- The CAMVAP covers vehicles bought and leased in Canada, including cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. BMW and Mitsubishi vehicles are not covered, as these companies have opted out of the voluntary program. The program is only used to resolve disputes about car manufacture and quality--or problems with vehicle warranties.
- To be eligible, a vehicle must have fewer than 160,000 kilometers and be from a current model year or from one of the last four model years. Used vehicles are covered by the program, but only if they are still covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
- CAMVAP is intended to be used by the average person. No special legal knowledge is needed, and the process is free to the consumer. Once you have decided that your dealer and manufacturer are not resolving the problem to your satisfaction, you can file a petition with CAMVAP for arbitration. Within 70 days, there will be a hearing before the arbitrator, attended by the consumer, and the dealer or manufacturer (or both depending on the problem). You must agree to abide by the arbitrator's ruling and agree not to take the matter to court afterward.
- The arbitrator will listen to all sides and make a decision. Witnesses and expert testimony can be given by either side. The arbitrator can order any number of solutions, including ordering repairs to be made, ordering the manufacturer or dealer to buy back your vehicle, order reimbursement for repairs or expenses or find the dealer or manufacturer not at fault. You do not need to have a lawyer, although you can bring one, at your own expense. You can also have a friend or family member help you. The arbitrator will expect to see evidence that you have tried several times to resolve the problems with the manufacturer or dealer and detailed records.
- CAMVAP claims that around 50 percent of cases that go to arbitration are settled in favor of consumers and that most people who use CAMVAP are satisfied. It publishes a guide telling you all you need to know to ask for arbitration on their website.
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