AA car evaluation report for the second hand car I'm buying

[Picanto]

Suggest you get a pre-owned from Performance Motors, as least you know that they have the spares readily available.

 

then you will be paying lots more for cars from PM. worth it for peace of mind?

[Tohto]

Suggest you get a pre-owned from Performance Motors, as least you know that they have the spares readily available.

 

Spares are always easily available at outside BMW specialise workshops which are many outside.

[Jano]

yup they have.

 

http://www.aas.com.sg/?show=content&sh...w=8&val=210

member - $90

public - $120

*price excludes GST

 

 

walaoz i was bluff by the dealer say they are not AAS member so cannot send it in for check.

so do they have rating like A B C etc? coz for STA they say if B & C can take becoz there's rarely A due to lemon law..... but we saw a few also have A under STA

hmm

Edited November 11, 2012 by Jano

[Nzy]

walaoz i was bluff by the dealer say they are not AAS member so cannot send it in for check.

so do they have rating like A B C etc? coz for STA they say if B & C can take becoz there's rarely A due to lemon law..... but we saw a few also have A under STA

hmm

 

STA B or C almost any car can get. My old car got bad rear end accident and front also had accident before till the car can't really go straight even after doing the alignment. Still get B. And the boot was leaking as well.

[Finclk]

AA report is really merciless man. But really good for buyers. I'm going to use it next time in all my future used car purchases.

[Flying_genie]

Never bought a used car before but am curious about the inspection process.

Would a 2nd hand car dealer normally allow a potential buyer to send a car for inspection? Does a deposit need to be placed beforehand? If a deposit is required, then it may be difficult to get it back if the sale does not go through.

In this case, would buying 2nd hand cars from AD (eg : Sime Darby, Premium) be safer?

[Kweechang]

Never bought a used car before but am curious about the inspection process.

Would a 2nd hand car dealer normally allow a potential buyer to send a car for inspection? Does a deposit need to be placed beforehand? If a deposit is required, then it may be difficult to get it back if the sale does not go through.

In this case, would buying 2nd hand cars from AD (eg : Sime Darby, Premium) be safer?

I prefer buying 2nd hand cars from AD (eg : Sime Darby, Premium).

Reason:

1) Sime Darby give your 1 year warranty, if the original AD warranty expired. I think other AD also give 1 year warranty. Please check.

2) if you get from AD, like ford, BMW from Sime Darby. you can ensure that the odometer is not modified, and these cars meet the AD requirement.

 

[Jano]

STA B or C almost any car can get. My old car got bad rear end accident and front also had accident before till the car can't really go straight even after doing the alignment. Still get B. And the boot was leaking as well.

 

i c

 

i checked with AA, they use eye power n maybe measurement to check chasis

i think STA use equipment (computerised system?!? i dont know) to do chasis check. so for this particular item, i dont know go STA or AA

[Picanto]

I prefer buying 2nd hand cars from AD (eg : Sime Darby, Premium).

Reason:

1) Sime Darby give your 1 year warranty, if the original AD warranty expired. I think other AD also give 1 year warranty. Please check.

2) if you get from AD, like ford, BMW from Sime Darby. you can ensure that the odometer is not modified, and these cars meet the AD requirement.

 

you will be paying way above the mkt rate if you buy from AD

[RageX]

I prefer buying 2nd hand cars from AD (eg : Sime Darby, Premium).

Reason:

1) Sime Darby give your 1 year warranty, if the original AD warranty expired. I think other AD also give 1 year warranty. Please check.

2) if you get from AD, like ford, BMW from Sime Darby. you can ensure that the odometer is not modified, and these cars meet the AD requirement.

The cost of whatever breakdown or maintenance is needed in that 1 extra year will definitely be cheaper than the inflated prices they charge...

 

You can change like 5 or 6 gear boxes with the amount of money you save.

[Newdrive]

i c

 

i checked with AA, they use eye power n maybe measurement to check chasis

i think STA use equipment (computerised system?!? i dont know) to do chasis check. so for this particular item, i dont know go STA or AA

 

 

if u are ok with just brief, A, B, C grading etc without telling u exactly whats wrong. go ahead with STA.

 

if u want to know right to the details whats wrong, go ahead with AA.

 

simple as that. just look at my report on the first post and compare it with grading A, B, C etc and see what u prefer.

 

btw, i read about stories, STA ppl taking bribes from dealers and award nice grade to sub par cars.

 

oh also... i doubt a computer will tell u this faults:

 

 

 

STA doing eye check for this may just grade it a B... if the repair fulfills their requirement.

 

BUT AA will tell u there is such a repair... and usually accident will have such repairs.

Edited November 13, 2012 by Newdrive

[Nzy]

if u are ok with just brief, A, B, C grading etc without telling u exactly whats wrong. go ahead with STA.

 

if u want to know right to the details whats wrong, go ahead with AA.

 

simple as that. just look at my report on the first post and compare it with grading A, B, C etc and see what u prefer.

 

btw, i read about stories, STA ppl taking bribes from dealers and award nice grade to sub par cars.

 

oh also... i doubt a computer will tell u this faults:

 

 

 

 

 

STA doing eye check for this may just grade it a B... if the repair fulfills their requirement.

 

BUT AA will tell u there is such a repair... and usually accident will have such repairs.

 

Yep. I agree STA they are not as detailed. A car which has the whole rear end welded back on using another car also will get B.

 

[Celicar]

How about Vicom, what is their grading system?

[Inlinefour]

I prefer buying 2nd hand cars from AD (eg : Sime Darby, Premium).

Reason:

1) Sime Darby give your 1 year warranty, if the original AD warranty expired. I think other AD also give 1 year warranty. Please check.

2) if you get from AD, like ford, BMW from Sime Darby. you can ensure that the odometer is not modified, and these cars meet the AD requirement.

 

Agreed...we are actually paying them more for 1 more year of extended warranty...

 

 

[Voodooman]

Never bought a used car before but am curious about the inspection process.

Would a 2nd hand car dealer normally allow a potential buyer to send a car for inspection? Does a deposit need to be placed beforehand? If a deposit is required, then it may be difficult to get it back if the sale does not go through.

In this case, would buying 2nd hand cars from AD (eg : Sime Darby, Premium) be safer?

 

I usually insist on AA while the 2nd hand car dealers will almost always resist, due to AA's merciless reputation. So usually I will put a small downpayment which is fully refundable should the car fails the inspection and/ or is found to be involved in a serious accident (carving out for minor wear and tear issues), I pay for AA inspection fee. It has worked well for me over the years.

 

You are still taking risks but if dealer agrees to arrangement, it means he/ she is fairly confident of the overall condition of the car, otherwise you should walk.

 

Too bad noone can tell me the real odometer reading.... Buying from AD used car arm, I would consider if it is the same make, otherwise no point paying the premium.

[Picanto]

that means STA staff are only using eye power to check? they never take photos etc?

[Kweechang]

you will be paying way above the mkt rate if you buy from AD

I got a Ford Focus from Sime Darby. Their asking is the same as market rate, but not higher. In fact, after discount, it is below market rate.

 

Take the current market for example.

 

Ford Focus Dec 2009 $79,800 Sime Darby 35K mileage

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...495&DL=2303

 

Ford Focus Jul 2009 #72,888 (2 Owner) 59K mileage

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...227&DL=2253

 

Ford Focus Apr 2009 $71,800 70K mileage

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...120&DL=2123

 

If you compare the three cars, AD prices is not higher than market rate.

Please take in account of

1) Number of mileage

2) Number of Owner

Edited November 13, 2012 by Kweechang

[Picanto]

then most probably its a good buy since they are a reputable dealer