Clutch.ca 10-day money-back policy: what it really covers
Clutch.ca 10-day money-back policy: what it really covers
Clutch.ca 10-day money-back policy: what it really covers
Checked October 2026 on Clutch's own pages and on Ontario and Nova Scotia sources. Policies change, so read the current page before you buy.
Buying a car is exciting, and it can also be a lot to carry. In a 2022 survey of 1,515 recent Canadian car buyers that GfK ran for the car marketplace CarGurus, 55% agreed "Car buying is fun" and 53% agreed "Car buying is stressful." So what if the car you bought online arrives and you do not like it? Clutch.ca answers with a return policy it calls the 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee. For how Clutch works in general, see How does Clutch work?. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
What is the short answer?
The short answer: as of October 2026, Clutch's terms give you ten days from delivery, or 750 km on the odometer, whichever comes first, to return the car for any reason, if the listed conditions are met. The car must come back in the condition it arrived in, and some money does not come back. After the window, Clutch's return policy no longer applies. What is left depends on your package's warranty (the Basic package shows none on Clutch's protection plans page) and on the law.
How long do you really have: 10 days or 750 km?
Other numbers circulate online, so use Clutch's own terms. The version we read (effective November 7, 2025) says you have "ten (10) days (beginning on the date of delivery) or 750 km (based on the odometer reading upon delivery), whichever comes first." That is both limits at once, and the first one you hit ends the window.
The days start on delivery, not on the day you pay.
The 750 km is counted from the odometer reading at delivery, so a long first drive can use it up.
Clutch's FAQ says you must let Clutch know within the window, by calling or emailing support, so the return or exchange can be set up.
What conditions must be met for a return?
The terms list conditions. In plain words:
Same condition as delivery. Any damage or alteration means the car will not be accepted. Clutch lists accident, weather and vandalism damage, and also "the presence of any odour, including pet or smoke odours."
Everything that came with it. All original or aftermarket items included at delivery must still be on the car.
No new liens. None may be assessed against the car after delivery. The FAQ adds that Clutch cannot accept a return if the car has a lien or other unpaid fee, other than financing arranged through Clutch.
You are there. You must attend the return inspection, and sign the ownership registration back over to Clutch.
Not a repeat returner. You cannot return a car if you have returned two other vehicles to Clutch in the last 30 days. The FAQ adds that you can exchange up to two vehicles in 30 days, and a third will not come with the guarantee.
What money do you get back?
Clutch's FAQ says you are refunded "the price you paid for the vehicle, excluding certain fees," and sends you to the terms for details. The FAQ does not list those fees. The terms name one: "Your refund shall not include shipping charges." They also say any accessories Clutch purchased for the car "not originally included on the vehicle when it was listed" are not refunded.
Item | What the terms or FAQ say |
|---|---|
Purchase price | Refunded, per the FAQ |
Shipping charges | Not refunded (terms); the FAQ calls shipping fees non-refundable |
Accessories Clutch purchased that were not originally on the car when listed (winter tires, aftermarket wheels, side steps, remote starters, heated seats and similar) | Not refunded |
Timing | Up to 10 business days from the date of return |
Shipping fees are separate from delivery fees. The FAQ describes shipping as moving a car between large urban centres and delivery as the last leg, with a distance-based fee. Its fees answer also lists an admin fee in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick only. Neither the terms nor the FAQ says whether a delivery fee, that admin fee or financing charges come back, so ask Clutch in writing before you buy: "If I return the car, which fees do I get back?" Reading every term and chasing a written answer is the kind of legwork Uobo does by text if you would rather hand it off. For the fees themselves, see Clutch.ca fees and add-ons: check the real price.
The FAQ says the $100 deposit taken at the end of checkout reserves the car and is "completely refundable." That is a deposit before you buy, not the refund after delivery.
What if you traded in a car?
Your old car is not returned. Clutch reimburses the trade-in value set at the time of the sale, less any lien. If you still owed more on the old car than it was worth, the terms say you must give Clutch a bank draft for the difference.
Does it apply to every package and every province?
On packages, yes, according to Clutch's pages. The protection plans page shows the guarantee ticked for all four packages: Basic, Essential, Clutch Care and Clutch Care Complete. The FAQ says the same for Basic. Two other FAQ answers name only some packages, so confirm yours in your contract before you pay.
On where it sells, Clutch's blog (updated September 17, 2025) says you can buy if you live in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island. Elsewhere, you must take delivery in one of those provinces, handle registration yourself and pay in full. Check Clutch's current page.
What does the law give you instead?
Clutch's 10 days is a policy, not a legal right. The law is narrower.
In Ontario, OMVIC, the regulator for vehicle dealers, says there is no cooling-off period or right to cancel a motor vehicle contract once you have signed it, "unless certain conditions are met." The Government of Ontario says the same. OMVIC lists the routes out: the dealer broke the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act in a way that gives you a right to cancel; a condition in your contract was not met; or an unfair practice under the Consumer Protection Act, where you have up to a year from signing to request cancellation. If a dealer agrees to cancel when you have no legal right, it can claim liquidated damages, which OMVIC says must be reasonable and justifiable, and keep part or all of your deposit. With a deposit but no signed contract, OMVIC says you can ask for it back at any time and the dealer must comply.
What is the 90-day cancellation right in Ontario?
It is narrow, and it is not a change-of-mind right. The Ontario government says that if certain information is missing, or the odometer reading, make, model and year, branding status or details of past use are not accurate, you can cancel within 90 days. OMVIC says the 90 days run from delivery and cover failures to disclose, or to disclose in time, past use as a taxi, police vehicle or daily rental, a salvage, rebuilt or irreparable brand, or the actual distance travelled.
What protects your money if something goes wrong?
The Ontario government says the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund protects deposits or payments up to $45,000 if a registered dealer fails to deliver on any part of the purchase or warranty. OMVIC's brochure says $45,000 per vehicle transaction. Sources word the two-year deadline three ways: after an eligible issue has occurred (OMVIC's fund page), after the dealer refuses or cannot return your payment (the Ontario government and OMVIC's brochure), or from when you first learned of the problem (Steps to Justice, reviewed September 22, 2026). Apply as soon as you can. The Ontario government says there is no claim if you buy privately or from outside the province.
In Nova Scotia, the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia says there is no statutory cooling-off period for buying a new or used vehicle. That page was reviewed in June 2022 and is our only source, so check with Service Nova Scotia. We did not check New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island.
What should you check on delivery day?
The 10 days start on delivery, so check these first.
Inspect before you sign. Clutch's FAQ says you can physically inspect the car at delivery or pick-up before signing the paperwork. One FAQ answer links inspecting before you complete the purchase to the Essential or Certified packages, so ask what applies to yours.
Photograph the car and note the odometer. Damage can end your return, and the 750 km is measured from the delivery reading.
Report imperfections quickly. For anything not on the inspection report, the FAQ says to call Customer Support and send photos, and that cosmetic concerns sent within the 10 days are reviewed. All parties to the purchase must be present at delivery.
Check the insurance. The FAQ says insurance must take effect no later than delivery day in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
The Car delivery day checklist covers the VIN, odometer, damage, keys and paperwork. Before you commit, the Car purchase contract checklist helps you read the price, fees and add-ons in writing.
Is a return policy a reason to skip the price check?
No. A return is a hassle and some costs do not come back, so check the price first. The Is this used car price fair? tool shows what share of similar used cars listed in Canada cost less than the asking price. For returns across companies, see can you return a car bought online in Canada?
It is fine to slow down. Reading terms, comparing prices and asking for answers in writing can feel like a second job on top of the excitement, and doing it is just being careful with a big purchase.
Try these free tools
Car purchase contract checklist: review the price, fees, trade-in and promises before you sign.
Car delivery day checklist: check the VIN, odometer, damage and paperwork before the 10 days begin.
Is this used car price fair?: see where an asking price sits among similar used cars in Canada.
Want someone on your side while you shop? Text Uobo, a personal car agent that does the research, checks and dealer legwork by text. It is free for shoppers, and you can start at Find That Car.
Checked October 2026 on Clutch's own pages and on Ontario and Nova Scotia sources. Policies change, so read the current page before you buy.
Buying a car is exciting, and it can also be a lot to carry. In a 2022 survey of 1,515 recent Canadian car buyers that GfK ran for the car marketplace CarGurus, 55% agreed "Car buying is fun" and 53% agreed "Car buying is stressful." So what if the car you bought online arrives and you do not like it? Clutch.ca answers with a return policy it calls the 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee. For how Clutch works in general, see How does Clutch work?. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
What is the short answer?
The short answer: as of October 2026, Clutch's terms give you ten days from delivery, or 750 km on the odometer, whichever comes first, to return the car for any reason, if the listed conditions are met. The car must come back in the condition it arrived in, and some money does not come back. After the window, Clutch's return policy no longer applies. What is left depends on your package's warranty (the Basic package shows none on Clutch's protection plans page) and on the law.
How long do you really have: 10 days or 750 km?
Other numbers circulate online, so use Clutch's own terms. The version we read (effective November 7, 2025) says you have "ten (10) days (beginning on the date of delivery) or 750 km (based on the odometer reading upon delivery), whichever comes first." That is both limits at once, and the first one you hit ends the window.
The days start on delivery, not on the day you pay.
The 750 km is counted from the odometer reading at delivery, so a long first drive can use it up.
Clutch's FAQ says you must let Clutch know within the window, by calling or emailing support, so the return or exchange can be set up.
What conditions must be met for a return?
The terms list conditions. In plain words:
Same condition as delivery. Any damage or alteration means the car will not be accepted. Clutch lists accident, weather and vandalism damage, and also "the presence of any odour, including pet or smoke odours."
Everything that came with it. All original or aftermarket items included at delivery must still be on the car.
No new liens. None may be assessed against the car after delivery. The FAQ adds that Clutch cannot accept a return if the car has a lien or other unpaid fee, other than financing arranged through Clutch.
You are there. You must attend the return inspection, and sign the ownership registration back over to Clutch.
Not a repeat returner. You cannot return a car if you have returned two other vehicles to Clutch in the last 30 days. The FAQ adds that you can exchange up to two vehicles in 30 days, and a third will not come with the guarantee.
What money do you get back?
Clutch's FAQ says you are refunded "the price you paid for the vehicle, excluding certain fees," and sends you to the terms for details. The FAQ does not list those fees. The terms name one: "Your refund shall not include shipping charges." They also say any accessories Clutch purchased for the car "not originally included on the vehicle when it was listed" are not refunded.
Item | What the terms or FAQ say |
|---|---|
Purchase price | Refunded, per the FAQ |
Shipping charges | Not refunded (terms); the FAQ calls shipping fees non-refundable |
Accessories Clutch purchased that were not originally on the car when listed (winter tires, aftermarket wheels, side steps, remote starters, heated seats and similar) | Not refunded |
Timing | Up to 10 business days from the date of return |
Shipping fees are separate from delivery fees. The FAQ describes shipping as moving a car between large urban centres and delivery as the last leg, with a distance-based fee. Its fees answer also lists an admin fee in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick only. Neither the terms nor the FAQ says whether a delivery fee, that admin fee or financing charges come back, so ask Clutch in writing before you buy: "If I return the car, which fees do I get back?" Reading every term and chasing a written answer is the kind of legwork Uobo does by text if you would rather hand it off. For the fees themselves, see Clutch.ca fees and add-ons: check the real price.
The FAQ says the $100 deposit taken at the end of checkout reserves the car and is "completely refundable." That is a deposit before you buy, not the refund after delivery.
What if you traded in a car?
Your old car is not returned. Clutch reimburses the trade-in value set at the time of the sale, less any lien. If you still owed more on the old car than it was worth, the terms say you must give Clutch a bank draft for the difference.
Does it apply to every package and every province?
On packages, yes, according to Clutch's pages. The protection plans page shows the guarantee ticked for all four packages: Basic, Essential, Clutch Care and Clutch Care Complete. The FAQ says the same for Basic. Two other FAQ answers name only some packages, so confirm yours in your contract before you pay.
On where it sells, Clutch's blog (updated September 17, 2025) says you can buy if you live in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island. Elsewhere, you must take delivery in one of those provinces, handle registration yourself and pay in full. Check Clutch's current page.
What does the law give you instead?
Clutch's 10 days is a policy, not a legal right. The law is narrower.
In Ontario, OMVIC, the regulator for vehicle dealers, says there is no cooling-off period or right to cancel a motor vehicle contract once you have signed it, "unless certain conditions are met." The Government of Ontario says the same. OMVIC lists the routes out: the dealer broke the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act in a way that gives you a right to cancel; a condition in your contract was not met; or an unfair practice under the Consumer Protection Act, where you have up to a year from signing to request cancellation. If a dealer agrees to cancel when you have no legal right, it can claim liquidated damages, which OMVIC says must be reasonable and justifiable, and keep part or all of your deposit. With a deposit but no signed contract, OMVIC says you can ask for it back at any time and the dealer must comply.
What is the 90-day cancellation right in Ontario?
It is narrow, and it is not a change-of-mind right. The Ontario government says that if certain information is missing, or the odometer reading, make, model and year, branding status or details of past use are not accurate, you can cancel within 90 days. OMVIC says the 90 days run from delivery and cover failures to disclose, or to disclose in time, past use as a taxi, police vehicle or daily rental, a salvage, rebuilt or irreparable brand, or the actual distance travelled.
What protects your money if something goes wrong?
The Ontario government says the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund protects deposits or payments up to $45,000 if a registered dealer fails to deliver on any part of the purchase or warranty. OMVIC's brochure says $45,000 per vehicle transaction. Sources word the two-year deadline three ways: after an eligible issue has occurred (OMVIC's fund page), after the dealer refuses or cannot return your payment (the Ontario government and OMVIC's brochure), or from when you first learned of the problem (Steps to Justice, reviewed September 22, 2026). Apply as soon as you can. The Ontario government says there is no claim if you buy privately or from outside the province.
In Nova Scotia, the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia says there is no statutory cooling-off period for buying a new or used vehicle. That page was reviewed in June 2022 and is our only source, so check with Service Nova Scotia. We did not check New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island.
What should you check on delivery day?
The 10 days start on delivery, so check these first.
Inspect before you sign. Clutch's FAQ says you can physically inspect the car at delivery or pick-up before signing the paperwork. One FAQ answer links inspecting before you complete the purchase to the Essential or Certified packages, so ask what applies to yours.
Photograph the car and note the odometer. Damage can end your return, and the 750 km is measured from the delivery reading.
Report imperfections quickly. For anything not on the inspection report, the FAQ says to call Customer Support and send photos, and that cosmetic concerns sent within the 10 days are reviewed. All parties to the purchase must be present at delivery.
Check the insurance. The FAQ says insurance must take effect no later than delivery day in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
The Car delivery day checklist covers the VIN, odometer, damage, keys and paperwork. Before you commit, the Car purchase contract checklist helps you read the price, fees and add-ons in writing.
Is a return policy a reason to skip the price check?
No. A return is a hassle and some costs do not come back, so check the price first. The Is this used car price fair? tool shows what share of similar used cars listed in Canada cost less than the asking price. For returns across companies, see can you return a car bought online in Canada?
It is fine to slow down. Reading terms, comparing prices and asking for answers in writing can feel like a second job on top of the excitement, and doing it is just being careful with a big purchase.
Try these free tools
Car purchase contract checklist: review the price, fees, trade-in and promises before you sign.
Car delivery day checklist: check the VIN, odometer, damage and paperwork before the 10 days begin.
Is this used car price fair?: see where an asking price sits among similar used cars in Canada.
Want someone on your side while you shop? Text Uobo, a personal car agent that does the research, checks and dealer legwork by text. It is free for shoppers, and you can start at Find That Car.
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