How to sell a used car in Ontario 

Selling a car in Ontario isn’t difficult, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you have a quick and easy sale. This guide will look at the key steps you need to take when selling your used car in this province. We’ll walk you through how to sell your vehicle privately as well as how to sell it to a dealership.

How to sell a used car privately in Ontario

You will need the following documents if you are selling your car privately in Ontario:

Used vehicle information package (UVIP)

Required

The used vehicle information package contains details of your vehicle and its history. You are legally required to provide this package to a buyer when you’re selling a used car in Ontario. The UVIP should include the following:

• Description of the vehicle, including the vehicle identification number (VIN), plate number, year, make, model, colour, cylinders and other identifying information
• Ontario vehicle registration history (present and previous owners)
• Odometer information
• Outstanding debts (link to liens) on the vehicle
• Wholesale and retail values for the vehicle’s model and year, if available
• Sales tax requirements
• Bill of sale

You can order a UVIP online through ServiceOntario. The cost is $20, and it’ll be mailed to you within 5 business days.

Signed bill of sale

Required

When you’re selling a car privately in Ontario, you’ll need to provide an original bill of sale to the buyer. It can be handwritten or printed. The UVIP will have a bill of sale section where you’ll include the following details:

• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Vehicle’s make, year and power source (gas, diesel or electric)
• Body type, colour and model if available
• Price of the car, including HST
• Your name, address and signature as the seller
• Name and address of the buyer
• Date the car was bought/sold

Completed application of transfer

Required

The application of transfer is located on the back of the ownership permit. You must sign the application of transfer to validate the sale and transfer ownership to the buyer. The buyer must register their name as the new owner of the vehicle within 6 days of the purchase. Here’s a sample of the ownership permit.

Safety standards certificate

Recommended

A safety standards certificate shows that your vehicle meets the minimum safety standards. A buyer could ask you for it as part of the deal because they cannot put plates on the car without this certificate. You can visit an inspection station that is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to have your vehicle inspected. Once it passes the inspection, the mechanic will issue the certificate, which can cost between $80 and $135.

Sell your used car in Ontario

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Name	Product	Max. Vehicle Age	Mileage Range	Available Provinces	Vehicle Payment	Link
Clutch Sell or Trade Your Car		2000 or newer	Any	Ontario & Nova Scotia	eTransfer funds in 1 business day	Go to site More Info	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.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to sell a used car to a dealership in Ontario

It’s also possible to sell your used car to a dealership in Ontario. Not only can you make a quick sale, but you can also avoid the hassle of meeting people and booking test drives with strangers. That said, make sure you know the value of your car and ensure that it’s in pristine condition to get a good price.

If you’re looking to sell a car to a dealership in Ontario, here are a couple of things to consider.

• Value and year: Find out the value of your car using Kelley Blue Book, a site that specializes in car valuations. Knowing the value based on the age of your car will go a long way to getting a good price. Of course, if your vehicle has any issues, such as dents or broken parts, then you can’t expect to get the Blue Book value.
• Car repair and detail: Repairing the windshield, fixing dents and dealing with other cosmetic damages will bring a higher dollar value.
• Choosing the right dealer: You can sell your vehicle to your original dealer or to a dealer’s network. Dealers look at the vehicle’s condition, aftermarket modifications, mechanical issues, year and mileage as well as maintenance history and current market conditions to determine a sale price.

Where to sell a used car in Ontario

Below is a sample of online and in-person dealers that are looking to buy used cars in Ontario, plus their locations. You don’t need to trade in a vehicle.

• Clutch (will pick up the car from your home)
• Canada Drives (will pick up the car from your home)
• CarDoor (will pick up the car from your home)
• Car Nation Canada (Burlington and Brantford)
• Prio Auto Sales (Ottawa)
• Myers Automotive Group (Ottawa)
• Ridebuyers.ca (Greater Toronto Area)
• Azores Auto Group (Greater Toronto Area)
• Good Fellow’s Auto Wholesalers (Greater Toronto Area)
• Pro Drive Auto Sales (Greater Toronto Area)

How much should I sell my car for in Ontario?

There are 4 ways to figure out how much your car may be worth in Ontario:

• Car value estimate sites. Examples include Kelley Blue Book, Canadian Black Book and CARFAX. You’ll need to input details about your car, such as the VIN, year, make, model, kilometres and postal code.
• Online dealers. Online dealers like Clutch, Canada Drives and CarDoor buy cars. Visit their sites to get an offer for your car at no cost.
• Online bidding sites. Online bidding sites like Carity and Autozen allow you to get multiple offers from dealers at no cost.
• Marketplaces. You can check out marketplaces like AutoTrader and Kijiji to find cars that are similar to yours.

Can I sell a used car with a loan on it?

Selling a financed car in Ontario is possible. However, many Canadians look for vehicles that don’t have loans attached. If you still owe money on your vehicle and you fail to pay off your loan, the lender can repossess it, even if you sold it to someone else. Generally, it’s best to try to pay off your loan before selling it. If you can’t afford this, you can use the money you were paid for the car to pay off your lender.

Should I trade in my car instead?

If you’re unsatisfied with your present vehicle and want to trade it in for a new model, partnering with a dealership could help you get a new car. A dealer can give you a trade-in value for your existing car and apply that value to the price of your new car. If you still owe money on your existing car loan, the dealer can include that outstanding balance to your new car loan and refinance the amount.

Tips for how to sell a car in Ontario

To ensure that you get the smoothest experience and top dollar for your ride, consider the following:

Preparation

Not many people want a fixer-upper, so do your best to get your vehicle ready for sale. This includes fixing affordable nicks and dents as well as detailing the interior and exterior. It’s also important to be transparent about any existing issues with the car.

Listing

Finding the right place to list your vehicle will help determine how much you get paid. While you might get less money if you’re selling directly to a dealership, it can save you time. On the other hand, you might get a slightly higher price if you’re selling it privately, especially if you’re selling a specialty car.

Timeline

If you’re in a rush to sell the car, selling your vehicle to a dealership might be better than a private sale. Again, this depends on the quality of the car and the make and model.

Bottom line

Selling a used car privately in Ontario is different from selling a used car to a dealership. Selling a used car to a dealership is easier since you won’t need to provide as many documents, haggle with strangers, book test drives or deal with tire kickers. If you’re selling a car privately in Ontario and you want to ensure you have the right documents for a legal sale, you can reach out to ServiceOntario.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I get a car ready for sale?

  Make sure your car is clean and presentable. Take the best photos possible and make sure to include a wide range of shots from different angles. Try to shoot on sunny days. Buyers tend to appreciate seeing detailed information about the vehicle.

• How do I list a used car for sale online?

  Kijiji, Autotrader, Clutch and Canada Drives are popular sites you can use when selling a car in Ontario.

• What questions should I expect from a used car buyer?

  The age of the car as well as the number of kilometres on it will likely be the main questions you’ll have to answer when you’re selling a vehicle in Ontario. Prospective buyers might also ask about the car’s condition and its history.