When buying a vehicle privately, the buyer(s) must:
- Validate that the seller(s) are the registered owner(s) of the vehicle (the registration document includes the names of the registered owners)
- Ensure that all owners agree to the sale and have signed the bill of sale
- Check the wholesale value (as published in the Canadian Red Book)
We can check the wholesale value of the vehicle if you provide your plate number or the first 10 digits of your VIN.
To find out what the wholesale value of a vehicle is, please contact us. - Pay tax on the purchase
- Provide proof of a valid insurance policy
- Provide a valid vehicle inspection
- Pay transfer and registration fees, if applicable
You will need to transfer the vehicle within 10 days of buying it. For more information please visit Vehicle Transfer.
Other important resources:
Planning to Buy a New or Used Car? – Purchasing a vehicle is a “Buyer Beware” situation
Lien Check Service – Before purchasing a previously-owned vehicle, you can use the Lien Check Service to see if there are any outstanding loans against it
How to Register a Vehicle – For more information on purchasing a new vehicle, importing a vehicle, sales between companies, gifts and more