Certified vs. as-is used cars in Ontario
The practical difference between certified, unfit and as-is used cars in Ontario, and which one suits you.
The short answer
A certified car has passed a Safety Standards inspection and can be plated right away. An unfit car hasn’t been certified yet, and the dealer may offer certification for a stated price. An as-is car comes with no promise it’s roadworthy and may need major repairs before it can be registered.
Which should you choose?
If you need a car to drive daily, buy certified, or buy unfit and add the certification. Choose as-is only if you can assess and repair a vehicle yourself, or you’re buying it for parts.
What dealers must tell you
OMVIC requires specific wording in ads for unfit and as-is vehicles. An unfit ad must say the vehicle is not drivable and not certified, and give one exact certification price. An as-is ad must carry a full disclosure statement. A dealer may not sell an as-is vehicle with a certification.
Questions to ask
Ask whether the price is all-in. Ask what the inspection found. Ask for the vehicle history report. Ask whether you can have your own mechanic look at it.