Province drafts new vehicle repair regulations

TORONTO, (Jan. 16, 2004) — The Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Business Services has released draft regulations pertaining to Motor Vehicle Repairs for the purpose of public consultation. The ministry has indicated that all comments received during the consultation will be considered during final preparation of the regulations.

Some of the issues the draft regulation addresses are as follows:

Repairers shall provide consumers a repair estimate in writing, which will contain the name of the consumer and repairer, as well as the repairer’s business address and phone number. The estimate will also include the name, model, and VIN of the vehicle taken in, as well as the odometer reading. The estimate will also contain a description of repair work expected to be done, an itemized list of parts, and a description of new or reconditioned parts.

Customers must also be notified in writing the estimated amount to be charged, the number of hours expected to be billed for repairs for labour and a total charge, as well as an itemized list for all goods and services, such as storage, and rental vehicles. The estimated date by which work is expected to be completed must also be documented. Also included must be a guarantee the repairer will not bill the customer more than the estimated total price by more than 10 per cent.

Invoices must also contain all the same or similar information.

The repairer must also display signage displaying clearly his obligations to provide an estimate, whether there is a fee to the estimate, and a description of the method to calculate labour charges, as well as all warranty guidelines on parts.

The repairer must also inform the customer that parts removed during repairs that do not need to go back to the original manufacturer under warranty, will be made available to the consumer if he wants them.

The Ontario Trucking Association is asking members who wish to provide feedback to the ministry on these proposed regulations, to contact the OTA’s Geoff Wood by email at geoffrey.wood@ontruck.org.