Is it v risky buying a used car in Bangkok?

[Bkk2061]

Either from the classifieds or the dealerships or the auctions...... 

 

I have enough cash to buy a new  but I get bored easily and if I don't like it that much I'll  have to change it and try to avoid eating the depreciation twice...

 

I see a lot of used pickups that seem reasonably priced on the market ford /mazda /toyota/Isuzu  and a bit tempted to get one and put bigger wheels on it instead of a  boring sedan like a camry or an accord... 

 

 

Any and all thoughts are welcome! :) 

 

 

[HampiK]

I think first you should know what kind of car you want.. Pickup or Sedan....

You wrote pickups with reasonably prices.. but pickups are mostly as new cars already very cheap compared to for example sedan cars.

 

The only good think on a pickup in my eyes is the higher seating and the storage on the back if you really need them. Else a SUV would also give higher seating.. but of course a pickup is always much cheaper than an SUV too :)

[Bkk2061]

1 minute ago, HampiK said:

I think first you should know what kind of car you want.. Pickup or Sedan....

You wrote pickups with reasonably prices.. but pickups are mostly as new cars already very cheap compared to for example sedan cars.

 

The only good think on a pickup in my eyes is the higher seating and the storage on the back if you really need them. Else a SUV would also give higher seating.. but of course a pickup is always much cheaper than an SUV too :)

 

I kinda prefer the truck option thb... Simply because I haven't owned one before, of course it's cheaper than a luxury sedan and they look cool with minor upgrades.... 

 

It's mainly the buying from tents, used dealers or the classifieds thing I'm a bit apprehensive about..... 

 

There are seemingly loads of tents packed with cars and pickups  on the ratchada Rd and many other rds around town but can you trust what they're selling etc and is it possible to haggle much as a foreigner? 

 

They all seem packed with cars, I don't know what the turnover is like but it doesn't look they're selling too many.... 

 

 

Anyone care to share any experiences (good or bad) of the Thai used car market would be very welcome... 

[petermik]

Water damage/clocking/shunting are common practices here and especially in Bangkok....proceed with caution

[Bkk2061]

19 minutes ago, petermik said:

Water damage/clocking/shunting are common practices here and especially in Bangkok....proceed with caution

Exactly my concern.. 

And also Thais who couldn't care less about servicing and just buy new and sell it when it still  looks shiny after 2-3 Yr....... 

[petermik]

7 hours ago, petermik said:

Water damage/clocking/shunting are common practices here and especially in Bangkok....proceed with caution

 

7 hours ago, Bkk2061 said:

Exactly my concern.. 

And also Thais who couldn't care less about servicing and just buy new and sell it when it still  looks shiny after 2-3 Yr....... 

Minefield.............

[kartman]

Just now, petermik said:

 

Minefield.............

Just like any other country 

[bobbin]

I bought a less than 2 year old Mazda 2 Elegance with a little over 20K km. from a tent in Bangkok. I saved over 250,000 Baht versus new price. Still had 14 months of warranty left..

 

I've had no problems with it.

 

 

 

 

[Bkk2061]

19 hours ago, kartman said:

Just like any other country 

The corruption in thailand cannot be compared to a developed country lol

 

If in doubt, see current  mazda debacle... 

[canthai55]

23 hours ago, Bkk2061 said:

 is it possible to haggle much as a foreigner? 

Bangkok - Berlin - Buenos Aires - same same

Make an offer. If taken, good, If not, walk

Not as if it is the last one like it you will find.

[Bkk2061]

23 hours ago, petermik said:

Water damage/clocking/shunting are common practices here and especially in Bangkok....proceed with caution

 

Is clocking still  possible with today's modern odometers? 

[canthai55]

47 minutes ago, Bkk2061 said:

 

Is clocking still  possible with today's modern odometers? 

Yes, it is. But ... If you know cars, and what to look for - buying used will save you money, offer much more selection.

Those that say 'Buy only New' 'All used cars are tampered with and sold by Cheats' etc,etc,etc ... the same old song repeated over the years since the horse was retired, are the ones who know where the key goes, and how to use a fone to call the dealer for help.

[CPH]

Most of the used cars for sale have been damaged. Thais do not want to keep a car when it has been in an accident. They then take the money from insurance, and insurance sell the car when repaired. 

[simoh1490]

1 minute ago, CPH said:

Most of the used cars for sale have been damaged. Thais do not want to keep a car when it has been in an accident. They then take the money from insurance, and insurance sell the car when repaired. 

Rubbish, Thai's get their vehicles repaired just like the people of every country do!

[Denim]

Bought three tent cars here. No problems. You do however need to know about cars and what to look for in a secondhand car just as you do in your own country.

[madhav]

So many good used cars out there, and of course some abused ones also. I don’t think you can paint all Thai people with the same brush and say they never look after or service their cars. When I was looking and eventually purchased my Skoda Fabia and Golf Gti, I found plenty of clearly well maintained examples out there. 

 

If you are concerned, my suggestion is to only buy a used car with:

 

1: Warranty still in tact and also

 

2: Clear proof of service with logbook (dates/stamps/signatures).

 

If the dealer starts making up excuses or can’t produce the logbook service records, just move on and find another car.