Delivery day checklist for a car you bought online
Delivery day checklist for a car you bought online
Delivery day checklist for a car you bought online
Checked October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ by province and change.
The car you spent weeks hunting down, listing after listing, is finally pulling up outside. That is exciting, and it can also feel rushed: someone is standing there with a pen, and you are meant to sign. OMVIC, Ontario's dealer regulator, says not to allow yourself to be rushed. This is the list we would want in your hand.
The short answer
Before you sign, check that the car matches the paperwork, walk around it in good light, count what was promised (keys, accessories, repairs), and make sure you are insured. If something is wrong, our advice is not to sign it off as fine: photograph it, write it down at the time and tell the seller in writing. OMVIC says to carefully inspect the vehicle when taking delivery.
Before it arrives: what to line up
Insurance. In Ontario you need proper insurance before you can drive on the road, with third-party liability of at least $200,000, and you must carry the liability card (the "pink slip"), according to Ontario.ca. Clutch's FAQ says customers in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island must have insurance before taking possession, effective no later than delivery day, and your insurer will want the VIN, year, make, model and trim.
Your copy of the contract and any inspection report. Our advice: have them ready.
Everyone on the purchase. Clutch's FAQ says all parties involved must be present at delivery or pick-up. Our advice: a second person helps with checking.
Clutch's FAQ says delivery is not available with its Basic packages. The Car delivery day checklist keeps the checking on your phone.
The delivery day checklist
1. Does the paperwork match the contract?
OMVIC says that if a new version of the contract is presented at delivery, make sure its terms and prices match the initial agreement. If you sign a loan agreement at delivery, check the terms and interest rate match what you agreed and no fees were added.
2. Does the VIN on the car match the paperwork?
The Ontario government advises physically inspecting the VIN to make sure the paperwork matches and has not been altered. Our advice: compare the VIN on the car with the contract, bill of sale and ownership papers, and check the Ontario vehicle permit, which shows the VIN, make and model, the owner's name and address and the plate number, before signing anything that accepts the car.
3. Does the odometer match what you were told?
Our advice: photograph the odometer. The Ontario government says that for a registered dealer, if the odometer reading, make, model and year, branded status or details of past use are not accurate, you can cancel within 90 days. OMVIC, which says the 90 days run from delivery, adds that for used vehicles a dealer's distance disclosure is deemed accurate if it is within the lesser of five per cent or 1,000 km of the correct distance, and that this does not apply to new vehicles. So a small difference may be within the margin; ask about it and note it in writing.
Clutch's terms count its 750 km return limit from the odometer reading at delivery. We cover it in Clutch's money-back policy explained.
4. Is the car in the condition you were shown?
OMVIC recommends a walk-around in daylight or a well-lit place, looking for scratches and damage. Clutch's FAQ says every car has a 210-point inspection, with a full report on the vehicle page, and that you can physically inspect the car before signing. The Used car inspection checklist walks through rust, tires, under the hood and interior.
Our advice: photograph every side, the wheels, the interior and any damage. For imperfections not noted on Clutch's report, its FAQ says to call Customer Support, who guide you through sending photos, and that cosmetic concerns raised within the 10-day period are reviewed.
5. Keys, accessories and promised work
OMVIC's list:
Get all keys, and the locking lug nut key if the wheels have locking nuts.
On a pre-owned car, check for a spare tire and jack.
Have the seller explain how the systems and features work, and get the owner's manual or an electronic copy.
If the agreement promised repairs or added options, make sure they are done before you hand over money or sign off.
Have the maintenance and warranty requirements explained.
Clutch's return terms require original and aftermarket items included at delivery to be present.
6. Do you have every document?
OMVIC says that before you drive off, make sure you have the contract, loan and warranty documents and, if the vehicle is used, a safety inspection certificate. It also says to keep copies of the advertisement, contract, finance agreement and certificate, and to get conditions and disclosures in writing.
Three Ontario papers get confused:
Used vehicle information package (UVIP). It shows Ontario owners and odometer readings, lien information and last known condition. Ontario.ca says the seller must provide one when selling a used car, van or light truck, but that you do not need one when buying from a registered used vehicle dealer, or if the vehicle was previously bought or sold outside Ontario. If you are buying privately, our advice is to ask for it.
Safety standards certificate. Ontario.ca says one confirms the car met minimum safety standards on the day it was issued, is valid for 36 calendar days after the inspection, and is not a warranty. It is needed when transferring a used vehicle to a new owner (unless a spouse) or registering one from another province. You can look up a car's inspection history by VIN.
Permit and plates. Clutch's FAQ says in Ontario you receive a vehicle permit in your name with new plates installed. In Atlantic Canada the certificate of registration may be couriered 5 to 10 business days later, and a 30-day temporary permit comes with every vehicle.
Other provinces have their own rules. In British Columbia, the Vehicle Sales Authority says that in most cases a recently purchased vehicle cannot be returned, with limited exceptions, such as a vehicle that did not meet the minimum standards to be driven on the road when you bought it.
7. Liens and ownership
The Ontario government recommends checking the VIN for liens whether you buy from a dealer or a private seller, and the UVIP shows lien information. Clutch's terms say no new liens may be assessed after delivery for a return to be accepted. Our advice: ask the seller to confirm in writing that nothing is owing on the car.
8. Recalls
OMVIC says recalls are issued by manufacturers and regulated federally by Transport Canada, that dealers and private sellers can legally sell vehicles with outstanding recalls, and that a used-vehicle buyer who does not tell the manufacturer they are the new owner will likely not get recall notices. Transport Canada's recalls database is searched by make, model and year range, and the Car recall check for Canada checks it. Its disclaimer says not every vehicle in a model year is affected; confirm with the manufacturer or a dealer. OMVIC advises giving the manufacturer your contact details with the VIN.
What if something is wrong at the door?
These steps are our advice, not a legal requirement:
Do not sign that it is accepted. Ask for the problem to be written on the delivery paperwork, or hold off signing.
Photograph it and note the date, time, odometer and VIN.
Tell the seller in writing, and keep a copy.
Check your deadlines. They differ by province. Writing a problem down does not by itself give you a right to cancel.
The official pages say:
Ontario. OMVIC says there is no cooling-off period once you sign, unless certain conditions are met. If a dealer failed to make certain disclosures, you may cancel within 90 days of delivery by sending a letter, preferably with proof of delivery. Buyers also have up to one year from signing to request cancellation under the Consumer Protection Act if they were a victim of an unfair practice (false, misleading, deceptive or unconscionable representations), and courts may allow dealers to charge for usage. OMVIC urges you to try the dealer first, then offers free complaint handling, but has no authority over private sales, and its consumer protections apply only to registered-dealer purchases. Ontario.ca 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, but not if you buy privately or from outside the province. The two official pages word the deadline differently: Ontario.ca says up to 2 years after the dealer refuses or is unable to return your payment, OMVIC says within two years after an eligible issue has occurred. Our advice: do not wait.
Alberta. AMVIC says the Internet Sales Contract Regulation, which covers a remote purchase from a licensed business but not a private seller, allows cancelling in specific circumstances, such as the vehicle not being as represented or delivery requirements not being met, but there is no cooling-off period if you dislike the car. Its general advice adds that the only way to cancel a signed contract is if the seller has a policy that says you may.
British Columbia. The Vehicle Sales Authority says that where an exception applies you can try to resolve it with the dealership, and you may also file a complaint with the VSA.
A company's own return period is separate: Clutch's terms give ten days from delivery or 750 km, whichever comes first, if conditions are met. See Can you return a car bought online in Canada? for how the provinces compare.
Take your time
Buying a car is a big, exciting moment and a lot to carry, so it is fine to be careful. If the weeks of research and dealer back-and-forth before delivery wore you out, that is legwork Uobo does by text.
Try these free tools
Car delivery day checklist: check the VIN, odometer, damage, keys and paperwork.
Used car inspection checklist: look over rust, tires, under the hood and the interior.
Car recall check for Canada: see Transport Canada recalls for the make, model and year.
Want someone on your side for the next car? Text Uobo, a personal car agent that does the research, checks and dealer legwork by text. It is free for shoppers. Start here.
Checked October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ by province and change.
The car you spent weeks hunting down, listing after listing, is finally pulling up outside. That is exciting, and it can also feel rushed: someone is standing there with a pen, and you are meant to sign. OMVIC, Ontario's dealer regulator, says not to allow yourself to be rushed. This is the list we would want in your hand.
The short answer
Before you sign, check that the car matches the paperwork, walk around it in good light, count what was promised (keys, accessories, repairs), and make sure you are insured. If something is wrong, our advice is not to sign it off as fine: photograph it, write it down at the time and tell the seller in writing. OMVIC says to carefully inspect the vehicle when taking delivery.
Before it arrives: what to line up
Insurance. In Ontario you need proper insurance before you can drive on the road, with third-party liability of at least $200,000, and you must carry the liability card (the "pink slip"), according to Ontario.ca. Clutch's FAQ says customers in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island must have insurance before taking possession, effective no later than delivery day, and your insurer will want the VIN, year, make, model and trim.
Your copy of the contract and any inspection report. Our advice: have them ready.
Everyone on the purchase. Clutch's FAQ says all parties involved must be present at delivery or pick-up. Our advice: a second person helps with checking.
Clutch's FAQ says delivery is not available with its Basic packages. The Car delivery day checklist keeps the checking on your phone.
The delivery day checklist
1. Does the paperwork match the contract?
OMVIC says that if a new version of the contract is presented at delivery, make sure its terms and prices match the initial agreement. If you sign a loan agreement at delivery, check the terms and interest rate match what you agreed and no fees were added.
2. Does the VIN on the car match the paperwork?
The Ontario government advises physically inspecting the VIN to make sure the paperwork matches and has not been altered. Our advice: compare the VIN on the car with the contract, bill of sale and ownership papers, and check the Ontario vehicle permit, which shows the VIN, make and model, the owner's name and address and the plate number, before signing anything that accepts the car.
3. Does the odometer match what you were told?
Our advice: photograph the odometer. The Ontario government says that for a registered dealer, if the odometer reading, make, model and year, branded status or details of past use are not accurate, you can cancel within 90 days. OMVIC, which says the 90 days run from delivery, adds that for used vehicles a dealer's distance disclosure is deemed accurate if it is within the lesser of five per cent or 1,000 km of the correct distance, and that this does not apply to new vehicles. So a small difference may be within the margin; ask about it and note it in writing.
Clutch's terms count its 750 km return limit from the odometer reading at delivery. We cover it in Clutch's money-back policy explained.
4. Is the car in the condition you were shown?
OMVIC recommends a walk-around in daylight or a well-lit place, looking for scratches and damage. Clutch's FAQ says every car has a 210-point inspection, with a full report on the vehicle page, and that you can physically inspect the car before signing. The Used car inspection checklist walks through rust, tires, under the hood and interior.
Our advice: photograph every side, the wheels, the interior and any damage. For imperfections not noted on Clutch's report, its FAQ says to call Customer Support, who guide you through sending photos, and that cosmetic concerns raised within the 10-day period are reviewed.
5. Keys, accessories and promised work
OMVIC's list:
Get all keys, and the locking lug nut key if the wheels have locking nuts.
On a pre-owned car, check for a spare tire and jack.
Have the seller explain how the systems and features work, and get the owner's manual or an electronic copy.
If the agreement promised repairs or added options, make sure they are done before you hand over money or sign off.
Have the maintenance and warranty requirements explained.
Clutch's return terms require original and aftermarket items included at delivery to be present.
6. Do you have every document?
OMVIC says that before you drive off, make sure you have the contract, loan and warranty documents and, if the vehicle is used, a safety inspection certificate. It also says to keep copies of the advertisement, contract, finance agreement and certificate, and to get conditions and disclosures in writing.
Three Ontario papers get confused:
Used vehicle information package (UVIP). It shows Ontario owners and odometer readings, lien information and last known condition. Ontario.ca says the seller must provide one when selling a used car, van or light truck, but that you do not need one when buying from a registered used vehicle dealer, or if the vehicle was previously bought or sold outside Ontario. If you are buying privately, our advice is to ask for it.
Safety standards certificate. Ontario.ca says one confirms the car met minimum safety standards on the day it was issued, is valid for 36 calendar days after the inspection, and is not a warranty. It is needed when transferring a used vehicle to a new owner (unless a spouse) or registering one from another province. You can look up a car's inspection history by VIN.
Permit and plates. Clutch's FAQ says in Ontario you receive a vehicle permit in your name with new plates installed. In Atlantic Canada the certificate of registration may be couriered 5 to 10 business days later, and a 30-day temporary permit comes with every vehicle.
Other provinces have their own rules. In British Columbia, the Vehicle Sales Authority says that in most cases a recently purchased vehicle cannot be returned, with limited exceptions, such as a vehicle that did not meet the minimum standards to be driven on the road when you bought it.
7. Liens and ownership
The Ontario government recommends checking the VIN for liens whether you buy from a dealer or a private seller, and the UVIP shows lien information. Clutch's terms say no new liens may be assessed after delivery for a return to be accepted. Our advice: ask the seller to confirm in writing that nothing is owing on the car.
8. Recalls
OMVIC says recalls are issued by manufacturers and regulated federally by Transport Canada, that dealers and private sellers can legally sell vehicles with outstanding recalls, and that a used-vehicle buyer who does not tell the manufacturer they are the new owner will likely not get recall notices. Transport Canada's recalls database is searched by make, model and year range, and the Car recall check for Canada checks it. Its disclaimer says not every vehicle in a model year is affected; confirm with the manufacturer or a dealer. OMVIC advises giving the manufacturer your contact details with the VIN.
What if something is wrong at the door?
These steps are our advice, not a legal requirement:
Do not sign that it is accepted. Ask for the problem to be written on the delivery paperwork, or hold off signing.
Photograph it and note the date, time, odometer and VIN.
Tell the seller in writing, and keep a copy.
Check your deadlines. They differ by province. Writing a problem down does not by itself give you a right to cancel.
The official pages say:
Ontario. OMVIC says there is no cooling-off period once you sign, unless certain conditions are met. If a dealer failed to make certain disclosures, you may cancel within 90 days of delivery by sending a letter, preferably with proof of delivery. Buyers also have up to one year from signing to request cancellation under the Consumer Protection Act if they were a victim of an unfair practice (false, misleading, deceptive or unconscionable representations), and courts may allow dealers to charge for usage. OMVIC urges you to try the dealer first, then offers free complaint handling, but has no authority over private sales, and its consumer protections apply only to registered-dealer purchases. Ontario.ca 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, but not if you buy privately or from outside the province. The two official pages word the deadline differently: Ontario.ca says up to 2 years after the dealer refuses or is unable to return your payment, OMVIC says within two years after an eligible issue has occurred. Our advice: do not wait.
Alberta. AMVIC says the Internet Sales Contract Regulation, which covers a remote purchase from a licensed business but not a private seller, allows cancelling in specific circumstances, such as the vehicle not being as represented or delivery requirements not being met, but there is no cooling-off period if you dislike the car. Its general advice adds that the only way to cancel a signed contract is if the seller has a policy that says you may.
British Columbia. The Vehicle Sales Authority says that where an exception applies you can try to resolve it with the dealership, and you may also file a complaint with the VSA.
A company's own return period is separate: Clutch's terms give ten days from delivery or 750 km, whichever comes first, if conditions are met. See Can you return a car bought online in Canada? for how the provinces compare.
Take your time
Buying a car is a big, exciting moment and a lot to carry, so it is fine to be careful. If the weeks of research and dealer back-and-forth before delivery wore you out, that is legwork Uobo does by text.
Try these free tools
Car delivery day checklist: check the VIN, odometer, damage, keys and paperwork.
Used car inspection checklist: look over rust, tires, under the hood and the interior.
Car recall check for Canada: see Transport Canada recalls for the make, model and year.
Want someone on your side for the next car? Text Uobo, a personal car agent that does the research, checks and dealer legwork by text. It is free for shoppers. Start here.
Our latest stories:
AI Agent vs BDC: Best Options for Car Dealerships (2026)
How does Clutch.ca work? Should You Use It?
Is Carvana in Canada? Why Not, and What to Use Instead (2026)
See all posts