Selling a used car in Prince Edward Island might feel like a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time navigating the process. Between pricing your vehicle, listing it for sale, handling test drives, and sorting through provincial paperwork, there’s a lot to think about.

But don’t worry—we’re here to walk you through it all.

In this guide, we’ll break down each step of the selling process in PEI, from setting a fair price and marketing your vehicle to transferring ownership and understanding local regulations. We’ll also highlight the benefits of trading in your vehicle, which can save you time and effort—especially when done online through a platform like Clutch.

Let’s get started with the first (and most important) step: figuring out how much your car is worth.

Set a Fair Price for Your Vehicle

Before you put your car up for sale, you’ll need to determine how much it’s worth. Pricing your vehicle correctly is one of the most important steps in the selling process—price it too high, and buyers may scroll right past your listing. Price it too low, and you could leave money on the table.

Let’s look at how to strike the right balance.

Research the Market

Start by looking up your vehicle’s estimated value using online car valuation tools. These platforms compare similar vehicles for sale in your area and provide a price range based on mileage, condition, trim level, and local demand. Some reliable options include:

• Clutch’s Car Value Calculator – Enter your VIN, mileage, and location to get an instant offer or price estimate based on current market trends.
• Canadian Black Book – A trusted industry tool for estimating trade-in and private sale values.
• AutoTrader or Kijiji Autos – See what similar cars are being listed for in your region to help position your price competitively.

Keep in mind that PEI’s smaller market may mean fewer comparable listings, so try expanding your search to nearby provinces like Nova Scotia or New Brunswick to get a more accurate picture.

Set an Asking Price vs. Your Minimum Price

Once you have a ballpark value, it’s time to decide on your asking price—the number you’ll include in your listing. But don’t stop there. You should also figure out your lowest acceptable price in case buyers try to negotiate (and many will).

A few factors can help determine your bottom line:

• The amount you still owe on the car loan
• The cash you need for your next vehicle
• How quickly you want to sell

Being clear on your limits will make the negotiation process less stressful and help you make decisions with confidence.

List Your Car for Sale

Once you’ve settled on a price, it’s time to get your vehicle in front of potential buyers. In Prince Edward Island, there are several ways to list your car—each with its own pros and cons.

Here’s how to get the most exposure while protecting yourself from common pitfalls.

Free Online Marketplaces

Platforms like Kijij, Facebook Marketplace, and AutoTrader offer free listings and are a popular first stop for local buyers.

Pros:

• No upfront fees
• Easy to create listings with photos and details
• Wide reach across PEI and nearby provinces

Cons:

• Expect to field lots of messages from tire kickers and lowballers
• Scams can be an issue (watch for fake payment offers or suspicious buyers)
• Time-consuming—you’ll have to manage inquiries, schedule test drives, and handle negotiations on your own

Include plenty of clear, high-quality photos of your car (inside and out), and write a detailed description that covers mileage, features, condition, and any recent maintenance. The more info you share upfront, the more confident serious buyers will feel reaching out.

For more tips, take a look at our article on how to make a great car ad.

Paid Listing Sites

If you’re looking get in front of a larger audience, premium options on AutoTrader and Kijiji may be worth the investment.

Pros:

• Attract more serious buyers
• Listings often include additional tools like financing calculators or vehicle history reports
• Featured placement options help your listing stand out

Cons:

• Fees can add up quickly and don’t guarantee you will sell
• Still involves managing communication and logistics on your own
• You’ll be competing with professional dealerships that often have better photos and pricing strategies

Old-School Methods: “For Sale” Sign

You can always go the traditional route and put a “For Sale” sign in your car window, especially if you live in a high-traffic area.

While it’s low-effort and free, it’s usually not the most effective method in PEI. Your car might sit unnoticed for days—or worse, you could attract attention from people who aren’t actually looking to buy.

Also, be sure to check with your municipality. Some local bylaws restrict roadside vehicle sales, and parking your car in a visible spot might get you ticketed or towed.

Complete the Required Paperwork in PEI

Selling a car in Prince Edward Island involves a bit of paperwork, but once you know what’s required, it’s fairly straightforward. The key is making sure you and the buyer both have what you need to officially transfer ownership and keep everything legal.

Here’s what to prepare.

Vehicle Registration Document

Your vehicle’s registration is proof that you legally own the car and have the right to sell it. When a sale is agreed upon, you’ll need to sign the back of the registration certificate and give it to the buyer.

The PEI registration includes:

• VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• Make, model, and year
• Your name and address

Be sure the information is up to date before the sale. If you’ve moved or changed your name, you may need to update it at Access PEI first.

Bill of Sale

While PEI doesn’t legally require a bill of sale, it’s strongly recommended for both parties. It acts as a written record of the transaction and protects you if there are any disputes later on.

At minimum, include the following details:

• Full names and addresses of the buyer and seller
• Date of sale
• Vehicle year, make, model, and VIN
• Final sale price
• Signatures of both parties

You can find printable templates online, or create your own document as long as it includes all the essential information.

Transfer of Ownership at Access PEI

Once the sale is complete, the buyer must take the signed registration and bill of sale to an Access PEI location to officially register the vehicle in their name. They’ll also need to pay 14% HST on either the purchase price or the Red Book value of the vehicle—whichever is greater.

As the seller, you don’t need to attend this appointment, but it’s a good idea to remove your licence plates and cancel your insurance before the buyer drives away.

In PEI, licence plates stay with the seller—not the vehicle. You can reuse them on another car or return them to Access PEI for a refund if you’re not planning to buy a new one.

Vehicle Inspection

PEI doesn’t require a new safety inspection at the time of sale unless the vehicle’s inspection sticker has expired or it’s being registered for the first time in PEI (i.e., it came from out of province).

If the inspection is still valid, the buyer can register the car as-is. If not, the buyer will need to get the vehicle inspected before registration.

What to Do After the Sale

Once the car is out of your hands and the paperwork is complete, there are just a few final steps to wrap things up on your end.

Remove Your Licence Plates

In Prince Edward Island, licence plates stay with the seller—not the vehicle. Before the buyer drives off, make sure to remove your plates and keep them with you.

You have two options:

• Transfer them to another vehicle (if you’re buying a new one)
• Return them to Access PEI for a possible refund of unused registration time

Cancel or Update Your Insurance

Contact your insurance provider to cancel coverage on the sold vehicle or transfer the policy to your next ride. Cancelling promptly can help you avoid paying for coverage you no longer need.

Keep a Copy of the Bill of Sale

Even though PEI doesn’t require sellers to report the sale to the province, it’s smart to keep a signed copy of the bill of sale for your records. This can help protect you in case of any future disputes, such as unpaid tickets or tolls that show up after the car has changed hands.

Why You Might Want to Trade In Instead

Selling your car privately can take time and effort—fielding messages, scheduling meetups, and managing paperwork. If you’re looking for a faster, simpler alternative, trading in your car might be the better option.

Here’s why more PEI drivers are choosing to skip the hassle and trade in their vehicles instead.

Save Time and Avoid the Hassle

Private sales can be unpredictable. You might get lucky and find a buyer quickly—or you could end up dealing with weeks of back-and-forth, no-shows, and last-minute cancellations. Trading in your vehicle removes all that uncertainty.

With a trade-in, you get a firm offer up front, and the transaction typically takes less than a day to complete. No test drives with strangers. No waiting. No stress.

Minimal Paperwork

When you trade in your vehicle to a dealership or online retailer like Clutch, they’ll handle most (if not all) of the required paperwork for you. That means:

• No filling out bills of sale
• No worrying about missing signatures
• No trips to Access PEI to double-check everything

You simply provide a few documents, sign the offer, and let the experts take care of the rest.

Tax Savings

Here’s a hidden perk: trading in your vehicle can also lead to significant tax savings on your next car.

In PEI, when you trade in a car and buy another, the HST is only applied to the difference between the price of your new vehicle and the value of your trade-in. For example:

• If you’re buying a $30,000 vehicle and your trade-in is worth $10,000, you’ll only pay HST on the remaining $20,000—not the full price.

That can add up to hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in savings.

Selling or Trading In With Clutch

If you’re looking for the easiest way to sell or trade in your car in Prince Edward Island, Clutch has you covered. As Canada’s leading online car retailer, we’ve simplified the process from start to finish—so you can skip the dealership and handle everything from the comfort of your home.

Get an Instant Offer in Minutes

Start by entering a few basic details about your vehicle—like the VIN, mileage, and condition—into our online sell or trade tool. In just a few clicks, you’ll receive a real, no-obligation offer that reflects current market conditions.

If you like the offer, you can move forward with the sale or apply it directly toward a trade-in.

Pick-Up or Drop-Off

Selling or trading in with Clutch means no dealership visits, no haggling, and no hassle. Once you accept the offer, we’ll schedule a vehicle pick-up or drop-off at one of our locations.

Trading in? We’ll even coordinate delivery of your new Clutch vehicle at the same time—so you can make a seamless switch without leaving home.

Peace of Mind Built In

Every vehicle sold through Clutch goes through a rigorous 210-point inspection and reconditioning process. If you’re trading in your vehicle for another one from our inventory, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting a quality, road-ready car.

We also offer:

• 3-month warranty
• Flexible financing
• 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Whether you’re selling, trading in, or buying your next ride, Clutch makes the experience faster, easier, and more transparent.