Thinking of buying a used car? Let Automacha walk you through the whole thing, one step at a time.
Buying a second-hand car is something many Malaysians consider at some point, whether it is to save money, avoid depreciation, or just score a way better ride for pennies on the dollar. But while the idea of a used car might appeal to a lot of people, there’s also a surprisingly large number of Malaysians who simply don’t know how to go about doing just that.
And frankly, even with the internet overflowing with information, there are still a lot of basic — yet crucial — questions about buying a used car that don’t get clearly answered. Like: What should you actually look out for when inspecting a used car? Or: What exactly is a “processing fee”?
So having recently gone through the process himself, this writer thought it might be useful to put together a series on how to actually go about buying a used car. One that includes all the small, inane details that one only learns by going through it all personally.
Part 1: The Determination
Since this is meant to be a proper step-by-step guide, we might as well start right at the beginning, with figuring out what car you want in the first place.
And here, there are the two very basic questions you need to answer before the search even begins:
- What kind of car do you actually want?
- How much do you want to (or can comfortably) spend on it?
Now, while the first question may sound obvious, there’s actually more to it than meets the eye. It’s not just about picking a car you like, it’s more about balancing practicality vs desire.
Think beyond just the looks or the badge, and consider what really matters to you. Do you want something cheap to maintain? Fun to drive? Tech-loaded? High-riding and family-friendly? Or maybe all of the above?
Pro tip: Always be flexible with your expectations. This writer for example ended up choosing a (arguably) smaller and less powerful Audi A3 over the BMW F30 3 Series he originally (and resolutely) set his heart on.
Why? Well, after test driving both, the Audi just felt qualitatively better to be in for any period of time, even if the BMW ticked all the boxes on paper for speed, space, and status.
As for the second question regarding money meanwhile, remember that budgeting isn’t just about the car’s sticker price, but the eventual running of the car as well. It is prudent to set aside a buffer fund too for the inevitable post-purchase niceties, like a dashcam, window tinting, a basic service, or even just a proper detailing session to help your used car feel fresh again.
Now having figured out your answers to those two questions, it’s time to narrow things down even further by asking yourself: Which exact car are you looking for?
Sure, you might already have a make and model in mind, but it is just as important to drill down into the exact variant and even production year. Such is as small differences like a facelift or spec update can make a big difference in features, reliability and even resale value.
This is also the part where some degree of research becomes unavoidable. Go through old launch articles, spec sheets, and period reviews of the car to get a clearer idea of what each version of the car actually offers. (Try to stick with local news and reviews where possible, not just to support our local automotive media, but also because they’re far more relevant to what you’re actually buying.)
It is also highly recommended to spend some time (where possible) on the Facebook owners’ groups of the car you want. These communities are gold mines of information on what could go wrong with your next ride, based on what has gone wrong with theirs. Plus, they often contain a wealth of tips, mods, and hacks to make your ride that little bit better to live with.
For the more sociable among you as well, it pays ask a trusted mechanic for their thoughts on your potential next ride. After all, they are the ones who’ve seen these cars go wrong, and they’ll know what typically breaks and what it costs to fix.
No trusted mechanic in your phonebook? Just call a specialist workshop and ask. You’d really be surprised how many are happy to share their honest opinions.
P.S: Remember how this writer ended up buying an Audi A3 instead of a BMW? Here’s another tip: just punch your budget into your favourite car classified site and see what’s out there. You might be surprised by what you can actually afford. (More on this in the next part)
P.P.S: While the plan is to eventually make this section into its own full-length deep dive, it hasn’t quite materialised yet. So for now, here are a few underrated gems in the used car marketplace — just to throw some ideas out there:
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2nd Generation): A surprisingly affordable continental crossover, with not much that typically goes wrong.
- Subaru XV: A slightly old school and small SUV, that just so happens to also be a dream to drive in all conditions.
- Audi A3: Essentially a Golf Mk7 with a boot, but with more badge appeal and, oddly enough, often a lower price tag on the used market.
