Price variations in personal vehicles across different regions of Sri Lanka

[Buddhika Karunanayaka]

I've noticed significant price variations in personal vehicles across different regions of Sri Lanka. For example, vehicle prices in Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, and the Northern areas all differ. However, the most noticeable discrepancy is in the Kurunegala area, where many used vehicles are considerably cheaper and often show lower mileage compared to other regions. I'm curious to understand the reason behind this – is it due to unethical practices such as odometer tampering, or possibly unauthorized vehicle imports?

[john cooper]

We were in the market recently, and I don't think that was correct, especially the "significant price variations"

Finding a genuine seller in SL is like finding a needle in a haystack; 99.9% are pretending to be sellers, but they all either home base car sellers or someone linked to small to medium dealers.

While we are hunting for a good replacement, we have missed a couple of genuine sales due to the delay in mobilising someone to go and check the vehicle.
The very same vehicles show up in different area's very next day with a good margin from it's previously posted price. (Six digit margin)

One of them moved out from Colombo to the Gampaha area, and the other vehicle moved from Kurunegala to Homagama.

So I don't believe it is true unless you are referring to significant price variations as 5 digit price or less.

[Buddhika Karunanayaka]

34 minutes ago, john cooper said:

We were in the market recently, and I don't think that was correct, especially the "significant price variations"

Finding a genuine seller in SL is like finding a needle in a haystack; 99.9% are pretending to be sellers, but they all either home base car sellers or someone linked to small to medium dealers.

While we are hunting for a good replacement, we have missed a couple of genuine sales due to the delay in mobilising someone to go and check the vehicle.
The very same vehicles show up in different area's very next day with a good margin from it's previously posted price. (Six digit margin)

One of them moved out from Colombo to the Gampaha area, and the other vehicle moved from Kurunegala to Homagama.

So I don't believe it is true unless you are referring to significant price variations as 5 digit price or less.

Dear John

Thank you very much for sharing your perspective. It may very well be true upon deeper analysis. As individuals searching for a suitable vehicle for home use, we often find ourselves caught between government compliances and taxes, vehicle dealers, and third-party buyers and sellers. The process is always a struggle.