Overview

A comprehensive bill of sale provides information about the vehicle and sales agreement when buying or leasing a vehicle from a business. It is used to protect buyers from unexpected and unauthorized costs.

Businesses are required to provide buyers with the comprehensive bill of sale document at the time of the vehicle sale.

What to include

The following information is mandatory and must be detailed in a clear and comprehensible manner.

Buyer/seller information

  • name and address of the buyer, including the identification number listed on the government-issued ID
  • name, business address and licence number of the business operator
  • name and registration number of the salesperson, if acting on behalf of the business operator

Vehicle information

  • make, model and year of the vehicle
  • colour and body type of the vehicle
  • vehicle identification number (VIN)

Payment information

  • the date the bill of sale is entered into
  • date the vehicle is to be delivered to the buyer
  • list of all applicable fees and charges the buyer has to pay including any charges for transportation of the vehicle, fees for inspections, fees for licensing, charges for warranties and taxes or levies including GST
  • timing for payments of fees and charges by the buyer
  • list of the costs of all extra equipment and options sold in connection with the vehicle or installed on the vehicle at the time of sale
  • total cost of the vehicle, including the fees, charges and costs listed
  • down payment or deposit paid by the consumer, if any, and the balance remaining to be paid
  • balance of any outstanding loan that is included into the cost of the vehicle
  • list of any items or incentives that the seller agrees to provide with the vehicle with no extra charge
  • if the business operator enters into a credit agreement with the consumer or arranges a credit agreement, the bill of sale must include the disclosure statement required in part 9 of the Consumer Protection Act

Vehicle history

  • odometer reading of the vehicle at the time the bill of sale is entered into
    • if the odometer reading is not available at the time of sale, the maximum odometer reading will be included at time of delivery
  • any mechanical fitness assessment that has been issued under the Vehicle Inspection Regulation
  • any disclosure statement or documents about the vehicle’s previous use, history or condition

Trade-in information

  • if the buyer is trading in another vehicle in connection with the purchase of a new one, the bill of sale must include:
    • information about the vehicle being traded in
    • value of the trade-in allowance incorporated into the purchase of the new vehicle

Additionally, the business operator must:

  • ensure all restrictions, limitations and conditions for the buyer in the bill of sale are clearly stated
  • include a declaration that they have disclosed information about the vehicle history required under section 31.1 of the Automotive Business Regulation

Deposit agreements

A deposit agreement is a contract used to identify and document the details of a deposit, down payment or partial payment paid by a buyer to a seller during a vehicle sale.

The Automotive Business Regulation states that AMVIC can require automotive businesses to use a standard deposit agreement and form as a required element in any bill of sale.

AMVIC can investigate deposit-related complaints if there is evidence that the buyer was misled or there was an unfair practice.

Visit AMVIC for more information about deposits and deposit forms.

Contact

If you have any questions, concerns or complaints regarding Alberta's automotive industry, please contact:

AMVIC Consumer Services

Phone: 780-466-1140 ext. 2002
Toll free: 1-877-979-8100 ext. 2002
Email: Complaints@amvic.org