Cars must pass safety inspection when sold
Whenever a used vehicle changes ownership in Ontario, the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) requires that it pass a safety inspection before new licence plates can be installed.
That has been the law since 1974 and it applies to any used vehicle sold privately or through a registered car dealership.
A Safety Standards Certificate is a document issued by an automotive repair facility that is registered with the MOT, which certifies the roadworthiness of a vehicle at the time of inspection. The cost of a safety certificate is between $60 and $90 (plus any necessary repairs) and the certificate is valid for 36 days from the inspection date.
A safety certificate (or mechanical fitness inspection) is occasionally confused with a vehicle warranty or guarantee, especially by those who purchase a used vehicle, only to discover a mechanical failure shortly after taking possession of it.
The certificate ensures a vehicle’s fitness on the day of inspection and it covers items such as brakes, headlights, turn signals, wipers and exhaust.
The safety certificate does not guarantee that any of these items will work after the inspection.
When the Ontario government introduced the Safety Standards Certificate, it included a minimum list of safety items; it did not want the car owners to incur excessive repair costs upon an ownership change, nor did the government want the certificates to become a cash cow for repair shops.
A safety certificate is issued under these four conditions:
When transferring a used vehicle to a new owner as “fit” (with a Safety Standards Certificate).
When changing the status of a vehicle from “unfit” (without a safety certificate) to “fit.”
When registering a vehicle in Ontario that has been registered in another province. When registering a rebuilt vehicle. Both the repair facility that issues a Safety Standards Certificate, and the auto technician who signs it, must be registered with the transportation ministry.
Some unscrupulous garages and technicians have been known to sign certificates, for a fee, without actually inspecting vehicles, or ignoring defects. Penalties can be brought against those convicted of performing substandard inspections.
A safety certificate is different from a manufacturer’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. Starting in the early 1990s, vehicle manufacturers began offering CPO vehicles to promote the sale of off-lease vehicles that were about four years old and newer.
Many franchised car dealers participate in CPO programs, sponsored by the manufacturer. These programs promote high standards set by the manufacturer and include performance and safety standards that exceed the minimums set by the MOT, as well as factory warranty protection, 24hour roadside assistance, and other benefits.
Licensed Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations (either registered dealerships or private garages) are monitored by the MOT through audits or investigations initiated by consumer complaints. Fines for offences range from $400 to $20,000.
If you plan on selling your vehicle privately, you should have a safety inspection performed before showing the car. As the seller, you will want to know what costs are involved to certify your car. You may also need a Drive Clean vehicle emissions test to register licence plates under the new owner.
Consumers who have complaints regarding a motor vehicle inspection are urged to contact their local ministry enforcement office within 30 days of purchase (mto.gov.on.ca).
For more car-buying tips and information about careers in the retail automotive industry, visit carsandjobs.com. This column represents the views of TADA. Email president@tada.ca or go to tada.ca. Doug Sullivan, president of the Trillium Automobile Association, is a new car dealer in Huntsville, Ont.