The data for this study was taken from used vehicle advertisements placed in Toronto’s daily newspapers, auto related and Buy & Sell magazines and free internet advertising sites. The study lasted fourteen weeks, from January 15, 2008 to April 17, 2008.

Advertisements placed by dealers were excluded from the study, to reach the most accurate number of allegedly, "private" sales.

A total number of 12,410 vehicles were advertised over the study period.

During this study, the curbsider was separated from the honest private seller.

Generally a curbsider is a person who offers two or more vehicles for sale, in a 90 day period. While there will obviously be some individuals who will have two vehicles for sale in that period, there wouldn't be many ... and the study only counted "advertised" vehicles.

Of the total number of vehicles advertised 16.65% were advertisements placed by curbsiders ... almost one out of every four advertised ... accounting for 2,066 vehicles. 

The curber percentage was consistent with previous studies from 1991,1992, 1993 , 1996 and 2002 which were conducted throughout Ontario and which averaged 18 to 24%. 

Consumers Reasons For Concern

In the 1992 Barrie study, over 40% of advertisements were placed by curbsiders. 

Curbsiding continues to be a major concern for car buyers. While consumers may think they are purchasing from a legitimate “private” seller, who has maintained the vehicle well … the truth may be just the opposite.

The vehicle may have been accident-damaged, poorly repaired, sold with a false odometer reading, have a lien on it… or worse… turn out to be a stolen vehicle.

Unfortunately, when buying from a curbsider, the consumer has little recourse. Often, the curber will have changed cell phones and disappeared long before the buyer discovers a problem.

Curbsiding constitutes consumer fraud; it does nothing to enhance the used car industry and results in millions of dollars of lost taxes for the province.

Curbsiders should be reported to the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC)