Scope: Ontario.
A UVIP is Ontario’s Used Vehicle Information Package: a vehicle record and transfer document that the seller supplies in a qualifying private sale. It is not a mechanical inspection or a complete accident-history report.
Key takeaway: Ontario says the seller is legally required to provide a UVIP to the buyer in most qualifying private sales. The buyer can also purchase one before the sale or when registering the transfer. Use the current Ontario page for final requirements.
Checked against Ontario guidance on 2026-10-27. A Used Vehicle Information Package is an Ontario government record for a specific used vehicle. It helps a buyer review Ontario registration history, lien information and transfer details, but it is not a complete mechanical inspection or nationwide history report.
On this page
- What the UVIP contains
- Who provides it
- Exemptions
- How to obtain it
- Buyer and seller checklist
What an Ontario UVIP contains
- Vehicle details such as year, make, model, colour, body type and power information.
- Ontario registration history, including owner city and recorded odometer information.
- Vehicle lien information.
- Retail Sales Tax information and average wholesale value.
- Last known vehicle status described by the province.
- A bill-of-sale section.
Because the package focuses on Ontario records, it may not answer every question about a vehicle previously registered elsewhere. A separate history report, records from another jurisdiction and an independent inspection may still be appropriate. A UVIP listing should be matched to the physical VIN and ownership documents.
Who normally has to provide it?
Ontario states that the seller is legally required to give the buyer a UVIP when selling a qualifying pre-owned vehicle. The regulation includes defined vehicle classes and exemptions. Common transfer situations can differ, so use the official exemptions and ServiceOntario instructions rather than assuming every family, estate, corporate, dealer or out-of-province transaction follows the standard private-sale path.
How a buyer or seller can obtain a UVIP
Ontario’s current page says a package can be ordered using the VIN or licence-plate number plus requester identification information. It can be ordered online or obtained at a ServiceOntario centre; in-person service can issue it the same day. The province lists a $20 fee at this review. Fees and processing details can change.
What the UVIP does not guarantee
| It can help show | It does not guarantee |
|---|---|
| Ontario registration and recorded odometer history | That every odometer entry or out-of-province record is complete |
| Lien information contained in the package | That every financial or legal issue is resolved without follow-up |
| Last known status in Ontario records | Current mechanical condition or future reliability |
| Wholesale-value tax information | The private market value or fairness of the purchase price |
Practical checklist
- Confirm the package is original, undamaged and matches the vehicle; ask ServiceOntario about any outdated or incorrect entry.
- Match the VIN and vehicle details.
- Review registration, odometer, branding/status and lien entries.
- Resolve discrepancies before completing the transaction.
- Complete and retain a signed, dated bill of sale.
- Check the exact transfer documents and deadline on Ontario’s current page.
- Use a qualified professional for a condition inspection.
When is a UVIP not required?
Ontario lists exemptions including registered-dealer purchases and specified family transfers. Estate and corporate transfers have particular statutory rules. Check Ontario Regulation 601/93 and ServiceOntario for your transaction; do not assume every transfer is exempt. A UVIP exemption is not a blanket exemption from tax or other transfer documents.
Does a UVIP expire?
Do not assume a universal expiry period: the Ontario guidance cited here does not provide one. Records can change. Confirm the information and ask ServiceOntario what is needed for your transfer rather than treating an old package as a guarantee.
Is a UVIP the same as CARFAX or an inspection?
No. A UVIP serves Ontario registration and transfer needs; a commercial report aggregates available records within its product scope. A qualified inspection assesses current condition. See our vehicle-history report guide. None replaces the other automatically.
Sources and limitation
- Government of Ontario: Used Vehicle Information Package (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Government of Ontario: Buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario (current page; accessed 2026-10-27)
Date checked: 2026-10-27. This is general information, not personalized legal or tax advice. Confirm fees, exemptions, documents and transfer steps directly with Ontario and ServiceOntario.