Which one should I buy?

It depends on your budget and what you value. Compare the price of the same model and year in both conditions with the price check, and check the vehicle and its documents carefully either way.

Guide1 min read

Registered vs unregistered vehicles — what's the difference?

Updated 26 October 2026 · Written by the Wahanaya.lk team

ShareWhatsApp Facebook

A registered vehicle has already been registered in Sri Lanka and has had at least one local owner. An unregistered vehicle (often called "recondition") has been imported but not yet registered here, so you would be its first registered owner in Sri Lanka.

Registered (used)

Already has a Sri Lankan registration number and a registration book.
The number of previous owners is shown in the registration book.

Unregistered (recondition)

Imported, used abroad, not yet registered in Sri Lanka.
You become the first registered owner here; ask the seller what registration involves and who pays for it.

Brand new

Never registered anywhere, usually sold by an agent or dealer.

On Wahanaya.lk you can filter by condition on the vehicles page and compare prices with the price check.

Questions

Which one should I buy?: It depends on your budget and what you value. Compare the price of the same model and year in both conditions with the price check, and check the vehicle and its documents carefully either way.

Buying a Used Motorbike in Sri Lanka: A Step-by-Step Guide

Check the CR book and engine/chassis numbers, confirm the seller's NIC matches the registered owner, agree a price, sign the MTA6/MTA8 transfer forms, and register the transfer at the RMV within 14 days. Keep the revenue licence, emission test and insurance valid before you ride it.

27 Oct 2026Wahanaya.lk team7 min read

How to Check If a Vehicle Has Been in a Flood in Sri Lanka

Check for musty smells, water lines on seatbelts and carpets, rust or green corrosion inside fuse boxes, and foggy headlights. The RMV/DMT does not record flood damage on the CR book, so a paid inspection is the only reliable check.

27 Oct 2026Wahanaya.lk team8 min read

What Documents Come With a Vehicle Sale in Sri Lanka?

A vehicle sale in Sri Lanka must include the CR book (Certificate of Registration), a valid revenue licence, the MTA 6 and MTA 8 transfer forms, and NIC copies of both parties — these go to the DMT to register the new owner.