Wahanaya.lk articles
News, model reviews, advice and plain guides to buying, selling and leasing vehicles in Sri Lanka.
Showing 110–121 of 282 articles
Yes, you can hand over a vehicle that still has an unpaid spot fine, but clearing it first avoids transfer delays, buyer suspicion, and the risk of the fine going to Magistrate's Court.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
A registered dealer gives you a paper trail, a trade licence and a CAA complaint route, while a private seller is usually cheaper but gives you no warranty and more fraud risk. Check documents carefully either way before you pay.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
You book an inspection with a professional valuer (often a chartered engineer registered with the Institute of Valuers Sri Lanka), bring the CR book, your NIC, and the vehicle itself, and get a written report of its market value in a few working days.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
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
Check the buyer's NIC and driving licence, go with them on every drive, keep your CR book and spare key with you, and stick to a short, familiar daylight route. Confirm with your insurer whether your policy covers the drive before you hand over the keys.
Wahanaya.lk team8 min read
This week's Sri Lanka vehicle news: petrol and diesel prices rose from 2 November, a TIN certificate is now needed for revenue licences but temporary NIC relief was granted on 3 November, CAA raided lubricant sellers, and CMTA wants the used-vehicle tax concession scrapped in the 2027 Budget.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Islamic vehicle leasing (Ijara) uses a rental/profit structure with no interest, while conventional leasing charges interest on the loan amount. Both are regulated by the Central Bank, both list the finance company as the vehicle's owner until you finish paying, and both end with you owning the car.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
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
Yes, but only if you hold a valid residence, work, or dual-citizenship visa — a tourist visa is not enough. You use your passport plus a Grama Niladhari certificate for your address in place of an NIC.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
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
Selling privately usually gets you a better price than a dealer trade-in in Sri Lanka, but it takes longer and means more paperwork and viewings. A trade-in is faster and more convenient if you want a guaranteed, same-week sale.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
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
