Wahanaya.lk articles
News, model reviews, advice and plain guides to buying, selling and leasing vehicles in Sri Lanka.
Showing 134–145 of 282 articles
Compare the revenue licence, fuel use, emission test, insurance, spare parts and resale value of both cars side by side — not just the asking price — before you decide which one actually costs less to own.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
You need Commissioner-General approval before repainting, then an RMV Motor Vehicle Examiner must inspect the repainted vehicle and issue a certificate before your CR book is updated with the new colour.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
Yes — many banks and finance companies will lend you cash secured on a vehicle you own outright, but the Central Bank caps how much: a maximum of 60% of the vehicle's market value for vehicles registered more than a year, as of November 2026.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Yes, you can legally sell a car that's crashed or won't start in Sri Lanka, but you still need the CR book, the MTA 6/MTA 8 transfer forms and a revenue licence. If the car can't be driven to renew its licence, apply for a 'notice of non-user' so the transfer can go through without an emission test.
Wahanaya.lk team8 min read
Yes. Get third-party or comprehensive cover in your own name before you drive the car away. Insurable interest sits with the current owner, so a claim made under the seller's old policy after the sale can be rejected.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
For most private cars in Sri Lanka, petrol or hybrid is now the safer, easier buy because the fuel price gap has narrowed and diesel demand is shrinking. Diesel still makes sense for high-mileage pickups and vans where fuel savings outweigh the extra service cost.
Wahanaya.lk team8 min read
Transferring a sold vehicle costs a DMT class fee (Rs 5,000 for a car), a Rs 1,000 service charge, and 1% stamp duty on its value. The buyer usually pays, but it must be filed within 14 days of the sale or a penalty applies.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
There is no single accident-history database in Sri Lanka, so you check panel gaps, paint thickness, chassis rails and the auction sheet yourself, then pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection before you pay a deposit.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
The Fortuner has a bigger, more powerful 2.8L engine and sits slightly higher, while the Montero Sport has a more flexible full-time 4WD system and is usually cheaper to buy used. Pick by budget, towing needs and which agent's service network is closer to you.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
For a conventional automatic (not CVT), change the ATF every 30,000-40,000 km or about every 2 years, whichever comes first — sooner than many manuals suggest, because Sri Lanka's heavy traffic and heat count as severe driving conditions.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
By law a vehicle lease must run at least one year. Most finance companies lease cars for 1-5 years on a fixed rate (up to 7 years on a variable rate), and some lease three-wheelers and motorbikes for up to 6 years.
Wahanaya.lk team5 min read
To sell a three-wheeler in Sri Lanka, fill in the MTA 6 transfer form with the buyer, hand over the CR book, revenue licence and insurance, then both of you submit the paperwork to the DMT within 14 days. Unlike cars, three-wheelers don't need a TIN for the transfer.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
