Points to consider when you buy an unregistered vehicle

thisara.d.m

Member
Mar 17, 2008
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Hello guys.... I faced a big problem today when I was going to register an unregistered vehicle under my name. So I thought I would better convince you guys about this too.

Few days back I paid an advance to a person to buy his unregistered vehicle. The vehicle's condition is superb and there is nothing to check really except lacking few small features. Before paying an advance, the owner promised me that I would be able to register this vehicle under my name as the 1st user. On that basis, we proceed the business. After giving an advance, I get a letter from him singed on a stamp as the standard.

I received a set of photocopies of original vehicle documents and went to RMB (Motor Traffic Dept) to get a MTA2 form. RMB is a pretty good place now. Very well organised. At the same time, I thought I would get the vehicle docs checked to see whether there is anything else I need to get from the person.

The vehicle was imported using a Private Limited Liability company so I thought it is okay to buy from that. But luckily I went to Technical branch of RMB and understood that this company is not registered at RMB. In that case, it is that they have imported the vehicle as a personal vehicle to be used under the company. The reason is, for this type of transactions, government has reduced the VAT.

Here is the problem. If an unregistered vehicle is imported by an individual or company not registered in RMB, you will never be able to register that under your name as the 1st owner. The importer have to fill MTA2 and get it registered under his name first. Then I will have to fill a MTA6 to get it transferred under my name. So I become 2nd owner automatically.

When we resell our vehicles, you know how much that matters to be 1st owner or 2nd owner. Even why should we buy an unregistered vehicle to become 2nd owner.

Okay... so always check whether the company they import is registered at RMB. You can do that easily at their technical branch without any fee. If you are willing to buy an unregistered vehicle from and individual or from a company that is not registered with RMB, then be ready to become 2nd owner which will reduce the value of your vehicle by approx. 2 lacks immediately after registration.

The worst thing is, now the vehicle owner knows it and delaying the pay back of my advance payment. A job for Police :)
 
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thisara.d.m

Member
Mar 17, 2008
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btw its not RMB, its RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles)
Thanks machan... I really didn't know that.

Now they have changed the name... It is now Department of Motor Traffic.

Inform your friends and colleagues as much as possible about this. Technical branch guys told me that they receive similar complains everyday after the government has reduced the VAT for individual importers and they do a business with it now.

Another point you can ask from the seller is, is VAT available for this vehicle? You can request the VAT receipt and there you can go to RMV and check the company name in their database.

Spread the message....
 

malkavi

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  • Nov 21, 2006
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    Thanks machan... I really didn't know that.

    Now they have changed the name... It is now Department of Motor Traffic.

    Inform your friends and colleagues as much as possible about this. Technical branch guys told me that they receive similar complains everyday after the government has reduced the VAT for individual importers and they do a business with it now.

    Another point you can ask from the seller is, is VAT available for this vehicle? You can request the VAT receipt and there you can go to RMV and check the company name in their database.

    Spread the message....

    :yes::yes::yes::yes:
     

    thisara.d.m

    Member
    Mar 17, 2008
    50
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    ask the seller to get it registered under your name or there are parties who do these kind of work under additional fee - try to get hold of them
    More information required on this regard machan. Until then I can't agree with you.

    According to RMV Technical Branch (Room No 50), it is an automatic process to get the name printed as first owner if that company is not registered under RMV. If it is imported by an individual, that case is also same.

    So it would be "Number of previous owners: 1" on the book.

    Not only that, after getting the MTA2 registered, you will have to fill MTA6 to get it transferred just as you transfer a registered vehicle.

    In simple terms, if they don't have a garage number, then when you buy an unregistered vehicle, you'll become 2nd owner.

    I checked this not only with RMV. I checked this with lots of people who know the subject. It is that people are not aware of this.