I'm going to buy a used car next month, can anyone provide information or links on the process of doing it here in thailand? I'm buying it directly from the car owner not from a dealership so thats why we may have to do the paperworks ourselves... any help i would appreciate it.. thanks!

Whatever you do, take a trusted Thai friend with you when negotiating. Kahit marunong ka mag-Thai, mas kampante sila kapag kapwa nila ang kausap. One of the things to look at is updated blue book. Ipa-confirm mo na yung pangalan sa blue book ay yung sa owner nga [hingi ka Thai ID]. The other thing to negotiate is that the owner transfer ownership and registration for you, you might have to pay him an extra 500 baht or so to do this. And when he claims na-transfer na in your name, check the blue book again to make sure it's i your name, written in Romanized letters. Inspect the registration receipt, and finally make sure updated ang sticker. The year should be 2553 at this time. Also, the usual contract of sale, kung pwede in Thai and English, then have your Thai friend check this, too.

Insurance, insist on 1st class. Siguro naman alam mo na ang siste dito: in case of accident, it's always the foreigner's fault. Kahit malinaw na sila ang may sala, sayo pa rin ang bagsak ng sisi. Therefore, 1st class insurance saves you the pain and hassle of having to deal with locals.

Other than that, it's the usual car sale process, assuming you know how to check engine and other peripherals.

You might want to check if the vehicle has gone through regular maintenance checks, etc.
Most car owners who take good care of their car would regularly go for maintenance checks at the same service center/shop. This should be easy to invetigate since computer-based na naman mostly ng mga records dito sa Thailand.

This is a god indication that most likely, in good condition pa naman ang car na bibilhin mo. And as BP said, check mo ang expiry date, both ng insurance and the registration. Baka kasi kakailanganin mo na palang magrenew ng insurance, e, that's an additional 20K at least if you're gunning for the first-class one, which is highly recommended.

Well, nice advices here...but, for me, I rather not buy a second-hand car because you never know its longevity - unless you know the owner so well (that he/she takes care of it like a baby...he he he)

Overall, I rather not buy a car at all coz it is too expensive and entails a huge responsibility. I hate additional responsibilities, plus the traffic and all. I will die with all that. Though, I am thinking of having a motorcycle to get me around faster than a taxicab. I am such a hopeless freak when it comes to Bangkok traffic.

Dieg0 wrote:
I'm going to buy a used car next month, can anyone provide information or links on the process of doing it here in thailand? I'm buying it directly from the car owner not from a dealership so thats why we may have to do the paperworks ourselves... any help i would appreciate it.. thanks!

Good to have you here Diego. And glad to hear other suggestions here as well.

BTW, here is something that might be of use too.

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10 Things to Check Before You Buy a Used Car

That story about the friend of a friend who bought the total lemon of a car from the sweet grandmother is not always an urban legend! Many people are tricked into buying cars that should be junked and are worth nothing, but look fine on the outside, under the hood and started well on the test-drive. Buying a used car is often the best and most financially efficient choice for many consumers, however many used car buyers don't look close enough at the pre-owned vehicle or they look at the wrong things.

To stop that list of used car tragedies from including your story, read the following tips on checking out a used car properly. And remember, dealers are trustworthy, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't check out all aspects of a pre-owned vehicle on a dealer lot.

1. See the car in daylight. Not only will you be able to see the body better, you can examine all the other parts without hassling with a flashlight.

2. Start it first thing in the morning, after it has been sitting for a while.

3. Inspect the car to your satisfaction, and don't let a dealer or current owner tell you what to check and what is okay.

4. Test-drive it! On the drive, listen for sounds like hissing or clanging. Feel for a smooth acceleration and check that the vehicle idles well. Make a sudden stop as well as regular stops to check the brakes.

5. Look inside: Check out the upholstery, dashboard, seats and windows. In general be checking for damages and stains.

6. And out: Look for evidence of an accident (unless you were told that it had happened, which is a rare occasion!) such as unevenness in the seams of the trunk and hood, insides of the trunk and under the hood, and in the wheel wells. Also check for fluid leaks underneath the car.

7. Try out all of the dash controls like interior and exterior lights, turn signals and windshield wipers. Check to see that seats and windows move and are in proper condition (or as promised).

8. Check heat, air conditioning, audio system, alarm and other accessories that you would be paying for.

9. Be sure that there is a gas cap, owner's manual, service records and clear title to the car. Vehicle title fraud is a growing problem, don't be a victim!

10. If you are clueless, bring along a friend or relative who is car savvy to help you.

Whether you have found the car at a dealership, used-car lot or private residence, don't skimp on the tests and examinations. Take your time and pay attention to the details.

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