One of the questions we hear most at BonAuto: “How much sales tax will I pay on this used car?” Here is a clear and complete explanation, up to date for 2026. To get your exact amount right away, use our tax calculator; this page explains where the numbers come from.
1. Buying from a dealership
When you buy from a dealership (like BonAuto), both taxes apply to the sale price:
- GST: 5%
- QST: 9.975% (calculated on the pre-tax price, not on the price + GST since 2013)
- Total taxes: 14.975% of the sale price
A concrete example
For a $20,000 vehicle at a dealership:
- Sale price: $20,000.00
- GST (5%): $1,000.00
- QST (9.975%): $1,995.00
- Total to pay: $22,995.00
2. Buying from an individual
When you buy from an individual (no dealership), only the QST applies, and it is calculated by the SAAQ at registration.
- GST: 0% (no GST between individuals)
- SAAQ QST: 9.975%, calculated on the higher of:
- the declared sale price, OR
- the “estimated value” of the vehicle: the average wholesale selling price listed in the Guide d'évaluation Hebdo, minus $500.
Individual example
You buy a vehicle for $15,000 from an individual, but its SAAQ estimated value is $17,000:
- QST paid to the SAAQ: 9.975% × $17,000 = $1,695.75
SAAQ QST calculation, step by step
This is the question that comes up most often: how exactly is the QST calculated at the SAAQ for a purchase between individuals? The SAAQ does not rely only on the price written on your sales contract. The method follows three steps:
- Take the declared sale price on the contract.
- Compare it to the vehicle's estimated value: the average wholesale selling price from the Guide d'évaluation Hebdo(automobiles and light trucks), minus $500.
- The 9.975% QST applies to the higher of the two amounts, never to the lower one.
SAAQ QST calculation example
You buy a vehicle from an individual for $12,000, but its estimated value in the Guide is $13,500:
- Amount retained by the SAAQ: $13,500 (the higher of the two)
- Calculation: $13,500 × 9.975% = $1,346.63 in QST
The result is the same whatever price you negotiated with the seller, as long as the estimated value stays higher. Enter your own numbers in our tax calculator to get your SAAQ QST calculation in seconds, even before going to the counter.
Two exceptions are provided by Revenu Québec. Between related individuals, the QST is calculated on the agreed price, even if it is lower than the estimated value. And if the vehicle is damaged or abnormally worn, you can pay the QST on the reduced price by giving the SAAQ the report of a certified appraiser.
Sources: Revenu Québec, Buying a used road vehicle from an individual and Estimated value of a used road vehicle.
3. Additional fees (often forgotten)
- SAAQ registration fees: $217.41/year in 2026 for a passenger vehicle ($140.00 + $66.01 + $5.95 + $5.45).
- Licence plate: $2.70 for issuing a new standard plate, $13.50 if it is a replacement.
- New tire fee: collected when buying new tires (amount to be confirmed with the SAAQ).
- RDPRM fees: search of the Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers (register of personal and movable real rights), to check that the vehicle is not encumbered.
4. Tax credit for a trade-in vehicle
If you trade in your old vehicle at a dealership, its trade-in value is deducted from the taxable amount. This is a major advantage of buying from a dealership vs buying from an individual.
Example: you buy at $25,000 and trade in for $8,000. You pay taxes only on $17,000 → a saving of about $1,200 in taxes.
Quickly calculate your purchase
Use our used vehicle tax calculator (dealership or individual) to get the total in seconds. All vehicles in our inventory show the price before taxes; for the total with taxes included at a dealership, multiply by 1.14975. If you trade in your car, its allowance is deducted before taxes are calculated.