The FIN 320, formally the Motor Vehicle Appraisal Form, is a one-page BC government form that can save a used-car buyer hundreds of dollars in provincial sales tax. It exists because of a quirk in how BC taxes private vehicle sales: the tax is normally based on the greater of your price and a published average value, not on what your specific car is worth. The FIN 320 is the official mechanism for correcting that. Here's everything it does, who can complete one, and what a defensible appraisal actually contains.
The Problem the FIN 320 Solves
Since October 1, 2022, when you buy a used vehicle privately in BC, PST (12% for most vehicles) is calculated on the greater of your purchase price or the Canadian Black Book average wholesale value for that year, make, and model (Bulletin PST 308). Your Autoplan broker collects the tax at transfer, using the APV9T form, and the Black Book number comes up automatically; you can preview it at icbc.canadianblackbook.com.
Averages are blind to condition. High kilometres, accident history, mechanical issues, cosmetic wear, a degraded EV battery: none of it shows up in an average wholesale value. So a buyer who paid a genuinely fair price for a below-average car gets taxed on value that isn't there.
With a completed FIN 320, the calculation changes: PST is based on the greater of your purchase price or the appraised value instead of the greater of price or Black Book number. A qualifying appraisal substitutes the appraised value when it's lower than the book value, and it never takes the taxable value below what you paid. Two boundaries to keep in mind:
- The appraisal can never push your taxable value below the price you actually paid. If you paid $14,000 and the appraisal says $12,500, tax is on $14,000.
- The appraised value is the vehicle's expected private-sale retail value: what it would realistically sell for between private parties in its actual condition. It is not a trade-in value, an auction value, or a wholesale figure. Appraisals pegged to lowball numbers don't hold up.
When You Need It: The Two Windows
- Before registration. Bring the completed FIN 320 to the Autoplan broker with your transfer paperwork; the correct tax is charged on the spot. Cleanest path.
- The refund window after registration. If you already paid tax on the Black Book value, a refund is still possible, but the Ministry of Finance must receive your completed appraisal and your refund application (form FIN 355/MV, with your bill of sale and a copy of the APV9T) within 30 days of the registration date. Obtaining the appraisal is only part of the job; allow time to complete the application and get the whole package to the Ministry inside the window. Our refund guide covers the steps.
Who Is Qualified to Complete a FIN 320?
The form must be completed and signed by a qualified appraiser, with their business details and the basis of the valuation on the form. In practice that means people whose business is valuing vehicles:
- Professional vehicle appraisers, independent businesses whose work is valuing vehicles (this is us: BC Car Tax Appraisals completes and signs FIN 320 appraisals)
- Registered motor dealers in BC
- Other professionals whose ordinary business includes vehicle valuation (for example, appraisers working in the insurance industry)
What does not count: you, the seller, your mechanic's verbal opinion, a Facebook Marketplace screenshot, or a printout of online listings on its own. The broker and the Ministry need a signed form from someone professionally accountable for the number.
What a Proper Appraisal Looks At
A FIN 320 worth the paper it's printed on documents why the vehicle is worth what it's worth. Our appraisals are built from the details, photos and documents you submit, plus market research:
Vehicle identity and details
VIN, year/make/model/trim, odometer reading, and the purchase details you provide.
Condition factors
Mechanical condition and known faults, cosmetic condition (paint, dents, rust, interior wear), tire and brake life, and aftermarket modifications (which often reduce resale value), as shown in your photos and description.
Your supporting documents
Repair quotes, inspection results, service records and vehicle history reports you provide are reviewed as evidence for the valuation. They remain your documents to obtain; the appraisal fee does not include ordering a history report for you.
EV-specific factors
Battery state-of-health and range loss (from the car's own screens or a battery report you provide), warranty remaining on the pack, and charging equipment included. With BC's used-EV exemption gone since May 1, 2025, this matters more than ever; see our used EV tax guide.
Market evidence
Comparable listings and market data for similar vehicles in BC, adjusted for the condition factors above. This is what makes the appraised value defensible if the Ministry of Finance reviews a refund claim.
How a Remote FIN 320 Works (and Why It's Allowed)
Nothing in BC's rules requires the appraiser to physically touch the car; the requirement is a qualified appraiser certifying a supportable value. Our process:
- You submit details: VIN, odometer, purchase price, and a guided set of photos (exterior, interior, dash, tires, damage, and for EVs the battery/range screens), plus any repair quotes or reports you want considered.
- We review and research: a qualified appraiser reviews your vehicle's details, photos and documents alongside BC market data.
- You receive the completed, signed FIN 320 by email: standard turnaround is within 24 hours for $79 + tax, or rush for $99 + tax (delivered within 3 hours during service hours) if you're registering today.
Print it and hand it to the Autoplan broker (or include it with your FIN 355/MV refund claim), and PST is calculated on the greater of your purchase price and the appraised value instead of the Black Book number. And the guarantee is simple: save more than our fee, or we refund it.
Not sure it's worth it for your vehicle? Our free PST savings estimator at /estimator shows the Black Book gap and your potential savings. If the math works, order the appraisal.
FAQ
Is the FIN 320 a government inspection?
No. It's a valuation form, not a mechanical inspection, and it has nothing to do with the separate ICBC mechanical inspections required for some out-of-province vehicles.
Can the appraisal increase my tax?
No. If the appraised value comes back above the Black Book number, you simply don't use the appraisal; the broker's default calculation stands. (And the guarantee applies: save more than our fee, or we refund it.)
How long is a FIN 320 valid?
It needs to reflect the vehicle's value at the time of the taxable transaction, so get it close to your purchase and registration date. For the refund route, the Ministry must receive it, along with your refund application, within 30 days of registration.
Will any Autoplan broker accept it?
Accepting a completed FIN 320 from a qualified appraiser is standard under BC's PST rules. Bring it with your bill of sale and transfer papers.
What if I'm buying out of province and bringing the car to BC?
Vehicles brought into BC also face PST on the greater of price or average wholesale value when registered, and the appraisal mechanism works the same way. Get the appraisal before you register in BC.