Silverman Helps A Used Car Buyer Who Was Taken By Surprise

When it comes time to shell out for a set of wheels, many people opt to buy used to save money.

But those savings could end up costing you big bucks if your sweet ride turns out to be a lemon – or if you find out the car you thought you bought was still up for sale.

That’s allegedly what happened to one prospective purchaser in the GTA. To watch his story and find out how Silverman Helps, click the picture at left.

Here are the provincial government’s guidelines on the sale of used cars, including a checklist for sellers:

Selling a Used Vehicle

If you’re selling a used vehicle privately in Ontario, you’re required to buy a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). Make it available to all prospective buyers and give it to the buyer at the time of sale. This applies to the private sale of any car, van, light truck (gross weight of 3,000 kilograms or less), motor home or motorcycle. The cost of the UVIP is $20.

What is a Used Vehicle Information Package?

The package, which the seller must show to potential buyers, includes the following:

• Description of the vehicle
• Ontario vehicle registration history
• Odometer Information
• If there are any liens registered against the vehicle
• Wholesale and retail values for the vehicle’s model and year (on which the minimum tax payable may apply), if available
• Retail sales tax requirements
• Bill of sale
• Other information such as consumer tips on vehicle safety standards inspections

Note: To obtain a Used Vehicle Information Package, the plate number, vehicle identification number, make, model, and year of the vehicle are required.

 

The following vehicles are exempt from the UVIP requirement:

• Vehicles weighing more than 3,000 kilograms (except self-propelled motor homes)
• Trailers
• Motor assisted bicycles (mopeds)
• Snow vehicles
• Off-road vehicles
• Regular buses
• School buses

To purchase a Used Vehicle Information Package:

• Use the Ministry of Transportation Online Services
• Visit any of approximately 300 Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices across Ontario, ServiceOntario Kiosks or the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, Companies and Personal Property Security Branch, 375 University Avenue, 2nd Floor, Toronto;
• Write the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, Personal Property Security Registration Branch, UVIP Section, P.O. Box 21100, Station A, Toronto, Ontario M5W 1W6; or
• Call the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services at 1-800-267-8847 (416-325-8847 in Toronto) or to access Telephone Device for the Deaf service call 1-800-461-8866 (416-326-8866 in Toronto). VISA, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. When ordering by mail, be sure to include the name, number and expiry date of your credit card.

Registration Permit

In addition to the UVIP, you must also complete and sign the Application for Transfer located on the reverse side of the “vehicle portion” of the registration permit and give it to the buyer. Keep the “plate portion” for your own use. You’ll need it if you decide to put your licence plates on another vehicle. Licence Plates

Ontario has a plate-to-owner registration system. This means that the licence plates for your vehicle stay with you, not the vehicle. When you sell or change vehicles, remove your plates and keep them for your next vehicle. Before attaching your plates to another vehicle, be sure to visit a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office to advise staff of any such changes. If you don’t intend to get another vehicle you can hand them in at any Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office for cancellation. If your plates have not expired, you may apply for a refund for any full unexpired months of plate validation. An administration fee of $5.00 is charged to process each refund.

Seller’s Checklist:

• Verify that the Vehicle Identification Number on your vehicle matches the Vehicle Identification Number on your vehicle permit. If it does not, please have this corrected prior to selling your vehicle. For further information, please contact the ministry’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Call Centre at (416) 235-2999, or toll free (Canada Wide) 1-800-387-3445.
• Buy a UVIP and read it carefully to make sure that the information about your vehicle is correct.
• Show the UVIP to any interested buyers.
• When a buyer is found, sign the bill of sale portion of the UVIP and record the date and selling price.
• Complete and sign the Application for Transfer located on the reverse side of the “vehicle portion” of the registration permit.
• Give the entire UVIP and the “vehicle portion” of the registration permit to the buyer.
• Keep the “plate portion” of the registration permit for your own use.
• Remove your licence plates and any personal items from the vehicle.

Courtesy Ontario Ministry of Transportation