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.
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.
A used vehicle information package offers a wide range of information about the vehicle in question, including:
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
In order to purchase a used vehicle information package, you need to provide the following information:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This content is written by our Morison Insurance team. All information posted is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this article, you do so at your own risk. While the information on this website has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors.