Vaikom: The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has issued a crucial advisory urging sellers to complete the ownership transfer of vehicles within 14 days of sale. The warning comes amid rising legal disputes involving vehicles whose ownership transfer was delayed. According to the MVD, the registered owner as per the Registration Certificate (RC) will be held accountable in case of any issues or violations involving the vehicle, even after its sale, until the transfer is officially processed.
To complete the transfer, sellers are required to submit an application at the local Regional Transport Office (RTO), paying the applicable fee to finalize the ownership change. For vehicles over 15 years old, an affidavit on Rs 200 stamp paper, signed by the buyer, is mandatory to ensure the vehicle is liability-free.
The MVD has clarified that simply signing a sale document or agreement is insufficient, even if the sale is made to a relative, friend, or second-hand dealer. The legal transfer must be officially documented with the RTO to avoid any future complications.
This issue also highlights the need for regulatory oversight among second-hand vehicle dealers. Despite the popularity of the used vehicle market, only three second-hand dealers in Kerala are registered with the RTO. These dealers bear the responsibility of ensuring that every vehicle sold has its ownership transferred properly, helping to mitigate risks for both buyers and sellers.
This directive emphasizes the importance of immediate and official ownership transfers, offering protection to both parties from legal liability and potential disputes.
