How to buy a used car in Ontario

Buying a used car in Ontario can be a great way to dodge much of the cost of depreciation. But if you want to make sure you’re not stuck with a lemon or paying more than you need to, there are a few things you should consider first.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has specific requirements around buying a used car. There are a number of documents you’ll need to gather to buy the car and complete your car’s registration in Ontario before you can hit the road.

We’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the used car buying process in Ontario while avoiding pitfalls and potentially saving money along the way.

Steps to buying a used car in Ontario

From budgeting to shopping to registration – follow these 7 steps for how to buy a used car in Ontario.

• Skip ahead to read about paperwork and registration requirements in Ontario

1. Decide your budget for a used car in Ontario

Do some calculations to figure out how much you can afford to spend before you start shopping. Aside from the purchase price of your vehicle, you should think about additional car expenses such as loan interest, sales tax, car insurance, registration, maintenance and gas costs. You should aim to spend less than 10% to 15% of your total income on buying a car in Ontario privately or at a dealership.

Extra costs of buying a car as is in Ontario

You may want to add all of these expenses together to get the total cost of car ownership.

	Typical cost in Ontario
Purchase price	$1,000 to $40,000
Used car interest rates	APR typically between 8% and 10%
Sales tax	13%
Licensing fee	Either $32 or $59
Car insurance	$1,000 to $2,500 per year (average cost in Ontario is $1,796 )
Scheduled maintenance	$500 to $700 per year
Emergency repairs	$50 to $6,000
Gas	$50 to $200 per month
Actual costs will vary based on your driving record and what type of car you have

2. Decide where in Ontario to buy the car

You’ll be able to buy a used car in Ontario from a dealership, private seller or online broker. There are pros and cons to each type of seller.

• Dealer. You’ll usually pay more to shop with a dealer, but you’ll be able to take multiple cars for test drives and easily compare a large inventory.
• Private seller. You could save money when buying a used car in Ontario privately, but there’s also an additional layer of risk since you could end up with a lemon.
• Broker. You can use a broker to compare prices and access a large inventory of cars across Ontario, but you may run into fraudulent lenders on this type of platform.

Where to buy a used car in Ontario

You can buy a used car in Ontario from a private seller, in-person dealership, online car broker or online dealer.

Seller	Where to find	Pros	Cons
Private seller	Sites like Craigslist, Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace	Potential for great deals Easy to shop in your local area Large inventory	Usually doesn’t qualify for financing Difficult to test drive multiple cars Difficult to return the car if it doesn’t perform well
In-person dealership	Find a dealership near your location in Ontario	You can check online customer reviews Dealership may provide financing Large inventory Easy to test drive any vehicle you want	Can be more expensive You can only shop from what’s available on the lot
Online car broker	Sites such as Auto Trader, Canadian Black Book and Carpages.ca	Compare cars from across Ontario and out of province Easier to get financing than if you shop privately	You may end up shopping with a fraudulent seller or curbsider Possibility of hidden fees
Online dealer	Sites such as Clutch and CarDoor	Shop online and get the car delivered to your door “Test own” for 1 to 2 weeks Potentially lower vehicle prices than in-person dealerships	Limited to the dealer’s inventory of cars Prices are usually non-negotiable

Dive deeper: The best used car websites in Canada

3. Decide how to pay for your used car

The cheapest option for buying a used car in Ontario privately or at a dealership is to pay for it outright with your own savings. This means you won’t be saddled with loan payments for a set number of years. On the other hand, you may want to go the auto financing route if you don’t have enough savings, or if you want to use a car loan in Ontario to build your credit.

You can buy a used car in Ontario with the following payment or financing options:

• Use your own savings. Pay with your savings to cut out monthly loan payments and save on interest.
• Take out an auto loan. Apply for a car loan from the bank or a private lender if you have decent credit and don’t mind paying a higher amount in interest.
• Apply for dealership financing. Pay a little bit more to get financing directly from your dealership if you want a convenient option to pay for your used car over time.

Used car loans in Ontario for a dealership or private sale

4. Compare cars and negotiate prices with sellers

Figure out what type of car you want and compare cars to find the best deal. Feel free to haggle on prices if you want a better deal as most sellers in Ontario, whether private or at a dealership, will mark used car prices up and expect to negotiate. You can also do some research and ask your seller to price match if you find a car in the same condition with similar mileage at a lower price tag.

Tips to negotiate used car prices in Ontario

1. Price match in advance. Ask your seller to give you a deal on your used car if you find the same car (in a similar condition and with similar mileage) advertised online at a lower price.
2. Get pre-approved for car financing. Find out how much you might be eligible to borrow in auto financing before you shop so you can use this as leverage to seal the deal.
3. Know when to walk away. Keep your budget in mind and make sure you don’t go over it for any reason.

5. Test drive and inspect your used car

Take the used car for a test drive and do a thorough visual inspection to make sure it’s in good working condition. You can consult the checklist below to get an idea of what types of damage you should be looking for. You may also want to schedule an inspection with a licensed mechanic and check the vehicle identification number (VIN) before buying a used car in Ontario privately or at a dealership.

6. Buy your car

At this point, it’s time to purchase your vehicle of choice. If you’re buying a used car from a dealership in Ontario, simply follow the dealerships guidelines to complete the purchase. If you’re buying from a private seller, you’ll need to take the lead to make sure all appropriate paperwork has been completed.

The process will involve filling out some paperwork and arranging payment or financing. Make sure that both you and the seller sign and date the Bill of Sale. The Ontario Government states that in order to complete the purchase of a used car, the seller must give you the:

• Vehicle portion of the owner’s permit (with the back portion completed)
• Used Vehicle Information Package (including the Bill of Sale showing the seller’s name and the car’s purchase price)

7. Register your used car in Ontario

Register your car within 6 days of the sale at a ServiceOntario centre. Bring your driver’s licence, UVIP, bill of sale, odometer reading, vehicle permit, proof of insurance and safety standards certificate. Skip ahead for more details on these types of documents.

Requirements for buying a used car in Ontario

The process of buying and registering a car in Ontario requires a number of specific documents and reports.

Documents to ask the seller

You’ll need the following when buying a used car in Ontario:

• The vehicle portion of the owner’s permit with the completed portion on the back. Here’s a sample of an owner’s permit (vehicle portion on the left side).
• An Application for Transfer, which can be found on the back of the ownership permit, under the vehicle portion.
• The Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP), including the bill of sale with the name of the seller and purchase price. A UVIP is not required if you’re buying from a registered car dealer or if you’re buying from a family member. However, if you’re buying from a registered dealer, you should get a CARFAX report.
• Safety Standards Certificate (SSC). You can buy and register a used car without an SSC, but you cannot put plates on it without one. The seller isn’t legally required to provide this, but you could ask for it as part of the deal. An SSC shows that the car meets the Ontario government’s minimum safety standards.

• Used Vehicle Information Package details

  The UVIP is a package of information that the seller must provide to you (unless they’re a registered dealer or family member) when you buy a used car in Ontario. It includes the following:

  • Description of the vehicle, including the VIN, plate number, year, make, model, colour, cylinders and other identifying information.
  • Ontario vehicle registration history (all present and previous owners)
  • Odometer information
  • Outstanding debts (link to liens) on the vehicle
  • Wholesale and retail values for the vehicle’s model and year, if available
  • Sales tax requirements
  • Bill of sale

• Bill of sale details

  The bill of sale is an original document that certifies the transfer of property. It should include the following information:

  • Vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Vehicle’s make, year and power source (gas, diesel or electric)
  • Body type, colour and model if available
  • Price of the car, including HST
  • Name, address and signature of the seller
  • Your name and address as the buyer
  • Date the car was bought/sold

• Safety Standards Certificate details

  Before selling a car to a buyer, the seller can take their car to a licensed Motor Vehicle Inspection Station, where a mechanic will inspect the car based on government criteria. If they determine that the seller’s car meets the minimum safety standards, they will issue an SSC. This will expire 36 days after the inspection.

  An SSC tends to cost between $60 and $150, depending on the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station you visit. Even if you receive an SSC, get the car inspected by a trusted mechanic before you buy it, because an SSC is not a warranty or guarantee of the car’s condition.

• CARFAX report details

  A CARFAX report covers a vehicle’s history. It gives you information such as accident history, odometer reading, number of owners, outstanding debts (if any) on the vehicle, maintenance history and more.

Used car tax in Ontario

You’ll need to pay 13% sales tax when you buy a used car in Ontario, whether you’re buying it from a dealership or private seller.

If you’re buying a used car from a dealership, the dealer will charge 13% HST (harmonized sales tax) on the purchase price.

If you’re buying a used car from a private seller in Ontario, you’ll have to pay 13% RST (retail sales tax) when you register your vehicle at a ServiceOntario centre. RST is charged based either on the vehicle’s purchase price or wholesale value (as stated in the Canadian Red Book), whichever is higher.

You do not need to pay sales tax on used car purchases in Ontario if you are giving the vehicle to a close family member as a gift or are a qualifying diplomat or Status Indian.

Registering your used car in Ontario

The fee to register your used car in Ontario will cost either $32 or $59. If you’re getting a new licence plate, you’ll pay $59 for the vehicle permit and licence plate. If you’re keeping your current licence plate, you’ll pay $32 for the vehicle permit. Also note that as of March 2022, you are no longer required to purchase or renew licence plate stickers in Ontario for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds.

You’ll need to register your car within 6 days of the sale at a ServiceOntario centre. Bring the following:

Emissions test

Light passenger vehicles – which are most cars, vans, SUVs and light trucks – do not require an emission test in Ontario as of April 1, 2019. If you buy a used heavy diesel commercial vehicle older than the current year (like a transport truck, pickup truck, delivery van, or tow truck) that weighs more than 4,500kg and runs on diesel fuel, you’ll have to get a valid emissions test pass.

Tips to choose a used car in Ontario that fits your needs

Just because you’re buying a used car in Ontario, it doesn’t mean you need to settle for a lemon. In fact, with such a large population in some parts of Ontario, you actually have a lot of solid options for used cars.

That’s why you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a quality vehicle you can count on for years to come. Look for a car with the following features to make sure you get a vehicle that fits your needs:

• Suitable make and model. Buy a car that makes sense for your budget and lifestyle, and will suit your individual style or family needs.
• Low mileage. Look for the lowest mileage possible when buying a car as is in Ontario to make sure you don’t get stuck with expensive repairs.
• Vehicle inspection. Use an inspection checklist, take the car to a mechanic and check the VIN to make sure everything is in good condition.
• Priced to sell. Check sites like Kelley Blue Book and Canadian Black Book to figure out how much your car should cost and don’t pay more than that.
• Eligible for financing. Figure out how you can pay for the car and make sure it’s eligible for financing if you don’t have money saved up.

How to buy a used car in Ontario if you live out of province

You’ll need to follow a couple of extra steps if you want to import a car from Ontario into another province.

• Get an out-of-province inspection. Most provinces require you to get an out-of-province inspection before you bring a car in from Ontario.
• Fix identified issues. You’ll need to fix any issues that are flagged in your inspection before you can register your used car.
• Provide paperwork. You’ll be required to provide proof of ID and ownership (such as a bill of sale) to register your vehicle in your own province.
• Pay taxes. You’ll have to cover the taxes required by your province to import a vehicle from Ontario (usually between 5% and 15%, depending on the province).

Bottom line

Learn more about the steps you need to take to get the best deal on a used car in Ontario. Find out important details such as where to shop, what to look for in an inspection and how to secure financing. You can also check out our general guide on tips for buying a used car in Canada if you want more information on how to secure the right vehicle for you.

Frequently asked questions

• What fees do you pay when buying a used car in Ontario?

  When buying a used car in Ontario, you'll pay 13% HST, a vehicle permit fee and potential licence plate fee. If you're getting a new or replacement licence plate, you'll pay $59 for the plate and vehicle permit. If you're keeping your current licence plate, you'll pay $32 for the vehicle permit.

• What documents should I get when buying a used car in Ontario?

  If you're buying a used car from a private seller in Ontario, you should get the vehicle portion of the owner's permit, the Application for Transfer, Used Vehicle Information Package and Safety Standards Certificate. If you're buying a used car from a registered dealer, you should get the Safety Standards Certificate and CARFAX report. The dealer should also help you register your car.

• How much tax will I need to pay to buy a used car in Ontario?

  You'll need to pay 13% sales tax if you buy a used car from a private seller or a dealership. When buying from a private seller, the 13% tax will be calculated based on the purchase price of the vehicle or its wholesale value (whichever is higher).

• What is a curbsider and how do I avoid them?

  Curbsiders are sellers that aren't licensed or registered to sell multiple cars in Ontario. The risk with these types of sellers is that you won't get the same kind of consumer protection as you do with licensed dealers. A good way to spot a curbsider is to look for people posting multiple ads for different vehicles as a private seller.