Used car buying guide - Avoid getting tricked

[Stiener]

Remember to bring a torch light and try to find signs of repairs. If you sense something is not right, ask. If the sales person find you annoying, look elsewhere. Try to find an experience driver to go with you to shortlist cars. Some signs are very visible to ppl who drive often, sometimes you don't even need to drive it to suspect problems. Anyway, your friend can also provide a 2nd opinion compared to first person that my be influenced by the sales person.

[Mercs]

Tampering with the mileage is just plain unethical.

 

I would avoid such car dealers..

[Santafe]

Beware 2nd hand dealers charging gst on the final price.

 

I myself just experienced it recently. After trying hard to bargain off the asking price, they said the company is a gst reg company hence need to charge me on gst.

 

Of coz I walked away from the deal and called iras to report the company.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Santafe

[Tanly]

I have a couple of car dealer friends, says thats is ON AVERAGE, but you cant deny the fact that MOST have done 40-50K per year. How do you define that then? IF you do have a car which has a mileage on the high side, couple of owners, the time comes when you want to sell if and what happens? ask for a higher price? isnt that absurd? so whats your point? everyone is trying to make a living, and people are complaining about higher mileage cars and 3 owners. Skeptical? Well if you are willing to put this way, then probably you are better off taking the MRT. Everyone is trying to sell their cars high and buy new cars cheap, Regardless of mileage.

 

 

[J96949]

Many yrs back, I made a stupid mistake. I failed to check the fuel gauge. TMD, it's almost empty... :P

[Neutralsg]

Beware 2nd hand dealers charging gst on the final price.

 

I myself just experienced it recently. After trying hard to bargain off the asking price, they said the company is a gst reg company hence need to charge me on gst.

 

Of coz I walked away from the deal and called iras to report the company.

Thank you for highlighting this component (GST charge) which can make a significant difference between the original and final price. Therefore, it would be good for potential buyers to 1st check with the company if they will charge GST even before considering to view their cars unless one is prepared to pay for it.

Btw, if they are GST registered company, it is legal for them to charge although some would have zero rated GST i.e. included in the intended sales price.

Therefore, unless they are not a GST registered company, reporting to IRAS will not make any difference.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Neutralsg

[Neutralsg]

Many yrs back, I made a stupid mistake. I failed to check the fuel gauge. TMD, it's almost empty... :P

I don't think buyers should quibble over such matters so long as the car can be driven to the nearest petrol station to fill up the tank.

It usually amazes me the extent of demand some used car buyers expect from dealers. For info, even AD do not provide full tank when a car is released. If they do, take it that it's a goodwill from them.

[Tarquin]

I don't think buyers should quibble over such matters so long as the car can be driven to the nearest petrol station to fill up the tank.

It usually amazes me the extent of demand some used car buyers expect from dealers. For info, even AD do not provide full tank when a car is released. If they do, take it that it's a goodwill from them.

 

But you can "fish"...the time I got my ride I joked with the dealer to top up full with a smile..

 

When I came to collect he top up half and he says he took it from his pocket...I just laughed never really was serious with the request..so quite a good guy..

 

[Achtung]

mai kiam kana leh bro

 

Many yrs back, I made a stupid mistake. I failed to check the fuel gauge. TMD, it's almost empty... :P

 

[Ril3k]

Thank you for highlighting this component (GST charge) which can make a significant difference between the original and final price. Therefore, it would be good for potential buyers to 1st check with the company if they will charge GST even before considering to view their cars unless one is prepared to pay for it.

Btw, if they are GST registered company, it is legal for them to charge although some would have zero rated GST i.e. included in the intended sales price.

Therefore, unless they are not a GST registered company, reporting to IRAS will not make any difference.

 

Actually zero rated is usually for export.. does not apply to local car sales..

Usually 2 scenarios

1. seller is GST registered and include the GST in the sale price. E.g. car is $140k incl GST or

2. seller is GST registered and excluded the GST from sale price. So final sale price have to add 7% GST

 

At the end of the day.. is a pricing strategy to get sales..

 

U're right to say if seller is not gst registered and they try to charge GST.. can report them to IRAS..

 

[Neutralsg]

Actually zero rated is usually for export.. does not apply to local car sales..

Usually 2 scenarios

1. seller is GST registered and include the GST in the sale price. E.g. car is $140k incl GST or

2. seller is GST registered and excluded the GST from sale price. So final sale price have to add 7% GST

 

At the end of the day.. is a pricing strategy to get sales..

 

U're right to say if seller is not gst registered and they try to charge GST.. can report them to IRAS..

Yes. That's correct. Thanks for the clarification which is useful to readers in this thread. Hence, should negotiate / clarify and go for point 1 as opposed point 2 for GST registered dealers.