Free Prince Edward Island Used Car Bill of Sale
Selling a used car privately on Prince Edward Island means the seller must provide a current Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) certificate — without it, the buyer cannot register the vehicle. As Canada's smallest province by population, PEI Access in Charlottetown handles the vast majority of vehicle transfers. The 15% HST is assessed on the actual declared sale price (no Red Book floor), and the 10-day transfer deadline keeps things moving quickly. Private used-car sales are sold AS-IS unless the seller provides a written warranty.
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Prince Edward Island Used Car 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 Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Obtain a current Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) certificate from a licensed PEI inspection station before listing the vehicle
- Complete the Transfer section on the back of the vehicle ownership document — both buyer and seller sign
- Prepare a bill of sale: full legal names and addresses, VIN, year/make/model, odometer reading, sale price, and date
- Remove your licence plates — PEI plates stay with the seller and can be transferred to a replacement vehicle
- Buyer brings signed ownership document, bill of sale, valid MVI certificate, PEI driver's licence, and proof of insurance to PEI Access
- Buyer pays 15% HST on the declared sale price (no Red Book floor for PEI private sales)
- Transfer must be completed within 10 days of the sale date
- Both parties retain a signed copy of the bill of sale for at least 6 years
- Write "AS-IS, no warranty" on the bill of sale unless a written warranty is provided.
- Run a CARFAX or CarProof report to check for accident history, odometer rollback, or liens.
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.
- Omitting AS-IS language in writing may expose the seller to post-sale mechanical claims.
- Selling a vehicle with undisclosed accident history can result in civil liability 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.