American Chinese, 95% in Toronto, 67% in Vancouver, dishonest used car dealers

Ivan deals with deceitful car dealers, severely damaged vehicles, and shoddy repairs every day. He advises consumers to thoroughly inspect vehicles that are priced suspiciously low.

A second-hand car market research institution released its latest annual report indicating that two-thirds of Vancouver's used car dealers are dishonest, deliberately concealing the true condition of accidents involving used cars. The situation in Toronto is even worse, with almost 95% of used car dealers suspected of misleading consumers.

According to reports from the World Journal, the mission of Georg Iny, the president of the Automobile Protection Association (APA), is to clean up Canada's second-hand car market. Over the past 17 years, he has been dedicated to exposing dishonest dealers, as well as identifying accident-damaged vehicles and shoddy repairs. Every year, APA publishes an investigative report. Since about 70% of the vehicles sold in Canada last year were used cars, Iny and the APA are investigating matters closely related to millions of Canadians.

In Vancouver, as many as two-thirds of used car dealers are not honest and deliberately conceal the truth about accidents involving used cars. Iny, his team of mystery shoppers, and a skilled mechanic studied classified ads and thoroughly investigated 18 used car dealers located in Vancouver. The results of the investigation were very concerning. Only six used car dealers in Vancouver passed the test, with two-thirds of them being dishonest.

The APA pointed out that many Vancouver dealers did not fully disclose that some vehicles had been involved in serious accidents. Some admitted to accidents but downplayed their severity. One dealer’s actions, though not directly related to the APA investigation, were still included. Investigators tracked vehicles for sale parked by the roadside and found that they actually belonged to used car dealers. This dealership, called "Ace Auto," pretended to sell personal vehicles, but the license plates belonged to Ace Auto.

What concerns the APA most in Vancouver is that after insurance companies write off vehicles involved in serious accidents, these vehicles are repaired and re-enter the market marked as rebuilt. Salesman Sham Premji told undercover APA investigators posing as customers that this car only had a minor side collision and was now completely restored. However, when the APA took the vehicle for inspection, numerous problems were discovered.

An independent technician from Martino Auto Centre, Carmen Martino, informed the APA that the car's bumper had been replaced. When the car was lifted, it was found that the entire bottom of the car was bent. Additionally, there were no tail light sockets, a wobbling connecting rod, oil leaks in the transmission, and a downward-bent rocker panel. Martino pointed out that this Matrix was poorly repaired and should not have passed inspection.

The results in Toronto were even more alarming, with 95% of used car dealers suspected of misleading consumers. The APA also conducted a similar investigation in Toronto.