The 1996 UCDA study found one individual with over 60 vehicles for sale. He was not a dealer. If the vehicle is found to be stolen , then the buyer is out of luck. The law says that a stolen vehicle returns to the original owner. The buyer loses the whole purchase price, and would have to sue the seller, who by then may or may not be able to be found.
Odometer fraud is another key element in the curbsider being able to offer such a good deal.
This allows the curbsider to sell the vehicle for seemingly more than it is worth. There is also the risk of liens being registered against the vehicle. The vehicle may have had prior accident damage , and the buyer would have little or no recourse. The Ministry of Transportation requires that provincial sales tax be paid on the average wholesale value, or the actual purchase price, whichever is higher. This could eat up any perceived savings.