Documents Required to Buy a Used Car
To buy a used car safely you need the original RC, a valid insurance policy, a PUC certificate, signed Forms 29 and 30, the road tax receipt, and — if the car was financed — the bank NOC with Form 35. Verify each against the chassis and engine number before paying.
The must-have documents
| Document | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Original RC (smart card) | Proves who legally owns the car | Owner name, chassis and engine number, hypothecation entry, fuel type, number of previous owners |
| Insurance certificate | Legal requirement and your claim cover | Policy is live, covers own damage (not just third party), and the No Claim Bonus history |
| PUC certificate | Mandatory to drive legally | Validity date; a lapsed PUC also blocks insurance renewal |
| Forms 29 and 30 | The actual transfer filing | Seller's signature matches the RC; both copies of Form 29 signed |
| Road tax receipt | Proof lifetime tax was paid | Especially important on out-of-state cars |
| Bank NOC + Form 35 | Removes the loan from the RC | Required if the RC shows any hypothecation, even a repaid one |
| Service history / invoices | The real condition record | Regular intervals, matching odometer readings, major work done |
What to verify before you pay
- 1
Match the numbers physically
Compare the chassis number stamped on the body and the engine number against the RC. A mismatch, over-stamping or a filed-down plate means walk away — no exceptions.
- 2
Check the owner count
The RC states how many owners the car has had. More owners means weaker resale. Also confirm the seller is the person named on the RC, not a middleman holding a signed Form 30.
- 3
Run the registration number online
Use the Parivahan portal and the Telangana e-Challan site to check registration status, insurance validity and pending challans. It takes two minutes and catches most problems.
- 4
Confirm the registration is private, not commercial
Ex-taxi cars are routinely resold as private. Look for a transport category on the RC, a commercial insurance policy, or a fitness certificate — any of those means it was run commercially.
- 5
Get a written sale receipt
A dated receipt with both parties' names, addresses, the registration number, chassis number and sale amount. This is your evidence if a dispute arises before the RC transfer completes.
Documents you must provide as the buyer
- Aadhaar card (identity and address proof)
- PAN card, or Form 60 if you do not hold one
- Passport-size photographs — usually three to four
- Valid driving licence (for the test drive and finance)
- If financing: three to six months of bank statements, salary slips or ITR, and employment proof
Red flags in used-car paperwork
- A duplicate RC with no explanation of why the original was lost
- Hypothecation still showing on the RC with no bank NOC available
- Insurance in a name different from the RC owner
- Service records that skip years, or odometer readings that do not increase in sequence
- A seller who wants full payment before you see the original RC
- An out-of-state plate with no Form 28 NOC and no road tax receipt
Every car at Sri Laxmi Pre-owned Carz comes with the original RC, a live insurance policy, a valid PUC and a clear hypothecation status verified before we buy it into stock. We show you all of it before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What documents should I ask the seller for when buying a used car?
The original RC, a live insurance certificate, a valid PUC, signed Forms 29 and 30, the road tax receipt, service records, and — if the car was ever financed — the bank NOC with Form 35. Verify the chassis and engine numbers against the RC.
Can I buy a used car without the original RC?
No. Without the original RC you cannot verify ownership or complete the transfer. If the seller only has a duplicate, ask why the original was lost and confirm the duplicate's authenticity on the Parivahan portal before proceeding.
What if the used car still has a loan on it?
The financier must issue an NOC and Form 35 to remove the hypothecation before the RC can be transferred. Either the seller clears the loan first, or the payment is routed through the bank to close it — never pay the seller directly in that situation.
Is insurance transfer mandatory when buying a used car?
Yes. The policy should be endorsed into the buyer's name within 14 days of the sale. If it is not, the insurer can decline an own-damage claim because the policyholder no longer owns the vehicle.