What all-in pricing means in Ontario, and what fees to expect
Ontario’s all-in pricing rule explained: which dealer fees must be in the advertised price, what HST and licensing cover, and what to do if extra fees appear.
Quick answer
In Ontario, a dealer’s advertised price must include every fee and charge the dealer intends to collect, such as admin, freight, PDI, OMVIC fee and safety certification. Only HST and licensing (the actual cost of registration and plates) can be added, and the ad must say so clearly.
What is all-in pricing?
All-in pricing is an Ontario rule for registered dealers. If an ad shows a price for a vehicle, that price has to include all fees and charges the dealer intends to collect, with two exceptions: HST and licensing. The ad also has to say clearly and prominently that HST and licensing aren’t included (OMVIC: all-in price advertising).
OMVIC adds that the advertised price must be available to every buyer, with no qualifications except financing.
Which fees must already be in the advertised price?
According to OMVIC, these must be included if the dealer charges them:
- Freight
- PDI / PDE (pre-delivery inspection or expense)
- Administration (admin) fees and the OMVIC transaction fee
- Government levies such as air tax or the Ontario green levy
- Safety certification, unless the ad carries an unfit or as-is disclosure
- Pre-installed products or services, like nitrogen in tires, etching, warranties or fuel
Those fees still have to be itemized on your bill of sale. They just can’t be added on top of the advertised price.
What do HST and licensing cover?
HST
Harmonized Sales Tax, charged at 13% in Ontario on the vehicle purchase.
Licensing
OMVIC defines licensing as the actual cost of vehicle registration and plates. It can’t include any extra fee or premium added by the dealer or salesperson.
Are there exceptions for unfit and as-is cars?
Yes, for the safety cost only. An unfit car’s ad won’t include certification in the price, but it must say “Vehicle is not drivable and not certified,” and if certification is offered, give the exact optional price (OMVIC advertising guideline). An as-is car’s ad must include OMVIC’s full as-is statement. Every other fee the dealer charges still has to be in the price. Our post on certified vs. as-is explains the difference.
Does all-in pricing apply to online listings and marketplace ads?
Yes. OMVIC tells dealers that every online listing, website page, marketplace post and social media ad should show the same accurate all-in price, and that the advertised price should match the price on the bill of sale (OMVIC guidance). If the price on a marketplace ad differs from the dealer’s website or the bill of sale, ask why before you go any further.
OMVIC also allows a dealer to advertise a different cash price and finance price, but only if both are clearly identified and shown in a clear, prominent way, for example in the same size font close together. If you only see one price, that price is the one that has to be available to everyone.
What about optional add-ons?
Things you choose to add, like an extended warranty or rust protection you ask for, aren’t mandatory fees, so they can be extra. OMVIC’s advice is simple: don’t accept added charges beyond HST and licensing unless they’re options you asked for and believe are worth it. If something was pre-installed and you weren’t given a choice, it should already be in the price.
What if a dealer adds a fee that wasn’t in the ad?
- Ask what the fee is and point to the advertised price.
- Keep a copy or screenshot of the ad. OMVIC recommends keeping the ad, contract and finance agreement.
- Don’t sign until the numbers match. There’s no cooling-off period once you sign (OMVIC shopping tips).
- If you can’t resolve it, you can contact OMVIC.
How do I estimate my total cost?
Start with the advertised price, add 13% HST, then add the actual registration and plate cost. Then get an insurance quote for that exact car. That’s your real number before any optional extras you choose.
Example: a car advertised at $10,000 + HST & licensing works out to $11,300 with HST, plus licensing. No admin, freight or safety fee should appear on top.
How we price at Markville Motors
Every price on our site is all-in. The only extras are HST and licensing, and we print “+ HST & licensing” right under each price. Read how we price, browse our inventory, or check whether financing could work (subject to lender approval; the form doesn’t run a credit check).
Certified cars on our lot now
- 2013 Fiat 500 1.4 Pop: $5,998 + HST & licensing · 116,442 km · Certified
- 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 Hybrid Premium: $7,988 + HST & licensing · 139,825 km · Certified
- 2010 Ford Escape Limited: $7,995 + HST & licensing · 146,299 km · Certified
- 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab SLE: $13,998 + HST & licensing · 266,000 km · Certified
Inventory changes often. See everything in stock.
Frequently asked questions
Can an Ontario dealer charge an admin fee on top of the advertised price?
No. Under OMVIC’s all-in pricing rule, any admin fee the dealer intends to charge must already be included in the advertised price. Only HST and licensing can be added.
What does licensing mean in a car ad?
Licensing is the actual cost of vehicle registration and plates. It cannot include extra fees or premiums added by the dealer or salesperson.
Is the safety certificate included in the price?
For certified cars, yes. It must be in the advertised price. Ads for unfit or as-is cars carry a disclosure statement instead, and any optional certification on an unfit car must show one exact price.
Does all-in pricing apply to private sellers?
No. All-in pricing applies to OMVIC-registered dealers. Private sellers aren’t covered by these advertising rules.
Financing is subject to lender approval (OAC). Our pre-approval form doesn’t run a credit check. We don’t advertise rates, payments or guaranteed approval.
Sources
- OMVIC: All-in price advertising
- OMVIC: How to remain compliant with all-in pricing
- OMVIC: Advertising guideline
- OMVIC: Shopping for a vehicle