Why Does My Car Squeal When You Start It in Sri Lanka?
A squeal at start-up is almost always a worn or loose fan belt (serpentine belt) or a weak belt tensioner slipping on its pulley.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
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Advice
Practical advice on buying, selling, leasing and looking after a vehicle in Sri Lanka.
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Can You Use a Leased Vehicle for PickMe or Uber in Sri Lanka?
Yes, you usually can, but only if your lease agreement doesn't ban commercial use, your insurer agrees to cover hire-or-reward driving, and you give PickMe or Uber your revenue licence and insurance. Skipping the insurance check is the costly mistake.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
How Much Advance Should You Pay for a Used Car in Sri Lanka?
Keep any advance small and only pay it once you've seen the vehicle, checked the CR book matches the seller's NIC, and have a signed, dated receipt stating the amount, the balance, the deadline and what happens if either side backs out.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
How to Maintain a Car You Don't Drive Often in Sri Lanka
Start it weekly, keep the battery charged, keep tyres at correct pressure and move the car every few weeks, keep the tank fairly full, and don't leave it with an expired revenue licence or insurance if it's still parked on the road.
Wahanaya.lk team8 min read
How to Check a Used Car's Mileage Isn't Tampered in Sri Lanka
Compare the odometer against the car's VET emission test history (which logs mileage every year), its service records, and the Japan auction sheet if it's an import. Worn pedals, seats and tyres that don't match a low reading are the easiest giveaway.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Why Is My Car's Fuel Consumption Suddenly Increasing in Sri Lanka?
Sudden high fuel use is usually low tyre pressure, a clogged air filter, worn spark plugs, or heavy traffic and AC use — check these four first before suspecting a serious engine fault.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Vehicle Leasing Fees in Sri Lanka: What You Pay Besides Interest
Beyond interest, a vehicle lease in Sri Lanka usually adds a documentation/processing fee, a CRIB report charge, an inspection fee, RMV charges, postage, and sometimes an annual review fee. Ask the leasing company for its official Key Facts Document before you sign.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Why Does My Diesel Car Emit Black Smoke in Sri Lanka?
Black smoke means your diesel is burning too much fuel for the air it's getting — usually a dirty air filter, worn injectors, a failing turbo, or a clogged EGR valve. Get it checked soon or it will fail your VET emission test.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Can You Keep Your Leased Vehicle Going If You Migrate From Sri Lanka?
Yes, you can keep paying your lease from abroad, but you must tell your finance company, arrange insured and authorised use of the vehicle, and know that leaving it unused for over two months without the right paperwork breaks the Motor Traffic Act.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Is It Safe to Buy a Vehicle Through a Broker in Sri Lanka?
It can be safe if you still verify the vehicle and the real owner yourself, but a broker adds a middleman, a hidden commission, and one more person who can go quiet if something goes wrong. Treat the broker as a contact, not a guarantee.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
When Should You Change Your Car's Brake Fluid in Sri Lanka?
Change your brake fluid every 2-3 years, or on the schedule in your owner's manual, because Sri Lanka's heat and humidity pull moisture into the fluid faster, which weakens your brakes even when the pedal still feels normal.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
Can You Lease a Three-Wheeler (Tuk-Tuk) in Sri Lanka?
Yes. Banks and finance companies lease three-wheelers like any other vehicle, mostly brand-new Bajaj or TVS models, over terms of up to about six years. Since a May 2026 Central Bank rule, you now need a bigger down payment on a new one than before.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read