Legal warranty on a used car: the four categories

The warranty of good working order is set out in law. You don't have to negotiate it, pay for it or have it written into the contract: it applies because you are buying from a merchant. According to Quebec's consumer protection office (OPC), it starts on delivery of the car.

It differs from two other things. It isn't the manufacturer's warranty, which runs from the date the vehicle entered service and may already have expired. Nor is it an extended warranty, a product sold as an add-on — our guide to extended warranties explains when that product is worth its price. For the buying process as a whole, see also the five things to check before you buy.

These values are the ones published by Quebec's consumer protection office (OPC) for contracts signed since April 5, 2024. An earlier contract falls under a different table, with lower thresholds: if your purchase dates from before then, consult the official page.

For categories A, B and C, both conditions must be met together: the age — counted from the year the vehicle went on the market — and the mileage. The stated duration runs out at whichever of the two limits is reached first — 6 months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. The official details are on the used car categories page.

The categories above are not being replaced. What changes as of October 5, 2026 concerns, among other things, the information handed over before an additional warranty is offered. Quebec's consumer protection office (OPC) indicates that the written notice already used for used cars will be replaced by a new notice that includes the warranty of good working order. If you're reading this article after that date, check that the document you're given meets the rules in effect at that time.

It's the nuance that costs the most when you miss it. To fall into category D, it's enough for just one of the two thresholds to be exceeded. A four-year-old vehicle showing 130,000 kilometres is in category D, even though it's recent. An eight-year-old vehicle showing 60,000 kilometres is too, even though it has low mileage.

Be careful how these two values are read. The category depends on the year the vehicle went on the market and the mileage shown on the odometer. The model year shown on an inventory listing isn't necessarily the same as the year it went on the market: when in doubt, the merchant must confirm the category that applies to the contract.

The warranty of good working order covers the parts and labour needed for the car to work properly. It isn't all-risk insurance: it targets good working order, not normal wear or damage from improper use.

When it applies, Quebec's consumer protection office (OPC) specifies that the merchant is responsible for towing and repair costs. It comes on top of the other legal warranties, including the warranty of reasonable quality and durability, and the protections against latent defects. A vehicle covered by a manufacturer certification program may also benefit from additional contractual coverage specific to that program.

No warranty of good working order doesn't mean no recourse at all. Other protections provided by law may still apply, notably the warranty of reasonable quality and durability and the Civil Code rules on latent defects. These are separate regimes, with different conditions and time limits.

On a category D vehicle, the pre-purchase inspection therefore takes on particular importance, and the question of a contractual warranty is worth raising before you negotiate.

This is the least-known point. Quebec's consumer protection office (OPC) is explicit: it is prohibited to enter into an agreement with the consumer by which they agree to shorten the duration of their warranty of good working order or to waive it, even in exchange for a reduction in the sale price.

A contract clause to that effect therefore doesn't produce the intended result. If you're offered a discount in exchange for a waiver, the proposal doesn't hold up under the law. Read the contract and keep a signed copy.

The warranty of good working order applies to purchases from a merchant: it does not apply to transactions between two private individuals. That doesn't mean a buyer has no recourse: the Civil Code rules, notably on latent defects, may still apply depending on the circumstances. The legal frameworks differ, as does the burden of proof.

Our comparison of buying from a private seller versus a dealership puts a number on the other difference, the one in sales tax. Both differences matter when comparing your options fairly.

Three steps. Notify the merchant promptly, in writing — an email leaves a useful trail. Discuss the repair with them before having it done elsewhere: the warranty is their obligation, and presenting them with repairs that have already been completed can complicate things. Keep everything: contract, invoices, communications and dates.

The official procedure, time limits and possible remedies are described by Quebec's consumer protection office (OPC). This article explains the legal framework; it doesn't replace legal advice tailored to your situation.