How does Bharat NCAP crash test certification work in India?

Bharat NCAP (B-NCAP), introduced by MoRTH under AIS-197, tests passenger vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. It conducts Frontal Offset (64 km/h), Side Impact (50 km/h), and Pole Side Impact (29 km/h) crash tests to assign star ratings (1 to 5 stars) based on adult occupant protection (AOP) and child occupant protection (COP) scores.

How is BH Series road tax calculated for newly purchased cars in India?

Under Central Motor Vehicles Rule 51B, Bharat Series road tax is computed on the vehicle invoice price excluding GST. The statutory tax rate is 8% for vehicles under ₹10 Lakh, 10% between ₹10L–₹20L, and 12% above ₹20L (with +2% surcharge for diesel and -2% rebate for electric). Road tax is paid biennially (for 2 years at a time), which simplifies directly to (Lifetime Tax ÷ 6).

How does Delhi-NCR 10-year diesel rule affect used car resale valuation?

Under National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court orders, diesel vehicles are de-registered after 10 years in the Delhi-NCR territory. Consequently, diesel cars face steep secondary market discounts (often ~35% lower residual value after year 5) because prospective buyers must account for the shortened legal lifespan and inter-state NOC transfer expenses.

Programmatic Vehicle DatabaseUpdated for 2026 Models

Indian Car Specifications Hub

Q: What is the difference between ARAI mileage and real-world fuel economy?

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) measures fuel economy under controlled dyno laboratory testing adhering to Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Real-world Indian driving involves stop-and-go metro traffic, ambient air-conditioning loads, and varying road conditions, typically resulting in 15% to 25% lower mileage than certified ARAI test figures.

Explore verified technical specifications, dimensions, ARAI certified mileage, Bharat NCAP crash safety ratings, MoRTH BH Series road tax estimations, and secondary market resale gauges for top passenger vehicles in India.

Browse by Make:Maruti Suzuki (3)Hyundai (2)Tata (2)Mahindra (2)Kia (1)Toyota (1)Honda (1)

Featured Indian Car Models

Showing 12 verified models

Maruti SuzukiHatchback

Understanding Technical Specifications for Indian Cars

When choosing a new vehicle in India, looking past marketing brochures to statutory technical parameters helps you make an objective, long-term decision suited to Indian tarmac, monsoons, and local RTO regulations:

Ground Clearance (Unladen vs Laden): Unladen clearance indicates the distance between the lowest point of the vehicle underbody and the ground. For Indian roads, compact and mid-size SUVs with 180 mm to 210 mm ground clearance easily navigate tall speed breakers and flooded monsoon roads without scraping the catalytic converter or oil sump.
ARAI Certified Mileage: Fuel efficiency is certified under Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) dynamometer drive cycles under Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR). Expect real-world metro city running to be approximately 15% to 20% lower than ARAI figures due to stop-and-go congestion and continuous AC usage.
Bharat NCAP Crash Safety Protocol: India’s indigenous vehicle safety rating programme (AIS-197) awards stars (1 to 5) based on adult occupant protection (offset deformable barrier frontal test at 64 km/h) and child occupant safety with ISOFIX anchorage integrity.

MoRTH Rule 51B: BH Series Road Tax vs State Registration

The Bharat Series (BH Series) pan-India registration eliminates the requirement to re-register private vehicles when moving across state borders. Rather than paying 15-year road tax upfront (8% to 18% in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, or Delhi), BH series vehicles pay road tax every two years:

Base Formula: Biennial Tax = (Base Invoice Excl. GST × Slab Rate) ÷ 6.
Slab Thresholds: 8% for under ₹10 Lakh, 10% for ₹10L–₹20L, and 12% for above ₹20L (+2% for diesel, -2% for EV).
Showroom Cashflow Benefit: You save between ₹60,000 and ₹2,50,000 in immediate cash at delivery, paying only for the 2-year cycle.

To calculate precise biennial tax and verify Form 60 eligibility for private and government employees, access our dedicated BH Series Road Tax Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions on Indian Car Specifications

What is the difference between ARAI mileage and real-world fuel economy?

ARAI fuel efficiency is tested in controlled laboratory dynamometer conditions under Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Real-world metro traffic, continuous air conditioning, passenger loads, and road topography typically result in 15% to 25% lower mileage than the ARAI test certificate.

How does Bharat NCAP crash test certification work?

Bharat NCAP (B-NCAP), introduced under Automotive Industry Standard 197 (AIS-197), tests passenger vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kg. It conducts 64 km/h frontal offset crash tests, 50 km/h side impact tests, and 29 km/h pole side tests, assigning 1 to 5 stars for adult and child occupant protection.

How is BH Series road tax calculated on new car purchases?

Under MoRTH Rule 51B, BH road tax is calculated on the vehicle invoice price excluding GST. The statutory tax rate is 8% for vehicles under ₹10 Lakh, 10% for ₹10L to ₹20L, and 12% for above ₹20L. Because tax is paid biennially (for 2 years at a time), the amount due at delivery is exactly Lifetime Tax divided by 6.

Why do diesel vehicles depreciate faster in Delhi-NCR?

Under National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court directives, diesel vehicles cannot ply on roads in Delhi-NCR after completing 10 years from initial registration. Consequently, secondary market buyers demand a steep 30% to 40% discount on 5+ year old diesel cars due to the compressed legal operating lifespan.

Featured Indian Car Models

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai Creta

Tata Nexon

Mahindra Scorpio-N

Tata Punch

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Kia Seltos

Mahindra Thar

Toyota Innova Hycross

Honda City

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Venue

Understanding Technical Specifications for Indian Cars

MoRTH Rule 51B: BH Series Road Tax vs State Registration

Frequently Asked Questions on Indian Car Specifications