Second hand cars for sale online in Thailand

What you need to know

Buying a second hand car in Thailand is becoming more popular these days because of its practicality. And because of the high demand, many websites also sprang up in Thailand to take advantage of the opportunity to sell second-hand cars.

However, unlike visiting a dealership or sellers where you can immediately see the cars they are selling, on online websites, you can only see photos and or videos of the cars. This situation poses some problems with online buyers.

To avoid getting into a situation where you thought you had a good purchase but the car turns out to be a lemon, it's important to remember these things when you are looking for a used car for sale online.

 

1. Remember the phrase - "Buyer Beware"

Many people in Thailand are enjoying the convenience of shopping online to seek out good deals when buying second-hand cars. Unfortunately, some of these transactions turn sour. 

In many online buy-and-sell situations, the seller fails to deliver what is promised. To reduce your risk of bumping into this kind of seller, it's important to check out the seller first before browsing their used cars for sale.

Reviews, ratings, feedback and comments from other buyers can tell you whether a seller is legit or not. Apart from that, you can also get an idea of the number of buyers who are happy with their purchases from the same website.

A quick search on your browser will point you to many online sellers of second-hand cars in Thailand. However, as part of buyer beware, don't be too quick to trust a website or online seller unless you can find proof of their successful past transactions. This is where reading reviews, ratings, feedback and comments really matter. If you can find a referral from someone you know who is happy with their online purchase, that will also help you find a legitimate seller.

 

2. Many online sellers do not offer any support after the purchase has been made

One important fact about many online sellers in Thailand is that they don't offer support once the purchase has been made. If you want to receive support in case you encounter any issues right after getting the car, check first with the seller what kind of after-sales support they offer.

For established brands like Cars24 that sell second hand cars, you may be lucky to get customer support even after bringing home the car. Read their purchase policy to know more about the kind of services they offer to their customers. Some of these websites even offer free repair services for a limited time.

 

3. Many second hand cars for sale online are way overpriced

In Thailand, you can find many online sellers for second hand cars. However, it's important to note that some of these online websites are run by car agencies that earn by jacking up the price of the original seller or car owner. More often, their prices are way higher than average market prices. 

To get the best deal, check the market price of the model of car you are planning to buy. From there, you'll have an idea of the price you should be looking at. Of course, if you find a used car you really like, it will not hurt to negotiate so that you can get it at a lower price, or you can probably get after-purchase free services or support.

There are also websites that will help you get in touch directly with the sellers. These websites typically sell at a much cheaper price. 

 

4. The biggest risk of buying a used car online is you don't know its history

More often, when you check for used cars online, you don't have access to the car's history. It might have been stolen, flooded, involved in an accident, or involved in a crime. 

To protect yourself from buying a car with a bad history, buy only from a dealer or website that provides a full-service history of the car. Although this document does not tell you the whole history of the car, it will tell you of any major repair the car has undergone in the past. From there, you can have an idea of any accident or situation the car encountered.

Additionally, you could also contact the Department of Land Transport and check if the car you want to buy has a bad record.

Now that we've listed the top four things that you need to know about buying second hand cars online, it's time to check some tips to get a good deal:

Tip # 1. Do not settle for just one or two online sellers.

The best thing about comparing online is that it is very convenient since you don't have to visit each seller's location. You can simply search for "second-hand cars for sale online" with your location and you can easily find the websites and online listings where you can check your options. 

Since online sellers are just within your reach, don't limit yourself to checking just one or two places. Select at least five legitimate websites that sell used cars online before making a decision to buy. The more used cars you can compare, the more informed you will be.

Tip # 2. Check the market price of the used car model you are planning to buy.

Before you start comparing, you should have already identified your preferred car model and mileage. From these two factors, you can then check the prevailing market price of the used car. This will be your basis when comparing your options.

You can also set a price range for your budget based on the existing market price. And if your preferred car is higher than the market price, try to negotiate so that you can get a good deal. 

Tip # 3. Check the mileage.

During your initial research, don't just focus on the price but check how much distance it has covered. The cheapest car isn't necessarily the best choice especially if it has run thousands of miles more than your other options in the same price range.

Also, it's worth noting that generally, the higher the mileage, the older the car is. This also means older parts and more parts that need replacement earlier than you expect. 

Tip # 4. Schedule actual viewing and test drive before buying.

These two are a must before buying a car. For the actual viewing, make sure to bring someone who is an expert at checking used cars. After viewing, don't skip on test driving the car. Try the car at different speeds and listen for any irritating noise or rattles. Make sure also that both the brakes and clutch are responsive and working as they should.

With the information and tips we provided, we hope that you can get a great deal on your purchase of a second-hand car online.