How do I buy a used car?

Hello LoneWolfNY,

Thank you for starting this new thread to ask your question.

I had to change the title of your thread so that it will better suit your request.

Like this now, people will already know what your thread is about only by reading the title.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

Are you thinking that a used car will be a better value than a new car? Be prepared to pay a lot because depreciation is not nearly as much as in the west. Why? I suspect because people do not sell their cars as frequently. Anyway, as to yoir question, where to finf a used car, my only suggestion wouls be FB Marketplace. Car dealerships here do not usually have used car businesses.

FB Marketplace is best here... I am in Dipolog area... Lots of used are garbage with lipstick on so be careful...  if you know a Goodish mechanic it's not a bad idea to have the car you find looked at before purchase...

Wise words Wellsfry.

We looked at used cars 4 years ago, ended up buying new as the many cars we looked at had no service history (CASA). Some didn't have papers or rego after wasting time to look at them, one seller even said the owner is back in the States and when asked for papers and power of attorney they took of with not so much as a "By your leave".

Be very careful buying S/H cars here.

Also our car is 3 and a half years old now and only 15K on the clock, every time it's serviced the dealer recommends new spark plugs, you think they would remember that spark plugs are good for 100 to 150K kilometres. So watch new car dealerships as well especially honoring the warranty/repairs for faults.

Cheers, Steve.

Thank you all for your feedback. It was very helpful. I will look into the FB Market, and also an inexpensive new car.  Reading "BigPearl" post, this sound how we intend to use the car if we go new. Not a lot of mileage. It may be the best approach.

Thanks all

Lone Wolf

Thank you all for your feedback. It was very helpful. I will look into the FB Market, and also an inexpensive new car. Reading "BigPearl" post, this sound how we intend to use the car if we go new. Not a lot of mileage. It may be the best approach.
Thanks all

Lone Wolf
-@LoneWolfNY

If money is not an issue then go new as the frustrations involved in the second hand market were simply a big waste of time here. Buying a new car you also get 3 plus years of government registration and no need for emission tests annually (sometimes waiting in a queue all day only to be given a number and come back tomorrow sir) nor visiting the LTO (standing in line for hours on end) and you are in control of the care and maintenance.

Our car is 3 and a half years old and seriously considering buying another new car for less headaches as the rego is due next month.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

Either buy new or very low miles, under warranty, with complete service records, preferably from the dealer (Casa maintained). In 2014 I bought a 6 month old used Kia Rio hatch with only 3K on the odometer from an expat who was leaving. My main criteria, believe it or not, after witnessing a couple of wrecks - was dual airbags, which was hard to find at the time. It had tons of high end features and was immaculate. It also turned out to be kind of gutless, lol. Scary trying to pass on an uphill.. We (mostly her taking kids to private schools, plus weekend trips) drove that for 5 years though, with zero issues.

Then in 2020 we sold it and bought a 2 year old Mazda with 20K clicks on it from a small dealer on FB marketplace. It already had a couple niggles to be sorted out so I definitely would not go higher on miles. Cars here tend to not get the proper maintenance as many Filipinos cut corners on that. And the registration can turn out to be a big hassle. Papers are often not in order and we had to get them to notarize another form from the orig owner. But the Mazda is a fun and sporty car with a 2 liter Skyactive engine, so I'm happy. I also have a multicab pickup at our other place in the province, and we have a couple small motorbikes for errands and school.

I don't buy new or expensive cars in the PI as I also keep a car and motorcycle in the States. Can't afford to sink more into vehicles than I already have, lol. I'm kind of a car guy, and all were bought used, 2-3 years old, with factory warranty and service recs, always for cash.

I just bought new. I have no interest in the hassles of used here. It'll likely be my last car ever, so I can leave something good to my honey when I'm outta here for the afterlife. And it's paid for. Making it easy for her.