Buying a used vehicle

What's its history?

Each province sells its own record of a vehicle, and each covers only that province:

• Ontario $20

  Every present and previous owner and their city, odometer readings, liens, the wholesale value, and whether it was reported as wrecked.

  A private seller must give it to the buyer

• British Columbia $20plus GST

  ICBC's claims history: damage claimed through ICBC, with its date and dollar value where known.

  CARFAX's report with a lien check: $100.95 plus GST

• Alberta $29.45with service charges

  The status (active, rebuilt, salvage), the odometer reading if one was given, and the number of liens registered in Alberta.

• Quebec SAAQand RDPRM

  The vehicle's record from the SAAQ, and the RDPRM register for debts on it.

Government of Ontario: Used vehicle information package (19 October 2026) · ICBC: Vehicle history reports · Government of Alberta: Vehicle information report · Office de la protection du consommateur (Quebec): Buying a used car from a dealer (6 October 2025). Read 6 November 2026.

A dealer in disguise?Ontario

OMVIC's signs of a curbsider, an unlicensed dealer posing as a private seller:

• Several vehicles for sale
• Priced below market value
• Not in the seller's name, or only briefly
• A private seller working from a business
• A mechanic's or dealer's plate
• Discourages a history report
• No inspection by your mechanic
• No receipt with a name and address

What OMVIC lists to do

• ID that matches the ownership
• A dealer registered with OMVIC

OMVIC's own words

• “Seller has multiple vehicles for sale.”
• “Vehicle is priced below market value.”
• “Vehicle is not registered in seller's name or has only been registered in their name for a short period.”
• “Private seller appears to operate from a business.”
• “Private seller uses yellow mechanic's licence plate (or red/white dealer's plate) to drive vehicle.”
• “Seller discourages purchase of CarFax or used vehicle information package (UVIP).”
• “Seller refuses vehicle inspection by purchaser's mechanic.”
• “Seller doesn't want to provide a receipt or proof of purchase that includes their name or address.”
• “Always ask the seller for ID and compare it to the vehicle ownership: they must match.”
• “Dealers and salespeople must be registered with OMVIC to sell motor vehicles in Ontario.”

• Buyers from a private seller “are not protected by OMVIC, its compensation fund, or the MVDA.”
• OMVIC's dealer search shows enforcement history since 1 January 2010.

OMVIC: Curbsiders · OMVIC: Dealer search. Read 6 November 2026.

Reported stolen?

• A match: contact your local police to confirm it.
• Searches “may be shared with law enforcement agencies upon request.”
• In Quebec, the consumer protection office lists this search beside the SAAQ record and the RDPRM register.

Canadian Police Information Centre: Search by VIN (2 July 2020) · Office de la protection du consommateur (Quebec): Buying a used car from a dealer (6 October 2025). Read 6 November 2026.

After you buy?Ontario

1. The packageA private seller must give the buyer the UVIP.
2. 6 daysTo register the vehicle in your name.
3. Safety certificateFrom a licensed mechanic, if required.

Changing your mind

• QuebecBuying from a dealer, “you do not have a 10-day grace period to change your mind.”

Government of Ontario: Buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario (18 June 2026) · Office de la protection du consommateur (Quebec): Buying a used car from a dealer (6 October 2025). Read 6 November 2026.

Any recalls?

• Since 1 January 2025, vehicle and equipment manufacturers must publish safety recall information on their websites.
• Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database lists recalls as well.

Transport Canada: Vehicle safety recall information made more accessible (10 February 2025). Read 6 November 2026.