Selling your car yourself usually gets you more money than a dealer trade-in. In Ontario the paperwork is simple once you know the order: buy a UVIP, prepare the documents, meet the buyer safely, sign, and keep your plates. Here is the full process, based on ServiceOntario's rules.
Step 1. Prepare the car and set a price
- Find a fair price. Compare similar cars (same year, model, trim and mileage) for sale near you. Price a little above your minimum to leave room for negotiation.
- Gather records. Maintenance receipts, the owner's manual and both sets of keys make buyers more confident.
- Clean it and take good photos in daylight: all four sides, interior, dashboard with mileage, tires and engine bay.
Step 2. Buy a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP)
As the seller, you are legally required under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act to give the buyer a UVIP. It costs $20 and you can order it online from ServiceOntario (mailed within 5 business days, up to 10 days for delivery) or buy it the same day at any ServiceOntario centre.
The UVIP includes:
- vehicle details and the registration history in Ontario
- lien information — whether money is owed on the car
- the average wholesale value used to calculate the buyer's sales tax
- a bill of sale section
Order it early: buyers often ask to see it before they make an offer.
Step 3. Check for money owing (liens)
If the UVIP shows a lien, the loan must be paid off before the sale, or the new owner could become responsible for it. Contact your lender for a payout letter and a lien discharge. ServiceOntario's guidance also lists the Personal Property Security Branch for questions: 416-325-8847 (Toronto) or 1-800-267-8847.
Step 4. Decide on a Safety Standards Certificate
A Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) comes from a licensed inspection station (look for the "Ontario DriveON" sign). The buyer needs one to register the car and put plates on it, if a certificate is required. You can sell the car with an SSC or "as is" and let the buyer handle the inspection — just state it clearly in your listing. A certificate is only valid for a limited time after the inspection, usually 36 days.
Step 5. List the car
Write an honest title with year, make, model and mileage (for example, "2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 98,000 km, one owner"). Mention whether you have a UVIP and a safety certificate — it filters out time-wasters. You can post it for free on Fiva.ca.
Step 6. Meet buyers and allow test drives safely
- Meet in daylight in a public place. Many Ontario police services have marked exchange zones — see our list of police safe exchange zones in Ontario.
- Before a test drive, check the buyer's driver's licence and take a photo of it. Ride along.
- Let serious buyers take the car to a mechanic for an inspection. It builds trust and speeds up the sale.
Step 7. Get paid safely
- Bank draft or certified cheque: go with the buyer to their bank, or call the issuing branch using a number you look up yourself.
- Interac e-Transfer: check that the money is in your own bank account before you hand over keys. Fake "payment received" emails are a common scam.
- Cash: count it and check large bills; consider depositing it at a bank together.
Step 8. Complete the paperwork
When you sell, ServiceOntario says you give the buyer:
- the UVIP
- a signed bill of sale with your name, the buyer's name and address, the date and the price — use the UVIP section or our free printable bill of sale
- the vehicle portion of the ownership permit with the Application for Transfer on the back completed and signed
- a Safety Standards Certificate, if required
Both of you sign and date the bill of sale. Take a photo of every signed document for your records.
Step 9. Keep your plates
In Ontario, licence plates belong to the driver, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away, and keep the plate portion of your permit — you'll need it to put the plates on your next vehicle. You may also be able to get a refund for full months left on your plate sticker, if a sticker was required for your vehicle.
Step 10. Cancel insurance
Call your insurer once the car is sold and the plates are off. Don't cancel before the buyer has driven away with their own insurance.
What the buyer does next
The buyer must register the car in their name at a ServiceOntario centre within 6 days. They bring proof of insurance, their driver's licence, the UVIP, the bill of sale, the signed ownership permit and the safety certificate if required. They pay 13% Retail Sales Tax at ServiceOntario on the purchase price or the wholesale value, whichever is greater — not to you.
Seller's checklist
- ☐ UVIP ordered ($20)
- ☐ No liens, or lien discharge in hand
- ☐ Safety certificate, or "as is" stated in the listing
- ☐ VIN on the car matches the ownership permit
- ☐ Payment confirmed in your account
- ☐ Bill of sale signed by both (two copies)
- ☐ Ownership permit transfer section signed
- ☐ Plates removed, insurance cancelled
FAQ
Does the seller or the buyer pay for the UVIP?
The seller. Ontario law requires the seller to provide it, although a buyer can also order one before the sale.
Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car in Ontario?
Not to sell it, but the buyer needs one to register the car and get plates, if it's required. You can sell "as is" and say so clearly.
Who pays the sales tax on a private car sale in Ontario?
The buyer pays 13% RST at ServiceOntario when registering the car. The seller does not collect tax.
Can I sell my car to a family member without tax?
A transfer to a close family member as a gift can be exempt from sales tax with a sworn statement. A UVIP is not required for family transfers.
This guide is for general information, not legal advice. Check the current rules on ontario.ca.
