When it comes to owning and registering a vehicle in Ontario, a fundamental aspect to grasp is the safety standards certificate. This certificate affirms that your vehicle met the minimum safety standards on the date of issuance. However, it’s crucial to understand that it doesn’t act as a warranty or guarantee for the ongoing condition of the vehicle.
Obtaining a Safety Standards Certificate
To acquire this certificate, your vehicle must undergo inspection at a Ministry of Transportation (MTO) licensed inspection station. Recognizable by signs stating “Motor Vehicle Inspection Station,” these facilities are dispersed across Ontario. It’s important to note that while you can purchase and register a vehicle without a safety standards certificate, affixing plates requires one. In customer interactions, we often encounter the misconception that a safety certificate is mandatory for selling a vehicle. While many choose to sell with a valid certificate, it’s entirely legal to sell a vehicle without one. Some sellers opt for this to potentially secure a higher selling price, providing assurance to the buyer that the vehicle complies with safety standards. A vehicle can be sold “as is,” indicating it may or may not meet Ontario safety standards. In such cases, the buyer must conduct a safety inspection and cover any necessary repairs to meet safety criteria.
When Do You Need a Certificate?
Several situations necessitate a safety standards inspection and certificate:
• Registering a rebuilt vehicle
• Transferring a used vehicle to a new owner (except for transfers to a spouse)
• Registering a vehicle in Ontario acquired from another province, territory, or country
• Changing the status of a vehicle from unfit to fit
Inspection Criteria
Licensed Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations employ government-regulated criteria during inspections to determine if a vehicle meets minimum standards. These criteria vary based on the vehicle type, including light-duty trucks, motorcycles, salvage vehicles, and commercial vehicles. Here’s a link to the Ontario Light-Duty/Passenger Vehicle Inspection Standard.
Cost and Validity Period
The cost of a safety standard inspection and certificate varies across Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations, as it’s not regulated by the government. The certificate remains valid for 36 calendar days after the inspection. If it expires before vehicle registration, a new inspection and certificate payment are required.
At Ottawa Easy Wheels, our charges for safety inspection are $160.00, and the certificate costs $15.00. For those contemplating purchasing a vehicle without a safety certificate, we offer a “Pre-purchase inspection” at the same cost as a safety inspection. Should you proceed with the purchase, the certificate can be obtained for $15.00 before heading to the ministry for plate registration.
In conclusion, a thorough understanding of safety standards certificates is indispensable for Ontario vehicle owners. By adhering to these guidelines, compliance with regulations is assured, contributing to the safety of both yourself and others on the road.
Contact us at Ottawa Easy Wheels to book your safety inspection or pre-purchase inspection.