Free Quebec As-Is Bill of Sale
An as-is bill of sale in Quebec is used when a seller explicitly disclaims all warranties about a vehicle's condition. The buyer accepts the vehicle in its current state, and the seller is protected from post-sale mechanical claims — provided known defects were not fraudulently concealed. SAAQ requires the same transfer documents as any private sale; "as-is" is a contractual term between buyer and seller, not a separate government form.
Tax (GST + QST)
14.975%
Safety Inspection
Required
Transfer Deadline
30 days
Bill of Sale
Required
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Quebec As-Is Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary ID Field
VIN
Tax
9.975%
Title / Registration
Title required
Buyer must complete ownership transfer at any SAAQ service point within 15 days of the sale. The seller hands form VD-619 to the buyer at the time of sale; the buyer presents it to SAAQ.
Inspection
Not required
Tax Details
Quebec Sales Tax (QST) at 9.975% applies to private vehicle sales. Tax is assessed on the higher of the declared sale price or the SAAQ Guide de référence estimated value — SAAQ will not accept an artificially low declared price.
Exemption: Gifts between spouses or to direct-line family members (parent, child) may qualify for a QST exemption with a sworn statutory declaration. Inherited vehicles transferred to a beneficiary are also exempt.
Inspection Requirements
Quebec does not require a safety inspection for private vehicle sales. Contrôle routier Québec inspects commercial vehicles. A pre-sale mechanical inspection is optional but strongly recommended, especially for higher-mileage vehicles.
Quebec As-Is Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Seller completes form VD-619 (Déclaration de vente) with VIN, sale price, date, and both parties' names and addresses — available free at any SAAQ service point or saaq.gouv.qc.ca.
- Seller signs and hands VD-619 to the buyer at the moment of sale; seller keeps a photocopy for records.
- Both parties sign a bill of sale (in addition to VD-619) recording the agreed price, odometer reading, and vehicle condition.
- Confirm the odometer reading in writing — federally required for vehicles under 10 years old.
- Confirm what happens with the licence plates: in Quebec, plates stay with the vehicle by default unless the seller explicitly removes them. Discuss this before the sale.
- Seller should remove personal items, E-ZPass/407 transponders, and cancel SAAQ insurance for the vehicle after the sale date.
- Buyer visits any SAAQ service point within 15 days, presents VD-619 and proof of identity, pays 9.975% QST, and purchases mandatory SAAQ public liability insurance.
- Both parties retain signed copies of the bill of sale and VD-619 for at least 6 years.
- Add "SOLD AS-IS, WHERE-IS — NO WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED" prominently on the bill of sale.
- Both parties should initial the as-is clause separately, not just sign at the bottom.
- List all known defects on the bill of sale — disclosure protects the seller from future fraud claims.
Common Pitfalls
- CRITICAL — Plates stay with the vehicle in Quebec: unlike every other province, Quebec licence plates transfer with the car, not with the owner. If the seller wants to keep the plates, they must explicitly remove them before handing over the keys. Sellers who forget this lose their plates to the buyer.
- Underreporting the sale price: SAAQ cross-references every declared price against its Guide de référence. If the declared price is below the guide value, SAAQ taxes on the higher guide value — and deliberate underreporting is tax fraud.
- Missing the 15-day transfer deadline: the buyer is legally responsible for any fines, tolls, or accidents in the interim. Sellers who do not confirm the transfer was completed remain nominally tied to the vehicle in registration records.
- Forgetting that SAAQ insurance is mandatory: unlike other provinces, Quebec's public auto insurance (bodily injury) is issued exclusively by SAAQ. The buyer cannot drive the vehicle off the lot without purchasing SAAQ coverage at registration.
- Selling a vehicle with an outstanding lien: SAAQ will flag liens during registration. The seller must provide a lien discharge letter from the lender before or at the time of sale.
- "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
The two things that catch Quebec sellers off guard: plates and tax. Remove your plates before handing over the keys if you want to keep them, and never agree to write a lower price on the VD-619 — SAAQ uses the Guide de référence to verify every transaction and will collect QST on whichever value is higher. File your copy of VD-619 alongside the bill of sale and keep both for at least 6 years.
Quebec As-Is Bill of Sale — FAQs
Do licence plates stay with the car or the seller in Quebec?
In Quebec, licence plates stay with the vehicle by default — the opposite of most other Canadian provinces. When you sell your car, the plates go with it unless you explicitly remove them before handing over the keys. If you want to keep your plates (for example, to put them on a new vehicle), remove them yourself before completing the sale. Buyers receive a vehicle that already has plates, though the registration is in the seller's name until the buyer completes the transfer at SAAQ.
What is form VD-619 and who fills it out?
VD-619 is the Déclaration de vente (Declaration of Sale), Quebec's official private vehicle sale form issued by SAAQ. The seller fills it out and signs it at the time of sale, then hands the original to the buyer. The buyer presents it to SAAQ when registering the vehicle within 15 days. The form records the VIN, sale price, date of sale, and both parties' information. It is free at any SAAQ service point or downloadable from saaq.gouv.qc.ca.
How much QST do I pay on a private car sale in Quebec?
Quebec charges QST at 9.975% on private vehicle sales. The tax is assessed on the higher of the declared sale price or the SAAQ Guide de référence estimated wholesale value. For example, if you buy a car for $8,000 but the guide value is $10,000, you pay QST on $10,000 — $997.50 — not on the $8,000 you paid. This prevents buyers from reporting artificially low prices to reduce their tax bill.
Is a safety inspection required for a private car sale in Quebec?
No. Quebec does not require a pre-sale safety inspection for private vehicle transactions. The seller is under no legal obligation to certify the vehicle's mechanical condition. That said, buyers are strongly advised to commission an independent pre-purchase inspection ($100–$150 CAD) before signing, since private sales are typically "as-is" with limited recourse.
What is the 15-day rule for car registration in Quebec?
The buyer has 15 days from the date of sale to visit a SAAQ service point and complete the ownership transfer. During those 15 days, the vehicle is still registered in the seller's name. If the buyer is involved in an accident or receives a ticket before completing the transfer, both parties may face complications — the signed bill of sale and VD-619 establish the actual sale date as evidence.
Does "as-is" fully protect a private seller in Quebec?
A written "as-is" clause in a private-party bill of sale generally protects the seller from post-sale mechanical claims in Canadian courts. It does not protect against deliberate non-disclosure of known defects or active misrepresentation. Document all known issues and have the buyer sign acknowledging them.
Should a buyer get a pre-purchase inspection on an as-is vehicle?
Absolutely. If a seller refuses a pre-purchase inspection, that is a major red flag. Budget $100–$200 for an independent mechanic's inspection — it can save thousands in repair costs and gives leverage to negotiate a lower price if problems are found.