Tips on buying used car in India

The used car market in India is growing. With the availability of certified used car shops and sites like CarWale, CarDekho, Gaadi etc. The Indian consumer is spoilt for choices rather than being at the mercy of some individual agents. Regardless of the advancements, buyers of used cars need to be cautious and thorough. Below are some tips recommended by Traffline.

• Utilize the internet and consumer forums to check the right way to buy. There are numerous online venues to acquire knowledge. Big brands like Toyota, Maruti, Hyundai and Honda  also have their used car outlets.
• Have a list of basic questions with regards to the used car background, accidents, fixes etc. This will help you in advance when you prior to your meeting with the owner.
• When you are satisfied with the car owner, stop by and examine the vehicle carefully. Take a friend with you so that you are not intimidated, maybe someone who knows automobile mechanics.
• Check the original registration certificate, RTO tax receipt, original invoice, insurance papers, and the service bill of the vehicle. Make to tally chassis & registration number with the number mentioned in the registration certificate.
• Check a car's true value based on the model -year, mileage brand and year.
• Lots of people forget to take the car to a mechanic for a check prior to buying, consider this option if it's OK with the owner.
• Don't be reluctant to take the car for a test drive. Test the car at high acceleration and speed on highways along with the braking system and steering in a safe area.
• Make sure to study the exterior of the car to check if there are any deterioration or indicators associated with an accident. Look the motor carefully for anything that seems strange and search for any liquid seeping under the Vehicle. Carefully check the rubber and plastic pieces to determine if they are too worn or old. Listen to the sound of the engine while driving to ensure that it has no difficulty.
• Don't allow yourself to feel forced in buying the car. There are always better options and deals.

The idea should be to ensure that you are comfortable investing in a vehicle without being stuck with a costly old-machine. Keeping with simple suggestions will let you feel safe and make it your best purchase. 

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In India, tax is increasing, not the 'fuel price'

Fuel prices are rising through the roof. The reason we are given by the authorities is the rising crude oil prices, which is just half the truth. Here is how the fuel price is determined.

Fuel prices vary from state to state within our own country. The question is - What is the actual cost of fuel? 
For every litre of petrol we buy - taxes such as excise  duty, customs duty,  VAT, import duty are charged. We end up in paying 43 percent in the taxes. Breakup of these charges is provided below:

Excise duty - Rs 14.45
Import duty - Rs 2.5
Value added tax - 15% - 33% (varies state to state)
These central and state government charges make up the 50 percent of what we pay. The dealer earns as little as 1-2% as profit.

The generated VAT is meant to be used for the development within the states. Value added taxes differ from 15% to 33% from state to state. So depending on the state the petrol prices differ accordingly.

Below is the fuel price list of major cities:

State/City	Petrol(Rs/ltr)	Diesel(Rs/ltr)
Goa/Panjim	57.03	51.04
Orissa/Bhubaneshwar	68.33	51.00
New Delhi	69.06	48.16
Kerala/Trivandrum	71.28	50.86
TamilNadu/Chennai	72.17	51.23
UttarPradesh/Lucknow	74.44	51.35
AndhraPradesh/Hyderabad	75.37	52.46
Karnataka/Bengaluru	76.04	52.64

Goa for example, recently reduced the VAT on petrol thereby making it cheaper by Rs 11.

Fuel price Comparison with other economies
In USA, at present the fuel price is 3.74$ per galon, after conversion it becomes Rs 53.80 per litre. They have fixed per gallon taxes as well as taxes which are a fixed percentage of the sales tax. In fact, in US taxes and charges only account for 12-15 percent. Not even USA, but Pakistan fuel prices are 16 percent less than ours. Whereas if we compare prices with our neighbour Sri Lanka, they are 15 percent less and China is 2 percent less.

Locally decreasing fuel tax can decrease fuel prices, but globally prices are set by supply 
and demand, and therefore fuel tax decreases have no effect on fuel prices, and fuel tax increases actually decreases fuel prices by reducing demand. There is a need for better internal fuel pricing. We need a balance where one can enjoy affordable fuel prices. Oil companies are getting reasonable returns whereas our government gets the required revenue.

Do comment below ! Your feedback is valuable :)

Beat the Petrol & Diesel price rise - Tips on saving fuel

Petrol and diesel prices are going up as time progress. We can expect a few more doses of price hike as oil companies are not left to defend themselves from the increase in global prices.

However, Saving petrol means saving money one can do to improve fuel economy. It's more important to keep tabs in fuel spending.

Tips to save your daily fuel spending:

• Speeding might get us to our destination faster, but we are decreasing our car fuel efficiency.
• Don't drive like an insane- Quick braking & acceleration wastes gas.
• Don't let your engine idle - Idling more than a minute consumes much more fuel than restarting the engine.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in your car - It improves your car mileage
• Get a tuneup - make sure oil change is on schedule. Little maintenance helps in a better fuel economy.
• Check tires - Under inflated tires create drag & can decrease our vehicle gas mileage. Make sure to check tyre pressure.
• Invest in a fuel-efficient vehicle - Trading in a car that gets 8.5 km/litre for one which gets 12.7 km/litre can save us much more per year in fuel.
• Drive less - Using your feet or pedal power can save us cash and help us to stay in better shape.
• Plan your journey so that you avoid congestion, road works and getting lost. Avoid traffic route - use GPS Navigating System. Check for traffic maps from Google. Now you can also check our real time traffic maps on Traffline. Look out for our Android or iPhone app for a fuel saving commute. 
• Share Driving - Set up a carpool with a coworker who stay nearby to save fuel instead. Find other ways to get to work.
• You can also use cash back credit cards to save your pocket. Take advantage of discounts available.

So save fuel and drive more efficiently :)

Car Insurance - Must remember these things!

Traffic and rising costs of car repair are the indicators of a valuable vehicle insurance. We all usually take good care of our Vehicle. As vehicle insurance is mandatory by law, every vehicle owner must know the features and factors of vehicle insurance premiums.

Features of vehicle insurance:

A comprehensive policy cover is more valuable in addition to a third party liability cover. It is better to check online for insurance providers, as there are many insurance agents approaching you at the first place. Your new car dealer may advice you for an insurance. Insurance is usually expensive from a vehicle dealer. Seek quotes from different insurance companies.

Make sure you read the insurance documents carefully - Car insurance has its own list of frills. Insurance policy includes damage/loss of your vehicle due to natural calamities, theft, accident and terrorist activities. Also covers risk against riots, strikes and loss/damage while in transit. By paying additional premium accessories like music system, air-conditioner, etc can be covered. Vehicle insurance covers only book value of the damaged parts. Premiums are paid by you annually.The insurance company pays for cost of damaged parts which needs to be replaced and the minimum labour cost to repair vehicle. Depreciation for rubber/plastic/nylon parts is calculated at 50%
& 30% in case of fibre glass components.
The insurance doesn't include consequential loss, depreciation, mechanical and electrical breakdown, failure or breakage. Insurance is not valid when vehicle is used outside the geographical area.

Premium determining factors:

The Insurance premium rate depends on model, cubic capacity, area or locality of registration, expected usage in terms of mileage, theft rate, age of vehicle,, safety threat, etc. A new vehicle means higher insurance premiums. Even a good driving record keeps your premium at low rate. Commercial use of your vehicle will push up the premium rates.

Insurance Claim Procedure
In case of accident, following documents are a mandate:

• Proof of insurance policy
• Original and a copy of Registration Book.
• Original and a copy of Driving License of the person driving the vehicle at the time of accident.
• FIR in case of accident involving Third Party Injury or Damage.
• Claim form along with the original estimate of repairs obtained from the workshop.
  

After submitting the documents, the inspector verifies the damaged parts and authenticate the estimate of repairs. The car can be repaired, once the inspection gets done. In case your car is stolen, you need to inform about the theft to the nearest police station and your insurance company immediately.


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Happy Commuting :)

"A penny saved is a penny earned” - necessary know-how on PUC Certificate

We all know that PUC is something that we need to get done once we start owning a vehicle. However most of us are completely unaware of the rules and the wake up call is when a traffic cop pulls us aside and asks for a PUC certificate. Traffic cops have been smartly using no PUC certificate to fine drivers and in some cases raise the fines.

Traffline

This post is about providing you the essentials of PUC in Mumbai and Delhi. If you need any more information then please don't hesitate to write us.

Where to get your PUC certificate?

Look for computerized systems near petrol pumps & workshops. To facilitate the process CNG mobile vehicles are available on the road sides.

When to get it done in Delhi

After a year of registration & thereafter every 3 months A check assures us of avoiding FINES 

When to get it done in Mumbai

Every 6 months after a year of registration

Charges in Delhi for PUC Check:                         Charges in Mumbai for PUC check:

2 & 3 wheeler: INR 35                                           2 & 3 wheeler: INR 60

4 Wheeler: INR 45                                                 4 wheeler: INR 80

Diesel Vehicle: INR 60                                           Diesel Vehicle: INR 100

 About us !

At Traffline we help commuters save time and money. Our Real time traffic map equips you with travel time & live feeds on traffic along your route. At present serving for a happy commute in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. If you are in Mumbai, dial 9223111000 for a traffic status check on your route.

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