I’m considering buying a vehicle or motorcycle here in Thailand. Can some genuine, wise and knowledge people please give some friendly advise of the hidden pitfalls and necessary steps to take. E.g. the pros or cons are of putting the ownership in your name or your wife’s name. The advantages and disadvantages of purchasing either new or old in Thailand  (other than the obvious) , buying privately versus from a dealer, the buyers protection or rights? For the benefit of sincere dialogue could any self proclaimed comedians please refrain.

Moving to the Thailand Motor Discussion forum. 

For the uninitiated, buying new is the safest option.

 

If paying outright (no finance) the process is simple and worry free. 

If trying to get finance there is some leg work and hoops to jump though. 

 

If buying second hand there is no consumer protection, thus you have to go on instinct or get a trusted mechanic to check the vehicle out.

If buying second hand look at sites like one2car.com for price comparisons. 

 

Buying second hand privately from a user - you may be able to get a handle on the personality etc. 

Buying second hand from a dealer / tent may be associated with greater risk, especially as dealers are notoriously less trustworthy than the average person selling his own second hand car. 

 

Second hand cars could have covered up flood damage or worse, have been in a serious accident (written off) and repaired for resale by unscrupulous dealers (there was a recent story on this forum of a guy who’d purchased a Honda Civic only to find out it had been an insurance write off).

 

Always get a second hand car checked out by a mechanic you trust (if you are not able to check out a car yourself).

 

Pro’s and con’s of putting the vehicle in your own name or your wife’s name are fairly obvious - Guys who don’t trust their wives will tell you to put the car in your own name.

For many in normal relationships it's not an issue who’s name the car goes into - only you can judge that. 

 

 

 

if it's your car and you will be primary driver, no sensible reason to put it in your wife's name. If she will be driving it the majority of the time then her name makes more sense. 

Why put it in your wife's name? Foreigners can own cars here.

Wait until her birthday, anniversary  or some other gift-giving event. 
 

Buy whatever car you want and give to your wife as a gift. 
 

Three birds with one stone

50% down you might be able too in your name 

If buying 2nd hand just ensure unincumbered 

What's your concern ? I've bought both new & second hand car & bikes here. As previous only issue is making sure unencumbered if used. New, not a problem. keep it, them, in your name.

I would defiantly put it in your name, whether you trust the missus or not, worse case scenario IMO (apart from it being sold from under you when her family get into debt), is that if the missus was to die, then its not yours, but her families, (a will, I hear, good luck with that TIT.)

On 1/14/2021 at 1:14 PM, WayWokeWhiteGuy said:

Wait until her birthday, anniversary  or some other gift-giving event. 
 

Buy whatever car you want and give to your wife as a gift. 
 

Three birds with one stone

Problem is, birds can avoid a stone and fly off.

39 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

I would defiantly put it in your name, whether you trust the missus or not, worse case scenario IMO (apart from it being sold from under you when her family get into debt), is that if the missus was to die, then its not yours, but her families, (a will, I hear, good luck with that TIT.)

Also, good to throw all your stuff in when its time to say bye.

I need new lady !!!!!!!!!!

( it's called a getaway vehicle ) 

23 minutes ago, quake said:

Also, good to throw all your stuff in when its time to say bye.

I need new lady !!!!!!!!!!

( it's called a getaway vehicle ) 

And maybe invest in a roof rack, for the larger items.

On 1/14/2021 at 9:07 AM, wprime said:

Why put it in your wife's name? Foreigners can own cars here.

very true

I purchased a used car from a dealer in Bangkok.  I looked at private sales on Facebook and even looked at a few of them.  The vast majority were from Russian sellers and some did not have the book in their name.  I am told this is typical when vehicles are damaged and then repaired and sold to unsuspecting buyers.  

I would buy second hand again since it is so much cheaper.  However, whether through a dealer or a private party demand that you are allowed to get the car inspected by the dealership who sells that brand.  So you buy a Toyota, demand you get the car inspected at a Toyota dealership. 

It is "easier" to put the car in the Thai persons name but not difficult to put in yours.  You go to immigration and get a certificate of residence and that goes with the book to change from prior owners name to yours.  That is what I did, and the insurance is in my name but anyone can drive the car. 

On 1/16/2021 at 8:49 AM, brianthainess said:

Problem is, birds can avoid a stone and fly off.

Why is that a problem?