Buy or Sell A Used Electric Vehicle in Ontario: Here Is What You Need To Know

Buy or Sell A Used Electric Vehicle in Ontario: Here Is What You Need To Know

Buying or selling a used vehicle in Ontario involves several steps and legal requirements to ensure a smooth transaction process. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, understanding these steps is crucial for a successful transaction.

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Buy or Sell A Used Electric Vehicle in Ontario

Buy A Used Electric Vehicle in Ontario

The following is a checklist for Ontario used vehicle buyers:

Before purchasing a used vehicle, buyers should research its history and maintenance records to assess its condition and potential issues. 

To make sure the car complies with environmental rules, buyers should also look into the history of emissions testing as well as the requirements. 

Buyers should obtain a UVIP from the seller to review important information about the vehicle, including its history, registration status, and any outstanding debts. The UVIP is essential for making informed purchasing decisions.

Before completing the purchase, it is a must to do a comprehensive inspection of the car for damage and safety considerations. Buyers who want to do a thorough inspection might hire a mechanic.

Once satisfied with the vehicle’s condition and documentation, buyers can complete the purchase transaction by obtaining the necessary documents from the seller and registering the vehicle in their name. 

When you buy a used vehicle, ensure the seller gives you the owner’s permit’s vehicle portion, which should be completed, and the Used Vehicle Information Package, which includes the Bill of Sale with the seller’s name and the purchase amount. Both the buyer and the seller must also sign and date the Bill of Sale.

How to Register a Used Vehicle in Ontario

Buyers must register the purchased used vehicle within a specified timeframe, typically within six days of the purchase date. Failing to register the vehicle on time may result in penalties.

Required Documents for Registration:

Driver’s Licence: To register a used vehicle, buyers need to provide proof of insurance, their Ontario Driver’s Licence, the UVIP, a Bill of Sale, a Safety Standards Certificate (if applicable), and the completed Application for Transfer.

Safety Standards Certificate: A Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) is required for certain vehicles to ensure they meet safety standards. Buyers should understand the SSC requirements and obtain one if necessary before registering the vehicle.

Application for Transfer: Buyers must complete the Application for Transfer and submit it along with the required documents to ServiceOntario for vehicle registration. This step officially transfers ownership of the vehicle.

Sell A Used Electric Vehicle in Ontario

Before you sell a used vehicle, here are three tips that will help you get ready to sell your electric vehicle in Ontario:

What Documents Are Required to Sell a Used EV?

In Ontario, a car should be verified to meet safety standards – Safety Standards Certificate. After your car passes an inspection, you can get a certificate from any Ontario inspection facility that has an MTO license.

Without a valid safety certificate, car buyers have no idea if the car needs any repairs so they may not be able to drive the vehicle as soon as the purchase has been completed. It might affect the sale price because purchasers usually accept a lower asking price to build up some contingency in case repairs are needed. 

When you sell your vehicle, you need to give the buyer:

• the Used Vehicle Information Package
• the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 
• a valid car title 
• a signed bill of sale with your name, the buyer’s name and address, the date and purchase price
• a completed and signed Application for Transfer 

If you want to get the best price possible when you sell, you should prepare additional paperwork such as: 

• Your service records. Provide potential buyers with as much service history as possible to show how well the car’s been cared for.
• A vehicle history report (VHR) to be transparent about the vehicle’s history including registration history, accident history, unfixed safety recalls, lien status, and more.

The records of your services. Give potential buyers as much service history as you can to demonstrate the quality of the vehicle’s maintenance.

A transparent history of the vehicle’s registration, accidents, unprepared safety recalls, lien status, and other details are provided via a vehicle history report (VHR).

How To Set the Right Price To Sell Your Used EV?

Determining your car’s value is a critical first step if you are selling your used vehicle on your own. A successful sale of your used car depends on you setting a fair price. If you overprice, you might not attract potential buyers; if you undervalue, you might not receive as much money as you would like to use toward your next car.

It’s important to understand that many factors contribute to your vehicle’s value, including its history, condition, and odometer reading. You could wish to find out what comparable used vehicles in your neighbourhood have sold for by doing some research. You might value your used vehicle using the average as a starting point. Next, identify any additional characteristics or background information that can affect your car’s value. 

Finding an appropriate range for your EV can be done well by using resources such as manufacturer car reports, third-party dealership websites, and internet calculators.  Although some tools are usually designed for ICE cars, not electric vehicles, they can still be helpful. Most work by entering your vehicle information in exchange for a range of valuations. Some popular trade-in calculators include: 

• Kelly Blue Book
• Edmunds
• Consumer Reports

Should You Sell Your Used EV Privately Or Trade-in to A Dealer

You might not receive as much money when trading your car in at a dealer as you would if you sold it privately. Usually, the trade-in value is lower than what you could find on a listing for a comparable car. Nonetheless, trading in your vehicle is a simple process because the dealer will handle all the paperwork and repair any dents or scratches.

While selling your car privately, you can usually sell used cars for more than the trade-in value. In turn, you will need to invest your time in communicating with potential buyers, answering questions about the vehicle, and taking people for test drives. Or even need to spend money on detailing, reconditioning, listing, and marketing. It’s not an easy decision to make but you can weigh them out and decide which works the best for you.

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As always, Carnex can provide you with detailed information about buying and selling used electric vehicles in Ontario.

Carnex is the top online EV expert in Canada for buying and selling used electric vehicles in Ontario.

Looking to sell your used EV and want more cash? Get an instant quote at Carnex!

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