It is a good idea to set a
price range for a start. Used cars can go for as low as less than 50,000 pesos
and upwards to seven-digit amounts, depending on the model, make, year and
condition among others. One can then try to get an idea of what car fits the
budget through online buy-and-sell sites such as sulit.com.ph and ayosdito.ph.
As per recent trends, in general, five-to-eight-year-old models cost between
250,000 and 700,000 pesos. Cars from 15 to 20 years ago can be in the
100,000-to-150,000-pesos range. For the price of a high-end smartphone, one can
actually buy a car – a pretty old one, though.
While it is a lot better to buy
a car from someone you know or from banks (for repossessed vehicles), it is
also worth a shot to check buy-and-sell web sites. We got ours from one and I’m
pretty confident that we actually got a good deal. Sometimes, sellers don’t
like neighbors or relatives to know their properties are for sale. Guess where
they advertise together with those who don’t mind.
Nevertheless, it is quite scary
to scout for used cars from people you only know online. So of course the first
rule is don’t trust anyone. Make sure that every word said can be proven either
by the car itself or an accompanying document.
According to some mechanics and
brokers, Honda cars have the highest resale value; Mitsubishi and Toyota are
good. While repair and spare parts are cheaper with Toyota cars, many units might
have been used as taxi cabs. An uncle who knows about cars says Nissan is a bad
choice. Ask around for recommendations. Once you have a target brand and model
in mind, find cars for sale and make a shortlist of your choices. It counts to
check frequently as new advertisements may be posted every once in a while, and
businessmen are quick to grab good-quality cars.
Read carefully the complete
advertisement and study the pictures. Default information include the model,
make/brand and year, reason for selling, seller’s location and contact
information. The first thing to check after that is if it has no legal
liabilities and if it comes with complete documents. If the plate number is
available, it can be used to get the last date of registration and other quick
facts by texting “LTO VEHICLE (plate number)” to 2600. Unless the information
retrieved is satisfactory, you can move on to your next prospects.
Once the legal criterion is
satisfied, it is time to communicate with the seller about potential issues
with the car, such as usage history (where is it usually brought, where is it
parked); maintenance patterns (where is it serviced, is the owner knowledgeable
in car maintenance); parts that were already replaced and those that might need
replacement (especially for old cars); and problems experienced. Used cars, of
course, will never be as perfect as their brand new state. Be aware that sellers
may lie and that if it sounds too good then it might not be true. You might
want to consult experts to help you judge a car’s value.
When you finally visit and
inspect the car, after you are convinced of its value, make sure you are
accompanied by a mechanic, someone expert in car engine and electronics. Have
him check the engine, battery and wiring connections. Inspect the tires and
look for dents and scratches. Test all the lights, audio, and air conditioning
and check that all doors, parts and compartments are working. Do not forget the
wipers, windshield sprayers, locks, windows and trunk compartment. Also take a
look at the registration documents, insurance, OR/CR and sale contract. An open
deed of sale has the required information blank, which means ownership can be
transferred with less hassle. After purchase, make sure you get the contact
details of the seller.
Post comments below if you have
questions about my car search and purchase experience.
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