Step 1: Set a budget that includes everything
The ex-showroom price is only the start. Add first-year insurance, TCS (1% on invoices above ₹10 lakh), road tax and registration, number plates and FASTag, and any accessories. Ask for a written on-road price, and check that it includes everything you were told. See how the on-road price adds up.
Step 2: Know Delhi's rules
- Diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years old cannot be used in Delhi, so factor in how long you plan to keep the car.
- Electric cars up to ₹30 lakh pay no road tax or registration fee in Delhi until 31 March 2030.
- Scrapping an old vehicle when you buy an electric car can earn a ₹1 lakh incentive in Delhi, subject to eligibility.
- If you live in Noida or Faridabad, you register in Uttar Pradesh or Haryana, with different charges.
Step 3: Choose the fuel type
| Fuel | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | Low daily use, long trips, tight budgets | Higher running cost, road tax in Delhi |
| Diesel | Very high highway use | 10-year age limit in Delhi, higher price |
| CNG | City driving on a budget | Boot space lost to the tank, fewer models |
| Electric | Daily city use with home charging | Higher purchase price, needs a place to charge |
Our petrol vs electric comparison has the numbers.
Step 4: Take a proper test drive
- Drive on roads you use every day, at the time you use them.
- Sit in every seat, with the child seats and the people who will use the car.
- Check visibility, parking, boot space and how the air-conditioning copes.
- Ask what the first three years of servicing will cost.
Step 5: Arrange finance and exchange
Get a loan quote from at least two lenders. Banks approve and disburse loans, and a dealer cannot guarantee approval. If you are exchanging a car, ask how long the valuation is valid; at YouWe it is valid for seven days.
Step 6: Documents, payment and delivery
- Documents: address proof (passport, electricity bill or telephone bill), photo ID (PAN, voter ID or Aadhaar), and PAN or Form 60 at least a day before delivery.
- Payment: pay only to the dealership's named account, and take a receipt for every payment.
- Prices: the price prevailing on the day of delivery applies, so confirm it in writing.
- Registration: the RC smart card typically arrives 45 to 60 days after registration.
Frequently asked questions
What documents are needed to buy a car in Delhi?
Address proof (passport, electricity bill or telephone bill), photo ID (PAN card, voter ID or Aadhaar), and your PAN or Form 60. Documents should reach the dealer at least a day before delivery.
How long does registration take?
The vehicle is registered before delivery, and the RC smart card typically arrives from the RTO 45 to 60 days later.
Keep reading
Electric car price in Delhi (2026): every VinFast variant
Every VinFast variant with its ex-showroom price, and what else goes into the on-road price.
Read the guide → ComparePetrol vs electric car in Delhi: which should you buy?
An honest comparison for Delhi buyers, including the cases where petrol is still the better choice.
Read the guide → Delhi EV policyDelhi EV Policy 2026: road tax, registration and scrappage benefits
₹0 road tax and registration until 2030, and a ₹1 lakh scrappage incentive. What it means for you.
Read the guide → Electric carsElectric cars in Delhi: prices, range and road tax in 2026
What an electric car costs in Delhi, how far it goes, where to charge and what you save.
Read the guide →