If you thought that the fuel ban on older vehicles in Delhi was giving car owners sleepless nights, then it was a nightmare for second-hand car dealers as the prices nosedived to almost 50%. With the life of vehicles in Delhi NCR limited to 10 years for diesel and 15 years for petrol vehicles, there is hardly any resale value for a person selling the car, and second, car dealers are forced to sell them at lower prices. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has revealed that the pre-owned car market has become chaotic as around 60 lakh vehicles are affected by the end-of-life ban (EOF) on vehicles, which will be implemented on November 1, 2025.
Delhi’s second-hand car prices crash like never before
Some may say that this could be the best time to buy a second-hand car, and that is true. Speaking to PTI, Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) Chairman Brijesh Goyal explains that the prices of used cars are tumbling like never before because of the end-of-life ban on vehicles. He said ever since the drive against old cars began, the prices of second-hand cars have crashed by 40% to 50%. There might be a temporary relief for the Delhi residents, but come November, it will be back to sink or swim for them. Goyal said, “Businessmen in Delhi are now compelled to sell vehicles at one-fourth of their original price. Luxury used cars that earlier fetched Rs 6 lakh to 7 lakh are now being sold for barely Rs 4 lakh to 5 lakh. Buyers from other states are aware of the challenges faced by Delhi-based traders and are negotiating accordingly.”
There is another option. Used car dealers can apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Transport Department for each car and then sell it to other states. This simple process has also hit a roadblock, as the dealers are now facing a lot of delays from the authorities.
With the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) confirming that the EOF ban is making its comeback on November 1, this might be a good time to sell your old car and look are a value-for-money deal in the pre-owned car market.
