Free British Columbia As-Is Bill of Sale

British Columbia As-Is Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Tax Details

Base PST rate is 12% for vehicles under $125,000, calculated on the higher of the declared sale price or the Canadian Black Book average wholesale value. Luxury surcharge: 15% PST on $125,000–$149,999; 20% PST on $150,000 and over.

Exemption: Vehicles gifted between certain family members may qualify for a PST exemption. The federal Luxury Tax (10% on the amount exceeding $100,000 for passenger vehicles) applies separately from BC PST.

Inspection Requirements

BC-registered vehicles sold between BC residents do not require a pre-sale inspection. Out-of-province vehicles entering BC must pass a Designated Inspection Facility (DIF) inspection before they can be registered — typically costs $150–$250.

British Columbia As-Is Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Both buyer and seller complete and sign the APV9T Transfer/Tax Form — available at any Autoplan broker.
2. Complete a bill of sale with VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and both parties' names, addresses, and signatures.
3. Seller signs the back of the Certificate of Title or provides the signed registration document to the buyer.
4. Seller removes licence plates — plates stay with the seller in BC.
5. Buyer visits an Autoplan broker within 10 days, presenting the APV9T, bill of sale, signed registration, and valid ID.
6. Buyer pays 12% PST (or applicable luxury rate) on the higher of the sale price or Canadian Black Book wholesale value at the Autoplan broker.
7. Buyer obtains Autoplan basic insurance at the same visit — the broker processes insurance, registration, and PST simultaneously.
8. Add "SOLD AS-IS, WHERE-IS — NO WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED" prominently on the bill of sale.
9. Both parties should initial the as-is clause separately, not just sign at the bottom.
10. List all known defects on the bill of sale — disclosure protects the seller from future fraud claims.

Common Pitfalls

• Thinking the transfer can be done at an ICBC office — ICBC does not process private vehicle transfers directly. You must go to an Autoplan broker.
• Underreporting the sale price to reduce PST — ICBC uses Canadian Black Book wholesale value as a floor. Writing "$3,000" on a $15,000 car results in PST on $15,000 (or whichever is higher), not $3,000.
• Forgetting the out-of-province inspection requirement — if the vehicle was last registered outside BC, it needs a DIF inspection before the Autoplan broker can process the transfer.
• Letting the buyer drive away on the seller's plates — plates belong to the seller and the insurance attached to those plates. Any accident the buyer has is potentially tied to the seller's policy.
• Confusing BC's escalating PST tiers: the 12% base rate applies under $125K; the rate jumps to 15% then 20% for higher-value vehicles, materially changing the tax calculation.
• "As-is" does not protect against fraud — knowingly concealing a major defect (flood damage, odometer rollback) can still result in civil liability.
• A verbal as-is agreement is very difficult to enforce — always document it in writing on the bill of sale.
• As-is protections apply to private sellers only; dealer sales have additional consumer-protection obligations in all provinces.

Pro Tip

BC's Autoplan system is more convenient than it first appears — one broker visit handles insurance, registration, and PST simultaneously. The key preparation: complete the APV9T before arriving (most brokers have it available to download), bring the Canadian Black Book value if you want to confirm your PST calculation in advance, and confirm whether the vehicle needs a DIF inspection if it has out-of-province history.

British Columbia As-Is Bill of Sale — FAQs