Delhi's Used Car Market: Prices Plummet as Old Car Rules Bite!

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## Delhi's Used Car Market: Prices Plummet as Old Car Rules Bite!

Thinking of buying a used car in Delhi? You might be in luck, but there's a big, complicated reason why prices have suddenly dropped like a stone. According to the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), second-hand car prices in the capital have crashed by a staggering 40-50% in just the last few days!

The main culprit? Strict new rules about "End-of-Life" (EOL) vehicles. These are cars that have simply gotten too old to be on Delhi's roads – specifically, diesel cars over 10 years old and petrol cars over 15 years old. From July 1st, these older vehicles are not allowed to refuel, are being deregistered, and can't even be driven in the city, all due to a court order aimed at improving air quality.

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal highlighted that nearly 60 lakh (that's 6 million!) vehicles are caught in this bind. This sudden drop has put immense pressure on the thousands of car traders in areas like Karol Bagh, Preet Vihar, and Pitampura. They're being forced to sell cars at rock-bottom prices, sometimes even a quarter of what they were worth just a week ago. Imagine a luxury used car that once fetched Rs 6-7 lakh now going for a mere Rs 4-5 lakh!

While cars from Delhi often find new homes in states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, buyers from these areas are now fully aware of Delhi traders' desperation. They're bargaining aggressively, squeezing profits even further for the sellers.

Adding to their woes, getting a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) – a crucial document needed to sell a Delhi-registered car in another state – has become a nightmare. What used to be a smooth process is now riddled with delays and complications from the Transport Department.

Interestingly, the Delhi government recently asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to put a temporary hold on the fuel ban. They argued that implementing such a ban immediately is proving difficult due to "technological challenges."

So, while the air quality initiative is well-intentioned, it's created a massive ripple effect in Delhi's used car market. For potential buyers, it might seem like a golden opportunity for a bargain. But for the thousands of traders and millions of car owners, it's a challenging time, navigating new rules and plummeting values in a rapidly changing landscape.

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