Wahanaya.lk articles
Practical advice on buying, selling, leasing and looking after a vehicle in Sri Lanka.
Showing 74–85 of 121 articles
A slipping feeling when you accelerate, a burning smell near the pedals, and a clutch pedal that bites higher or lower than before are the clearest signs. In Colombo's stop-start traffic, clutches wear out much faster than on the open road.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Yes, but it depends on the finance company. Some require Sri Lankan citizenship, others accept any resident over 18 with a valid NIC or passport, proof of address, and income — so check the specific company's rule before you apply.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
No. Buying on open papers means the car stays legally registered to the previous owner, so you inherit unclear ownership, possible fines, and legal risk. Insist on a dated transfer within 14 days, especially with DMT's enforcement starting December 2026.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
You need comprehensive insurance for the whole lease term, with the leasing company's interest noted on the policy — third-party cover alone will not satisfy your lease agreement.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Most petrol cars need new spark plugs every 20,000-100,000 km depending on the plug type, but worn plugs show up sooner as rough idling, poor mileage, or a failed emission test. Check your plug type and don't wait for a complete misfire.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
A finance lease is run by a CBSL-registered finance company that stays the vehicle's 'absolute owner' on your CR book until final payment; hire purchase is a less-regulated instalment sale with different repossession rules. Nearly all vehicle finance in Sri Lanka today is a finance lease.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Yes. From 1 November 2026 you need a TIN certificate from the Inland Revenue Department to register a vehicle in your name, transfer ownership, or renew its revenue licence, with a few exemptions.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Wash your car (especially the underbody and wheel arches) every week if you live near the coast, fix paint chips fast, and get a rubberised underbody coating — salt air and monsoon rain are what actually cause rust, not just age.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Watch for leasing company tender and auction notices, pay the entry ticket and refundable deposit, inspect the vehicle as-is before bidding, pay the hammer-fall deposit plus balance on time, then transfer the CR book at the RMV within 14 days.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Watch for a bouncy or harsh ride, nose-diving when you brake, uneven tyre wear and clunking over bumps. Most shocks last 80,000-100,000km on good roads, less on Sri Lankan roads full of potholes.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Only agree if you trust the borrower's income and can afford to pay the full balance yourself, because a guarantor is as legally liable as the borrower and any default or repossession also hits your own CRIB record.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Compare the chassis number stamped on the vehicle with the one printed in the CR book, then verify it free on the Sri Lanka Customs portal and the RMV's online vehicle information service before you pay any deposit.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
