How to sell your car online
Follow this step-by-step guide to selling a car online in Canada, including requirements for each province.
You can sell your car online in Canada through a private marketplace, online dealer, bidding site or online automotive marketplace. Requirements for how to sell a car online will vary by province, and you may need to take different steps depending on which platform you choose.
Steps for how to sell a car online
Follow these steps on how to sell a car online in Canada for an easy process from start to finish:
- Prepare your car for the sale.
- Determine how much your car is worth.
- Choose a platform.
- Prepare your required documents.
- List your car and get an offer.
- Finalize the sale.
1. Prepare your car for the sale
Use this checklist to prepare to sell your car online:
- Clean your car. Wash and polish the outside (including engine and tires), vacuum the seats, wipe down surfaces and hang an air freshener. You may even want to consider a professional cleaning to help with your sale.
- Visit your mechanic. Get an inspection report for your car to make sure it’s in good shape. This costs a bit extra but could help you net a higher price for your car. Prices for inspections usually range from $150 to $250.
- Compile your records. Gather records for oil changes, emergency repairs and accessories such as new tires or wipers to show that you take good care of your car. You can also download a copy of your CARFAX report to have on hand.
- Prepare your ad. If you plan to post an ad online, take high-quality photos of your car in a nice location with good lighting. Write a compelling ad that lists out key information and special features, and don’t be afraid to sponsor your ad with a fee to get more attention.
2. Determine how much your car is worth
Search your car on sites like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, Consumer Reports or AutoTrader to figure out how much it’s worth. Look for vehicles that are the same make and model, with a similar condition and number of kilometres. Read our article to learn more about how much your car is worth.
Tips for how to get the best price or offer
- Private marketplaces. Set a higher price to start so you can negotiate down. Come ready to haggle but be firm about your bottom line.
- Online dealer. Compare offers from multiple dealers to get the best price when you sell your car online in Canada.
- Bidding site. Set a minimum price and choose the highest offer from multiple bids. Don’t be afraid to look into other platforms if you aren’t satisfied.
- Online automotive marketplace. Set a higher price to start so you can negotiate down, and list across platforms to get the most visibility.
3. Choose a platform
Compare the 4 main platform types for how to sell a car online in Canada:
Type of platform | Examples | Best for | Pros | Cons |
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Private marketplace | Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and Used.ca | Full control over price |
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Online dealer | Clutch and Canada Drives | Quick sales and newer vehicle sales with at-home pick-up |
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Bidding site | Carity and Autozen | Quick sales and multiple offers with auction-style bidding |
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Online automotive marketplace | AutoTrader and Carpages.ca | More visibility for advertisement |
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Check out your offer from an online dealer
4. Prepare your required documents
You’ll need the following legal documents to sell your car online in Canada by province.
Province | Legally required documents to sell your vehicle |
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Selling a car in Alberta |
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Selling a car in British Columbia |
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Selling a car in Manitoba |
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Selling a car in New Brunswick |
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Selling a car in Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Selling a car in Nova Scotia |
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Selling a car in Ontario |
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Selling a car in Prince Edward Island |
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Selling a car in Quebec |
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Selling a car in Saskatchewan |
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5. List your car and get an offer
You’ll follow a different process to list your car online and get an offer for each platform:
Platform type | Process to follow |
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Private marketplaces |
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Online dealers |
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Bidding sites |
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Online automotive marketplaces |
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6. Finalize the sale
Once your buyer agrees to a price, you’ll need to complete the following tasks to sell your car online in Canada:
- Request payment. Wait until the money is in your account before you begin the process of transferring ownership.
- Transfer ownership. Each province has its own requirements for how to do this (outlined below).
Organize pick up or delivery. Hand your keys over to the buyer or arrange to deliver the vehicle or have someone pick it up. - Cancel your coverage. Cancel your insurance and registration and remove your licence plates either before or immediately after the sale.
How to transfer ownership by province
Expand each province for more detailed information about how to transfer ownership of your vehicle. **This information may change so it’s best to visit the website for your province’s motor vehicle registry for up-to-date details.
Province | Transferring ownership by province |
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Alberta |
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British Columbia |
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Manitoba |
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New Brunswick |
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Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Nova Scotia |
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Ontario |
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Prince Edward Island |
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Quebec |
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Saskatchewan |
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Bottom line
You have several choices in how to sell your car online in Canada. Online dealers and bidding sites are the most convenient method, but you may not get the highest offer. Selling privately to an individual may get you a better offer, but it takes more time and effort.
Frequently asked questions
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