Documents To Check While Buying A Used Car

Patience is not everybody’s forte, and that’s one of the major reasons why the used car market is soaring at an all-time high. With the manufacturers facing several issues like chip shortages and ongoing pandemic lockdowns, potential buyers are looking at quicker and more affordable options. Going for a pre-worshipped car is not a bad idea during these times, but one needs to check the status of the vehicle and the paperwork before going for it. We trust you know a thing or two about verifying the car’s health, but here is a list of documents to check while buying a used car.

If you want to know more about how the chip shortage is benefitting the second-hand market, you can read more about it here.

1. Registration Certificate(RC)

   

   The Registration Certificate(RC) is the most crucial used car document of a vehicle, and it basically provides the summary of the entire vehicle on a card. It has information like chassis number, date of registration, registration number, owner name, and owner serial number. The older vehicles had RC books instead of the smart cards that are available now. While purchasing a car, it is essential to verify the owner’s serial number, date of registration, the state where the vehicle has been registered, and the type of fuel. Any changes in the engine, colour and the number of owners has to be updated correctly on the RC.

2. Invoice of Car Purchase

   

   The Invoice of the car purchase is essential while owning a used car. The invoice from the showroom proves the authenticity of the car purchase by the previous owner, while, of course, the second owner should have an invoice as a token of receipt. This will be readily available if you purchase it from a used car showroom or a car dealer, but while buying from an individual, you will have to make sure you fill an invoice sheet like the sample shown above, and it should contain the signatures of both the parties to avoid confusion.

3. Insurance Documents

   

   If the customer intends to continue the existing insurance of the previous owner, the method has to be initiated well beforehand. During the transfer of insurance, you should check whether the premium was paid on time, the claim history of the seller, and also the expiration date of the policy. The customer should know well about the terms and conditions within the policy, significantly the exclusions. If you want to shop for a replacement insurance policy for the used car, the process should ideally be done before the sale. An important point to note is that the customer can realize the issue in obtaining insurance for a second-hand automobile that’s older than fifteen years.

4. Service Records book

   

   Regarding the car’s health, you have several methods for inspecting, but the service records give a clear idea about the car’s history. Upon checking the service records, you will have a better idea of how well the vehicle was maintained, or if any parts were replaced, any damages that were repaired, and the condition of the car. A car will be in better condition if it is serviced regularly than a car that is not.

5. Forms 28,29 and 30

   

   Forms 29 and 30 are mandatory documents required for buying a used car in India. The second-hand car registration procedure requires the seller to sign two copies of Form 29 and a copy of Form 30 and hand it out to the buyer. The buyer will then submit the same at the RTO for transfer of ownership. Form 29 is the notice of transfer of car ownership, while Form 30 is the application for the intimation and transfer of car ownership. Form 28 is the No Objection Certificate that is mandatory when car ownership is transferred between states.

   Get your car serviced at GoMechanic.

   

6. No Objection Certificate(NOC)

   

   In case the car has been bought through a loan, then the buyer will have to get the No Objection Certificate from the bank through the seller. This document will clarify that the complete loan has been paid by the seller. If this is not procured, the buyer may be held responsible for repaying the loan after the transfer of ownership, now you wouldn’t want to get stuck in that situation, would you?

7. Road Tax Receipt

   

   Road tax is paid only once during the registration of the car by the first owner. If the road tax is not paid, it can accumulate a massive penalty through the years. You may even get stuck in a situation where you might have to pay the same. The road tax is different in different states and is usually between 2% and 18%. It is the seller’s responsibility to provide a road tax receipt to the buyer.

8. Certification for bi-fuel kits

   

   If the automobile being bought has been configured to run on more than one type of fuel, the vendor needs to provide the bi-fuel certification to the purchaser. A No Objection Certificate is required from the RTO of the state, indicating the same. The bi-fuel package normally has a guarantee of five years from the time it was converted. So the buyer needs to ask for the sale receipt of the kit. This is one of the most ignored used car document as many people do not know about this.

9. Emission Certificate

   

   This is another certificate that is mandated by law, and hence very important to have one. It needs to be done every six months, and make sure you possess the latest one with you. The pollution certificate not only lets you know the pollution levels but also the condition of the engine as more smoke or higher emission levels suggest an issue with the engine.

10. Owner’s Manual

    

    Make sure you do not forget to get the owner’s manual from the seller, as this has important information about the vehicle which one should know. Things like the servicing schedule, location of parts like the fuse box, and easy maintenance tips are usually mentioned in the car owner’s manual. This should be followed to maintain the vehicle’s excellent condition.

The paperwork mentioned above is quite necessary, and when all of them are valid, it gives a clean chit for your vehicle and peace of mind for you as an owner. If any one of the documents is not valid or has expired, then you’ve got to be ready for a long hassle if caught by the police and will result in a penalty as well.

So best to keep all the paperwork clean and enjoy the vehicle while driving it to all the places on your bucket list.

Watch: Airmatic Suspension Of Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Being Converted To Coilovers