Sell your car in Paradise

Step by step

1. Get the documents your province requires before listing Recommended

   Some provinces require a pre-sale package or inspection: Ontario sellers must give the buyer a Used Vehicle Information Package, and Manitoba sellers must hand over a valid Certificate of Inspection or tell the buyer one is needed. Check your province below.

   Government of Ontario - Buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario
2. Accept only secure payment Recommended

   ICBC recommends accepting only cash or a bank draft, not a personal cheque, and verifying a bank draft with the issuing institution before finalizing the sale.

   ICBC - Selling a used vehicle
3. Sign over the registration and write a bill of sale Required by law Seller and buyer

   Complete the transfer section of the registration or ownership document (e.g. Ontario's Application for Transfer, Manitoba's Transfer of Ownership Document) and give the buyer a bill of sale signed by both parties with the date, price and vehicle details.

   Government of Ontario - Buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario
4. Remove your licence plates Required by law

   In most provinces plates stay with the owner, not the vehicle: Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Manitoba sellers keep or return their plates. They can usually be moved to your next vehicle or returned.

   Service Nova Scotia - Vehicle transfers
5. Notify the registry where your province requires it Recommended

   Some provinces require the seller to report the sale: Nova Scotia's notice of sale goes back to the Registry right away, and Newfoundland and Labrador requires a notice of sale within 10 days.

   Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Selling a vehicle
6. Cancel or transfer your insurance Recommended

   Cancel your policy or move it to another vehicle once the car is sold.

   ICBC - Selling a used vehicle
7. Buyer registers the vehicle and pays sales tax Required by law Buyer

   The buyer registers the car in their name within the provincial deadline (6 days in Ontario, 10 days in British Columbia, 30 days in Nova Scotia) and pays the provincial sales tax on the private sale at that point.

   Government of Ontario - Buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario

Documents checklist

Tick what you already have. This stays on your device, and none of it is needed to post your car.

• Vehicle registration / ownership permit, with the transfer section signedThe seller signs the transfer portion (back of the ownership permit in Ontario, Transfer of Ownership Document in Manitoba, Transfer of Title in Nova Scotia).Required by law
• Bill of saleNames of buyer and seller, date, price and vehicle details, signed by both. Several provinces publish a template (e.g. Alberta standard bill of sale, SGI Bill of Sale/Letter of Gift, Nunavut form A-116).Required by law
• Used Vehicle Information Package (Ontario only)Required from Ontario sellers; it shows the vehicle's registration history and any money owing.Recommended
• Safety inspection certificate (where required)e.g. Ontario Safety Standards Certificate if required, Manitoba Certificate of Inspection, Nova Scotia valid Motor Vehicle Inspection.Recommended

Stay safe when buyers contact you

• Accept only cash or a bank draft, and verify a bank draft with the issuing bank before handing over the car and signed registration.
• Remove your plates before the buyer drives away: in most provinces they are tied to you, not the vehicle.
• Buyers should run a lien search on the VIN (e.g. Personal Property Registry, or the UVIP in Ontario) so no debt follows the car.