Buying a bike is always a great feeling – whether it’s a new bike or a used one. It is going to be there with you in all seasons. But buying is not easy as it might sound when you discuss it with your friends. There is a lot of work to be done and things to be checked to ensure that you don’t regret the deal later.
To make sure that you get only the best, we have come up with a checklist. Check the items on the list one by one and you are going to buy a good bike:
Table Of Contents
- 1 1. Ask Yourself First
- 2 2. Do Some Homework
- 3 3. Inspect the Bike: From Inside to Outside
- 4 4. Verify vehicle details:
- 5 After entering your vehicle’s registration number, you can find the following details in the VAHAN website:
- 6 5. Check Servicing Record
- 7 6. Consult a Local Mechanic
- 8 7. Check Proper Documentation and Insurance
- 9 8. Price Negotiation
1. Ask Yourself First
There are hundreds of second-hand bikes out there, how are you going to choose one? The best way to narrow down the options by doing some research. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What will be the most common purpose of my bike: regular commute or leisurely rides?
- What is my maximum budget?
- Is there any particular brand or model that I like?
Go for a fuel-efficient model if you are going to use the bike for your daily commute. On the other hand, if you want it for long drives, go for a model with a powerful engine and good looks.
Also Read: Automotive Preventative Maintenance in Michigan: Checking the Belts
2. Do Some Homework
Once you know your need, the next thing you should do is researching the best options in the market. With the answer in the above-mentioned step, you should get at least 4-5 good options that can fulfil your need.
Now, go to different dealers and check their offers. Alternatively, you can talk to your friends, relatives or go to a platform that can provide you second-hand bikes. The factor that should make or break your decision at this point should be the age and the condition of the bike.
3. Inspect the Bike: From Inside to Outside
Do thorough research of the bike that you get. Since the bike is second hand, expect a few scratches here and there. Inspecting the bike thoroughly will ensure that the first impression does not become your last impression. Often, those bikes run the greatest that you think are crap at the first sight. Here is a list of the most important things that you should inspect in a second-hand bike:
- Check for oil leakage from the engine.
- Inspect the body for rust or corrosion.
- Listen to the sound of the engine and check if any smoke is coming out.
- Ensure that clutch and brakes run smooth.
- Check all the electricals like switches, lights and the self-start function.
- Check wheels for wear and tear.
- Check the chassis number, engine number and plate number. These numbers should be the same as mentioned in the registration certificate of the bike.
Once all of the inspection is done, take a test ride to get a feel of the drive. Sometimes, all the individual parts look good but the overall performance of the bike does match the level of expectation.
Aslo read – Truck Accidents Due To Poor Road Conditions
4. Verify vehicle details:
It is important to check vehicle details to ensure that the person selling the bike is the actual owner of it. You can trace the vehicle owner name by vehicle number and confirm it easily, VAHAN website has been designed to collect and show vehicle information as per the individual requirements of all the Indian states.
Steps to find vehicle details:
- Visit the official website of VAHAN
- Click on ‘Know Your Vehicle Details’ at Top Navigation menu
- Enter the vehicle registration number (Bike Plate Number).
- Enter the Verification code and click on ‘Search Vehicle’.
- Note down bike owner’s name and other details of the vehicle
After entering your vehicle’s registration number, you can find the following details in the VAHAN website:
• Date of registration
• Chassis number (not shown in full)
• Engine number (not shown in full)
• Name of the owner ((not shown in full)
• Vehicle class
• Fuel type
• Manufacturer details and Model
• Vehicle’s fitness duration
• Pollution Certificate number
• Validity of Motor Vehicle (MV) Tax
• Motor vehicle insurance details
• Emission standards of the bike
• Status of Registration Certificate
Check that Engine chassis number is the same as mentioned in the RC. This is to ensure that the bike is not stolen or altered with other bike parts.
5. Check Servicing Record
Having a good servicing record of the bike is a green flag for you. Most owners who roughly handle their bike do not maintain a record of service. So, if the owner has a record, that is an ideal situation for you. However, if there is no written servicing record, you can ask the owner about how much servicing is needed to be done and negotiate the price accordingly.
6. Consult a Local Mechanic
Unless you are an expert on vehicles, you can never get fully assured about the condition of the engine and body. Since local mechanics have years of experience of working on bikes, they can tell everything about it within minutes. Take the bike to a local mechanic and consult if the negotiated price of the bike is justified or not.
7. Check Proper Documentation and Insurance
Never ever buy a bike without proper documentation or insurance. Doing so is like welcoming legal troubles to your home for evening tea. The local mechanic that you consulted in the above step can also help you with documentation work with a little charge. Still, you should know about all the important paperwork that you need to get done before buying the bike. Here is a list of some of the important docs to double-check:
- Registration Certificate with vehicle details like a matching chassis number and the engine number
- Purchase receipt of the bike
- Transferring old bike insurance in your name from the owner. If the insurance has expired, it’s always better to check the best old bike insurance quotes online.
- Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate
- Form 28, 29 and 30 issue by the RTO
- NOC if the bike is getting transferred from one RTO to another
Also read – Spotlight on the Replacement Number Plate
8. Price Negotiation
Once the inspection part is done and you have checked that the owner has all the necessary papers in his or her name, you should negotiate the price. If you are not good at negotiation, take any friend who is better at it than you. This one little thing can save you thousands (tens of thousands in case of expensive bikes). Once both parties agree on the price, make the payment, do the paperwork and take the bike to your home.
Always remember that a smart buyer is a happy buyer. Just a few hours of work can ensure that you purchase that gives you true value for the money.
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