Can I sell my car in Sri Lanka if the engine number doesn't match the CR book?

You can agree a sale, but the ownership transfer will usually stall at the RMV/DMT until the mismatch is corrected on the Certificate of Registration, so fix it first.

What form do I use to correct an engine or chassis number on a CR book?

You apply using form CMT 72, the "change of other particulars" application, together with a Motor Vehicle Examiner's certificate, form CMT 130, as listed on the DMT website.

Do I need approval to fit a different engine in my car?

Yes. If you've installed a different engine, DMT says you need the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic's prior approval plus the purchase receipt for that engine, with photocopies, before the new number can go on the CR book.

Will the buyer's inspection catch an engine or chassis number mismatch?

An examiner checks the vehicle against the CR book as part of registration-related inspections, so an uncorrected mismatch is likely to surface and delay or block the transfer.

How much does it cost to correct a CR book detail at DMT?

DMT's published fee for a change-of-attributes application was Rs. 300 as of November 2026, according to dmt.gov.lk — confirm the current fee at your nearest DMT/RMV office since fees are revised from time to time.

Guide7 min read5 views

Selling a Car With an Engine or Chassis Number Mismatch in Sri Lanka

Updated 8 November 2026 · Written by the Wahanaya.lk team

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You cannot transfer a car at the RMV/DMT if the engine or chassis number on the vehicle doesn't match the CR book. You must first get it corrected using form CMT 72 and a Motor Vehicle Examiner's certificate (CMT 130), before you advertise the car for sale.

What does it mean if your engine or chassis number doesn't match the CR book?

It means the engine number and/or chassis number physically stamped on your vehicle is different from what's printed on your Certificate of Registration (CR book) at the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), also called RMV. This is a real problem when you sell, because the buyer's transfer depends on those details matching. Sort it out before you list the car, not after you've found a buyer.

Key facts

Form CMT 72 is the application you use to change "other particulars" on the CR book, including the engine or chassis number, according to the DMT website.
You also need a Motor Vehicle Examiner's certificate (CMT 130), confirming the actual number on the vehicle.
If you've fitted a different engine, DMT says you need the prior approval of the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic plus the purchase receipt for that engine (with photocopies), before the swap can be reflected on the CR book.
The published fee for a change-of-attributes application was Rs. 300, as of November 2026, per dmt.gov.lk — check the current fee at your DMT/RMV office, as these are revised from time to time.
Correcting the record is a DMT/RMV office matter, separate from the ownership transfer paperwork (CR book, MTA 6, revenue licence) that happens afterward.
Fix the mismatch before you advertise, so you don't lose a buyer mid-sale when the numbers don't line up.

Why does this happen?

A few common reasons: the engine was replaced after an accident or a breakdown and the change was never reported to DMT; the chassis or engine number was mis-recorded when the vehicle was first registered or re-registered after import; or the numbers have worn, corroded, or been overpainted so they're hard to read and get mis-transcribed at some point. None of these make the car unsellable — they just mean the paperwork needs to catch up with reality before you can transfer it.

Can you still sell a car with a number mismatch in Sri Lanka?

You can agree a sale and take a deposit, but don't expect the ownership transfer to go through cleanly while the mismatch exists. The safer approach is to disclose the issue to the buyer upfront, agree who pays for and manages the correction, and either complete the correction before signing, or hold the balance of payment in escrow-style terms until the CR book is fixed and the transfer is done. Trying to push a transfer through with mismatched numbers risks the application being rejected or held back at the RMV/DMT counter.

What documents do you need to correct the CR book?

Based on DMT's published requirements for a change of attributes, you'll typically need:

The CMT 72 application form, filled in with the correct details.
The vehicle's original Certificate of Registration (CR book).
The Vehicle Identity Card, if your registration number uses a newer format with English letters.
The CMT 130 certificate from a Motor Vehicle Examiner, confirming the engine and/or chassis number physically on the vehicle.
If a different engine was installed: the Commissioner General's prior approval and the engine purchase receipt, with photocopies.

Keep photocopies of everything you submit, and get a receipt or acknowledgment for the application — you may need it if the buyer or their bank asks for proof the correction is underway.

How do you get the CMT 130 certificate?

A Motor Vehicle Examiner has to physically inspect the vehicle and record what's actually stamped on the engine block and chassis, then issue the CMT 130 certificate confirming those numbers. This inspection is normally arranged through your local RMV/DMT office. Bring the vehicle itself — the examiner needs to see the stamped numbers directly, not a photo.

What if you fitted a different (replacement) engine?

If the mismatch exists because you installed a replacement engine — common after an accident or an engine failure — DMT's process goes further than a simple correction. You need the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic's prior approval for the engine change, plus the original purchase receipt for the replacement engine (with photocopies). Only once that approval is in hand can the examiner's certificate and the CMT 72 application update the CR book with the new engine number. Skipping this step and just driving around — or selling — with an unrecorded engine swap is the situation you want to avoid.

Step-by-step: how to fix the mismatch before you sell

Check both numbers carefully. Compare the CR book against the physical stamps on the engine and chassis. Note exactly where they differ.
Visit your local DMT/RMV office and ask about a change-of-attributes application for engine/chassis number.
Get the Motor Vehicle Examiner's inspection done and obtain the CMT 130 certificate.
If an engine was replaced, gather the Commissioner General's approval and the purchase receipt before applying.
Submit the CMT 72 application with the CR book, examiner's certificate, and supporting documents.
Collect the corrected CR book once DMT processes the change.
Only then advertise or finalise the sale, so the buyer's transfer goes through without a hold-up.

What happens during the ownership transfer inspection?

As part of registration and transfer-related processes, an examiner checks the vehicle's details — including numbers stamped on it — against what's recorded at DMT. If your CR book still shows the old or wrong engine/chassis number at that point, the mismatch is likely to surface and can delay or block the transfer until it's corrected. It's far cheaper in time and stress to fix this before a buyer is standing next to you waiting to complete the paperwork.

What should you tell a buyer about a past mismatch?

Be upfront. Tell the buyer the vehicle had an engine replaced (if that's the case) and that the CR book has been corrected to show the current, approved engine number — and show them the updated CR book and the DMT paperwork as proof. Buyers and their banks or leasing companies are naturally cautious about number discrepancies, since they can (wrongly, in your case, but understandably) raise suspicion of a stolen part or a smuggled component. A clean paper trail removes that doubt. If the buyer is financing the purchase, check /leasing for how monthly payments are estimated — lenders will also want to see a CR book that matches the vehicle before approving a lease.

How long does the correction take and what does it cost?

DMT's published fee for a change-of-attributes application was Rs. 300, as of November 2026, according to dmt.gov.lk, though you should confirm the current fee at your DMT/RMV office since charges are revised from time to time. The overall timeline depends on how quickly the Motor Vehicle Examiner can inspect your vehicle and, if relevant, how fast the Commissioner General's approval for an engine replacement comes through — budget more time if an engine swap is involved, since that step adds an extra approval layer.

Where to list your car once the CR book is correct

Once the engine and chassis numbers on your CR book match the vehicle, you're in a much stronger position to sell. Check what similar vehicles are going for with /price-check, then list the car on /post-ad so buyers browsing /vehicles can find it. Mention in your ad, briefly, that the CR book details are fully correct and up to date — it's a point serious buyers specifically look for. For general precautions when meeting buyers and handling payment, see /safety-tips. If you're unsure about any part of this process, ask in the Wahanaya forum at /forum — other sellers who've been through a CR book correction can tell you what to expect at their local DMT office.

Sources

Questions

Can I sell my car in Sri Lanka if the engine number doesn't match the CR book?: You can agree a sale, but the ownership transfer will usually stall at the RMV/DMT until the mismatch is corrected on the Certificate of Registration, so fix it first.
What form do I use to correct an engine or chassis number on a CR book?: You apply using form CMT 72, the "change of other particulars" application, together with a Motor Vehicle Examiner's certificate, form CMT 130, as listed on the DMT website.
Do I need approval to fit a different engine in my car?: Yes. If you've installed a different engine, DMT says you need the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic's prior approval plus the purchase receipt for that engine, with photocopies, before the new number can go on the CR book.
Will the buyer's inspection catch an engine or chassis number mismatch?: An examiner checks the vehicle against the CR book as part of registration-related inspections, so an uncorrected mismatch is likely to surface and delay or block the transfer.
How much does it cost to correct a CR book detail at DMT?: DMT's published fee for a change-of-attributes application was Rs. 300 as of November 2026, according to dmt.gov.lk — confirm the current fee at your nearest DMT/RMV office since fees are revised from time to time.

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