Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Motorcycle

Two Wheeler Insurance Papers

A two wheeler insurance is mandatory in India. Without which, a vehicle cannot be registered in the RTO. If you are buying an old vehicle, the seller needs to provide you with the insurance papers of the vehicle. The insurer company transfer an active policy in the name of the buyer of the vehicle. If the policy has expired, the new owner of the vehicle can apply for a new insurance policy by furnishing the relevant documents. There are multiple two-wheeler insurance providers in India. A vehicle owner can compare several policies based on the coverage and benefits offered by them and buy a bike insurance policy online with minimum hassles.

1. The seller of the vehicle ought to have Form No. 28, Form No. 29, and Form No. 30 which the purchaser needs to submit to the RTO.
   1. Form No. 28 is the No Objection Certificate (NOC). Three duplicate copies of the NOC are required if the buyer of the vehicle wishes to use the vehicle in another state for a period of more than 1 year. This form isn't applicable if the vehicle is supposed to be used in the same state.
   2. Form 29 is the intimation of the transfer of vehicle ownership. Two photocopies of the same are to be submitted.
   3. Form No. 30 is the report of the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle. 1 duplicate copy of the same is required.
2. The seller of the vehicle must provide the buyer with the details of the road tax paid. The same must be submitted to the RTO.
3. Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: A PUC certificate is obligatory for vehicles which are more than 6 months old. In case the past owner of the two-wheeler did not have the PUC, the same must be obtained by the new owner of the vehicle.
4. The buyer also needs to submit their address proof along with two passport sized photographs to the RTO for the vehicle ownership transfer process.
5. The purchaser should obtain a receipt of sale from the seller to stay away from any difficulties in future.
6. The above-mentioned documents must be submitted to the RTO to successfully get the vehicle registration transferred in your name and legally claim the ownership of the vehicle.

There is some amount of risk when buying any used vehicle. The only way to reduce this risk is to find out as much as possible about the bike before you narrow down and write that cheque. Follow these guidelines to make the right choice:

• Do some research beforehand regarding the pricing?Do your homework and find out how much you should expect to shell out. What are the typically the prices for bikes with the same model and miles run in the market? You can find prices online. After you get an idea about how much the prices will be, decide how much you are willing to pay. Leave some room for negotiations.
• You can find out a lot about the bike from your first conversations with the seller.Here are some of the questions you should ask to get an idea of how the bike was maintained:
  • Did you buy the bike as a new one or was it used?
  • Do you own the bike or are you still financing it? Do you have the title? If the owner does not have the title, it is more complicated to buy it.
  • Have you been in any accidents or dropped your bike?
  • How often do you service your bike? Do you have the records for it that you could show me?
  • Where do you give your bike for servicing?
  • Is it the original paint job?
  • Where do you park your bike usually?
  • Why have you decided to sell your bike?
  • How often have you used your bike and what kind of riding do you do?
• Do a thorough inspection of the Bike The quality of a used bike really depends on how it has been maintained. Sellers could lie and tell you what you want to hear. But a thorough inspection will reveal the truth and how it has been cared for. Carry a flashlight to see well. You can predict the potential problems you will face with the bike by inspecting it yourself, or even better, ask motorcycle expert to inspect it for you.
• Do a test rideThe final step is to take the bike on a ride yourself so you get a feel first hand. Make sure you are carrying your license. Start slowly and check out how it speeds up. How do the breaks feel? Do they feel smooth and even? They should not grab forcefully. They should not pulsate. A pulsating brake is a sign of warped disks. Check the gears. It should be a smooth transformation and it should feel firm. You should feel like you are in complete control. It should not feel choppy. The bike should feel stable. Test on a clean road without any road humps or potholes. Weave left and right and see if it seems in control. Listen closely for any unfamiliar noises from the engine and excessive vibrations. There should not be any creaking or rattling from the suspension. If you hear anything unusual ask the seller. Sometimes unusual noises are just characteristic of and don’t necessarily indicate an issue.