Toronto man banned from selling cars in Ontario
A Toronto man who used to work in the automotive industry selling used cars has lost an appeal to become a car salesman again.
The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) alleged that Sai Lucas Lu of Toronto ran a numbered company and used forged documents, bought cars written off by insurance companies and operated as an illegal, unlicensed dealer.
OMVIC said Lu then sold the vehicles to unsuspecting buyers and also leased them to Uber and Lyft drivers who were also unaware of their condition.
The cars had been written off as total losses by insurance companies, but it's alleged they were purchased at salvage auctions, fixed up and sold to buyers with fake paperwork.
"He certainly can't sell a car legally in Ontario today," CEO of OMVIC John Carmichael said. “This is the type of person we do not want in the automotive industry in Ontario."
OMVIC said that Lu had many past infractions that should not allow him to return to selling cars.
“There are multiple complaints were consumers purchased vehicles that were unsafe, had been in accidents where the mechanical condition wasn't disclosed," Carmichael said.
OMVIC said there are 40,000 registered car sales staff in the province.
When OMVIC denied Lu a chance to have his sales licenced reinstated, he appealed but Ontario’s Licence Appeal Tribunal agreed with OMVIC that Lu should not be allowed to sell cars.
When buying a used car to protect yourself, you can get a used vehicle information package from Ontario’s Transportation Ministry and get a Carfax history report.
Buyers should look for signs of wear or accident damage and have the car checked by your own mechanic. Once a vehicle is put on the hoist and inspected, a mechanic should be able to see signs if it’s a rebuilt wreck.
Also, if you buy from an OMVIC registered dealer and feel you have been deceived, you can apply to OMVIC’s compensation fund which could pay a car buyer up to $45,000 in compensation.
As for Lu, even though he is barred from selling cars now, he can re-apply in several years to try and get his licence again.
He would have to show that he has changed and can be trusted to sell vehicles in the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.