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