How to sell a car in Canada

Your step-by-step guide to selling a car in Canada, including requirements for each province.

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By

Tim Falk

Edited by

Leanne Escobal

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Fact checked

You can sell your car in Canada through a private marketplace, an online or in-person dealership or an online automotive marketplace. Requirements for how to sell a car vary by province, and you may need to take different steps depending on the platform you choose.

Keep reading for step-by-step instructions.

How to sell a car in Canada: Step-by-step guide

Wondering how to sell a car in Canada? Follow these steps for an easy process from start to finish:

  1. Prepare your car for sale
  2. Figure out how much your car is worth
  3. Choose where to sell your car
  4. Prepare your documents
  5. List your car and get an offer
  6. Finalize the sale

Step 1: Prepare your car for sale

Use this checklist to prepare to sell your car:

Clean your car

Wash and polish the outside (including the engine and tires), vacuum the seats, wipe down surfaces and remove all of your personal belongings. You may even want to consider getting your car professionally detailed to help with the 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.

Gather your paperwork

Gather records for oil changes, regular servicing and accessories like 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 detailed ad that lists key information about your vehicle and its special features.

Step 2: Figure out how much your car is worth

Search for your car on sites like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, Consumer Reports or AutoTrader to figure out how much it’s worth. You can also search for similar vehicles on online marketplaces to get a better idea of how much other sellers are asking for.

Step 3: Choose where to sell your car

There are several different ways to sell a car in Canada, each with its own pros and cons. Compare your options in this table.

Where to sellExample(s)Best forProsCons
Online dealershipClutchConvenience
  • Sell your car without leaving your home
  • Simple and straightforward
  • Avoid the hassle of negotiating
  • May get a lower price than you want
  • Online dealers only accept newer vehicles
In-person dealershipSearch for local dealerships in your areaFast sales
  • Quick and convenient
  • Dealer can help you take care of the paperwork
  • Trade in your vehicle to help pay for the next one
  • Lower sales price
  • Less chance to negotiate
Online marketplaceAutoTrader, Carpages.ca, Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace and Used.caGetting the best price
  • You get to name your price
  • Lots of popular platforms to choose from
  • Sell old or new models
  • Test drives and appointments
  • You’ll need to haggle
  • May have to deal with people who aren’t serious about buying

Check out your offer from an online dealer

1 of 1 result
Max. Vehicle Age Mileage Range Available Provinces Vehicle Payment
2000 or newer
Any
ON, NS, NB, PE and BC (no trade-in option in BC)
eTransfer funds in 1 business day
Sell or trade-in your car without the hassle. Upload basic information and get an instant offer. Get the vehicle picked up from your driveway. Available in Ontario and Nova Scotia only.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection
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Showing 1 of 1 result

Step 4: Prepare your documents

The documents you need to provide to sell your car vary based on your province. Check the table below for details of the paperwork required where you live.

ProvinceLegally required documents to sell your vehicle
Alberta
  • Bill of sale
British Columbia
Manitoba
  • Transfer of ownership document
  • Bill of sale
  • Valid certificate of inspection (or the buyer needs to arrange an inspection)
New Brunswick
  • Certificate of registration with your signature on the back
Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Bill of sale
  • Affidavit (if the vehicle is sold for less than its wholesale value)
  • Notice of sale
  • Vehicle registration
  • Motor vehicle safety inspection certificate
Nova Scotia
  • Signed certificate of registration (transfer of ownership)
  • transfer of title certificate of sale (part 1)—filled out
  • Notice of sale
Ontario
  • Used vehicle information package (private sales only)
  • Bill of sale
  • Completed and signed application for transfer—on the back of the ownership permit
  • Certificate verifying that the vehicle meets safety standards (in some cases)
Prince Edward Island
  • Completed notification of transfer form on the registration permit
  • Vehicle permit with your signature
  • Bill of sale
  • Motor vehicle inspection certificate
Quebec
  • For private sales, both the buyer and seller must go to an SAAQ service outlet to have the vehicle registered in the buyer’s name
Saskatchewan
  • Bill of sale
  • Transfer of ownership form on the registration certificate

Other documents for a faster, easier sale

There are a few other documents you can supply to ensure a smooth sales process and possibly help you get a better price:

  • Government-issued ID. Buyers will want to see that you are who you say you are, so make sure that you have a valid piece of ID.
  • CARFAX report. Download a CARFAX report to show prospective buyers that your vehicle hasn’t been involved in any accidents or thefts.
  • Inspection report. A vehicle inspection report allows you to show prospective buyers that your car is in good working order.
  • Maintenance records. Keep your receipts for oil changes, air and fuel filter changes, repairs and routine maintenance to show that you take good care of your car.
  • Warranty documents. If you’re selling a car that’s still under warranty, the buyer will want to see documents explaining the terms and conditions of the warranty.

Step 5: List your car and get an offer

You’ll follow a different process to sell your car, depending on the sales method or platform you choose.

PlatformProcess
Online dealership
  1. Visit the website of the online dealer you’re interested in.
  2. Enter your vehicle details or VIN, along with your contact info.
  3. Get your vehicle appraised by the dealer (they will usually do this by inspecting the car at your home, but in some cases, you may have to drop off your vehicle at a nearby location).
  4. Your vehicle won’t be listed online, but the dealer will send you an offer.
  5. Choose to trade your car in for a discount on a new car, or get the offer in cash.
  6. Once the offer is accepted, your dealer will pick up your vehicle from your house (in most cases).
In-person dealership
  1. Drive your car to the dealership.
  2. If you’re trading in your vehicle, test-drive other cars to decide which one you want to buy. Negotiate a trade-in price with the dealer. If you just want to sell your car, the dealer will conduct a mechanical inspection before making an offer.
  3. If you’re happy with the offer, the dealer will guide you through the paperwork that needs to be completed.
Online marketplace
  1. Choose where you want to sell your car online in Canada, or cross-post across several platforms for greater visibility.
  2. Post pictures of your car and write a detailed description of your vehicle’s features and history.
  3. Include your contact details and pricing information.
  4. Click submit and wait for buyers to contact you directly.
  5. Organize viewings and test drives for your vehicle.
  6. When someone makes an offer you’re happy with, finalize the sale.

Step 6: Finalize the sale

Once your buyer agrees to a price, you’ll need to complete the following tasks to sell your car in Canada:

  • Request payment. Wait until the money is in your account before you begin the process of transferring ownership. Payment methods can include cash or bank drafts.
  • 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, arrange to deliver the vehicle or have someone pick it up.
  • Cancel your insurance and registration. Cancel your insurance and registration and remove your licence plates before or immediately after the sale.

How to transfer ownership by province

This table explains the steps you need to follow to transfer vehicle ownership in your province. Please note that this information may change, so it’s best to check with your province’s motor vehicle registry for up-to-date details.

ProvinceHow to transfer ownership
Alberta
  • Complete an original bill of sale for both you and the buyer.
  • Cancel your licence plates or transfer your plates over to the new owner at a registry agent.
  • The buyer must go to a registry agent with the bill of sale and proof of valid insurance to register the car in their name.
British Columbia
  • Complete a transfer/tax form.
  • Remove your licence plates and cancel or transfer your insurance.
  • Tear off the bottom part of your vehicle registration, and make sure you sign it before giving it to the buyer.
  • The buyer must take the registration and transfer/tax form to an Autoplan broker (you can also go along to help with the process).
Manitoba
  • Fill out the transfer of ownership card on the back of your vehicle’s registration.
  • Write up a bill of sale for both you and the buyer, including the vehicle’s year, make, model, serial number and the agreed selling price (sample template).
  • Provide the buyer with your valid certificate of inspection (COI), or inform them that they will need to have the vehicle inspected themselves.
  • Retain the licence plates and cancel your Autopac coverage.
  • The buyer must take the transfer of ownership card, bill of sale and COI to the registry office to transfer vehicle ownership.
New Brunswick
  • Give the buyer your signed certificate of registration.
  • You may also need to fill out additional documents, such as a seller’s affidavit or an application for registration.
  • Remove the licence plates and cancel your insurance coverage.
  • Your buyer will need to go to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to register the vehicle.
Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Give the buyer your vehicle registration permit, and make sure they complete the signed insurance declaration on the back.
  • Fill out a bill of sale, including the date of sale, buyer’s name and driver’s licence number, year, make & model of the vehicle, plate number & serial number, purchase price and your full name and signature.
  • Provide the buyer with a motor vehicle safety inspection certificate, or inform them that they will need to have the vehicle inspected themselves.
  • Fill out a sworn affidavit with the buyer for a private sale if the purchase price of the vehicle is below the wholesale Red Book value.
  • Remove the notice of sale portion of your registration, and sign and submit it to motor registration within 10 days of the sale of a vehicle.
  • Your buyer will need to go to a registry office with the documents to register the vehicle.
Nova Scotia
  • Sign the reverse of the certificate of registration, fill out the transfer of title certificate of sale (part 1) and give both to the buyer.
  • Remove the notice of sale portion of your registration, sign and submit it to the Registry of Motor Vehicles immediately after the sale.
  • Take off the plates and cancel or transfer your insurance.
  • Your buyer will need to go to a registry office to register the vehicle.
Ontario
  • Purchase a used vehicle information package from ServiceOntario to give to your buyer (it costs $20 and details your vehicle’s history). This is for private sales only.
  • Provide your buyer with a signed bill of sale with the date, your name, the buyer’s name & address and the purchase price.
  • Fill out and sign the application for transfer on the back of your ownership permit under the vehicle portion.
  • You may also need to provide a certificate verifying that the vehicle meets safety standards from a mechanic.
  • Retain your licence plates and the plate portion of your registration permit.
  • Your buyer will need to go to a ServiceOntario centre with the documents to register the vehicle.
Prince Edward Island
  • Complete and sign the back of the registration permit.
  • Complete a bill of sale that outlines info like your name, the buyer’s name & address, the date and the purchase price.
  • Fill in the notification of transfer form on the registration permit, and mail it to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles within seven days of the transfer date.
  • Take off the plates and cancel or transfer your insurance.
  • Your buyer will need to go to a registry office with the registration permit, bill of sale, motor vehicle inspection form and valid insurance card to register the vehicle.
Quebec
  • Ownership can be transferred online through SAAQclic. Alternatively, you and the buyer can visit an SAAQ service outlet to transfer the registration.
Saskatchewan
  • Complete a bill of sale with the required information (sample here).
  • Complete the transfer of ownership form on your registration permit and give it to the buyer.
  • Take off the plates and cancel or transfer your insurance.
  • Your buyer will need to go to a registry office with the bill of sale and transfer of ownership permit to register the vehicle.

Bottom line

You have several choices when deciding how to sell a car in Canada. Online dealers and bidding sites are convenient, while visiting a dealer in person can ensure a quick sale. 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.

Whichever option you choose, use the steps outlined above to ensure a smooth and seamless sale.

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Leanne Escobal as part of our fact-checking process.
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Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 20-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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