Trying to buy a used car in Thailand

[BaldPlumber]

OK, I know that prices in Thailand for cars and trucks are ridiculous disproportionate compared to western countries with more mature markets, but, being in the market for a decent used car or truck I seem to be having no luck at all.

 

So far, my experience has been that a lot of so-called private sellers, at least the ones that I have met, seem to be at best liars and at worst confidence tricksters. So far I have experienced:-

 

• 2011 cars being advertised as 2014. Yes I can understand a years difference for a say, a November or December car but seriously, 3 years!
• Cars with extremely low mileage, but mysteriously not a single bit of evidence to the cars service history. No service book, no receipts, nothing.
• Cars with the 'owners' names not in the blue book
• Dubious claims to power of attorney for 3rd parties but with no contact details for the actual 3rd party
• Second key missing. This seems to be surprisingly common, especially where the actual ownership of the car is to say the least, suspicious.
• Cars being advertised as in brand new condition with 100K+ km on the clock - really?
• Claims of being able to make a 3rd party transfer direct to my name and in my province for a car registered in a different province. I might be wrong, but I think this is unlikely to be true.

 

To be fair, I have spoken to some private sellers who have cars that are genuine, but ask unrealistically high prices. I understand this, but no, I am not going to pay 100K baht more than your car is worth just because it is your pride and joy.

 

I dislike car dealers here for the same reason I dislike them at home. Actually, here they seem to be worse and don't really seem to be too bothered with trying to sell at all. It makes me wonder why car dealers don't try recruiting staff from places like Home Pro where the staff seem delighted to help you with a 1000 baht purchase. So, if at all possible, I would prefer to buy privately.

 

On the plus side, I have decided that a car or truck is not so urgent and I can wait for the right opportunity. But, I am wondering if I am looking in the right places. These are the places that I have been looking and my opinion of them.

 

bahtsold.com - not bad but very low volume

taladrod.com - all Thai website, but easy enough to understand and navigate. good search facility, good price comparison function. Unfortunately, seems to be mostly dealers / traders / tent outfits

thaivisa classifieds - good, but low volume

craigslist.com - OK, but has a surprising amount of fake adverts for what reason I have no idea

 

So, does anyone have any suggestions for alternative sources? Previously I was thinking about a small city sized car like a fiesta, but lately I've been thinking more in terms of a diesel pick-up, preferably a manual shift.

 

Any recommendations gratefully received.

 

 

 

[keeniau96]

I bought my wife a very used Suzuki Caribe (we need 4x4 due to our road). Bought it from a Brit teacher at Phuket In'tl School who was returning home at end of school. Good condition and very believable seller. Found it advertised in Phuket Gazette, recommend looking there, also here on TV for classifieds. End of school is good target for such offerings.

[bazza73]

Bahtsold and TV classifieds have a fairly good range.

 

The OP could also try Siam Motor World ( Bangkok ) or Expat Auto ( Chiang Mai ). They specialise in selling vehicles to falangs, from falangs.

 

The Blue Book discrepancies are quite common, because a vehicle bought in a neighboring country then transferred to Thailand one or two years later gets recorded at the first date of registration in Thailand. It can be a bargaining point if you check the chassis code.

 

I would only buy a used car here with less than 100K on the odometer. Even then, you should be budgeting some funds to get everything checked out and rectified where necessary. My first priority with the two cars I have bought was to put a set of new Michelins on them.

 

You can't really go too wrong with a used Toyota Vios. The engine is bulletproof, there are plenty of them around at reasonable prices, and just about every mechanic in Thailand knows how to work on them.

 

I don't know if the OP is familiar with the Ford acronym - Fix Or Repair Daily.

 

I assume the OP looks for people selling up and leaving the country. Sometimes a bargain, sometimes a false ad.

[Henryford]

I would never buy second hand in Thailand, just asking for trouble. As you say with the high second hand prices it's often the choice between a 5 year old car with 70,000 on the clock for say 400k or a brand new one with a warranty for 600k. No brainer.

[Namplik]

What do you do with your old cars then? Trade it in when buying a new one, or sell it yourself? 

[MINIMIGLIA]

I always trade them in so much less hastle

[gdgbb]

one2car.com is a good source.

[Rdrokit]

Check out the used cars at a large Toyota dealer. They are called Sure Used Cars and come with a warranty.

 

https://www.toyotasure.com/wanttobuy/wanttobuy.aspx

[shady86]

You will need some knowledge on car or your can bring a mechanic friend to check the car.

The car's blue book will tell you the year manufactured so it can't be faked.

 

Also, transfer could be done at LTD to make sure the owner is genuine.

 

As usual, buying used stuff always depend on luck

[JAS21]

6 hours ago, shady86 said:

You will need some knowledge on car or your can bring a mechanic friend to check the car.

The car's blue book will tell you the year manufactured so it can't be faked.

 

Also, transfer could be done at LTD to make sure the owner is genuine.

 

As usual, buying used stuff always depend on luck

I think that you will find the Blue Book will only tell you when it was registered. 

[Rdrokit]

1 hour ago, JAS21 said:

I think that you will find the Blue Book will only tell you when it was registered. 

It will also list all the previous owners of the vehicle. Look for a one owner car with all the maintenance records.

[JAS21]

29 minutes ago, Rdrokit said:

It will also list all the previous owners of the vehicle. Look for a one owner car with all the maintenance records.

I was trying to point out, to you in a polite way,  that the Blue Book will not indicate the month and year of manufacture. The VIN will give you that info and so should the seat belt tag ... if it hasn't been cut off.

 

An example ... all the Ford EcoBoosts were built end of 2013 and beginning of 2014. However many are advertised as 2015 and shown in the Blue Book as that.

 

e.g .. Step-daughters EcoBoost was bought June 2015 but built Dec 2013. Did get 100K off the price. It had just been sitting in a field for many months. Date in Blue Book is July 2015.

 

Anyway Mr BP knows all this and more. He is so peed of looking that he is about to give up until after the Motor Show....he has also given me a headache ...just joking BP       I do wish this topic would close though, it really has run it's course and we are now going around and around in circles as people won't read the complete topic before posting ....nothing unusual in that though ...

Edited March 13, 2017 by JAS21

[jonnyscot]

Kaidee or bahtsold, I sold our Toyota Vigo a year or so back on Kaidee in less than a week so the website seems to be getting the circulation, now selling the wife's Volvo xc60, I tried bahtsold this time, not sure which other sites she's used


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[BaldPlumber]

Given up trying now

Came to realise that it's more cost effective to hire a car as and when I need one.

Living in a city a car is impractical for day to day use given the ridiculous traffic congestion, so use would really be restricted for traveling away.

Surprisingly enough, car rental cost is extremely reasonable.

So, problem solved.

Thanks all