Free Prince Edward Island As-Is Bill of Sale

Prince Edward Island As-Is Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Tax Details

Prince Edward Island charges 15% HST on private vehicle sales. HST is calculated on the actual declared sale price — PEI does not apply a wholesale book-value floor for private-to-private transactions.

Exemption: Transfers between immediate family members may qualify for an HST exemption with a sworn statutory declaration. Confirm eligibility with PEI Access.

Inspection Requirements

The seller must provide a current Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) certificate before the sale can be completed. The MVI must be performed at a licensed inspection station on the Island. Without a valid MVI, the buyer cannot register the vehicle. The certificate is time-limited — confirm validity before completing the sale.

Prince Edward Island As-Is Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Obtain a current Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) certificate from a licensed PEI inspection station before listing the vehicle
2. Complete the Transfer section on the back of the vehicle ownership document — both buyer and seller sign
3. Prepare a bill of sale: full legal names and addresses, VIN, year/make/model, odometer reading, sale price, and date
4. Remove your licence plates — PEI plates stay with the seller and can be transferred to a replacement vehicle
5. Buyer brings signed ownership document, bill of sale, valid MVI certificate, PEI driver's licence, and proof of insurance to PEI Access
6. Buyer pays 15% HST on the declared sale price (no Red Book floor for PEI private sales)
7. Transfer must be completed within 10 days of the sale date
8. Both parties retain a signed copy of the bill of sale for at least 6 years
9. Add "SOLD AS-IS, WHERE-IS — NO WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED" prominently on the bill of sale.
10. Both parties should initial the as-is clause separately, not just sign at the bottom.
11. List all known defects on the bill of sale — disclosure protects the seller from future fraud claims.

Common Pitfalls

• Letting the MVI certificate expire before closing — MVI certificates have a limited validity period; confirm the expiry date when you obtain it and complete the sale before it lapses.
• Assuming no Red Book floor like NB — while PEI also uses the declared sale price (no floor), it still requires a valid MVI certificate, unlike NB. Do not confuse the two Atlantic province rules.
• Missing the 10-day transfer deadline — the seller remains the registered owner until transfer is complete. PEI's close-knit community makes post-sale liability issues particularly visible.
• Selling without a valid MVI — unlike Nova Scotia's 7-day temporary permit workaround, PEI requires the MVI to be in place before registration. Without it, the buyer cannot legally plate the vehicle.
• PEI's single primary Access centre in Charlottetown can have wait times in busy seasons — plan ahead and consider booking an appointment.
• "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

PEI Access in Charlottetown on Weymouth Street handles the majority of vehicle transfers on the Island. A smaller access point operates in Summerside. For most Islanders, the entire purchase-to-registration process — MVI, bill of sale, and transfer — can be completed in a single day. Get the MVI done early in the transaction to avoid last-minute scheduling issues at inspection stations.

Prince Edward Island As-Is Bill of Sale — FAQs