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Buying a used car in British Columbia

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What BC requires when you buy a used car: VSA dealer licensing and disclosure, the ICBC transfer and 10-day registration, and the free checks to run on the VIN first.

To buy a used car in British Columbia, check the seller first and the paperwork second. A dealer or salesperson selling personal use vehicles must be licensed by the Vehicle Sales Authority of BC (VSA), and must disclose the car's prior use, prior damage, odometer accuracy and any registration outside BC. In a private sale, ICBC says to see the owner's registration, sign a Transfer/Tax Form with the seller, and register the car at an Autoplan broker within 10 days of purchase. Before any of that, paste the VIN into Cardog's free VIN page to confirm what the car is, see the recalls Transport Canada lists for its model year and compare the price with the Canadian market.

Written by Cardog, so read it with that in mind. Every claim about a regulator or public service links to its own public page, checked on 2026-10-27. This is a guide, not legal advice.

Buying from a dealer: what the VSA requires

The VSA states: "Dealers and salespersons that sell personal use vehicles in BC must be licensed by the Vehicle Sales Authority of BC." You can check a dealer or salesperson in the VSA's online licensee search (VSA).

On the same page, the VSA says dealers and salespersons "have a duty to learn about the vehicles they are selling," and lists what they must disclose:

  • the prior use of the vehicle, such as taxi, emergency, rental or lease use;
  • prior damage;
  • the accuracy of the odometer;
  • whether the vehicle was registered outside BC.

If a licensed dealer you bought from is no longer in business, the VSA says you may make "a claim for compensation from the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund" (VSA).

Buying privately: ICBC's steps

ICBC's steps for a used vehicle (ICBC):

  1. Confirm the owner. "Ask the vehicle owner to show you their registration documents indicating their legal ownership."
  2. Match the car to the papers. Confirm the make, model and Vehicle Identification Number match the registration documents.
  3. Sign the transfer. Bring the seller's signed original registration (APV250) and a Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T), signed by you and the seller, to an Autoplan broker. ICBC recommends going with the seller.
  4. Register in time. Register the vehicle "within 10 days of purchase," paying the prescribed fees and taxes.
  5. Insure it. Get your insurance and licence at the same broker visit, after the transfer.

Cardog's free checks

Run these before you meet the seller. All are free and need no account.

  • What the car is. cardog.app/vin decodes the VIN to year, make, model and trim, and checks the check digit on a North American VIN. Cardog decodes 99.77% of Canadian VINs to trim level. If it does not match the ad or the registration, stop and ask why.
  • Recalls. The VIN page and the recall lookup list the recalls Transport Canada has for the model year, with a link to the maker's own lookup to confirm this car.
  • Price. Where enough comparable cars are listed, the VIN page shows the median asking price, the middle half of asks and the lowest ask in Canada. The market quote gives the range for any make, model and year.

FAQ

Does a BC car dealer need a licence? Yes. The VSA says dealers and salespersons that sell personal use vehicles in BC must be licensed by it, and its online licensee search shows who is.

What must a BC dealer tell me about a used car? The VSA lists the vehicle's prior use, prior damage, odometer accuracy and any registration outside BC.

How long do I have to register a used car in BC? ICBC says to register it within 10 days of purchase, at an Autoplan broker.

What forms do I need for a private sale in BC? ICBC lists the seller's signed original registration (APV250) and a Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T) signed by both of you.

Can I check a BC car's recalls for free? Yes. Paste the VIN into Cardog for the recalls Transport Canada lists for the model year, then confirm the car on the maker's lookup.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-27:

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