What Paperwork Do I Need to Scrap a Car in Canada?

To scrap a car in Canada, you generally need proof of ownership and valid government-issued photo ID. The name of the ownership document and the transfer steps vary by province. Any active loan should normally be paid off and its lien released before the sale. When you sell through Torqi, we provide the bill of sale used for the transaction.

Quick paperwork checklist

• Proof of ownership, such as your provincial vehicle permit or registration certificate
• Government-issued photo ID that matches the registered owner
• Confirmation that any vehicle loan has been paid and the lien released
• A bill of sale, which Torqi provides
• Any province-specific transfer or seller-notification form

Have everything ready? Get an instant offer and let local recyclers compete for your car.

Proof of ownership and identification

Proof of ownership is the document issued when the vehicle was registered in your name. Ontario calls it a vehicle permit, often referred to as the ownership. Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia use a registration certificate. In British Columbia, registration and insurance appear on the APV250 document. The province table below summarizes the usual documents and seller steps.

Bring valid government-issued photo ID in the same name as the ownership document. If the vehicle has multiple registered owners, confirm whether every owner must sign. A bill of sale records the transaction, but it does not automatically replace the provincial ownership or registration document.

What should you do with the licence plates?

In most provinces, licence plates stay with the seller rather than the vehicle, so remove them before pickup. New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador use different rules for regular plates, which may remain with the vehicle when it is sold. Because plate rules vary, check the current instructions from your provincial registration authority before pickup.

If a recycler offers to dispose of your plates, ask what will happen to them and whether your province requires you to return or retain them. Do not assume the same rule applies across Canada.

Liens and financed vehicles

Pay off any loan on the vehicle before selling whenever possible. An active lien means a lender may still have a legal claim against the car or the amount owed. A recycler may decline the vehicle until the lien is discharged.

If a buyer is willing to purchase a vehicle with an active lien, the debt does not disappear. Contact the lender first, confirm the payout process and obtain written confirmation when the lien has been released. Torqi cannot remove a lien or change a lender’s requirements. This is general information, not legal advice.

You can check for a registered lien using your province’s personal property registry. Ontario also lists liens in the Used Vehicle Information Package. Quebec uses the Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights, commonly called the RDPRM.

Bill of sale and transfer record

Torqi provides the bill of sale, so you do not need to create one before pickup. Review it before signing and keep a copy. It should identify the seller and buyer, the VIN, year, make and model, the sale date and price, and the required signatures.

Some provinces also require a transfer section on the ownership document or a separate provincial form. Examples include British Columbia’s APV9T Transfer Tax Form and the Application for Transfer on the back of an Ontario vehicle permit.

What if the ownership document is missing?

Missing paperwork does not always prevent the sale, but you may need to replace the document or follow a different provincial process first. Start with the authority that issues vehicle registrations in your province.

Paperwork requirements by province

Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut maintain separate vehicle registries. Confirm the current bill-of-sale and seller-notification requirements with the applicable territorial authority.

What happens during a Torqi pickup

1. Request an offer by entering the vehicle details and condition.
2. Accept the offer and choose the available pickup and payment timing.
3. At pickup, show your identification and proof of ownership, then sign the bill of sale Torqi provides.
4. The recycler pays you according to the confirmed payment terms and tows the vehicle away.
5. After pickup, complete any remaining provincial seller steps and cancel or move your insurance.

Your next step

Find your proof of ownership, have your photo ID ready and confirm that any loan has been resolved. When you are ready, get an instant offer. If you are still deciding, compare the estimated value of your vehicle with the cost of repairing, trading or selling it as-is.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum paperwork needed to scrap a car in Canada?

You generally need proof of ownership and government-issued photo ID. Torqi provides the bill of sale, while some provinces require an additional transfer or seller-notification step.

Can I scrap a car if I lost the ownership or registration?

Possibly, but you may need to replace the document or follow your province’s alternative transfer process first. Contact the authority that issues vehicle registrations where you live.

Can I scrap a financed car or a vehicle with a lien?

Usually, the loan should be paid and the lien released first. If a buyer accepts the vehicle with a lien, the debt still remains. Confirm the process directly with your lender before selling.

Should I remove the licence plates before pickup?

In most provinces, yes. Regular plate rules differ in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador, so confirm the current provincial requirement before the vehicle is collected.

Do I need to prepare my own bill of sale?

No. Torqi provides the bill of sale for the transaction. Review it, sign where required and keep a copy for your records.

Who completes the transfer paperwork?

You complete the seller steps required by your province. The recycler completes its buyer or end-of-life vehicle obligations. Torqi provides the bill of sale and coordinates the marketplace and pickup process.

Sources

• ICBC: Sell a used vehicle
• Government of Alberta: Standard bill of sale
• ServiceOntario: Buy or sell a used vehicle
• SAAQ: Discarding a vehicle
• Manitoba Public Insurance: Ownership transfers