Planning to buy a pre owned vehicle? Well, then you should know that it involves hours of research to find the car you want, search for that perfect deal, and finalize your payment options. But the matter does not end here. Unlike buying a new car, as a used car buyer you will need to take care of many other things like looking for damages, condition of the engine, sorting out the proper paperwork and much more. Yes, this can be a bit confusing so let us make things easy for you. Here are 5 key things you must do when buying a used car.
Read also: Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Pre-Owned Car Instead of a New Car
1. Vehicle Check
If you have found a vehicle that suits your needs, it is imported to be thoroughly checked for damages and problems. If you think you don’t have an eye for it, take along a trusted mechanic who can help you. Knowing the issues with the car will also help in negotiating the price.
It is imported to thoroughly check for damages and problems before purchasing it.
2. Check Paperwork
Like the damage check, it is also important to check whether all vehicle papers are in place. Documents like registration certificate, pollution certificate, no dues certificate if the previous owner had bought it on finance and existing insurance papers. These will help in making the ownership transfer process more smooth. These will also help you find out if the vehicle has been an accident victim in the past.
Read also: Buying a new car vs a pre-owned car – which is better?
3. Transfer Ownership
Once you have purchased the car, you are legally required to transfer the ownership to your name. You will have to submit an application for transfer to your Regional Transport Office or RTO. The registration certificate for the insurance should also be in your name. If the vehicle had a former owner, and did not transfer it in his/her name, ensure that the current owner at least has a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the previous owner, as transferring it would require a registration certificate .
Once the RC is transferred, it is important that you get the insurance transferred in your name as well.
4. Get Insurance
Once the RC is transferred, it is important that you get the insurance transferred in your name as well. If the RC is in your name but the policy is still in the name of the previous owner, the policy lapses. So, all you have to do is contact the insurance provider and transfer it. You can also buy completely new insurance that suits your needs, in fact, it will be a much simpler and faster process than transferring the existing insurance.
5. Get the car serviced
Once you’ve brought the car home, it’s important to have it properly serviced to make sure it’s in the best possible condition. The previous owner may have missed out on servicing the car before selling it. So, once all the paperwork is done take the car to your mechanic or service center and get the basic things changed like oil and filter among other small things. Also, have the car thoroughly cleaned and cleaned by professionals before you start using the car.