Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) is a dispute resolution
program for consumers in Canada that are experiencing problems with the assembly of their vehicle or with how the manufacturer implements its new vehicle warranty
. CAMVAP covers new or used owned or leased vehicles that are from the current model year
and up to an additional four model years old.
CAMVAP is an arbitration
program. It is free to consumers. Hearings are held in the consumer's home community. The process normally takes less than 70 days from start to finish. Most consumers are able to handle their own case without the assistance of lawyers. The manufacturers do not use lawyers. Their representatives usually are serving or retired district parts and services representatives. An inspection of the vehicle normally is part of an arbitration hearing and the arbitrator can order a technical inspection of the vehicle at the program's expense if doing so is required.
CAMVAP is available to owners and lessees of new and used vehicles that were originally purchased or leased in Canada from an authorized dealer (except for BMW
(and by extension, MINI
), the only car manufacturer that does not take part in the CAMVAP scheme). The owner or lessee must be a resident of Canada. Vehicles owned by businesses may be eligible if they meet certain criteria. CAMVAP is available in every Canadian Province
and Territory.
CAMVAP arbitrators can order the manufacturer to buy back the vehicle; repair it at the manufacturer's expense; pay for repairs already completed; pay out of pocket expenses for items such as towing, diagnostic testing, rental cars
and accommodation related to the problem with the vehicle. The arbitrator can also clear the manufacturer of liability with respect to the issues raised by the consumer.
Dispute resolution
Dispute resolution is the process of resolving disputes between parties.-Methods:Methods of dispute resolution include:* lawsuits * arbitration* collaborative law* mediation* conciliation* many types of negotiation* facilitation...
program for consumers in Canada that are experiencing problems with the assembly of their vehicle or with how the manufacturer implements its new vehicle warranty
Warranty
In business and legal transactions, a warranty is an assurance by one party to the other party that specific facts or conditions are true or will happen; the other party is permitted to rely on that assurance and seek some type of remedy if it is not true or followed.In real estate transactions, a...
. CAMVAP covers new or used owned or leased vehicles that are from the current model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
and up to an additional four model years old.
CAMVAP is an arbitration
Arbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
program. It is free to consumers. Hearings are held in the consumer's home community. The process normally takes less than 70 days from start to finish. Most consumers are able to handle their own case without the assistance of lawyers. The manufacturers do not use lawyers. Their representatives usually are serving or retired district parts and services representatives. An inspection of the vehicle normally is part of an arbitration hearing and the arbitrator can order a technical inspection of the vehicle at the program's expense if doing so is required.
CAMVAP is available to owners and lessees of new and used vehicles that were originally purchased or leased in Canada from an authorized dealer (except for BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
(and by extension, MINI
Mini
The Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers...
), the only car manufacturer that does not take part in the CAMVAP scheme). The owner or lessee must be a resident of Canada. Vehicles owned by businesses may be eligible if they meet certain criteria. CAMVAP is available in every Canadian Province
Provinces and territories of Canada
The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories...
and Territory.
CAMVAP arbitrators can order the manufacturer to buy back the vehicle; repair it at the manufacturer's expense; pay for repairs already completed; pay out of pocket expenses for items such as towing, diagnostic testing, rental cars
Car rental
A car rental or car hire agency is a company that rents automobiles for short periods of time for a fee...
and accommodation related to the problem with the vehicle. The arbitrator can also clear the manufacturer of liability with respect to the issues raised by the consumer.