Although he faces 76 charges for operating as an unregistered motor vehicle dealer in the past year, Boston said he is simply trying to liquidate his remaining inventory
Andy Boston is staring down 76 charges and potential jail time for selling vehicles illegally, but he said there’s no issue with his business – because he’s not a car dealer.
Rather, he said the used vehicles lining his Andy Boston Motors dealership lot are in possession of a financing company, and that he’s not dealing cars at all.
He’s simply “disposing of collateral,” Boston told SooToday.
“We’re not operating as a car dealership,” he said. “These are all vehicles that have been in the possession of a company that finances our cars for over a year-and-a-half – we’re not operating as a car dealer.”
Ontario’s motor vehicle council disagrees.
The owner of Andy Boston Motors is facing 76 charges for operating as an unregistered motor vehicle dealer after his registration was revoked in November 2024, and the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council said it is now pursuing stronger legal action against Boston.
“Despite the revocation and subsequent charges, OMVIC continues to receive information indicating that Andy Boston Motors may still be operating as an unregistered motor vehicle seller,” said Emma Marshall, communications specialist with OMVIC.
“As the activity has continued despite these measures, OMVIC is now exploring additional regulatory and legal actions aimed at bringing the illegal sales activity to an end, which could include seeking stronger penalties through the courts such as possible jail time.”
Despite the charges, Boston maintains he has done nothing wrong.
Although his dealership, T.A. Boston Auto Sales Ltd., no longer has its registration as a licensed motor vehicle dealer, Boston said that business is not actually the one that owns the vehicles.
Rather, he said the used vehicles lining his Trunk Road lot are in possession of a financing company – Andy Boston Motors and Leasing – and that he’s not dealing cars at all.
Boston said he is not buying vehicles, accepting trade-ins, or operating as a dealer – he’s simply trying to sell the inventory before retiring.
“These are cars for sale. We’re just trying to move them,” he said.
“There’s nothing new that’s here … we’re just trying to liquidate the inventory so we can move on.”
He said taking the vehicles to auction is also not an option for his business, as OMVIC regulations prevent him from doing so.
“They would charge us again, but we’re acting under the laws that they made,” he said. “We want to liquidate the inventory.”
OMVIC said customers who buy from unregistered vehicle dealers face substantial risk, as they are not afforded protections available under OMVIC registered dealers.
“Registered dealers must comply with Ontario’s motor vehicle sales laws, including disclosure requirements designed to help consumers understand a vehicle’s history, transparent pricing legislation and financial disclosures,” she said.
“Registered dealers are also subject to OMVIC oversight and enforcement.”
With unregistered dealers, customers might be misled about a vehicle’s history or unknowingly purchase a stolen vehicle, become victims of odometer fraud, and lose access to potential compensation through OMVIC, Marshall said.
“Should something go wrong with the transaction, one of the benefits of purchasing from a registered dealer is that OMVIC may be able to work with both the buyer and dealer to help resolve the issue,” she added.
“Buyers may also have access to OMVIC’s complaint process and, in certain circumstances, may be eligible for compensation through Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund.”
Vehicle buyers can verify whether or not a dealership is licensed through OMVIC’s online search tool.