HOW TO SELL A CAR IN ONTARIO

  • Prepare your vehicle for sale in Ontario by purchasing a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP)

    If you are in Ontario and are ready to sell your car, the first thing you must do is purchase a UVIP (Used Vehicle Information Package). This package will tell the buyer about your vehicle registration history, how many past owners this vehicle had and if there area any liens on this vehicle. If you discover that there is a lien on your vehicle, you must clear the lien first before selling the car. Service Ontario may not register the vehicle in the purchaser's name when there is a registered lien.

    The UVIP will also tell you what the government thinks the Retail and Wholesale value of your vehicle is. To get a UVIP, visit any Service Ontario Branch

  • Make sure you locate and sign your vehicle ownership

    A vehicle sale in Ontario requires that you hand over the VEHICLE PORTION of the ownership to the new owner. As a seller, you must sign the back of the ownership in the "Signature of Seller" section. You must also write in the name and address of the new owner in the "Name of New Owner (Buyer)" section of the top of the Ontario vehicle ownership. This section of the ownership is called "Application for Vehicle Transfer / Demande de transfert due vehicule"

  • Remove your license plates

    You will need some tools for this! Usually a 10mm socket or a phillips screw driver can do the trick. If  you don't have tools, the tow truck driver taking your car away may be able to assist, but be sure to ask ahead of time! Your can return your old license plates to Service Ontario along with the PERMIT (Plate) PORTION of the vehicle ownership (Right side). If your license plate validation tag is still valid, Service Ontario can give you a credit for the remaining number of months/years for use in the future. They do not provide cash refunds.

  • Visit Service Ontario with the Buyer to Ensure Ownership Transfer

    Once you've found a buyer, make sure to visit Service Ontario to transfer the vehicle ownership into their name. Do not hand anyone a signed ownership and hope that they will transfer it. You need to be sure of it because your liability for the vehicle ends only when the ownership is transferred at Service Ontario.

    If you have decided to sell the vehicle to Auto Recycling company, you don't have to visit Service Ontario. The auto recycling company or scrap yard will do this on your behalf. It's important that you deal with a Provincially Licensed Scrap Yard such as Auto Heaven. There are many "Fake" scrap yards you may find with a Google Search, which pose as Auto Recycling companies, but are actually Scrap Pirates, or a guy with a tow truck that buys and sells cars. Stay away from these individuals.

    How can you ensure that the scrap yard is legitimate? Here's a link to video that may help you.

     

Application for Vehicle Transfer in Ontario
How do I Legally Sell a Car in Ontario?

To legally sell a car in Ontario, you must follow a few simple, but careful steps.

  • Prepare the vehicle for sale by removing personal belongings
  • Clean the vehicle inside and out. You may do this yourself, or find a local auto detailer and get it done professionally
  • Obtain a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP)
  • Take some good quality photographs of your vehicle in daylight. Make sure to get a good clear angle of all sides of the car, interior, tires, engine and trunk compartments.
  • Create online listings on websites like Auto Trader & Kijiji Autos

At this time, you will begin to receive inquiries about your vehicle and accept visitors to come to your home and look at the vehicle.

Alternatively, if your vehicle is older, you may want to consider selling the car for parts or to a Scrap Yard.

What Paperwork do I Need to Sell My Car Privately?

To sell your car privately, you will need to provide the seller with: 

It is also advisable that you visit Service Ontario during business hours and transfer the ownership into the new owner's name.

Can you sell the car as-is privately in Ontario?

You can sell the car privately as-in in Ontario to anyone looking to purchase your vehicle. You are no obligated to provide a safety certificate for the vehicle to be sold as-is.

How can I get the most money for selling my car?

You can get the most money for your car by following these steps:

  • Make sure your vehicle is clean and presentable
  • Fix any body damage and/or rust
  • Provide all repair bills and service records
  • List your vehicle for sale on many resources
  • Be fair and firm with pricing
Is a used vehicle information package mandatory in Ontario?

Yes. If you are registering a vehicle that has been privately purchased, a UVIP (Used Vehicle Information Package) is required to be purchased at Service Ontario before the vehicle can be registered. You can purchase the UVIP online here

Alternatively, you must provide the UVIP as a seller of a vehicle.

UVIP is not required to scrap your vehicle unless the scrap yard asks for it. This is usually for newer vehicles.

Can I scrap a car without wheels?

You most certainly can. If you have good rims and tires that you'd like to keep for another vehicle or for a friend, you can always scrap a car without wheels. Reputable scrap yards offer flatbed towing services so that your vehicle can be transported without wheels. It's that simple. Just ask for a flatbed tow truck.

What is a scrap car worth in Ontario?

A scrap vehicle in Ontario can be worth anywhere from $100 and up to $10,000 depending on what can be salvaged and re-used from that particular vehicle. Some vehicles are purchased strictly for their bulk weight per tonne at current market rates, and others will get assessed based on parts resale value.

What paperwork do you need to scrap a car?

To scrap a car in Ontario, the owner of the vehicle must present the scrap yard with the original vehicle ownership document. At the same time, it is recommended that a Bill of Sale is produced by the Scrap Yard for the seller's record.

What should I remove from a vehicle before I scrap it?

It is advisable that you remove the following items from your car before scrapping it:

  • Aftermarket Navigation Systems
  • 407 Transponder
  • Garage Opener
  • Cell Phone Holder
  • Phone chargers
  • Household Garbage
  • Loose Change

There may be other items which we haven't covered, but this gives you a good idea to remove these items before scrapping your car.

How do I dispose of old license plates in Ontario?

To dispose of old license plates in Ontario, you have several options:

  1. Return the license plates to Service Ontario. If the validation stickers are still valid, you will get a credit for future use.
  2. Keep your plates to use on a different or newly purchased vehicle. Be sure not loose the original Permit Portion (Plate portion) of the vehicle ownership which you must keep when you sell or scrap your car.
How much do you get for scrapping a car in Ontario?

You can expect to get anywhere from $100 and up to $10,000 for scrapping your car in Ontario. The payout will depend of the vehicle condition and value.

How do I get rid of a car in Toronto?

You can get rid of a car in Toronto by calling Auto Heaven Toronto at 416-256-4843. Your vehicle will be towed same-day and you will get cash for your car.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SCRAPPING YOUR CAR?

Get a free no-obligation quote by phone. In most cases, we will pick up your old car the same day.

888-638-6067