Questions to Ask a Seller Before You See a Car in Sri Lanka

Before you spend a Saturday travelling to see a car, call the seller and ask about the CR book, lease status, mileage, accident history, and why they're selling. A short phone call can rule out a wasted trip, a leased vehicle you can't register, or a listing that doesn't match the car on the ground.

Key facts

• The Certificate of Registration (CR book) shows who legally owns the vehicle — a finance company can be listed as "absolute owner" if it's still on lease.
• You can check a vehicle's basic registration details online for free, or get full details for a fee, through DMT's e-service at eservices.motortraffic.gov.lk (as of October 2026, per the Department of Motor Traffic).
• You can also text DMT's SMS service (1919) with the vehicle number for quick registration info.
• Ownership transfer needs Form MTA-6 (signed by the seller) and Form MTA-8 (signed by the buyer), submitted to the RMV/DMT.
• Buyers are expected to submit transfer paperwork to the RMV within 14 days of purchase, or a penalty applies — confirm the current deadline and fee at your nearest RMV office.
• If the car is still on a lease or loan, DMT will not register the transfer until the finance company issues a settlement or no-objection letter.
• Vehicles imported on a duty-free or concessionary permit usually cannot be transferred for several years from the date of registration — ask if this applies before you travel.
• A used-vehicle insurance policy does not automatically cover you as the new owner — you need your own cover from day one of ownership.

What questions should I ask a seller before going to see a car?

Start with ownership, lease status, and the registration number, because these three answers decide whether a viewing is even worth your time. Ask: "Is the CR book in your name, or does it show a finance company as owner?" If it's the latter, ask how much is left on the facility and whether they can get a settlement letter. Then ask for the full registration number so you can check it yourself before you leave home.

Why ask about the CR book before you even leave home?

The CR book is the legal proof of who owns the vehicle, and without the original in good condition, the RMV cannot process a transfer to you. Ask the seller to confirm the registration number matches what's in the online ad, and whether the book is the original or a certified copy (originals are required for transfer). Also ask if the seller's NIC name matches the name on the CR book — if a third party is selling on someone else's behalf, you'll want a clear explanation and, ideally, a letter of authority from the registered owner.

How do I know if the vehicle is still under a lease or loan?

Simply ask: "Is this vehicle still being leased or financed, and is the CR book marked with a finance company as owner?" If yes, the vehicle is not fully theirs to sell yet. The Department of Motor Traffic will not register you as the new owner until the leasing or finance company issues a written release — commonly called a Letter of Set-off or no-objection letter — confirming the facility is fully settled. Ask the seller to have this letter ready, or at least confirm in writing how much is outstanding and when it will be cleared, before you commit to anything. You can read more about how financing works on our leasing page, including a monthly payment calculator if you're financing your own purchase instead.

What should I ask about mileage and accident history?

Ask for the exact odometer reading, the last service date, and whether the vehicle has had any accident repairs, and compare the answer with the photos and ad details. A seller who hesitates, gives a vague range instead of a number, or avoids the accident question is worth treating with caution before you book a viewing. Ask if they still have the service book or garage invoices — a seller with no service history at all for an older vehicle is a common warning sign.

How can I check the vehicle details online before I go?

With the registration number, you can look up basic registration information for free through DMT's online portal at eservices.motortraffic.gov.lk under "Getting Information of a Registered Vehicle," or send an SMS to 1919 using the DMT info code, as of October 2026 per the Department of Motor Traffic. This confirms things like the make, model, year of manufacture, engine capacity, and fuel type match what the seller told you — a mismatch here is a reason to ask more questions before you travel. Full detailed information is available for a small fee through the same portal. You can also cross-check the model and expected price range using our price check tool and current listings for similar vehicles.

What should I ask about the revenue licence and insurance?

Ask when the revenue licence expires and whether it's currently valid, since an expired licence needs to be renewed before a transfer can go through. Also ask what type of insurance the vehicle currently has — third-party cover is compulsory under the Motor Traffic Act, but it doesn't transfer to you automatically. The existing policy stays with the current owner's interest, so you'll need to arrange your own cover as the new owner from the date of purchase.

What should I ask if the vehicle was imported on a permit?

Ask directly: "Was this vehicle imported under a duty-free or concessionary permit?" Vehicles brought in this way are generally restricted from being sold or transferred for a set number of years from the date of first registration, so you want to know this before you even view the car — buying one that's still inside its restriction period can leave you unable to register it in your own name. If the seller is unsure, ask them to check the CR book for any conditions or notes recorded against the vehicle.

What questions avoid wasting a trip to see the wrong car?

Confirm the engine and chassis numbers over the phone or by photo, and ask the seller to send clear pictures of the CR book's details page alongside the vehicle. When you do view the car, the physical engine and chassis numbers must match what's written in the CR book — a mismatch, scratched-out numbers, or a reluctant seller are all reasons to walk away. It's worth re-checking this on-site even after a phone confirmation, since photos can be misleading or outdated.

What should I ask about price, payment, and the viewing itself?

Ask whether the quoted price includes transfer costs, and confirm you won't be asked for any payment before you've seen the vehicle in person. Advance-payment fraud — where a "seller" asks for a deposit before you've viewed the car, often claiming to be abroad — is one of the most common scams in online vehicle ads in Sri Lanka. Agree to meet during daylight hours, at the address on the CR book or another public location, and bring someone with you if possible. For a longer pre-viewing and inspection checklist, see our safety tips page.

What should I do once I'm satisfied with the seller's answers?

Only arrange the viewing once the seller has given clear, consistent answers on ownership, lease status, mileage, and documents. Bring a notepad with the registration number, chassis number, and any discrepancies you want to clarify in person, and treat the viewing as a verification step, not the first time you're checking these facts. If you're still unsure about a specific answer a seller gave you, ask the community on the Wahanaya forum — other buyers and sellers often recognise common red flags for specific models. When you're ready to sell your own vehicle instead, you can post your ad with the same documents ready to answer these same questions upfront.

Sources

• Registration of Ownership Transfer - DMT
• Registration of Ownership Transfer - Motor Traffic
• Online Registered Vehicle Information Service - DMT
• Motor Insurance - Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
• Importation of a Used Motor Vehicle under Import Control Licence.pdf)
• Spotlight on misuse of duty-free vehicle permits - Daily Mirror