It reaches a time when every car owner gets bored with their old car and wonders how to sell their car in Ontario. It’s customary for new things in your life to come with unique benefits, including a car. A new car may offer better comfort, better efficiency, and even save you money. When this stage of your life comes, you might get lost and wonder how to sell your used car successfully, especially if it’s your first time. You need someone to hold your hand, maybe a friend or family member and see to it that your old car gets sold out at a fair price. Today, we have prepared a guide on how to sell a car in Ontario to let you know what you need to do, where you need to go and what you require.
Whether your car is in mint condition or you have an old junk car suited for a scrap yard, prepared sellers are more like to fetch the best deal in the market for their car. To be fully prepared to sell your car at the top dollar in Ontario, you need to know where to advertise it, the mediums to use for selling, how to value your car, and the steps to take for a successful exchange.
We’ve figured out everything for new and old car sellers in Ontario so that you can do it right this time. Here’s how to sell your car in Ontario:
Steps to Sell Your Car in Ontario
We’ve come up with easy-to-follow steps for you to sell your used car successfully in Ontario.
1. Prepare the car for sale
There are three steps to preparing your car for sale. First, you need to clean your car by literally washing its interior and exterior. A clean car is more likely to fetch a good price than a dirty one.
Secondly, you need to acquire a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) from any licensing service Ontario Branch or online. The UVIP will cost you around $20, and it’s important because it shows that the car is really yours. The UVIP also informs the potential buyers of the condition of your vehicle, the registration history, forms for bills of sale, number of previous owners, the car physical condition and any lien information. If there’s any lien on your car, you must clear it first before attempting to sell the vehicle. This is because authorities may cease registering the vehicle in the Buyer’s name if it has an existing lien. The UVIP will also indicate what Retail or Wholesale value the government think your car has.
Thirdly, you need to conduct thorough market research to get a good buyer who’s willing to pay a reasonable price for your car.
Last but not least, you need to make sure that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on your car is the same as the one on your permit (your green ownership document).
2. Gather and Sign your vehicle ownership and transfer documents
What documents do you need to sell a vehicle in Ontario? Apart from the UVIP, you need two other significant documents to complete a successful car sale in Ontario. First, you need the Bill of Sale, which usually accompanies the UVIP and the Application for Transfer. What do I do as a seller with these documents? For the Bill of Sale, you need to fill out your name and sign alongside it, write the new Buyer’s name, the sale price for the vehicle, and the date. Usually, the Bill of sale facilitates the seller’s transfer of ownership to the Buyer. The Application for Transfer also called Demande de Transfert due Vehicule, is at the back of the vehicle portion and needs to be filled out completely and signed by the seller prior to handing it over to the Buyer.
3. Remove your license plates from the vehicle
The plates and the plate portion of the registration permit are yours and can’t change ownership. You need to take them out before handing over the vehicle to its new owner. You can still reuse the plates on your new vehicle if the license plate validation tag is still valid. Do not expect a refund for the validation tag if it has not expired. You can only reuse it. You’ll need some tools to remove the plates, and the pickup driver towing the car might have them.
4. Request a Quote and Arrange for pick up
Now that you’ve got several potential buyers for your used car in Ontario, you need to request a quote and see which Buyer gives you the best deal. Do not rely on one Buyer if you’re not sure they offer the best deals in the market. After you choose a buyer, schedule a pick up according to your availability or the Buyer’s availability. If you choose a scrap yard as your Buyer, most offer free towing services. It’s advisable to do your due diligence and ensure the scrap yard is licensed to get some peace of mind. When that’s out of the way, it’s time to prepare your vehicle for pick up. You need to remove all your belongings and garbage while waiting for the Buyer.
5. Release the Vehicle after payment
When Buyer arrives, make sure they sign all the necessary documents, and a complete transfer of ownership is done seamlessly. Also, make sure that you’re paid for the agreed amount before you transfer the ownership and release the vehicle.
NOTE: It’s essential to take your car for a safety inspection before selling your vehicle. If you don’t, the new owner can’t drive it until they have the drive clean test certification. If you’re worried about the cost, you can add it to your listing price while selling the vehicle.
What to give the Buyer when you sell your car
When selling your vehicle in Ontario, you need to give the Buyer the following items:
- The UVIP (Used Vehicle Information Package)
- A signed Bill of Sale. Make sure your name is there, the Buyer’s name and address, the date and sale price
- A completely filled out and signed Application for Transfer. You can find it at the back of the ownership permit below the vehicle portion.
- A drive clean test certificate (verifies the vehicle meets safety standards). You can get it from a licensed mechanic.
What you keep when you sell your car
When selling your car in Ontario, this is what you need to keep:
- Your vehicle license plates –You can register them on another vehicle
- The Plate Portion of your permit (ownership)
Where to sell your used car in Ontario
The question “Where do I sell my used car” has come across most new car sellers. There are many places you can sell your used or scrap car. They include:
1. Consignments
If you don’t have much time and energy to search for your car buyers, selling it on consignments is your best option. If you’re also new to this or don’t have much experience selling cars, you go with this. They will help you get a buyer for a small fee. There are many consignment stores and platforms you can sell your car in Ontario.
2. Dealerships
Dealerships allow you to give them your old car and make some cash off your new car. If you don’t have time and experience to get a buyer for your car, selling it to a dealership can be a viable option. It’ll reduce the hassle, but most dealers only offer the auction price of the vehicle. If you feel your vehicle is worth more, you need to consider other options.
3. Auto Classifieds
These are online used car marketplaces where sellers and buyers sign up and contact each other for car offers. You, as the seller, need to complete the signup process, verify your identity and create a listing for the car you want to sell. Fill out all the important info about your car to attract better buyers. These online sites or apps can also offer you a value calculator to help you set the best listing price for your vehicle.
4. General Online marketplaces/classifieds
These include Craigslist, Kijiji and eBay. There are hundreds of other marketplaces available for you in Ontario to list your car. The signup and verification process is similar to Auto Classifieds, and they may or may not offer value calculators to determine your vehicle’s worth.
5. Dedicated Buyer sites
If you don’t want to sell your car to dealerships or deal with difficult buyers, you can opt to list your vehicle on dedicated buyer sites. There are plenty of other dedicated buyer sites you can search online. These sites only ask you to fill out a simple online form with your car details, and they usually get back to you with offers. If you choose to accept any, they pay you and schedule for pick up.
6. Scrap yards/collectors
If you have an old vehicle that’s out of commission or damaged after an accident, you can sell a car to scrap yards for cash in Ontario. A great option to consider is the AKR Towing and Scrap Car Removal scrap yard in Toronto, ON. They offer great deals and you can remove your car for cash. They will offer you a free quote and if it’s acceptable to you, schedule a pick-up for free. AKR Towing and Scrap Car Removal pays their sellers cash on the spot for their junk cars. You can reach them at (647) 330-9840 and get as much as $15000 for scrap trucks and $5000 for junk car removal Toronto services.
