Buying a Used Car in India? 8 Essential Checks to Make Before Paying the Seller

Buying a second-hand car in India can be a cost effective option but it is important to ensure that you take your time to do the right things when purchasing.

Here are 8 things to consider when buying a second-hand car.

1. Registration Certificate

Check the following are correct on the RC (Registration Certificate) – Owner Name, Date of Registration, Model, Fuel Type, Chassis Number, Engine Number & Loan Status.

If you are looking to buy a second-hand Porsche Cayenne, read our guide here How To Buy A Used Porsche Cayenne With Confidence.

2. Previous Owners

Check how many previous owners there have been and that the seller has permission to sell the car.

3. Traffic Challan

Check that there are no outstanding traffic fines such as speeding, running a red light or illegal parking. If the vehicle is registered in Rajasthan, you can check using MyMotor.

You can follow the steps below;

Go to MyMotor Challan Check Page
Enter your Vehicle Number, Challan Number or Driving Licence Information.
Complete Verification.
View Challan Information.
Ask the seller to pay the outstanding fines.
State-wise checks: MyMotor offers dedicated eChallan check pages for 20+ states, including eChallan Rajasthan, Kerala MVD Challan, UP Challan and many more.
Ask the seller to clear any outstanding fines and share the payment receipts.

4. Insurance and PUC

Check the insurance is valid, what cover is included, IDV and any past claims. Make sure the car has a valid PUC certificate. Contact the insurance company about transferring the policy.

5. Mechanical Inspection

Get a trusted mechanic to inspect the car for you. Check the engine, brakes, gears, suspension, tyres, battery and any warning lights on the dash. Get a test drive too.

6. Service History

Ask to see service history, invoices and if there have been any accidents. Check the car doesn’t have any dents in the paintwork, gaps in panels, welds, rust or replacement parts.

Check out our guide to Tata Nexon vs Rivals Comparison to compare cars.

7. Loan Status

If the car was purchased with a loan, make sure the loan is fully paid off. Ask for proof of completion of loan and a NOC from the financier. Ensure there is no hypothecation on the RC.

8. Ownership Transfer

Transfer the ownership at the relevant RTO or VAHAN. This will most commonly require;

Form 29 – Notice of Transfer

Form 30 – Application of Transfer of Ownership

Sale Agreement & Payment Receipt

Updated Insurance & Registration Documents.

There may be extra requirements if purchasing between states.

Used Car Checklist
Item Purpose
RC details Check
Previous Owners Check Previous Owners
Traffic Challan Check Outstanding Fines
Insurance & PUC Check Valid Documents
Mechanical Check For Repairs
Service History Check Maintenance & Accidents
Loan Status Check Completed Loan
Ownership Transfer Legal Transfer

Before You Make the Purchase

When purchasing a second-hand car, make sure to check the documents, outstanding challans, condition of the car and complete the ownership transfer. These are simple steps which can prevent any surprises when it comes to fines, repairs and legal issues. For those exploring useful travel technology and solutions, you can also check out Isikko for more options.