Why You Must Check RC Before Buying a Used Bike Checking the RC of a used bike before purchase is one of the most important steps in the buying process. It protects you from buying a stolen vehicle, a bike with an active loan (hypothecation), a bike with expired documentation, or a bike that doesn't match the seller's claimed ownership. This takes 2 minutes and is completely free. There is no excuse to skip this step when buying any used vehicle. Method 1: Parivahan Portal (parivahan.gov.in) Step 1: Open a browser and go to the Parivahan portal. Step 2: Click on 'Informational Services' in the top menu. Step 3: Select 'Know Your Vehicle Details'. Step 4: Enter the vehicle registration number (e.g., MH02AB1234 — exactly as it appears on the number plate). Step 5: Enter the verification code shown and click 'Search Vehicle'. Step 6: You will see: Registered Owner Name, Registration Date, RC Validity, Vehicle Class, Fuel Type, Maker/Model, Chassis Number, Engine Number, Insurance Policy Number & Expiry, Fitness Expiry, Tax Validity, Hypothecation (loan) details. Step 1: Download the mParivahan app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Step 2: Open the app and tap on 'RC' in the services section. Step 3: Enter the vehicle number and tap 'Get Details'. Step 4: All RC details appear instantly — same as the Parivahan portal but faster on mobile. The mParivahan RC is legally valid as proof of registration and can be shown to traffic police. Red Flags to Watch For in the RC Details Hypothecation showing a bank/NBFC name: The bike has an active loan. Do not buy until the loan is cleared and NOC obtained. Check our guide on how to sell/buy bikes with loans. RC validity expired: The RC needs to be renewed before the bike can be legally used. Factor renewal cost (₹300–₹500 for two-wheelers) into your offer. Insurance expired: Mandatory third-party insurance must be valid. An expired insurance means the bike cannot be legally ridden. Owner name doesn't match seller: This is a major red flag. The person selling must be the registered owner (or have a proper power of attorney from the registered owner). PUC expired: Minor issue — a PUC test costs ₹60–₹100 and takes 10 minutes. But factor this in if negotiating. How BikeBro Verifies RC for Every Transaction BikeBro's documentation team verifies every vehicle's RC details through the Parivahan portal before any transaction. We check ownership, hypothecation status, insurance, fitness, and tax validity. When you buy from BikeBro, you receive a Verification Report showing all the RC details we've confirmed. When you sell to BikeBro, we verify your RC to ensure smooth ownership transfer. How do I check if a bike is stolen using the RC number? The Parivahan portal does not directly show if a bike is stolen. To check this, visit your local police station and request a vehicle theft verification. BikeBro's documentation team also cross-references vehicles against the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) database. What if the RC details on Parivahan are different from the physical RC? This is a serious discrepancy. Either the RC has been tampered with, or the Parivahan record hasn't been updated after a previous transfer. Do not buy the bike until you visit the RTO and clarify the discrepancy with official records. Can I check RC details using the engine or chassis number? Yes. The Parivahan portal allows searching by registration number, chassis number, or engine number. If you only have the engine/chassis number (for example, the number plate is unclear), you can still verify the vehicle's status.