Best tips to buy a used car from a private seller

Buying from a private owner often gets you a lower price than a dealer, because there is no middleman's margin. It also means you must do the checks a dealer would normally do.

Why buy from a private seller

• Price – usually lower than a dealer.
• History – you can ask the owner directly how the vehicle was used and serviced.
• Time – no sales pressure; take the time you need.

Check the papers

• RC – the seller's name must match their ID, and the chassis and engine numbers must match the vehicle.
• Loan – if the RC shows hypothecation to a bank or NBFC, insist on the NOC and Form 35 before you pay.
• Insurance – a valid policy, and the claim history. A high No Claim Bonus means no recent claims.
• PUC and service records.
• Challans – check pending traffic fines on the Parivahan site using the registration number.

Check the vehicle

Inspect in daylight, take a test drive of at least 15 minutes, and if possible get a mechanic to look at the engine, suspension, brakes and underbody for rust or accident repairs.

Close the deal properly

Write a simple sale agreement with both names, the price, date, time and vehicle numbers. Get Forms 29 and 30 signed, pay by bank transfer rather than cash, and apply for the RC transfer at your RTO straight away.

Prefer not to do all this yourself? AEXPRESS Auto Bazar sells checked vehicles with the papers already verified.