Detour: Tips for Buying Used Cars in the Philippines
Tips for Buying Used Cars in the Philippines
Are you planning to buy a used or pre-loved car? Here are some important things to consider:
1. Plate number. It is generally better to buy a used car with a plate number belonging to the province or region you are from. This means the car was most probably bought and used in the locality. For instance, if you’re from Cebu cars bought and used here are usually better than those that are bought and used in other places that are prone to flooding or have experienced severe flooding. Make sure that the car carries the original or LTO-issued plate number. If the plate number is not LTO-issued (due to damge or loss of the original plate), ask for the original copy of LTO authorization.
2. Year model and mileage. An old car with an unusually low mileage is suspect. Most probably, the odometer is rigged. Generally, yes generally, a car will have 10,000 km per year which means it is not overused.
3. Number of Ownership. Usually a first owned, second hand car is a good buy. Too many past owners won’t be good.
4. Hire A Good Car Mechanic. It is better to ask for the assistance of a good car mechanic to help you determine the car’s engine. Hiring a good mechanic (for Php 300-500) won’t cost you much as when you get a bad engine.
5. Car Controls, Levels, and Gauges. Check whether all lights(signal, brake, head, tail lights, etc.), windows, wipers, sound system, dashboard gauges (fuel, temperature, speedometer, etc), car seats and seatbelts, and the airconditioner are functioning well. Also check the car trunk and fuel levers if they are working properly. Do the check on standby and on a test drive.
6. Original Car Paint. Check if the car’s paint is still original. Original car paint usually means that the car has not undergone any body repair (due to damage).
7. Test Drive. Do a drive test with your mechanic. The most important part of the car is its engine and your mechanic will be able to tell you whether the car is worth your hard-earned money. Old cars with engines matted with turbo are usually problematic.
8. Maintenance Record. If the car was bought and maintained locally, you can check for the maintenance record to see if the car has undergone major repairs.
9. Manual or Automatic? Diesel or Gas? Depending upon your need and preference. A manual transmission is generally easier to maintain. If you have an issue with fuel consumption and traffic, diesel cars are a good choice. Just like many people, I prefer a car with a manual transmission and drinks on diesel.
10. Check with LTO. Check whether the car is above board. You can visit the LTO office nearest you or text LTO VEHICLE PLATE NUMBER to 2600. Example: LTO VEHICLE JHS493 and send to 2600.
11. Important Documents. Check the following: Original copy of Certificate of Vehicle Registration (CR) and Original copy of Receipt of Registration (OR). Also, inquire about the type of insurance in which car is enrolled.
12. Full Disclosure. I’m no lawyer, but to make sure you are getting your money’s worth ask for a full disclosure on the car’s information specifically on where and when the car was bought by the first or last owner, odometer reading, whether the car has undergone major repairs, experience overheating, involved in an accident, or subject to any claims in the deed of sale. This will protect you from being a victim of fraudulent and unscrupulous car sellers and agents.
1. Plate number. It is generally better to buy a used car with a plate number belonging to the province or region you are from. This means the car was most probably bought and used in the locality. For instance, if you’re from Cebu cars bought and used here are usually better than those that are bought and used in other places that are prone to flooding or have experienced severe flooding. Make sure that the car carries the original or LTO-issued plate number. If the plate number is not LTO-issued (due to damge or loss of the original plate), ask for the original copy of LTO authorization.
2. Year model and mileage. An old car with an unusually low mileage is suspect. Most probably, the odometer is rigged. Generally, yes generally, a car will have 10,000 km per year which means it is not overused.
3. Number of Ownership. Usually a first owned, second hand car is a good buy. Too many past owners won’t be good.
4. Hire A Good Car Mechanic. It is better to ask for the assistance of a good car mechanic to help you determine the car’s engine. Hiring a good mechanic (for Php 300-500) won’t cost you much as when you get a bad engine.
5. Car Controls, Levels, and Gauges. Check whether all lights(signal, brake, head, tail lights, etc.), windows, wipers, sound system, dashboard gauges (fuel, temperature, speedometer, etc), car seats and seatbelts, and the airconditioner are functioning well. Also check the car trunk and fuel levers if they are working properly. Do the check on standby and on a test drive.
6. Original Car Paint. Check if the car’s paint is still original. Original car paint usually means that the car has not undergone any body repair (due to damage).
7. Test Drive. Do a drive test with your mechanic. The most important part of the car is its engine and your mechanic will be able to tell you whether the car is worth your hard-earned money. Old cars with engines matted with turbo are usually problematic.
8. Maintenance Record. If the car was bought and maintained locally, you can check for the maintenance record to see if the car has undergone major repairs.
9. Manual or Automatic? Diesel or Gas? Depending upon your need and preference. A manual transmission is generally easier to maintain. If you have an issue with fuel consumption and traffic, diesel cars are a good choice. Just like many people, I prefer a car with a manual transmission and drinks on diesel.
10. Check with LTO. Check whether the car is above board. You can visit the LTO office nearest you or text LTO VEHICLE PLATE NUMBER to 2600. Example: LTO VEHICLE JHS493 and send to 2600.
11. Important Documents. Check the following: Original copy of Certificate of Vehicle Registration (CR) and Original copy of Receipt of Registration (OR). Also, inquire about the type of insurance in which car is enrolled.
12. Full Disclosure. I’m no lawyer, but to make sure you are getting your money’s worth ask for a full disclosure on the car’s information specifically on where and when the car was bought by the first or last owner, odometer reading, whether the car has undergone major repairs, experience overheating, involved in an accident, or subject to any claims in the deed of sale. This will protect you from being a victim of fraudulent and unscrupulous car sellers and agents.
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