Guide To Ontario Vehicle Safety Standards

One of the first things that we learn after buying a car is that the process involves a lot of paperwork. There are countless documents that you need to sign and put together before you can officially (and legally) hit the road.

Although it’s not always necessary, there are some situations where you may need to get an Ontario vehicle safety standards certificate for your vehicle.

Despite its importance, many new drivers and car buyers aren’t familiar with this document.

Today’s article will explain what an Ontario vehicle safety standards certificate is, the criteria for passing a safety test, the costs, and much more.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about vehicle safety certificates.

What is a vehicle safety standards certificate in Ontario — An overview for motorists

A vehicle safety certificate is an important document that indicates that a vehicle met the minimum safety requirements set by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

To be clear, a vehicle safety certificate does not act as a warranty or guarantee the quality of any aspect of a vehicle or its components; it does, however, indicate that a car did meet the minimum safety requirements the day that the certificate was issued to the previous owner.

Drivers in Ontario can buy and/or register a vehicle without supplying a vehicle safety certificate, but they cannot put licence plates on their cars.

How can drivers get an Ontario motor vehicle safety standards certificate?

If you need a vehicle safety certificate, the only way that you can get a certificate is if your vehicle passes an inspection performed by an MTO-certified vehicle inspector. To schedule an inspection, all you need to do is visit a nearby vehicle inspection station.

After you’ve scheduled the inspection, the safety inspector will assess the vehicle and ensure it meets the government-mandated safety criteria.

The Ontario vehicle safety standards checklist

During the inspection, the safety inspection will assess the following components of your vehicle:

• Brakes
• Steering components
• Accelerator
• Suspension
• Electrical system
• Exhaust system
• Windows (windshield, side, and back)
• Wipers
• Mirrors (side and rear-view)
• Horn
• Safety switch
• Reflectors and lamps
• Tires
• Wheel mounts
• Rims
• General bodywork
• Belts
• Hoses
• Frame
• Seats
• Seatbelts (buckles, tongues, retractors, etc.)
• Coupling components

After the inspector completes the inspection, the vehicle needs to pass a road test. If the vehicle shows any signs of damage, it will not pass the road test.

If you want to learn about any new vehicle safety standards in Ontario or have questions about the current standards, you can reach out to the MTO.

4 times you’ll need an Ontario safety standards certificate

As mentioned earlier, there are a handful of situations where drivers will need a vehicle safety standards certificate. These situations include the following:

• You’re registering a vehicle that’s from another province, territory or country
• You’re registering a rebuilt vehicle in Ontario
• You need to upgrade a vehicle’s status from “unfit” to “fit”
• You’re transferring vehicle ownership to or from an individual who isn’t a spouse

Why do you need to get a vehicle safety standards certificate in these situations?

Simply put, the MTO wants to ensure that all vehicles sold in Ontario meet the minimum safety requirements. If all of the cars in Ontario meet the minimum safety requirements, it drastically reduces the chances of unexpected accidents occurring.

So, even though getting a vehicle safety standards certificate may seem like an unnecessary task, it helps you protect yourself and other drivers on Ontario roads.

Are the exemptions?

Yes, there are a handful of exemptions to the laws surrounding vehicle safety standards certificates. These exceptions include the following:

1. You’re registering an off-road vehicle, trailer, motor-assisted bicycle, or motorized snow vehicle (snowmobile)
2. You’re transferring the car to your spouse

How much does a vehicle safety standards certificate cost in Ontario?

There’s no set cost for vehicle inspection certificates due to the fact that the provincial government doesn’t regulate inspection fees. Because of this, the cost of the inspection will vary from bodyshop to body shop. That being said, many drivers report paying between $60 and $150 for a vehicle standards certificate.

Be sure to keep this in mind while budgeting for your upcoming vehicle purchase.

Preparing for a vehicle safety inspection in Ontario

Before you bring your vehicle to an MTO-approved auto body shop, you may want to spend some time repairing or replacing certain components of your vehicle. Even though this may seem like an added expense, taking the time to replace old parts can drastically improve the chances of your car passing the inspection.

For the best results, we suggest repairing or replacing the following components of your vehicle before scheduling a safety inspection:

• Tires — Experts suggest replacing your vehicle’s tires if they’re starting to get worn out. In order to pass the safety inspection, the tires need to have a tread depth of no less than 2 mm.
• Brakes — It’s always a good idea to repair or replace your vehicle’s brakes before a safety inspection. To pass the test, the brake-shoe lining cannot be less than 1.7 mm.
• Exhaust system — If you want to increase the chances of your car passing the vehicle safety inspection, you should consider tuning up your exhaust system. Drivers should check for leaks and make sure that all of the components are firmly in place.
• Suspension system — If your vehicle suspension system isn’t in tip-top condition, there’s a good chance that your vehicle won’t pass the safety inspection. Experts suggest repairing your vehicle suspension system if the height difference of the vehicle alignment exceeds 25 mm.

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Has your vehicle passed the safety standards test? Are you ready to enjoy your new car? There’s one more thing that you need to do: shop for auto insurance!

Shopping for auto insurance can be pretty intimidating, especially for new drivers. If you need help finding competitive quotes, you can always team up with a Surex insurance advisor.

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