| Owning a four wheeler have become necessity in | | | | are ready to look out for your car, comes the |
| today’s motorized world. Every one cannot | | | | next step. |
| opt for a new car but can always own ‘Used | | | | Ratify the value of the vehicle |
| car’ it is also an added advantage if you have | | | | It is not necessary that everyone is well versed |
| just learnt driving. In this way you can refine your | | | | with knowledge about cars. May be toa certain |
| driving as well as build up enough confidence to | | | | extent but to know a in and out of a used car, a |
| before investing a substantial amount on new car. | | | | professional opinion is must. |
| There are certain fundamentals that have to be | | | | It is always better to consult a mechanic or get it |
| followed before buying a car. Especially if it is a | | | | rated in authorized service center and if you are |
| used car you have to be careful and well | | | | dealing with a private party then be always on |
| acquainted before investing. To start with: | | | | guard as vehicle sold to you could be stolen. You |
| Budget and selection of a car: (pricing, brand, | | | | can also contact the dealers to know about the |
| model)… | | | | warranty features and also about the resale value |
| Before buying a car one should always have a | | | | of the car. |
| rough estimate about spending plan. This way you | | | | Exterior Check |
| can select the cars that falls in your budget and | | | | Check for the overall condition of the car like |
| then compare it with other cars of same class.. | | | | dents, nick, scratch, repaint, working condition of |
| Next thing you have to keep in your mind is | | | | light, tail lamps, indicator, wiper (flick all the |
| ‘what kind of car do I want to buy? Or with | | | | switches and check if everything working properly |
| which manufactures should I go?’ Decide on | | | | ). Also check the tyres in terms of wear and |
| buying cars depending on your requirement and in | | | | tear, (if you don’t get a good radial tyre, then |
| this way selection becomes much easier. | | | | try to reduce the prize further ) oil tank for its |
| Look for hidden points | | | | leakage. It is also very important to check the |
| History: (antecedents, accidents, insurance, and | | | | undercarriage of the car. Check for the shock |
| depreciation)… | | | | absorbers, lean hard on the corner of the car and |
| Inspect the chassis of the car thoroughly; the | | | | release and if the car is rocking up and down then |
| body line will give an idea whether the car was | | | | it may need replacing. |
| involved in a accident. You can check any sign of | | | | Interior check |
| repainting, similar color body parts etc…. the | | | | Go through the warning indicator lights, |
| insurance formalities like regular premiums are | | | | speedometer, the fuel gauge and the other gauge |
| paid, policy is revised etc… | | | | work properly, also check for the glove box lock |
| Ownership: (antecedents: single owner/multiple | | | | is intact. Coming to the seating, look if the |
| owner) | | | | headrest, adjustable seats, door handles, window |
| It is very important to enquire about its | | | | knobs, interior lights, seat belts. |
| ownership as its been owned by a single or | | | | Also check for the air-conditioning, ensure that all |
| multiple owner and if it is multiple , there will value | | | | the A/C switches are working and the proper air |
| depreciation depending upon its condition. | | | | flows through all the provided vents. Look for any |
| When inspecting a car always check for | | | | squeaky noise while opening any window or door. |
| mechanical and technical problems. As it’s a | | | | Also ensure that the locking system is perfect. |
| pre-owned car, proper overall review is | | | | The last thing people look for is the tool kit, but |
| necessary. Start with its engine: that it should idle | | | | one should make sure all the tools present in the |
| smoothly with out any sputtering and also | | | | kit. Look for the |
| accelerate with out any hesitation. | | | | Once the all the interior and exterior factors are |
| Wheel alignment plays a very vital role, uneven | | | | analyzed, now it’s the time to take the car |
| wear and tear of tyres-balding on the sides or in | | | | for a ride in a literal meaning. |
| the middle-indicate poor alignment. Check for | | | | Test drive |
| battery condition, heat up the engine to check the | | | | One cannot just have a overall look and then |
| air-conditioner efficiency also check with the | | | | decide on buying a car. It is very important to |
| deforestation, defogger fan, heater…every single | | | | take a test derive so that one will have a clear |
| detail that will give value for your buy. Another | | | | picture about the car. It is better to take a longer |
| important thing that has to be kept in mind | | | | stretch so that the engine is heated up. Once the |
| before buying a car is with its titles and | | | | car is warmed up check if there is any kind of |
| credentials. Ensure that all the paper works are in | | | | noise or vibration or even any kind of odor and |
| order, because sometimes it is possible that you | | | | any kind of unusual sound or vibration will be an |
| may be buying a stolen car. Checklists of the | | | | invitation for a major trouble. Check if the |
| important documents are as follows: | | | | steering wheel is perfect, there should not be any |
| • RC Book (Registration book/certificate)- Also | | | | kind of vibration. Test the pressure with the hand |
| known as Blue book is issued by the RTO (certain | | | | breaks as well as with the pedal brakes. Drive it |
| offices of some state does not provide the | | | | on a empty long stretch with a 30kph and apply |
| document in the form of booklet rather it will be | | | | hard brakes, the car should come to a stop with |
| a single document –Form 21’) the where | | | | in no time with out any pressure or vibration. The |
| it reveals the date and address of registration and | | | | pedals should be smooth and applying brakes |
| the record of the owners vehicle, the engine | | | | should not with much effort. |
| number, chassis number (the engine and the | | | | Finance factor |
| chassis numbers has to be verified with that | | | | Work at your payment mode before your |
| shown in the book). An entry in the book also | | | | venture forth, avoid credit card payment through |
| acknowledges how many times the vehicle has | | | | because of high interest rates. And if you are |
| been sold, the details of the previous of the | | | | looking for finance, It is always better to avoid |
| previous owner (name and address). The state | | | | the third party concept in any kind of financing, |
| registration should be verified, as it has to be | | | | always go for the direct finance as it will save |
| registered with the same state where you intend | | | | your time as well as money. Opt for |
| to use your car otherwise you have to get it | | | | easy-payable EMI with zero interest option(now |
| transferred it which is again a cumbersome | | | | there are leading banks that provide affordable |
| process with lots of formalities and time | | | | and easily repayable ‘used car loans’. |
| consuming. | | | | Clinch the deal |
| • Tax certificate/book – This document | | | | So now as you are well versed and clear with all |
| contains details about tax paid. The RTO tax is a | | | | the technical, mechanical as well as legal details, |
| lifetime tax that has to pay by the owner (some | | | | keep in mind certain important points before |
| state collect life time tax and some have annual | | | | finalizing the deal. |
| tax payment) and if the papers are not clear, you | | | | ? Ensure that all the terms and conditions of the |
| will have to bear all the unpaid taxes. Another tax | | | | deal are obtained in writing: This will give a clear |
| that people often forget or ignore it is the road | | | | picture to both the parties involved in a deal |
| tax, so ensure that all the papers are clear before | | | | (previous as well as the current owner). There will |
| finalizing your deal. | | | | be no space for confusion to arise. |
| • Insurance – Another vital document | | | | ? Negotiate for a better prize: As it is buyers |
| which is mandatory for any transfer by RTO. | | | | market you can always have your say in terms |
| Premiums are paid on regular basis and it is | | | | of bargaining. Before you go for your car |
| always better to check the due date and also | | | | shopping, ensure that your are aware with the |
| ensure that the insurance papers are transferred | | | | value of the car you’re buying and the value |
| in your name before your buy. Though any of | | | | of trade in. The seller should get the idea that you |
| these insurance papers cannot give you a clear | | | | are also aware of the car markets; you should be |
| picture about the vehicle involved in any accidents | | | | always ready for the bargain-battle. |
| but still it’s a assurance towards the | | | | ? Know that a well stocked dealer will cut a |
| ‘safety of the car’ | | | | better deal |
| • Invoice – Demand for the original invoice | | | | Last but not the least and the most important |
| as every owners keep original invoice given to | | | | factor that has t be taken care after finalizing the |
| them by the car dealers/showrooms. The invoice | | | | deal is : |
| encloses all the car details (purchase date, year, | | | | Transferring Ownership |
| chassis and engine number) which give an idea | | | | With the sale of the care, the ownership also |
| about its original prize. The invoice also gives the | | | | changes. The original owner (Transferor), who is |
| information if the car is financed or not. | | | | selling the car should inform the RTO with whom |
| • NOC (no objection certificate)- If the car is | | | | the car was registered with in 14 days with a |
| purchased on finance, ask for its documents from | | | | letter of information about the new owner |
| the finance company stating all the dues are paid | | | | (Transferee) and incase the new owner falls into |
| and the company have no claim on the vehicle | | | | the jurisdiction of another RTO, then the |
| any more. | | | | Transferor has to inform the this RTO with the |
| Form 35- you must have a copy of this duly | | | | similar letter and receiving an acknowledgment of |
| signed by the financer. | | | | receipt of the letter from the RTO, the |
| • PUC certificate (pollution under control)- | | | | transferor is indemnified of all legal, tax, traffic, |
| every car needs a PUC certificate and it is valid | | | | criminal and other liabilities pertaining to the car. |
| up to one year for every new car and has to be | | | | The seller must also take a delivery note signed |
| obtained in every six months. | | | | by a buyer. And if the car has being transferred |
| Always do your homework before buying your | | | | is in another state, then the transferor has to get |
| car in terms of researching. Search for online | | | | a NOC(no objection certificate, form 28’) |
| information about the car your looking for, go for | | | | from his RTO and forward to the RTO in whose |
| its technical and mechanical details and check for | | | | jurisdiction the new owner stays. NOC is |
| its resale value. In this computer world we can | | | | accompanied by another set of documents |
| get any information from anyone and from | | | | required to transferring ownership as follows: |
| anywhere. Use online quotes that will be a great | | | | • Form "TCA" - Intimation of transfer by |
| help, compare cars as well as look for best deals | | | | Transferee (buyer) |
| with different dealers. Do a thorough study about | | | | • Form "TCR" - Intimation of transfer by |
| your car before buying rather than going for the | | | | Transferor (seller) |
| first car you came across. Instead of hurrying, | | | | • Form No.29 - Notice of transfer of |
| take your time, look as many as cars you can | | | | ownership of vehicle. |
| and have an eye for detailing and then decide for | | | | • Form No.30 - Report of transfer of |
| the ‘right car’ you want to own. Once | | | | ownership of vehicle. |
| you feel your research is complete and now you | | | | |