Used vehicle information package (UVIP)

Buyers of Ontario auto businesses meet the UVIP in vehicle transfers. Ontario describes it as a document containing a description of the vehicle and its Ontario history. It includes vehicle lien information, which matters because, as Ontario explains, a lien claimant has a right to the car or the amount of the lien from the buyer once the transfer is completed.

The rule in the Highway Traffic Act

Under section 11.1(1), every person who sells, offers for sale or transfers a used motor vehicle shall provide a valid package for inspection by proposed purchasers or transferees and deliver it to the purchaser or transferee at the time of sale or transfer. Under section 11.1(3), the purchaser or transferee delivers the package to the Ministry before obtaining a new permit. The Act leaves the definitions of “used motor vehicle” and “used vehicle information package”, how long a package stays valid, and exemptions for classes of sellers or purchasers, to regulations. Ontario says a buyer needs a package to register a used vehicle bought from a private seller, and that OMVIC-registered dealerships do not need to provide one. This entry covers Ontario only. If a target operates in another province, ask what that province’s registry requires.

What to check or ask

• For vehicles the business bought from private sellers, whether it received a valid package.
• Any lien shown on a package for vehicles in inventory.
• Whether the dealer’s registration is in order; see motor vehicle dealer registration.
• Which approvals a buyer needs; see approvals to buy a car dealership.