Used Car Buying

Owning a four wheeler have become necessity in today’s motorized world. Every one cannot opt for a new car but can always own ‘Used car’ it is also an added advantage if you have just learnt driving. In this way you can refine your driving as well as build up enough confidence to before investing a substantial amount on new car. There are certain fundamentals that have to be followed before buying a car. Especially if it is a used car you have to be careful and well acquainted before investing. To start with:

Budget and selection of a car: (pricing, brand, model)…
Before buying a car one should always have a rough estimate about spending plan. This way you can select the cars that falls in your budget and then compare it with other cars of same class..
Next thing you have to keep in your mind is ‘what kind of car do I want to buy? Or with which manufactures should I go?’ Decide on buying cars depending on your requirement and in this way selection becomes much easier.

Look for hidden points
History: (antecedents, accidents, insurance, and depreciation)…
Inspect the chassis of the car thoroughly; the body line will give an idea whether the car was involved in a accident. You can check any sign of repainting, similar color body parts etc…. the insurance formalities like regular premiums are paid, policy is revised etc…

Ownership: (antecedents: single owner/multiple owner)
It is very important to enquire about its ownership as its been owned by a single or multiple owner and if it is multiple , there will value depreciation depending upon its condition.


When inspecting a car always check for mechanical and technical problems. As it’s a pre-owned car, proper overall review is necessary. Start with its engine: that it should idle smoothly with out any sputtering and also accelerate with out any hesitation.
Wheel alignment plays a very vital role, uneven wear and tear of tyres-balding on the sides or in the middle-indicate poor alignment. Check for battery condition, heat up the engine to check the air-conditioner efficiency also check with the deforestation, defogger fan, heater…every single detail that will give value for your buy. Another important thing that has to be kept in mind before buying a car is with its titles and credentials. Ensure that all the paper works are in order, because sometimes it is possible that you may be buying a stolen car. Checklists of the important documents are as follows:
• RC Book (Registration book/certificate)- Also known as Blue book is issued by the RTO (certain offices of some state does not provide the document in the form of booklet rather it will be a single document –Form 21’) the where it reveals the date and address of registration and the record of the owners vehicle, the engine number, chassis number (the engine and the chassis numbers has to be verified with that shown in the book). An entry in the book also acknowledges how many times the vehicle has been sold, the details of the previous of the previous owner (name and address). The state registration should be verified, as it has to be registered with the same state where you intend to use your car otherwise you have to get it transferred it which is again a cumbersome process with lots of formalities and time consuming.

• Tax certificate/book – This document contains details about tax paid. The RTO tax is a lifetime tax that has to pay by the owner (some state collect life time tax and some have annual tax payment) and if the papers are not clear, you will have to bear all the unpaid taxes. Another tax that people often forget or ignore it is the road tax, so ensure that all the papers are clear before finalizing your deal.

• Insurance – Another vital document which is mandatory for any transfer by RTO. Premiums are paid on regular basis and it is always better to check the due date and also ensure that the insurance papers are transferred in your name before your buy. Though any of these insurance papers cannot give you a clear picture about the vehicle involved in any accidents but still it’s a assurance towards the ‘safety of the car’

• Invoice – Demand for the original invoice as every owners keep original invoice given to them by the car dealers/showrooms. The invoice encloses all the car details (purchase date, year, chassis and engine number) which give an idea about its original prize. The invoice also gives the information if the car is financed or not.

• NOC (no objection certificate)- If the car is purchased on finance, ask for its documents from the finance company stating all the dues are paid and the company have no claim on the vehicle any more.
Form 35- you must have a copy of this duly signed by the financer.

• PUC certificate (pollution under control)- every car needs a PUC certificate and it is valid up to one year for every new car and has to be obtained in every six months.

Always do your homework before buying your car in terms of researching. Search for online information about the car your looking for, go for its technical and mechanical details and check for its resale value. In this computer world we can get any information from anyone and from anywhere. Use online quotes that will be a great help, compare cars as well as look for best deals with different dealers. Do a thorough study about your car before buying rather than going for the first car you came across. Instead of hurrying, take your time, look as many as cars you can and have an eye for detailing and then decide for the ‘right car’ you want to own. Once you feel your research is complete and now you are ready to look out for your car, comes the next step.

Ratify the value of the vehicle
It is not necessary that everyone is well versed with knowledge about cars. May be to
a certain extent but to know a in and out of a used car, a professional opinion is must.
It is always better to consult a mechanic or get it rated in authorized service center and if you are dealing with a private party then be always on guard as vehicle sold to you could be stolen. You can also contact the dealers to know about the warranty features and also about the resale value of the car.

Exterior Check
Check for the overall condition of the car like dents, nick, scratch, repaint, working condition of light, tail lamps, indicator, wiper (flick all the switches and check if everything working properly ). Also check the tyres in terms of wear and tear, (if you don’t get a good radial tyre, then try to reduce the prize further ) oil tank for its leakage. It is also very important to check the undercarriage of the car. Check for the shock absorbers, lean hard on the corner of the car and release and if the car is rocking up and down then it may need replacing.

Interior check
Go through the warning indicator lights, speedometer, the fuel gauge and the other gauge work properly, also check for the glove box lock is intact. Coming to the seating, look if the headrest, adjustable seats, door handles, window knobs, interior lights, seat belts.
Also check for the air-conditioning, ensure that all the A/C switches are working and the proper air flows through all the provided vents. Look for any squeaky noise while opening any window or door. Also ensure that the locking system is perfect. The last thing people look for is the tool kit, but one should make sure all the tools present in the kit. Look for the

Once the all the interior and exterior factors are analyzed, now it’s the time to take the car for a ride in a literal meaning.

Test drive
One cannot just have a overall look and then decide on buying a car. It is very important to take a test derive so that one will have a clear picture about the car. It is better to take a longer stretch so that the engine is heated up. Once the car is warmed up check if there is any kind of noise or vibration or even any kind of odor and any kind of unusual sound or vibration will be an invitation for a major trouble. Check if the steering wheel is perfect, there should not be any kind of vibration. Test the pressure with the hand breaks as well as with the pedal brakes. Drive it on a empty long stretch with a 30kph and apply hard brakes, the car should come to a stop with in no time with out any pressure or vibration. The pedals should be smooth and applying brakes should not with much effort.

Finance factor
Work at your payment mode before your venture forth, avoid credit card payment through because of high interest rates. And if you are looking for finance, It is always better to avoid the third party concept in any kind of financing, always go for the direct finance as it will save your time as well as money. Opt for easy-payable EMI with zero interest option(now there are leading banks that provide affordable and easily repayable ‘used car loans’.

Clinch the deal
So now as you are well versed and clear with all the technical, mechanical as well as legal details, keep in mind certain important points before finalizing the deal.

? Ensure that all the terms and conditions of the deal are obtained in writing: This will give a clear picture to both the parties involved in a deal (previous as well as the current owner). There will be no space for confusion to arise.

? Negotiate for a better prize: As it is buyers market you can always have your say in terms of bargaining. Before you go for your car shopping, ensure that your are aware with the value of the car you’re buying and the value of trade in. The seller should get the idea that you are also aware of the car markets; you should be always ready for the bargain-battle.

? Know that a well stocked dealer will cut a better deal

Last but not the least and the most important factor that has t be taken care after finalizing the deal is :

Transferring Ownership
With the sale of the care, the ownership also changes. The original owner (Transferor), who is selling the car should inform the RTO with whom the car was registered with in 14 days with a letter of information about the new owner (Transferee) and incase the new owner falls into the jurisdiction of another RTO, then the Transferor has to inform the this RTO with the similar letter and receiving an acknowledgment of receipt of the letter from the RTO, the transferor is indemnified of all legal, tax, traffic, criminal and other liabilities pertaining to the car. The seller must also take a delivery note signed by a buyer. And if the car has being transferred is in another state, then the transferor has to get a NOC(no objection certificate, form 28’) from his RTO and forward to the RTO in whose jurisdiction the new owner stays. NOC is accompanied by another set of documents required to transferring ownership as follows:

• Form "TCA" - Intimation of transfer by Transferee (buyer)
• Form "TCR" - Intimation of transfer by Transferor (seller)
• Form No.29 - Notice of transfer of ownership of vehicle.
• Form No.30 - Report of transfer of ownership of vehicle.
• Valid Insurance policy
• PUC Certificate
• Address proof of the Transferee (the buyer)