The UVIP Comes First
If you sell a used car, van, light truck, motor home or motorcycle privately in Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act requires you to give the buyer a Used Vehicle Information Package. It costs $20 from ServiceOntario, online or in person. After the paperwork, a clean, well-presented car lets buyers judge it properly.
What the Package Contains
Contents
The package includes the vehicle's details, its Ontario registration history with past owners and odometer readings, lien information, the average wholesale value used as the minimum for Retail Sales Tax, its last known condition status, such as whether it is registered as unfit and needs a Safety Standards Certificate or has been reported as wrecked, and a bill of sale section.
Ordering
You need the VIN or plate number, plus your Ontario driver's licence number, RIN, or name and address. Online orders are mailed within five business days, with up to ten days for delivery. For an urgent sale, any ServiceOntario centre can issue one the same day.
Which vehicles
It is an offence for a seller not to provide the package when selling a car, a van, a light truck or light farm vehicle with an empty weight of 2,200 kg or less, a self-propelled motor home or a motorcycle.
Getting the Car Ready to Show
Clean it properly
A full interior and exterior clean lets a buyer see the real condition of the paint, seats, carpets and glass. Take out personal items first, including the glove box and door pockets.
Be straight about flaws
Detailing should show the car honestly, not hide damage. Paint correction can remove swirls and light marks; deeper scratches, chips and dents remain, and a buyer should be told about them.
Documents together
Keep the service records, the package and the ownership together. Hamilton Police also advise not leaving ownership or insurance papers in an unattended car.
Common Questions
Who provides the UVIP, the buyer or the seller?
The seller is legally required to provide it. A buyer can also buy one before the sale or when registering the transfer at a ServiceOntario centre.
Do I need a UVIP if I sell to a family member?
No. ServiceOntario lists transfers between family members among the cases where a package is not needed, along with purchases from a registered used vehicle dealer.
Is it worth detailing a car before selling it?
A clean car is easier to inspect and photograph, and it shows it has been looked after. We will not promise a higher price. Book an interior detail if the cabin needs it.
Related Pages
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Get the Car Ready Before You List It
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