What are the tips and steps for buying a used car in Thailand as an expat?

Used car prices are so high might as well buy new in Thailand

We tried expat auto Chiang Mai. Excellent customer service. Google it and you will find their website and a Facebook profile.

If you are after a mechanic to check a car out for issues before buying, I highly recommend James from Car Tech. Based at Sattahip, approx a 35 to 40 odd minute drive from central Pattaya depending on traffic.

James is English and I have used him a number of times over the last few years.

Honest and knowledgeable.

Don't bother would be my tip! Massively overpriced and Thais don't take care of anything. Go new for not a lot more!

Hi. Have a look at Toyota Sure. That's their second hand division. You will pay more but will have the guarantee its not financed, stolen etc. Looking at the tents sales, I've noticed so many vehicles having 60 to 80k kms on them, might be being too suspicious but I do wonder if they are being clocked. Check the tag on the seat belts. They have a manufacture date on them and are usually fitted within a tight timescale so is a good indication of when the vehicle was actually made.

Go to the big car tents on the number 9 ring road in south west side of Bkk, thousands of cars to choose from,. I found the dealers to be very accommodating, letting you look around and inside plus test drive, they do tend to push you for a deposit if your interested in a particular car, but decline and say you have to look at other cars,. I bought mine off an advertiser on FB marketplace, (most dealers and private sellers are on it) my expierience was brilliant, messaged seller, he gave me gps location and met him there, car was at his house on a massive secure estate, he dealt from home and had about half a dozen cars there, all prepped for sale, price was negotiable, I got bht off price and he did all paperwork in my partners name as she has house book,. I got 12 months road tax and 12 months insurance in the deal to,. There was no warranty on car but with a couple of issues I had after a couple of months he pointed me in the right direction to get good cheap repairs, I got the car I wanted at the price I was willing to pay and I’m well happy with it, I only looked at about 4 cars, but did loads of research on the ones I narrowed it down to, I don’t think I would have gone to far wrong on any of the cars I looked at,.it’s easier if you know what you want, Toyota Prius is your choice so concentrate on that model,. I paid cash for my car so no finance headaches,. I would say Bkk is the car dealer capital, easier running around Bkk rather than doing hundreds of kms out in the country,. Plus FB market place and baht & sold plus one2car are decent platforms for browsing,.

Used cars are way overpriced here. We ended up buying a new car

Less hassles

Definitely check the year of manufacture against the registration year. We came across a few that were much older than the registered year. Ended up buying new.

I would honestly look at the main dealer Toyota approved sales. Spending a little more could save you in the long run.

Check out prices on Taladrod.com and one2car.... Most cars will be Bangkok, but the dealer will sort the transfer so relatively painless.

The process buying private is a little involved and can go sideways.

I've known a couple nightmare private sales.

It is easier to buy from a dealer who handles the transfer, inspection etc. For you.

And if something isn't right you have recourse.

All you need to supply is your passport and a residence certificate.

Peace of mind.

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