Wahanaya.lk articles
Practical advice on buying, selling, leasing and looking after a vehicle in Sri Lanka.
Showing 38–49 of 121 articles
There is no single legal minimum, but most banks want net monthly income from about Rs. 150,000 upward for a standard car lease, while some finance companies accept lower salaries with a guarantor. What matters most is your debt-service ratio, not just your payslip number.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
A used car's manufacture year (YOM) and its registration year (YOR) differ because many imported vehicles sit as dealer stock or take months to clear customs and register. Always check both dates on the CR book, since YOM — not YOR — drives import duty, insurance value and resale price.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
A balloon payment lease keeps your monthly instalment low by pushing one large lump sum to the end of the term, usually set close to the vehicle's expected resale value. It can ease your monthly cash flow, but only choose it if you already know exactly how you will pay that final lump sum.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
If your vehicle has a common-rail turbo diesel engine (most Hilux, D-Max, Montero Sport, Prado, Vigo, and newer KDH models), use Super Diesel, not Auto Diesel. Auto Diesel's higher sulphur content corrodes injectors over time and can cause expensive repairs.
Wahanaya.lk team8 min read
Yes, you can settle a vehicle lease early in Sri Lanka. You'll get a rebate on unpaid future interest, but the finance company will also charge a settlement fee based on the unexpired period, so ask for a written settlement letter before you decide.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Research the fair market price first, inspect the car for faults you can point to, and make a firm, polite offer below the asking price with a reason attached. Sellers expect negotiation, but you need facts, not just a lower number, to move them.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
A shaking steering wheel when you brake almost always means your front brake discs have worn unevenly (commonly called 'warped'), usually from heavy stop-start driving, old pads, or long downhill braking. Get the discs measured and resurfaced or replaced rather than driving on them.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
Turn the ignition to the 'on' position and watch the SRS/airbag light — it should flash briefly then go off. If it stays on, flashes, or doesn't light at all, plus mismatched dash panels or stiff seatbelts, the airbags may have deployed and been poorly replaced or disabled.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Before driving to Nuwara Eliya, Ella or Haputale, get your brakes, tyres, coolant and clutch checked, and go downhill in a low gear instead of riding the brakes — brake fade on long descents is a real, documented danger on these roads.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
As of November 2026, CBSL rules require at least 60% down payment for a new/unregistered car, SUV, van, or three-wheeler, 40% for a new commercial vehicle, and 40% for any vehicle registered more than a year ago.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Check the spare tyre well, seat belts, seat rails and fuse box for mud, rust or a water line, smell for mustiness, and test every electrical switch. Sri Lanka's CR book and RMV records don't show flood history, so a hands-on check is your main defence.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
The leasing company, registered as 'Absolute Owner,' keeps the original CR book until your lease is fully settled. You're given a certified photocopy to carry in the vehicle, and the financier must write to the DMT to release the CR once you've paid off the facility.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
