Selling a Used Car in Ontario2026-04-14T17:47:13+00:00
Selling a Used Car in Ontario
Selling your car privately can save thousands compared to a trade-in, but Ontario has specific paperwork requirements. The Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) is the centerpiece, and skipping it is illegal.
Tell us about your sale and we will explain what paperwork you need.
What Is a UVIP?
The Used Vehicle Information Package is a government document that gives the buyer a complete picture of what they are purchasing. It is your legal responsibility as the seller to provide one. Selling without a UVIP is a violation of the Highway Traffic Act and can result in fines.
Vehicle details: Year, make, model, body style, colour, engine, and VIN
Registration history: Every previous owner, their city of residence, and the dates of ownership
Odometer readings: Recorded mileage from previous registrations (helps detect rollback)
Lien information: Any outstanding loans or debts attached to the vehicle
Wholesale value: The minimum value used to calculate Retail Sales Tax (RST) at registration
Status flags: Whether the vehicle is registered as unfit, has a salvage title, or has any other notes
Bill of sale section: A page where you record the sale price and both parties sign
Tear-off stub: The buyer uses this when registering the vehicle at ServiceOntario
When You Need a UVIP (and When You Do Not)
✅ Required
Private sale to anyone outside your family. This is the standard situation: you are selling your car to a stranger or acquaintance.
❌ Not Required
Transfers between family members (spouses, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws). Sales to an OMVIC-registered used car dealer. Donations to a registered charity. Vehicle gifted as a prize from a registered raffle.
2Enter the vehicle's VIN or licence plate number, and your driver's licence number or registrant identification number (RIN)
3Pay $20 with Visa, Mastercard, or Interac
4The package arrives by mail in about 5 business days
In person (same day):
1Visit any ServiceOntario centre
2Bring the vehicle's VIN or licence plate number, and your ID
3Pay $20 (cash, debit, or credit accepted)
4Receive the package on the spot, ready to use
Get the UVIP as close to the sale date as possible. Lien information and ownership details can change over time, so a fresh package gives the buyer the most accurate picture.
Step-by-Step: How to Sell Your Car
1Decide whether to sell with or without a Safety Standards Certificate. If you sell as-is, the buyer cannot put plates on the vehicle until they get one themselves. This may reduce the sale price but saves you the inspection cost.
2Pay off any liens. If you have a car loan, contact your lender to get the payoff amount. The lien must be cleared before the sale can be properly registered.
3Buy a UVIP. Purchase the package from ServiceOntario online or in person.
4Get a Safety Standards Certificate (optional). If you are providing one, take the vehicle to a licensed DriveON inspection centre.
5Find a buyer and agree on a price. Common platforms include AutoTrader, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and local classifieds.
6Meet the buyer in a safe, public location with the vehicle and all documents ready.
7Complete the bill of sale section of the UVIP. Both you and the buyer sign and date it. The sale price you write here will be used to calculate the buyer's tax.
8Sign over the back of your vehicle permit. The Application for Transfer is on the reverse of your green ownership permit. Fill it in completely and sign.
9Hand over to the buyer: the completed UVIP, the vehicle portion of the permit (the green part), the Safety Standards Certificate (if applicable), and the bill of sale.
10Keep the plate portion of the permit. This stays with you. Make a copy of everything you handed over for your records.
11Remove your licence plates from the vehicle before the buyer drives away. The plates belong to you, not the vehicle.
12Accept payment securely. Most experienced sellers prefer a certified bank draft or e-transfer. Cash works for smaller amounts but be cautious.
Selling As-Is vs With a Safety Certificate
With Safety Certificate
$80 to $150 upfront
Buyer can register and drive immediately. Wider pool of buyers. Higher sale price. You handle the inspection and any failed-item repairs.
Sold As-Is
$0 extra
You sell at a lower price but skip the inspection process. The buyer is responsible for all repairs and must arrange their own SSC before registering. Make sure the bill of sale clearly states "sold as-is" to protect yourself.
If you sell as-is, the buyer cannot legally drive the vehicle home from the sale. They will need to tow it or get an SSC before putting plates on it. Be upfront about this in your listing to avoid wasted time with buyers who expect to drive away.
What to Do With Your Plates and Stickers
In Ontario, plates belong to the person, not the vehicle. When you sell, your plates come with you. Here are your options:
•Transfer to another vehicle you own. You can do this at a ServiceOntario centre at no charge.
•Store them safely if you plan to buy another vehicle soon.
•Return them to ServiceOntario if you no longer need them.
Sticker fees were eliminated in March 2022 for passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and mopeds. There is no longer a fee or sticker to refund. If you own a heavy commercial vehicle, you can request a refund or credit for unused months on a paid sticker by visiting a ServiceOntario centre with your plates.
Cancel your insurance on the vehicle the day after the sale. Until you do, you remain liable.
Keep copies of the UVIP, bill of sale, and the back of the ownership permit. These prove the date of sale and that you transferred the vehicle.
Note the buyer's full legal name and address. The bill of sale should match what is on their driver's licence.
If selling as-is, write "Sold as-is" prominently on the bill of sale and have the buyer sign acknowledging this.
Be wary of scams. Common ones include overpayment with a fake cheque, fake e-transfers, requests to ship the vehicle out of country, and "buyers" who refuse to inspect the vehicle in person.
Never let the buyer drive the vehicle away with your plates still on it. If they get into a collision or commit a traffic offence on those plates, you could be held liable.
What the Buyer Has to Do
The buyer has 6 days from the purchase date to register the vehicle in their name at a ServiceOntario centre. They will need:
• The vehicle portion of the ownership permit you signed over
• The completed Application for Transfer (back of the permit)
• The Used Vehicle Information Package with the bill of sale section completed
• A valid Safety Standards Certificate (their own, or yours if you provided one)
• Proof of insurance for the vehicle in their name
• Their Ontario driver's licence
• Payment for Retail Sales Tax (13% of the sale price or the Canadian Red Book wholesale value, whichever is higher) and registration fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the buyer refuse to give me their full name? +
No. Both parties must sign the bill of sale and the buyer needs to provide their legal name and address. If they refuse, do not complete the sale. Anyone who hesitates to provide their name is likely planning to use the vehicle for something they should not.
What if my UVIP gets damaged before I can give it to the buyer? +
You need an undamaged UVIP with an unaltered serial number and the tear-off stub still attached. If yours gets damaged, contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 to request a replacement.
Does a UVIP expire? +
There is no official expiry date on a UVIP, but the lien and ownership information are accurate as of the date the package was issued. If too much time passes between getting the UVIP and completing the sale, the information may be outdated. Most sellers buy the UVIP shortly before listing the vehicle or before meeting a serious buyer.
Can the buyer get the UVIP themselves instead? +
The buyer can purchase a UVIP if they want to verify a vehicle's history before agreeing to buy. However, you as the seller are still legally required to provide one for the actual sale. The buyer's UVIP and your seller's UVIP serve the same purpose.
What is the difference between a UVIP and a Carfax report? +
A UVIP is a government document and is legally required. It shows ownership history, liens, and registration data from the Ministry of Transportation. A Carfax report is private and optional. It shows accident history, service records (if reported), and recall information. Buyers often request both for full transparency.
What happens if I do not provide a UVIP? +
You can be fined under the Highway Traffic Act. The buyer also cannot complete the registration without one, which means they may demand a refund or pursue legal action. Always provide the UVIP. The $20 cost is trivial compared to the legal exposure of skipping it.
