Purchasing a bike involves a lot of steps. You have to conduct a decent amount of research about the different vehicles available, look through their features, finalize the two-wheeler insurance, plan the finances, etc. While we may find the most optimal bikes for ourselves, they may not fit our budget sometimes.
If you’re stuck in a similar scenario, you can consider purchasing a second-hand bike. Second-hand bikes are used two-wheelers that are up for sale. Buying a second-hand bike will help us get the bike of our dreams at an affordable cost. However, it is essential to consider a few things before going ahead with the purchase.
Things to Consider When Buying a Second-Hand Bike
Give below are a few things you must keep in mind when purchasing a second-hand bike:
1. Your reason for the purchase:
You must think about your purpose for buying the bike. Buying a bike is the first of many expenses that you will have to spend on the vehicle. Therefore, it would help if you analysed your requirement for a bike. For example, do you need a bike to help you travel in a fuel-efficient way, or do you wish to purchase a cruiser bike? Once you have identified your requirement, you can opt for a suitable bike for yourself.
2. Carry out detailed research:
After you understand your necessity, you can begin exploring the different second-hand bikes for sale. Different dealerships may offer you the two-wheeler at different costs. The bike’s age will also be different at different dealerships. However, you do not only have to depend on a dealership. You can also get the bike from a friend or an online platform.
3. Bike inspection:
It would help if you inspected the bike physically. An inspection of the vehicle will help you look for any dents or scratches on your vehicle. Once you have inspected the bike carefully, you will learn about the issues with the bike. Most used bikes have a few dents or mechanical issues. It is better to learn about these issues before you go ahead with the purchase. If the bike has been severely impacted because of wear and tear, it is better to look for another bike. This is because fixing the bike might be expensive.
4. Test ride:
While a bike may look quite functional on the outside, it is always better to test-ride the vehicle before purchasing it. Test riding the vehicle will help you understand the bike’s performance. If you’re well-informed about the bike’s functionality, a small ride will help you get a good idea. You can also get a mechanic or an experienced friend’s help.
5. Chassis number:
Every vehicle has a unique chassis number. The chassis number listed on the plate should match the one on the engine. You may find it difficult to find the number on old bikes. But you can take a mechanic’s help to find it. The chassis number will be given in the RC as well.
6. Servicing record:
A servicing record of the bike should be provided by the seller. This way, you will learn about the maintenance work that has gone into the bike and how much is still left to be done. If there is no record, you can ask them to provide an estimate.
7. Price negotiation:
Negotiate the cost depending on the factors mentioned above. For instance, if the bike has suffered substantial wear and tear, you can ask for a price reduction.
8. Provide all the necessary documents:
Here’s a list of the documentation which is necessary to purchase a second-hand bike:
- Registration Certificate
- PUC
- RTO forms- form 28, form 29, form 30
Apart from these factors, it would help if you also considered 2-wheeler insurance for the bike. Many insurers like Tata AIG offer two-wheeler insurance plans.
Bike Insurance for Second-Hand Bike
When you purchase a second-hand bike, you must take care of the two-wheeler policy of the vehicle. When finalising the purchase for your second-hand bike, you must also ask the seller about the bike insurance and transfer it to your name. The process of transferring two-wheeler policy ownership is simple. You can visit the closest Regional Transport Office (RTO) for initiating the process. They will issue a new Registration Certificate under your name. You can also carry out the transfer online these days.
Once you have transferred the insurance plan under your name, you must go through the policy. If the coverage offered under the plan doesn’t match your requirements, you can opt to adjust the plan’s coverage at the time of insurance renewal for the two-wheeler. You can also consider a few tips while purchasing second-hand bike insurance.
Tips to Follow While Purchasing Second-Hand bike Insurance
- Since third-party bike insurance is a compulsion, you must analyse your own-damage insurance requirements while purchasing the policy.
- Including the zero-depreciation add-on cover in the insurance plan will help you retain the depreciation cost when filing a claim.
- You must acquire the NCB transfer certificate from your previous insurer to enjoy its benefits.
- It would help to calculate the actual Insured Declared Value (IDV) of your bike while purchasing. Setting the correct IDV will help you get adequate financial protection for your vehicle.
- You must ensure that you provide the correct information about your vehicle.
- While opting for online two-wheeler insurance, you can purchase an optimal plan for yourself after thorough research.
Conclusion
Before buying a second-hand bike, you must ensure that you buy it from a trusted dealership or individual. You must conduct a proper inspection of the vehicle while purchasing the bike. Once you have finalised the bike, you must transfer the bike insurance to your name. After the transfer is done, you can review the plan and purchase an ideal plan for yourself.