9 Essential Documents You Need When Selling Your Used Car in India

Selling your car becomes smooth and hassle-free if you get the documentation part right. Here's a list of all the documents you'll require to sell your used car

If you are planning to sell your car, it is important to have all the necessary documentation at hand. This will ensure a smooth and seamless transaction during the sale for all parties involved. In the current blog, we will have a close look at the documents that are typically required to process a sale of a used car.

Types of Documents Required While Selling Your Used Car in India 

There are three main types of documents you’ll need:

1. Car-Related Documents

2. Identity Verification Documents

3. RTO Documents 

Let’s take a look at each one of them.

1. Car-Related Documents

In this category of documents, you can further divide the documents into mandatory and optional categories. 

Mandatory Documents

• Registration Certificate or RC (Mandatory): According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, this document is mandatory when selling any motor vehicle. It proves that the car is registered under your name with the government of India and that you are its legal owner. Hence, this document mustn’t have inconsistencies; otherwise, transferring the ownership of your vehicle can be a massive bottleneck in the transaction. If your RC gets stolen or misplaced, you must request a duplicate by filling out Form 26. Before doing so, report a (First Information Report) FIR with your local police station. 

• Pollution Under Control or PUC Certificate (Mandatory): This certificate verifies that your car's emissions meet the government-prescribed standards and don’t excessively contribute to air pollution. You can get your PUC certificate at your nearby gas station, which has an emission-checking facility. The cost of a PUC test is nominal and ranges from Rs 80 to Rs 100, depending on your vehicle type. 

You can also apply for a PUC certificate online through the Parivahan website. PUC certificates typically have a validity of 6 months for four-wheelers.

Note: Electric vehicles are excluded from the PUC test. 

• Car Insurance (Mandatory): An active car insurance policy is mandatory for ownership transfer. The RTO will not process the transfer of ownership without car insurance. Thus, you need car insurance to make the sale. We advise you to renew your car insurance if it's expired. On the other hand, if you don’t want to make such an investment, you can also go for a third-party policy that, at the very least, removes the legal hurdle during the selling process. 

Optional Documents

• Invoice of the Vehicle: While not mandatory, having the original sales invoice or a certified copy strengthens your ownership claim and provides valuable information about the car's purchase details.

• Owner's Manual: This document contains important information about the car's operation, maintenance schedule, and specifications. Including it can be helpful for the new owner.

• Service History Records: Providing service records showcases your commitment to maintaining the car and can increase its resale value.

2. Identity Verification Documents

• PAN Card: A self-attested photocopy of your Permanent Account Number (PAN) card is required for tax purposes during the transfer process. Those without a PAN card need to submit a copy of Form 60 to ensure the transaction proceeds smoothly. 

• Address Proof: This document verifies your residence. Most of the states/UTs in India require a self-attested photocopy of your address proof. You can use your Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, or any other government-issued document with your current address. In some states, electricity bills and rental agreements can also be used as address proof.

• Self-Attested Photographs: A couple of passport-sized photographs of yourself (the seller) are required for the transfer forms. 

3.  RTO Documents 

• Form 28: It is a no-objection certificate (NOC). It signifies that there are no objections to the ownership transfer and that your vehicle has a clean record. In simpler terms, this form confirms you have no outstanding dues or liabilities on the car. 

• Form 29: This form is used to inform the RTO that the vehicle has been sold to a third party. You will need to submit two copies of Form 29 to confirm that all the car-related documents are transferred to the buyer involved in the sale. 

• Form 30: This is more of a confirmation form. After submitting Form 29, it is the seller's responsibility to fill out Form 30 and inform the RTO that the transfer of ownership should be initiated immediately. The form also implies that all legal bonds and liabilities are being transferred to the buyer. 

Visit the Parivahan website to download Forms 28, 29, & 30. Note that you will need three copies of Form 28.

Conclusion

Follow this checklist to ensure a hassle-free experience when selling your used car. Remember, a well-prepared sale not only protects you legally but also creates a positive experience for the buyer, potentially leading to a faster and more successful transaction.

If you want to sell your car at the best price, visit CarDekho’s Used Car Valuation calculator. It is a free tool that helps you estimate the resale value of your car within seconds.