Buying or Selling a Used Car? What to Know About Your Used Vehicle Information Package

Everything to Know About Vehicles Information Package in Ontario  

If you are considering purchasing a vehicle, you may consider opting for one that is pre-owned. Used cars and trucks are usually much less costly than buying a brand-new vehicle from a dealership, and there are plenty of private sellers out there looking to sell vehicles that are still in good condition and could be used for many more years.  

Whether you’re the buyer or the seller in this scenario, it’s essential to understand what an Ontario used vehicle information package is and its role in selling a used car or truck by a private seller. Here are the answers to common questions about Ontario’s used vehicle information package, including what it is, how to get it, and why it’s necessary.  

What Is a Used Vehicle Information Package?  

An Ontario used vehicle information package (UVIP) is a document that states detailed information about a used vehicle, such as its registration history and whether there are any liens on the vehicle. Buyers need this information to protect themselves from such problems as acquiring the previous owners’ debt related to the vehicle or purchasing a vehicle that has been used far more than the seller claims it has. Buyers also must have the vehicle information package used in order to register the car or truck.  

What Is In an Ontario Used Vehicle Information Package?  

A used vehicle information package offers a wide range of information about the vehicle in question, including:  

• Detailed information about the vehicle, including the year, make, model, body type, colour, power cylinders and vehicle identification number (VIN)  
• The vehicle’s registration history, including all registered owners, the cities they live in and the odometer reading at the time of registration  
• Information about the vehicle connected to the plate number to make it possible to ensure the plate belongs to the correct vehicle  
• Whether or not the vehicle has a lien on it  
• The average wholesale value of the vehicle, which is the minimum value on which Retail Sales Tax (RST) will apply  
• The last known condition of the vehicle, including if it is registered as unfit and will require a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered  
• Whether the vehicle has been reported as wrecked  
• The bill of sale for the vehicle  

Is It Mandatory to Provide a Used Vehicle Information Package in Ontario?  

Similar to how car insurance is mandatory in Canada, private sellers in Ontario are legally required to provide a used vehicle information package when selling vehicles such as:  

• Cars  
• Vans  
• Motorcycles  
• Self-propelled motorhomes  
• Light trucks that don’t exceed an empty weight of 2,200 kg  
• Light farm vehicles that don’t exceed an empty weight of 2,200 kg  

Under the Highway Traffic Act, it is an offence for a private seller to fail to provide a UVIP during the sale of a used vehicle that fits into the categories listed above. A seller who does not give the buyer an Ontario used vehicle information package could be subjected to punitive fines of $100 to $500 for the initial offence and $200 to $1000 for a subsequent offence. 

Are There Any Situations Where You Don’t Have to Provide a Used Vehicle Information Package in Ontario?  

It’s not necessary or required to have a used vehicle information package for every sale of a pre-owned vehicle in Ontario. For example, you don’t need a UVIP when purchasing a vehicle from a registered used vehicle dealer, such as a car dealership. Here are other situations in which an Ontario-used vehicle information package is not required:  

• Transferring vehicle ownership between family members as a gift  
• Transferring vehicle ownership from one taxi license holder to another taxicab owner  
• Donating a vehicle to a licensed charitable, religious or benevolent organization (as defined by the Income Tax Act in Canada)  
• Selling or transferring a vehicle to a college, university, hospital, municipality, local service board or school board  
• Offering a vehicle as a prize for a registered raffle or lottery  
• The vehicle was purchased outside of Ontario (however, you may need other information depending on the context and location of the sale)  

Do You Need a Used Vehicle Information Package to Sell a Motor Boat?  

You do not need a used vehicle information package to sell a motorized boat or another type of watercraft, and it’s also not necessary when selling vehicles such as:  

• Heavy trucks that exceed an empty weight of 2,200 kg  
• Construction machinery  
• Mopeds  
• Motorized snow vehicles  

Why Do Buyers Need a Used Vehicle Information Package?  

It’s already been mentioned that buyers must have an Ontario used vehicle information package in order to register the vehicle, but how else can they benefit? A UVIP exists to protect buyers from purchasing a vehicle with issues that the seller either knew about and actively concealed or wasn’t aware of in the first place. It gives buyers the information they need to agree on a fair price for the vehicle and ensure a smooth transaction. 

For example, without a used vehicle information package, the buyer may not be aware that the vehicle has been declared unfit, and they will have to get a Safety Standards Certificate before it can be registered. It’s also crucial to find out about any outstanding liens on the vehicle before purchase because if a buyer purchases a vehicle with liens, they could be made responsible for any unpaid debt, or the total amount of the lien, registered against the vehicle.  

How Does a Seller Get an Ontario Used Vehicle Information Package in Ontario?  

The process to obtain a used vehicle information package in Ontario is fairly straightforward. You can order a UVIP online or in person at a ServiceOntario centre. If you need it urgently, it can purchased at a ServiceOntario centre and issued the same day. Otherwise, it will be mailed to the seller at either the delivery address on file or the address provided by the seller.  

What Information Needs to Be Provided to Get a Used Vehicle Information Package?  

In order to purchase a used vehicle information package, you need to provide the following information:  

• The license plate number OR vehicle identification number of the vehicle  
• Your name and address OR your Ontario driver’s license number OR your registrant identification number (RIN)  

In addition to the above, it’s worth noting that if you choose to include the license plate number, the used vehicle information package will consist of information pertaining to the vehicle attached to that license plate number.  

How Much Does It Cost to Get an Ontario Used Vehicle Information Package?  

The fee to purchase an Ontario used vehicle information package is $20 as of 2024. It can be paid by Visa or MasterCard online, or Visa, MasterCard or Interac in person at a ServiceOntario centre.  

Does The Seller Have to Sign The Used Vehicle Information Package?  

Yes—in fact, both the seller and the buyer must sign an Ontario used vehicle information package in order to attest that the information in the package is accurate to the best of their knowledge. A UVIP can not be used to register a vehicle unless it is signed by the seller and the buyer.  

Can a Buyer Purchase a Used Vehicle Identification Package?  

It is possible for a buyer to purchase a used vehicle identification package, either before the sale or when registering the vehicle at a ServiceOntario centre, as long as they’re able to provide the required information. This means that even if the seller doesn’t offer a UVIP, the buyer can find pertinent information, such as whether there is a vehicle lien, before deciding to buy. Alternatively, if the sale does go ahead without a UVIP, the buyer still has the ability to register the vehicle by first purchasing a used vehicle information package.  

That being said, buyers should be very cautious about going through with a purchase when the seller won’t or can’t provide a used vehicle information package. Some sellers (and some buyers) are unaware that the seller is legally required to give a UVIP, but whether they are aware of it or not, it is mandatory and essential for the buyer’s protection.  

What Does The Buyer Do With a Used Vehicle Information Package?  

Once the sale is complete and the buyer has both the vehicle and the used vehicle information package and has an auto insurance policy for the vehicle, the buyer must register the vehicle with ServiceOntario and will be required to provide the UVIP in order to complete the registration.  

What Happens If an Ontario Used Vehicle Information Package Is Incorrect or Damaged?  

If you receive a used vehicle information package and you notice that it contains incorrect information, you must contact ServiceOntario at their toll-free number and explain what is wrong. You may be asked to provide any evidence that the information in the package is inaccurate.  

A new owner must have a completely intact and undamaged used vehicle information package to register a used vehicle. In particular, the tear-off stub on the first page must be present and intact, and the serial number on the package can not be altered. If a buyer receives a damaged UVIP from a seller, they should contact the seller to provide an undamaged one—the seller is legally obligated to do so. If a seller has a UVIP that has suffered damage, they should contact ServiceOntario for a replacement.  

Is Carfax The Same As a Used Vehicle Information Package?  

Getting a report on a used vehicle from Carfax Canada can be helpful, but it’s not the same as a used vehicle information package. Carfax can provide some of the same information you’ll find on a UVIP. Still, a UVIP is issued by ServiceOntario and required to register a used vehicle. At the same time, a Carfax report is a document you can purchase from a third-party company to get additional information about a used vehicle, such as whether the vehicle has been in an accident or whether there are any active safety recalls for the vehicle.  

Is a Used Vehicle Information Package The Same as a Bill of Sale?  

These two things are sometimes confusing, and it’s easy to understand why—a used vehicle information package will include a bill of sale. Still, the buyer needs the entire UVIP to get the vehicle registered, not just the bill of sale, which is a document that transfers ownership of a vehicle from one person to another.  

How Long Can a Used Vehicle Information Package Be Utilized After It’s Issued?  

Used vehicle information packages do not expire, so there’s no time limit. They have to be used after they are issued. However, buyers should exercise caution about accepting a UVIP that is several months (or more) out of date, as a seller could try to use an older UVIP to conceal recent information about the vehicle that the buyer needs to know. For example, the vehicle could have a lien placed on it between the current date and the date when ServiceOntario issued an older used vehicle information package. If the UVIP wasn’t issued recently, it’s in the buyer’s best interests to request one that was recently issued.  

Can a Used Vehicle Information Package Be Obtained At The Last Minute?  

It is possible to purchase an Ontario-used vehicle information package in person at a ServiceOntario centre and have it issued on the same day. But much like the above scenario, a buyer should be wary if a seller gets a UVIP issued right before the completion of the sale because the seller may be hoping the buyer won’t read the UVIP carefully and spot some vital information before the sale is finalized. Ideally, the buyer will have an ample amount of time to read through the entire used vehicle information package and consider the information provided before they decide to go through with the purchase. If a UVIP is issued right before a sale, the buyer should take as much time as they need to read and understand all the information before money changes hands.