[chris vickery]

OK, here goes.

In Ontario, to transfer a vehicle you need to have a bill of sale indicating to whom, from whom, how much etc. As well as this, you require the vehicle ownership, signed, dated and filled out with the purchaser info.
Now, here is the kicker. If the vehicle is over 20 years in age, you also require an appraisal from a certified, recognized appraiser to confirm the vehicles value. We pay tax on the higher of the two values, either appraised or bill of sale. Pay 13% HST plus $10 transfer

If it is less than 20 years old, the Ministry of Transportation has book value on file, once again, it is the higher value, either book or bill of sale. Pay 13%HST plus 10$ transfer.

We also get dinged $20 on a Used Vehicle Information package, which confirms all previous in province owners, without this they will not re-register to your name.

Now, if the vehicle has never been registered (many mv type vehs), there is technically no ownership. They need to create one. You need a bill of sale, an appraisal and an affidavit attesting that all the info presented is true and to the best of your knowledge. You pay x$ for the affidavit, so much for the new ownership, 13% HST based on the appraisal or the bill of sale. Of course you need to pay the appraisers fee. Next comes down to convincing the MTO as to what category the veh should be registered as (think ferret or other oddball mv)

The crazy part in all this is that value is deemed by one of two things; book value for vehs less than 20 years or appraised value regardless of appraisal unless the bill of sale indicates a higher value paid for vehs 20 and over.
For enthusiasts, here is a scenario. Suppose you purchase a rolling wreck?
You simply want it registered in your name;
-affidavit
-ownership creation fee
-13%HST on determined value
-fees for appraisal
Maybe you say, no, I will restore it first and then register- BAD MOVE
you will pay all the formentioned but now, 13% HST on the HIGHER value. You just paid HST on all the parts and labour and you will pay again on the newly appraised value.

I understand that it seems stupid to have to have a wreck appraised but here in ontario that is how it works. Unfortunately what was happening was that guys were writing undervalued receipts for unfit vehicles, registering them one day as unfit based on the lowballed value and then going in the next day with a safety certification and transferring the vehcile into a fit, plated status. The gov't caught on and now here we are.

Confused yet????