How to sell a car in Alberta

Selling a car in Alberta? The steps you need to follow vary depending on whether you’re selling privately or to a dealer. Keep reading to find out how to sell a car in Alberta, which paperwork you need to complete and how to get the best deal.

What paperwork do I need to sell my car in Alberta?

No matter whether you’re selling privately or to a dealer, you’ll need to provide some key documents when selling a car in Alberta. Some of these documents are essential, while others will speed up the sales process and potentially help you get a better price.

Bill of sale

The most important document you’ll need when selling a car in Alberta is a bill of sale. This document will need to be filled out by you and the buyer. It lists:

• Names, contact details and ID numbers for the buyer and seller.
• Vehicle information including the year, make, model, VIN and odometer reading.
• Sale details including the price and where and when the sale took place.

Important: You’ll need to fill out two copies of the bill of sale—one for you and one for the buyer. A bill of sale is free to download from the Government of Alberta website.

Other documents

The table below outlines other documents you may need during the sales process.

Document	What it is	Why you need it	How much it costs
Proof of ownership	Examples include a lease agreement or a bill of sale from when you purchased the vehicle	Proves to the buyer that you own the vehicle you are selling	$0
Government-issued ID	A document such as your driver’s licence or passport	Allows the buyer to confirm you are who you say you are and check that the bill of sale details are correct	Free if you already have ID, varies otherwise
CARFAX report	A report that shows whether your car has been involved in any accidents or thefts	Provides important information a buyer will need to consider before proceeding with the purchase	$44.99
Inspection report	A report from a licensed mechanic testifying that your car is in good working order and meets Alberta’s safety standards	Shows the buyer whether there are any mechanical or safety issues they need to be aware of	Around $200
Maintenance records	Routine maintenance receipts for oil changes, air filters and other repairs	Shows the buyer that you’ve taken care of your car	Varies by service, keep receipts for any maintenance

What to do before selling a car in Alberta

If you want to get the best possible sale price and ensure a smooth selling process, there are many simple things you can do before listing your car for sale.

• Clean your car. Clean your car inside and out, including the tires, engine and upholstery. This shows prospective buyers that the vehicle has been looked after and could help you get a higher sale price, so you may want to get it professionally detailed.
• Make sure it’s ready to drive. Check tire pressures, change the oil and make sure any other routine maintenance tasks have been completed.
• Compile relevant information. Gather key details needed to list your vehicle for sale, such as the odometer reading, VIN, make/model, year and vehicle specifications.
• Take high-quality photos. Take high-resolution photos of your car in good lighting (in the early morning or late afternoon) and in a nice setting. Great images will help your car listing stand out in a crowded market, and the more photos, the better.
• Prepare your documents. Gather all the documents you may need to complete the sale, such as your registration, bill of sale, a CARFAX report and maintenance records.
• Calculate your car’s value. Search for your car on sites like the Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, Consumer Reports or AutoTrader to learn how much your car is worth. Browsing listings on car sales websites will give you an idea of how other sellers are pricing their cars.
• Remove your licence plate and insurance. Remove your licence plate and end your insurance policy when you’re ready to stop driving the car.

Dive deeper: Detailed step-by-step guide to selling your car online

How to sell a car privately in Alberta

You can sell a car privately in Alberta through sites like Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, Used.ca or AutoTrader. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Post your listing. List your car with an online marketplace or post across several sites to make sure you’re reaching the largest audience.
2. Arrange a viewing and test drive. Most prospective buyers will want to look at and test drive the car to make sure it works properly. Be sure to take a photo of their licence and go along for the test drive.
3. Complete the bill of sale. You and the buyer will need to fill out two copies of the bill of sale—one for each of you to keep.
4. Collect payment. If the buyer is interested in your car, ask for payment in cash or with a bank draft. Make sure you’ve been paid in full before handing over your keys.
5. Complete the sale. Remove the licence plate from the vehicle—you can cancel the plate or transfer it to a new vehicle—and cancel your insurance. It’s up to the buyer to insure and register the vehicle in their name, so make sure they bring their own licence plate when they come to collect the vehicle.

Dive deeper: Best sites to sell a car online in Canada

How to sell a car to a dealership in Alberta

You can easily sell a car to a dealership in Alberta by following these steps:

1. Bring your car in (if selling to a local dealer). Bring your car into a local dealership or visit several to get your car appraised in person. The dealer can then make you an offer for your car, which you can compare against what you believe your car is worth. Alternatively, Request a quote (if selling to an online dealer). Visit online dealer websites like Canada Drives and Clutch to request a quote. You’ll have to get an inspection before the sale is finalized—online dealers may come to your home to do this, or you may be able to take your vehicle to the dealer’s nearest location.
2. Provide documents. If you’re happy with the offer, you’ll need to provide proof of ID, proof of ownership and your registration to proceed with the sale.
3. Fill out paperwork. The dealer will walk you through all the paperwork that must be completed to sell your vehicle.
4. Receive payment. In-person dealers usually pay in cash or with an e-Transfer when you drop your car off. Online dealers tend to pay with e-Transfers around the same time they come to pick up the car.
5. Hand over the keys. Online car dealers will generally arrange to pick up your car at home, and you’ll organize contract details online. However, you may need to drop your car off in person. If you’re visiting a dealership in person, you can hand over the keys to your vehicle.

Should I sell a car privately or to a dealership in Alberta?

Both options have their pros and cons.

You’ll generally be able to negotiate a higher sales price if you sell your car privately. But you’ll need to go through the hassle of haggling, offering test drives and dealing with tire kickers.

Selling to a dealership is usually a quicker and more convenient option, and the dealer can walk you through all the required paperwork. But you’ll typically end up with less money in your pocket than if you sell privately, so this convenience comes with a price.

Ultimately, it’s a question of whether you want to get the maximum value for your car or whether you want a fast and easy sale.

Related: Looking to replace your car? Compare car loans in Alberta

How to sell a used car in Alberta: Top tips for selling privately

• Create a detailed listing. Providing detailed information in your car sales listing will help you narrow down the field of prospective buyers to those who are genuinely interested in your vehicle. It’ll also reduce the amount of time you spend going back and forth answering questions about your car’s features and history.
• Be honest in your listing. Be upfront about the condition of your vehicle—a prospective buyer won’t be filled with confidence if they turn up and find out your car isn’t as described.
• Be responsive and helpful. Respond quickly and politely to any inquiries from potential buyers, and answer their questions honestly.
• Watch out for scams. Keep an eye out for warning signs that could indicate a scam. One scam that’s been on the rise in recent years involves a prospective “buyer” requesting that the seller purchase a vehicle history report from a fraudulent website to obtain their credit card details.
• Price it higher. Have a clear idea of what your vehicle is worth and how much you’re willing to accept, then price it above this point to allow room for negotiation.

Bottom line

It’s easy to sell a car in Alberta, but there are different steps for how to sell a car privately in Alberta versus how to sell a car to a dealership. Decide whether you’d prefer to sell privately or through a dealership, then follow the relevant steps above to complete the sale. If you’re buying a new vehicle, compare car loans to find the financing you need for your next set of wheels.

Frequently asked questions

• Can you sell a car without registration in Alberta?

  Yes, a car does not need to be registered for you to sell it in Alberta. However, the buyer will need to get the vehicle registered before they can legally drive it on public roads.

• Where can I sell a car online in Alberta?

  You can sell your car online through online dealers like Canada Drives and Clutch or marketplaces like AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji.

• How do I get the best price when selling a used car in Alberta?

  You'll generally get a better price if you sell your car privately rather than to a dealer. You'll also need to get your car ready for sale by cleaning it inside and out and by taking care of any routine maintenance.

  You can get the most value for your car by sourcing multiple offers and listing your vehicle on multiple sites. The more exposure you get, the more interest you'll have in your car. Creating a detailed listing with lots of high-quality images will also help attract attention. From there, it's up to you to decide what price you're willing to accept.

• Can I sell a car with a loan on it in Alberta?

  It'll be difficult to sell a car with a loan on it to a private buyer. This is because the buyer will need assurance that you'll use part of their payment to pay off the loan so it doesn't stay with the car. On the other hand, an online or in-person dealer can accept a car with a loan on it. Learn more about selling a financed car.