Riding a bike is a dream that almost every boy cherishes since childhood. Bike enthusiasts want to feel the exhilaration of zooming past people on the road and would give anything to own a brand new bike, but the cost factor may deprive them of fulfilling their dream as the bikes are not cheap. Those who cannot afford a brand new bike need not be disheartened. They can always buy used bikes online.
If you are on a tight budget, you can look for various options to buy old bikes online. You may get a very good deal in your budget, provided you take care of certain things before closing the deal.
What things should you keep in mind while buying a second-hand bike?
Think about your purpose in purchasing the Bike – Why do you need a bike? Is it required to commute to your workplace daily and for the odd jobs or do you want to go for long road trips with friends? Choose a model that suits your needs as purchasing a bike also entails other maintenance expenses.
Conduct Thorough Research – Once you determine the reason for buying the bike, do some in-depth research about various options that are available on different online platforms. The same bike may be available at different prices on these platforms. The price will also depend upon how old the bike model is?
Check the seller’s background – It is always advisable to cross verify the seller’s details before buying the bike. Check all the papers and verify them from the Central Government website that has the database of all vehicles in the country. You can simply enter the Registration number of the bike to verify the owner’s details. Middle-men and third-party sellers are best avoided if you want to close a genuine deal.
Scrutinize all Documents – Scrutinize all the documents very carefully to avoid any inconvenience later. See whether the bike was registered in the seller’s name or was it taken on a loan from a bank? In any of the cases, NOC should be available from the concerned authority.
Servicing records – Timely service is essential to keep your two-wheeler in good condition. Ask the owner to show you the servicing records of the bike so that you are aware of how many times it has been serviced. It will also reveal the condition of the bike and whether it has had any bad accidents.
Research Prices – Unlike a new bike, there is no fixed price for a second-hand bike. You need to research various platforms to get the best deal at a reasonable price. There may be a difference in price based on the age and maintenance of the bike. You may consider shelling out some extra bucks for a very well-maintained bike, which is understandable. The choice is completely yours.
Test Ride – Once you have ensured that all the documentation is in order, request for a test ride. Try and push the bike to its limits while riding on rough roads and terrains. Shift gears multiple times to check their efficiency and make sure the tyres are not worn off. It is better to be aware of any issues before closing the deal.
Inspection – Even if you find the ride comfortable, it is advisable to get the bike checked by a mechanic whom you trust as he is better equipped to identify any problem that may not be visible to you. He will check the machine minutely for any leakage in fuel pipe, worn-out tyres, brake pads and repaint etc.
Check the Chassis number – The RC has the engine number and the Chassis number Make sure to confirm that they are the same. This will prevent you from buying a stolen bike. Do not buy the bike if there is even a slight doubt about it as it may put you in trouble later on.
Ensure proper documentation – Documentation is the most important of all things so pay attention to every detail and satisfy yourself before finalizing the deal.
Here is a list of documents that need to be verified before buying a used two-wheeler.
You need to fill three forms to register a used bike. These are:
Form 29 - The owner of the bike has to fill and submit form 29 to the RTO. This form is needed to transfer the title of the bike to the buyer’s name.
Form 30 – This form has to be filled to transfer the ownership of the bike is registered in some other state.
Form 31 – In case the owner of the bike has died, Form 31 has to be filled and submitted at the RTO.
Original Registration Certificate – Whenever you buy a used vehicle, make sure that you have the original registration certificate(RC). The vehicle cannot be transferred without the RC.
PUCC – A valid Pollution Under Control Certificate or PUCC is a must nowadays and ensure that the seller has it. This certifies that the bike does not emit harmful pollutants in the air and the emissions are within the acceptable norms.
Insurance Documents – You will need valid insurance documents of the bike while registering it in your name. Ensure that the insurance is paid and has not expired.
NOC –Bikes registered in some other state require a No Objection Certificate taken from the RTO where it was originally registered. This NOC shows that the owner has paid all dues and nothing is pending.
Tax Clearance Certificate – This certificate shows that all taxes have been paid and is required while reselling the bike.
To sum up, if you want to buy old bike, search for the many options available online, compare the deals and choose the best one that suits your requirement. Buying an old bike is a practical solution if you don’t want to spend a huge amount of money. So, Check all the above parameters and enjoy riding your dream bike!
