Buying off internet

[mogo51]

I will move in 6 months to the Phils to retire with SO.  I want to buy a car (not immediately) as we want to travel around Luzon and see the sites and places of interest.

I have been looking on Web at sites like Trovit and OLX.  What I have noticed is there are many ads for cars that seen very cheap - the old saying 'if it seems too good to be true, it usually is' came to mind.  Late model cars (3-5 years old) low km's for what appears to be under 'market rates'.  

Can anyone enlighten me here, they often belong allegedly to Philmotors or Scheyne which from what I can see is another 'selling site'.  Of course I would do all the necessary checks re ownership, history and will not buy before I a certain (as much as possible) that all is legitimate.

Thought maybe some members may have some experiences.

 

[scott h]

Mogo, I suggest you wait until you get here. I personally would only buy from a relative or someone in the extended circle of friends. That way you could be reasonably sure that what is represented is indeed the case. If there is a problem down the road, the chances of any sort of redress is slim to none.

[jpbago]

16 minutes ago, mogo51 said:

the old saying 'if it seems too good to be true, it usually is' came to mind.  Late model cars (3-5 years old) low km's for what appears to be under 'market rates'.  

On the TV news and in the newspapers, I have seen many fairly new cars flooded to the roof. Lots of poor drainage and flash floods.

[intrepid]

Mogo,

Here's a link to an add site I used to find my used Escort.  There are private as well as dealer cars for sale.  As you said, always check out the paperwork before handing over payment.  There are deals to be found on OLX and I remember I saw one like you mentioned lower than book.   I did check it it and he was selling for his boss who had several cars but was out of the country.  Funny he brought the car to me to inspect, but no paperwork!  I would have been interested if he would have produced good paperwork.

https://www.carmudi.com.ph/cars/automatic/diesel/used/year_built:2012-2015/?sort=price-low

[mogo51]

55 minutes ago, jpbago said:

On the TV news and in the newspapers, I have seen many fairly new cars flooded to the roof. Lots of poor drainage and flash floods.

Yes, that was a thought that I had and is probably the answer.

[mogo51]

21 minutes ago, intrepid said:

Mogo,

Here's a link to an add site I used to find my used Escort.  There are private as well as dealer cars for sale.  As you said, always check out the paperwork before handing over payment.  There are deals to be found on OLX and I remember I saw one like you mentioned lower than book.   I did check it it and he was selling for his boss who had several cars but was out of the country.  Funny he brought the car to me to inspect, but no paperwork!  I would have been interested if he would have produced good paperwork.

https://www.carmudi.com.ph/cars/automatic/diesel/used/year_built:2012-2015/?sort=price-low

You would have been out of pocket if you had bought that one, I would think.

[Jack Peterson]

There are days that I think the car Auctions might come in useful. Very successful in the UK, Of course as we know, to buy a second hand car is just buying someone else's problems car 

Edited January 28, 2017 by Jack Peterson
rearranged the Post a little

[intrepid]

20 minutes ago, mogo51 said:

You would have been out of pocket if you had bought that one, I would think.

Oh yes,..for sure.

The fellow we ended up buying from was in Batangas.  Seemed very fair and honest and did everything he promised after we purchased the car.  He looked to be early 40's.  His farther owns several service stations in the area.  What he does is purchase vehicles from customers who want to sell for various reasons.  Usually later model cars but also some older ones.  He makes repairs if needed and cleans them up.   Seemed to have about 8 cars or more.  I also learned he sells to a lot of expats and repeate customers.  You can also request for what you are looking and he'll try to locate for you.  I know your planning to live north of Manila, but if you don't find anything, I can try to dig out his infor for you.

[robert k]

10 hours ago, mogo51 said:

I will move in 6 months to the Phils to retire with SO.  I want to buy a car (not immediately) as we want to travel around Luzon and see the sites and places of interest.

I have been looking on Web at sites like Trovit and OLX.  What I have noticed is there are many ads for cars that seen very cheap - the old saying 'if it seems too good to be true, it usually is' came to mind.  Late model cars (3-5 years old) low km's for what appears to be under 'market rates'.  

 

Mogo, remember that cars imported as surplus, are considered "NEW" to the Philippines and registered as new when they are registered. Last years model car might have been on road...somewhere...for 7-10 years. If you look for the word reconditioned, that generally means cosmetically. The car may still have the same oil and filter on it that it had when it was sold for surplus.

[sonjack2847]

11 hours ago, Jack Peterson said:

There are days that I think the car Auctions might come in useful. Very successful in the UK, Of course as we know, to buy a second hand car is just buying someone else's problems car 

I think you must try to find out the reason for the sale.Doing that here is extremely difficult.