How To Certify A Car In Ontario?
Are you planning to buy a used car, or import your vehicle into Ontario from another province? Then look no further than this article to learn how to certify your car following Ontario’s new requirements.
In Ontario Vehicles must meet a variety of safety standards in order to protect the safety of their occupants and other drivers:
- Powertrain \ suspension
- System of Brakes
- Auxiliary Equipment Lamps and Steering Instruments
- Body Electrical System Tire and Wheel Coupling Devices
- Test on the Road
When is the Safety standard certificate needed?
A Safety Standards Certificate is required by the Ontario government for the following conditions:
- When selling a used car to a new owner as “fit”
- When a vehicle’s status is changed from “unfit” to “fit”
- When registering a vehicle registered in another province in Ontario.
- When registering a reconstructed vehicle.
A safety standards certificate is required to register a vehicle as fit. A safety standards certificate issued outside of Ontario is ineligible. If the vehicle passes inspection, an authorized mechanic at a government-approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Station inspects it for a fee and issues a signed certificate. The certificate is valid for 36 days after the inspection date. Vehicles either pass or fail the on-site inspection, depending on the vehicle’s current condition. If the vehicle’s inspection fails, you can repair the failure part and re-inspect the vehicle until it passes.
The 36-day period is a grace period for changing ownership, not a guarantee. The vehicle might be sold many times over the 36 days, but it will require another examination after that.
The certificate is not a warranty or guarantee of the vehicle’s overall condition.
What does this signify, and why should buyers be wary of this certificate?
Remember that a safety inspection requires the vehicle to meet the most basic requirements. For example, the brake pads may be only 1.7 mm thick, yet the vehicle would still pass, and it will pass even if the tires are just above the tread wear bars.
As a result, the expertise at Reliance Auto Mechanic always advises buyers to never rely on a safety inspection performed by the vehicle’s seller. Before putting any money down, take the vehicle you wish to buy to your mechanic and have him perform a 360 inspection.
Your mechanic will perform a thorough car inspection to guarantee that the vehicle is worth your money and free of potential hazards and accidents.
A 360 inspection (bumper to bumper inspection) is needed for:
- Purchasing a Vehicle
- Transferring ownership
- Out of province / country transfer
- Selling your vehicle
- Insurance
- Uber safety inspection
Do you plan to have your vehicle examined for any of the reasons listed above? Get your vehicle safety inspections today from Ontario’s most experienced and licensed mechanics! Call 905-457-6550 for more information.