratory milestone last year with it’s 20th year offering, the premier event of the season is back – the 2026 Canada’s Used Car Week (CUCW).

This year, for the first time, the UCDA is partnering with Cherokee Media Group to bring this event forward with great new speakers, forums, panels and an upgraded, high-impact schedule.

It’s all designed to deliver even more value through expanded connections, deeper insights, and business-building opportunities packed into just two powerful days.

Even better, the venue is not downtown, but closer to where the UCDA lives in Etobicoke, ON!

Easier to get to, less reason not to come!

CUCW is where the Canadian auto industry comes together to learn, grow, and lead. From retail and remarketing to fleet, auto finance, and leadership development, our expert-led sessions and dynamic networking experiences offer attendees and exhibitors a truly unmatched opportunity year after year.

Designed to help professionals navigate the “foundational transformation” currently reshaping the automotive landscape. Join us for two powerful days of expert insights, elite networking, and strategic business-building opportunities:

  • Deep Industry Insights: Master the evolving trends in retail, remarketing, fleet, and auto finance
  • Future-Ready Strategies: Gain a competitive edge with sessions focused on AI integration, shifting supply chains, and intelligent operations
  • Celebrated Leadership: Attend our signature luncheons honouring the Remarketing’s Under 40 trailblazers and the Women & Automotive Profiles in Leadership honorees
  • High-Power Networking: Engage with the industry’s top executives and decision-makers during our dedicated networking receptions

Watch for more as the event comes together.

GOOD QUESTION!

The UCDA has been trying for two years to get access for dealers to the VINs of exported vehicles from the Canadian Border Services Agency. These VINs are often used on stolen vehicles to revin or clone, to trick buyers into thinking they are legit vehicles, when, in fact, the “real” vehicle left the country months or years ago.

The UCDA has been trying for two years to get access for dealers to the VINs of exported vehicles from the Canadian Border Services Agency. These VINs are often used on stolen vehicles to revin or clone, to trick buyers into thinking they are legit vehicles, when, in fact, the “real” vehicle left the country months or years ago.

This prompted Minister of Parliament, Dane Lloyd, to ask during Question Period last week, the following question:

“The Liberals are failing to stop car theft. CBSA has Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) that could flag stolen vehicles but won’t share it with Canadian dealers. Instead, they have given an American company a monopoly – costing Canadian consumers

$40M a year to access our own data. It’s time for the Liberals to give Canadians their data and end this absurd monopoly.” 

https://www.ucda.org/about/cbsa/

Speaking of questions, here are some the CBSA asked the UCDA about our request for access and that we answered months ago …

Why do you believe that the information would be a benefit to the public, and that the release of the information outweighs the risk of injury to the public?

The vehicles our motor vehicle dealer members buy are sold back into the marketplace to consumers.

The practice by criminals of “re-VINing” or “cloning” stolen vehicles to mask their true identity, in order to fool buyers into believing the vehicle is safe, reliable and not stolen, is rampant. As authorities crack down on auto theft and illegal export, organized criminals have increasingly pivoted to these practices in the domestic market to successfully sell stolen vehicles.

Exported Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) are desired because they are (1) real VINs that are (2) not in Canada any longer, and (3) can be used to create a fake identity for a stolen car that will trick a buyer long enough to let the thieves get away with their ill-gotten proceeds.

While we are, of course, concerned with protecting our members from unknowingly buying and selling stolen vehicles, we are equally concerned that our members are not led into selling stolen goods to consumers who will then suffer harm as a result, including unknowingly selling the vehicle once again into the marketplace. This not only hurts the buyer, but brings our industry into disrepute.

Simply put, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) data we seek is another data tool to keep stolen vehicles out of the marketplace.

The risk of harm to the public, through disclosure of the data to the UCDA, is minimal. The exported vehicle (and VIN) is unlikely to ever return to Canada; such instances would be rare. There would be no way for anyone to misuse the data to create “VIN lists” as our members would only be searching a VIN they already have in front of them that they are being asked to consider buying or selling.

How would the data be protected?

UCDA always has security and privacy top of mind. We meet and exceed industry standard network security.

The only information we seek from CBSA would be to confirm if a VIN a member searched was exported, when and to where. We do not seek personal information. No one other than the dealer requesting the search would make use of the data.

What information would be provided in terms of caution to the dealerships regarding unverified data?

We would use language, as we do with all our searches, on the search return and on our search website, to alert the user that the information is not guaranteed to be accurate and is intended for reference purposes only.

How would the data be integrated or offered to your dealerships?

We could simply combine this search with searches our members are already running, cost-effectively.

Is there any other information that you believe the CBSA should consider in making its decision?

The UCDA websites at http://www.ucda.ca and http://www.ucda.org explain our mandate and purpose, but essentially it is to improve the professionalism of our industry, advocate for our members and ensure a level playing field for dealers, while encouraging an informed and protected consumer.

We work closely with governments, law enforcement and regulators to fulfill our objectives in this vibrant industry. As you may know, we attended the Auto Theft Summit in Ottawa in February of 2024, which really kick-started the fight against what had become an epidemic, and real progress is being made. We view this issue as part of that positive process.