Kamal Ghorui
Conducting thorough checks is essential when buying a used car, as overlooking key details can lead to reliability issues and higher ownership costs. With new car prices continuing to climb, many buyers are turning to the pre-owned market, but this choice carries certain risks. A vehicle’s condition, service and accident record, ownership history and legal paperwork all play a crucial role in determining its value and dependability. To help buyers make an informed decision and reduce the risk of post-purchase complications, here are five key aspects to verify before purchasing a used car. Showroom maintenance history Checking a used vehicle’s service history is crucial to assessing how well it has been maintained. Service records confirm routine maintenance such as oil changes, brake work and scheduled inspections, and also highlight any major repairs or component replacements. Missing or inconsistent records, however, can indicate poor maintenance and higher future ownership costs.One easy way to verify this is to share the vehicle’s registration number with the authorised service centre, which can provide the vehicle’s service history. Most cars follow a service interval of 10,000 km or one year, and if the vehicle has been serviced regularly within these intervals, it generally indicates proper maintenance. Insurance history Buyers should also check the car’s Insured Declared Value (IDV) mentioned in the insurance policy and verify whether a no-claim bonus has been availed. A consistent no-claim bonus usually suggests that no insurance claims were made during the policy period, indicating accident-free usage. Sudden drops in IDV or the absence of a no-claim bonus may signal past claims or repairs and should be examined carefully before proceeding with the purchase.
Exterior condition Assessing a used car’s exterior condition is a key step in the buying process, as visible signs such as rust, uneven paintwork, excessive wear, inconsistent panel gaps or mismatched paint can point to accident damage or poor maintenance. Buyers should also check that the etched code or markings on all glass panels match, as differences may indicate replacements following damage. Attention should be paid to tyres, brakes and underbody components, since repairs in these areas can be expensive.Ownership and documentation In most cases, a single-owner vehicle is preferred, as it has been used by only one individual, making its usage history and documentation easier to verify. Buyers should also ensure that the registration certificate accurately reflects the seller’s name and address, and that there are no discrepancies in the vehicle’s identification details. Legal documents and duesEnsuring that all legal paperwork is clear is a crucial step when buying a used car. Buyers should check that the vehicle carries valid insurance, an updated pollution under control (PUC) certificate and fully paid road tax. It is also necessary to confirm that there are no outstanding loans, unpaid challans or legal cases linked to the vehicle. Additionally, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) should be obtained, particularly for cars under hypothecation or those being transferred across states, to complete the ownership transfer smoothly.
