How to Buy Second Hand Car in India: A Complete Guide

Pre owned cars are a great way to save money. These automobiles are as beneficial as new ones. They do not overburden your pocket, have low maintenance, have good mileage, and walk along with you in life. In fact, the Indian car market has been growing steadily over the last few years, with many more trendy cars. This new trend has been making its way to the forefront of the auto industry.

However, finding a good pre owned four-wheeler is often a Herculean task. So, if you are wondering how to buy second hand car in India, here is a step-by-step guide.

How to Buy Second Hand Car Online?

Once you have decided to go for a used car, here are the simple steps to pick your perfect ride:

Purpose

The first thing you should consider before purchasing an automobile is the reason for your purchase. Is it a daily commute to work, or do you want to upgrade your mode of transportation? If you’re single and want a car with decent mileage and easy on the wallet, a hatchback is a fantastic choice. On the other hand, if you have a family of six, SUVs are the way to go. As a result, the car you choose depends on your purposes.

Budget

Setting a budget is the second step in finding your ideal car. Consider your other financial obligations and establish a minimum and maximum range. Prefer certified used automobile internet classifieds, which provide a wide selection of possibilities in various price ranges.

You can narrow your search by setting a low to high or high to low price limit while looking for a car. You can also choose the EMI option, which allows you to keep your goals alive without compromising. So, think about your finances before selecting a vehicle.

Online Auto Classifieds

When you have a set budget, the next question is where to buy a used car? However, you can purchase a vehicle from the local dealer, newspaper ads, or your friend. But if you want to get your dream car hassle-free, online-auto classifieds are the best platform.

Thousands of certified cars in the live auction are available in a few clicks. In addition, these classifieds are a super time saver and assure you get a well-maintained vehicle at a reasonable price along with necessary documentation.

Comparison

Another important step while choosing a car is comparison. Once you have some excellent options for pre owned vehicles, compare them on different parameters such as mileage, km driven, prices, location, model, etc. In this way, you can make an informed decision and pick the most appropriate vehicle that serves your purpose and fits within your budget. 

Seller’s Location

Gone are the days when you had to back out from the deal because a nearby seller wanted more money. But now, while sitting in the comfort of your home, you will find several genuine sellers on the online auto classifieds near your location. So, when you have decided on a model and a price, set up a meeting with the sellers who offer the best deal. 

Test Drive

It might be a good idea to take at least a 5 km test drive before signing a contract. Let yourself experience every little bit of the car by turning on some music or pausing at each road bend to take in the view.

When taking a test drive, you need to go through the ins and outs of the vehicle. Also, do not hesitate to ask questions to the seller that might bother you when driving the car.

Car Inspection

The next vital step of purchasing an automobile is to ensure that everything will work as expected and remain reliable. To make the process go as smoothly as possible, a quick inspection of the engine, breaks, gears, race, accelerator, AC, etc., is helpful. Car inspection ensures that you won’t end up with a lemon. 

Check Documents

In order to avoid any after-sale chaos, make sure that you have attentively verified all key documents of second hand car like RC (Registration Certificate), pollution control certificate, car insurance, road tax, and loan clearance with hypothecation removed. 

Payment

After all the boxes have the correct checks, it’s time to pay the seller. But make sure you compare the prices offered by different sellers and choose the range that suits your budget. Moreover, you can also opt for used car loans provided by various banks and NBFCs (Non-banking financial companies).

The upfront payment can ensure a better deal because it can help you pay off cheaper loans over a longer timeframe. You can choose the payment mode at your convenience or with the seller’s consensus.  

Ownership Transfer

Congrats! You finally purchased the car. But, you still do not have ownership of the vehicle. So, the last step is to ask the seller to notify the RC office about the sale transaction.

Moreover, the seller should also provide all relevant paperwork, including original RC, forms 35,29,30 and 60, and a copy of your PAN card to transfer the car ownership in your name. 

Takeaway

Thus, the above step-by-step guide on how to buy second hand car online or offline is no longer intimidating. However, it will be better to take the help of online auto classifieds for quick response. But for both ways, do your homework, determine a budget, find a genuine seller, and then sign the dotted line.