Top 12 tips in buying a second hand car in the Philippines

All this time, you’ve been aiming to cruise the town or go to and fro your office with your very own wheels but you just can’t have the right amount of money to buy that brand new black sedan seducing you every time you pass the nearby showroom on your way to work.  Most people say it is always better to be the one who gets to put the first miles on a car and buying a second hand car is like buying a huge problem.   For some reason these are true but if you can’t afford a new one then don’t because buying a used one is not as bad - if you know what to consider.  You will have to invest not just money but time, patience and attention to details.  Here are few tips that will guide you in buying the perfect used car for you.   

1.       Documents.  No matter how good that car is, if the papers aren’t clean, you will never be able to drive that car with peace of mind.  Do not waste your time on any car deals that don’t have these papers cleaned up.

Documents you need to check:

1.)    Original copy of Certificate of registration

                Now just because you were able to see it and hold it doesn’t mean it’s clean.  You will still need to read what is written.  Check if the word “ENCUMBERED” is written, normally at the upper right section.  If you can’t see this word, it means the car is clean and you may go proceed with the next steps.  But if you can see this word, you may forget about it and start looking for another.  An “ENCUMBERED” word written on the Certificate of registration, in simple terms, would mean that the vehicle is not yet cleared from its credit with the bank or any financial institutions that paid for the car.  Unless the seller has been downright honest to tell you at the beginning about this and hands you over the details and provides you a noble settlement deal, refuse and turn it down.

2.)    Original Receipt – Current year

3.)    Original LTO Plate number with the latest registration sticker.

If the plate number attached to the front and at the back is not the original sheet metal license plate from LTO, you will have to ask for the AUTHORITY TO USE CUSTOMIZED PLATE officially issued by the Land Transportation Office from the seller.  If he can’t provide any then turn it down.  Using customized license plate is prohibited unless you have the letter mentioned in hand every time you are out driving.  It may not be of a big issue but once you are randomly pulled over by an officer on a check point or apprehended for a traffic violation, they will ask for that piece of paper and you wouldn’t like the hassle it will cause you for not having it.

If the seller can’t show these important documents to you onset, never hesitate to leave the car.

2.       Motor and Body number.  Check the motor and body number engraved on the block and on the chassis firewall if it matches the motor number and body number written on the certificate of registration.  If you can’t find it ask the seller to locate it for you and make sure you will be able to see it for yourself.  A motor number that doesn’t match with what is written on the papers is a big trouble.  Again, never hesitate to leave.

3.       Engine leaks.  Make sure the engine bay is dry in all localities.  A trace of oil in the engine would mean a leakage is present elsewhere and would mean you shelling out another butt load of money ripping off the engine block, replacing all seals and gaskets later on.

4.       Mileage.  The number of kilometers the car travelled determines its freshness.  Take a used car with a low mileage reading.  You can always assume that a car with a relatively high mileage reading has its internal engine parts worn out which will later translate to be a huge liability in the end.

5.       Engine condition.  Do not be deceived by looks.  A beautiful car with a busted engine is useless.  The engine is normally what most un-experienced used car buyers fail to give more attention to.  If you buy a used car with poor engine condition, chances are, you might have to spend again at least half of the amount you spend in buying the whole car just to bring it back to its old glorious performance.  If you want to get the car that will give you the best value for your hard earned money, you will need to spend time on this one.

What you need to check:

                Starting – You will need to check this one in two different conditions. An engine behaves differently in its hot condition as oppose to its cold condition.  Start the engine when it’s hot and start it when it’s cold.  A cold start would mean starting the engine from several hours it has been off.  This would require you to spend hours waiting for the engine to cool down and try starting again.  If the engine starts just fine on a single try, it means engine is still in top condition.  Otherwise, engine has to be checked or cleaned. 

                Idle – Check the condition of the engine at idle.  If the idling is erratic, something is wrong with the engine.  If it idles steadily, this indicates that the engine is in condition.  You can check this by looking at the tachometer in the instrument panel.  Ideally, the engine idle reading should stay between 900 and 1000 rpm.

                Throttle response – You need to check this to see how the engine responds every time you step on the gas pedal.  If the engine revs up without delay when you step on the gas, this means that the engine responds properly as expected.  Otherwise, you can expect an untimely engine revamp few months after.

6.       Clutch & Transmission.  If this thing has not been checked properly, this could be a huge burden for you later on.  Replacing transmission parts are no joke.  They will cost a lot so you should pay sizable attention to this as well.  You can check this by rolling out for a test drive.  Feel the engine as to how the car responds as you shift gears.  Feel the shifter if it shifts from one gear to another without any trouble.  Feel the engine power at first gear as it runs from full stop.  If you feel less power, this indicates that the transmission system already needs serious attention and serious amount of cash.

7.       Wheels & Suspension.  The wheels share the same importance as to the engine.  It plays a huge role in your safety while driving.  Check the tires if it wear unevenly on one side.  If it is, this means that the tires camber alignment is not properly set and should be corrected as soon as possible.  Check the tire thread of each tire as well if it has reached its thread life and is due for replacement.  You can exploit this flaw to your advantage by asking for a price cut.

You can check the suspensions by taking it on a rough and wild ride.  Wiggles, squeaks, noise, metal on metal blares and excessive throb indicate a poor suspension system and will be costly in the long run.  Again do not hesitate to find another prospect.

8.       Brakes.  The braking system, for the most part, is important in a car for your safety, so you should pay full attention in checking this one.  Bend over to check underneath each of the 4 tires if the inside of rims and the hubs are dry.  If you see spots drenched in fluid, its break lines are leaking and needs immediate repair otherwise you will have to refill your brake fluid reservoir once in a while.  Check the brake master cylinder under the hood as well for any signs of leaks.  A leaking brake system is a huge expense later on. Don’t forget to check your e-brake as well if it holds fine.  Try to drive and set the car on an inclined road and pull the hand brake.  If the car sits still then it should be okay.

9.       Air Conditioning System.  Forget a car deal with a busted air conditioning system if you don’t want to burn your pocket for a major air-con repair.  Don’t even put a faith on sellers that will tell you “the air-con is fine, it just needs Freon charge”.  An air-con Freon, if the air-con system is sealed, does not run out or disperse even when not in use.  In fact it could last and stay inside the system for a long period of time as long as the system is locked up.  An air-con system that needs Freon charging has leaks somewhere in its route and it will never be termed as fine.  Otherwise check the air-con system performance of the car by driving it under the heat of the sun preferably at noon time.  If the air-con can’t cool the car enough then the system needs to be checked and would possibly require parts replacement soon.  The best thing is to find yourself another car deal.

10.   Electricals and Accessories.  Don’t treat these as plain car cosmetics because these hold your safety especially at night.  Check all the lights.

Head lights both high beam and low beam

Signal lights both front and rear

Fender lights

Tail lights

Brake lights

Reverse lights

Cabin lights

Trunk lights

Fog lights

Check the wiper.  Most often, this thing is neglected and not given that much importance until it rains so hard and you have to pull over because your wiper is busted and you didn’t know.

Check the windows if you can pull all of them down in case you want to cruise on open air.

Check the door locks if they are all functional.

11.   Thorough test drive.  Drive it and feel it because you will know by plain impulse if that car is for you after you have checked all of the items mentioned above.  Drive it fast and slow.  Examine its performance by driving it out in the freeway.  If you have to, spend a sufficient amount of money to load it with fuel and drive it around to your satisfaction.  Take it to hilly places so you could see its performance climbing inclined courses.  Try how the engine responds on a sudden full stop.  Drive real fast and step on the brake.  If the car is in shape, this should not be a problem.

12.   Lastly, if you already feel comfortable with it and you are all satisfied, it’s time to close the deal.  The seller will provide you with the DEED OF SALE together with all the documents of the unit.  Make sure you read everything stipulated on the document including the vehicles description.  If you have to, ask for an acknowledgement receipt with the seller’s signature when you hand over the cash.  This will prove that you have paid a sum of money as payment for the car.  Also, ask at least a photocopy of the seller’s identification for your reference with a picture and signature.  This will prevent any future hassles on your part.

Though these steps are somewhat tedious, these will save you and set you apart from people who have been hasty in buying used car that have already spent double for unforeseen repairs and replacements on things they failed to check onset. 

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