Used vehicle & phone buying checklist

Check the documents first

Before you inspect anything mechanical, make sure the vehicle can legally be transferred to you:

• Registration (RC) in the seller’s name. Match the chassis and engine numbers on the RC with those on the vehicle.
• Vahan details: on the Parivahan website or the mParivahan app you can see the registration details, owner serial number, insurance and fitness validity.
• Pending challans: check on the e-Challan portal using the vehicle number.
• Loan: if the RC shows hypothecation, get the bank’s NOC and Form 35 before paying.
• Transfer forms: Form 29 and Form 30 signed by the seller (transfer is applied for at the RTO or online on Parivahan within the time limit).
• Valid insurance and PUC, and transfer of the insurance to your name within 14 days of buying.

For phones

• Dial *#06# to see the IMEI; it must match the box and bill.
• Check the IMEI on the government’s Sanchar Saathi portal (“Know genuineness of your mobile handset”) to see if it is blocked or reported stolen.
• Make sure the seller signs out of their Google/Apple account and the phone isn’t locked to their account.

Pay safely

Avoid paying a deposit before seeing the vehicle. For vehicles, pay by bank transfer against a signed receipt and the documents; for phones, meet in a public place and check everything before paying.

Questions people ask

Sources

• Parivahan (Vahan) — vehicle registration services
• e-Challan — Parivahan
• Sanchar Saathi — Department of Telecommunications

Results are estimates to help you plan. Always confirm important numbers with the seller, carrier or authority concerned. Last reviewed: November 2026.