Delhi fuel ban rule, end-of-life vehicle policy, Mercedes-Benz ML350 resale, Varun Vij car sale, Delhi diesel vehicle restriction, petrol 15-year rule, vehicle resale Delhi ban, air pollution control measures
Meta Description: A Delhi man sold his ₹84-lakh Mercedes for just ₹2.5 lakh due to the city’s fuel ban on older vehicles. The new rule restricts fueling diesel cars over 10 years and petrol cars over 15 years.
In a striking example of the unintended consequences of Delhi’s new fuel ban, a resident named Varun Vij was forced to sell his Mercedes-Benz ML350, originally purchased for ₹84 lakh, for a mere ₹2.5 lakh. The drastic depreciation wasn’t due to mechanical issues or wear and tear—the luxury SUV was in excellent condition with just 1.35 lakh kilometers on the odometer—but rather the new fuel restrictions imposed by the Delhi government.
Effective July 1, 2025, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced a strict ban on refueling diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region. The move is part of a broader strategy to combat Delhi’s severe air pollution, which is largely attributed to vehicular emissions.
Vij, who had cherished the vehicle for a decade and used it for weekly 7–8 hour drives to pick up his son from boarding school, described the sale as an emotional blow. “I had hoped to renew the registration, but that didn’t work out. No one wanted to buy it, and eventually, I had to sell it under compulsion,” he told reporters.
Despite the car’s pristine condition and sentimental value, the new regulation rendered it practically unusable within Delhi. With no buyers willing to pay a fair price, Vij had no choice but to accept a fraction of its worth. He has since invested ₹62 lakh in an electric vehicle, hoping to avoid similar policy pitfalls in the future.
The new rule has sparked concern among many vehicle owners, especially those with high-end diesel or petrol cars nearing the age limit. Posters stating “Fuel will not be dispensed to End-of-Life Vehicles” have now become a common sight at Delhi’s fuel stations, and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are being used to enforce the ban in real time3.
While the policy aims to reduce pollution and promote cleaner alternatives, it has also triggered a wave of distress sales and raised questions about the financial impact on responsible vehicle owners. As Delhi pushes toward a greener future, many are left grappling with the cost of compliance.