Here are examples of small claims court judgments, where consumers asserted their legal warranty rights. This tool can be useful to you in your negotiations with a merchant. For example, it could help you determine a reasonable durability period for your item or estimate the amount of compensation for damages to which you may be entitled. 

Cautionary note

These judgment summaries are presented for reference purposes only. An application that was settled in favour of a consumer in one situation may not necessarily result in the same ruling for another consumer. 

Several factors can influence a judge's decision regarding a reasonable durability period for an item. These include the price paid, contract clause provisions, the conditions under which the  item is used, etc. Remember that each case is different, and every decision is rendered on the basis of the evidence brought before the court.  

Exemples of judgments

Truck tractor has problems with tires, air conditioning, radiator, and transmission a few weeks after sale

Claim allowed in part

Summary

Price paid: $51,750

Claim for $14,866.28

  • $10,866.28 for cost of repairs;
  • $4,000 for loss of income.

Amount awarded

$5,000

As reduction in sales price, for cost of repairs

Full judgment (in French only)

Tremblay c. Machineries Rosaire Thériault inc.

May 2019

Motorcycle stopped working after 1,097 kilometres

Claim allowed in part

Summary

Price paid: close to $8,000

Claim for an amount of money and damages

  • $2,279.05 for cost of repairs;
  • $840 for loss of enjoyment of motorcycle;
  • Unspecified amount for loss of value of motorcycle.

Amount awarded

$2,494.48

  • $1,994.48 for cost of repairs;
  • $500 for inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of motorcycle.

Full judgment (in French only)

Krzysztof c. Moto Illimitées inc.

April 2019

Engine of all-terrain vehicle broke after 1,000 km of use

Claim dismissed

Summary

Price paid: $13,951.07

Claim for $2,876.24

For cost of motor repair

Amount awarded

$0

Full judgment (in French only)

Morand c. SM Sport

December 2018

New boat’s fuel supply pumps needed to be replaced 5 years after purchase, after approximately 52 hours of use

Claim allowed in part

Summary

Price paid: not specified

Claim of $4,647.62

  • $3,647.62 for replacement of fuel supply pumps and cleaning of fuel injectors;
  • $1,000 for inconvenience suffered.

Amount awarded

$3,647.62

For replacement of fuel supply pumps and cleaning of fuel injectors

Full judgment (in French only)

Dufour c. Mercury Marine Limited

December 2018

New recreational vehicle with intermittent foul odour, problem with the electronic leveling system and noise in the dashboard within weeks of taking possession

Claim allowed in part

Summary

Purchase price: $131,155.68

Claim for $14,747

  • $7,149 for repair costs;
  • $3,098 for reimbursement of the extended warranty;
  • $4,500 for various troubles and inconvenience suffered.

Amount awarded

$5,639.10

  • $4,139.10 for the cost of decontamination;
  • $1,500 for loss of use of the vehicle and lost time.

Full judgment (in French only)

Marcoux c. 6649611 Canada inc. (VR St-Nicolas)

November 2018

New scooter has minor defects within 2 years of purchase

Claim dismissed

Summary

Purchase price: $3,697.60

Claim for cancellation of sale

Amount awarded

$0

Full judgment (in French only)

Laroche c. 9055-2647 Québec inc. (Rock Moto Sport)

February 2018

Cracks in boat hull shortly after purchase

Claim allowed in part

Summary

Price paid: $34,539.74

Claim of $15,000

For various damages

Amount awarded

$9,696.60

  • $391.24 for reimbursement of transportation costs;
  • $696.07 for reimbursement of cost of commissioning;
  • $428.33 for reimbursement of cost of repairing cracks;
  • $5,180.96 for loss of value of boat;
  • $3,000 in moral damages.

Full judgment (in French only)

Thibault c. Adrénaline Sports inc.

December 2017

Track on snowmobile broke after 2 seasons and 9,500 kilometres

Claim dismissed

Summary

Purchase price: $16,355.88

Claim for $1,583.19 (for replacement of track)

Amount awarded

$0

Full judgment (in French only)

Pelletier c. Bombardier Produits récréatifs inc.

September 2017

Universal joint on recreational all-terrain vehicle broke and started a fire after 160 hours of use and 4,000 kilometres

Claim dismissed

Summary

Purchase price: $13,235

Claim for $8,471.24 (for damage to vehicle)

Amount awarded

$0

Full judgment (in French only)

Archambault c. Bombardier Produits récréatifs inc.

May 2017

Tires of new all-terrain vehicle had to be replaced after 8,000 km, driven pulley and QRS had to be replaced four months after sale

Claim allowed in part

Summary

Purchase price: not specified

Claim for $3,434.36

  • $858.82 for replacement of tires;
  • $1,675.54 for replacement of driven pulley and QRS;
  • $400 for inconvenience suffered;
  • $500 in punitive damages.

Amount awarded

$1,730

  • $430 for replacement of tires;
  • $1,000 for premature deterioration of driven pulley and QRS;
  • $300 for loss of use of vehicle.

Full judgment (in French only)

Bernier c. BRP inc.

March 2017

Continuing your search

You can also consult other court decisions concerning legal warranties using the search engine available free of charge on the SOQUIJ website (in French only).

Last update : October 12, 2023

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The information contained on this page is presented in simple terms to make it easier to understand. It does not replace the texts of the laws and regulations.