A Comprehensive Guide on Buying a Used Car in Malaysia

Looking to buy a used car in Malaysia but not sure where to start? Fret not! Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a car enthusiast, Pilihcar.com is the ultimate destination for you to find the used car of your dreams at the best quality and best value for money. Purchasing a pre-owned car need not be a challenging task; Pilihcar.com aims to be a one-stop solution to help you navigate the used car market in Malaysia by providing you with comprehensive guides, expert advice, and a wide selection of well-maintained automobiles to suit your budget and preferences.

Without further ado, let us take you through the 6 most important steps of buying a used car in Malaysia to ensure that you have the best car-buying experience.

1) Research and budgeting

It is important to research the make and model of the car you want to buy to ensure that it meets all of your requirements and preferences. You will spend a lot of time in your car while it is under your ownership and thus, it is important to select one that you are and will be comfortable with for the foreseeable future. Once you have determined your car’s make and model, it is important to calculate an approximate price range and set your budget. Pilihcar.com provides a detailed catalogue of a wide variety of second-hand cars to choose from to help ease the selection and decision-making process.

Just as you won’t buy shoes without trying them on, or buy a house without viewing it, you mustn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive first. It is essential to book a test drive with the car you intend to purchase so that you may assess its quality and performance, identify any underlying issues and of course, determine how comfortable you are with driving it. Pay close attention to the noises, vibrations and the performance of the car’s features and functions while you’re driving it and ensure that everything is up to your standards before closing the deal.

2) Booking a test drive

Just as you won’t buy shoes without trying them on, or buy a house without viewing it, you mustn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive first. It is essential to book a test drive with the car you intend to purchase so that you may assess its quality and performance, identify any underlying issues and of course, determine how comfortable you are with driving it. Pay close attention to the noises, vibrations and the performance of the car’s features and functions while you’re driving it and ensure that everything is up to your standards before closing the deal.

3) Inspection and history

One of the main features to check when inspecting a used car is its mileage. The higher the mileage, the further the car has been driven. This increases the likelihood of wear and tear, and also increases the risk of the car developing problems further down the line if not serviced adequately. Ideally, you want a car with moderate mileage and as little wear and tear as possible. Inspect the car for potential issues that may pose a threat to performance and safety. If you’re not familiar with car inspection, you can schedule one with an expert such as Pilihcar.com which thoroughly inspects all cars with a 160 item checklist to ensure top quality.

In addition to inspecting the physical car, it is also important to check the vehicle history to identify how many previous owners the car has had, how often it has been serviced, if it has been involved in any accidents etc. to regulate the risk of your car potentially experiencing related issues in the near future.

4) Car loan and insurance

If you are planning to finance your purchase with a car loan, it would be beneficial for you to research the different types of loans, loan periods, monthly instalments and interest rates offered by the bank you will be taking the loan from to ensure that you get the most suitable deal according to your budget. Ensure that you select the best option for yourself, as failure to meet instalment payments may result in the bank repossessing your car until you are able to repay the outstanding amount.

Additionally, it is mandatory for all car owners in Malaysia to have car insurance. Car insurance will not only provide coverage for you or any third-party cars if you’re involved in a road accident, it is also a requirement when renewing your road tax (which is a requirement to legally drive a car on public roads). There are numerous types of car insurance in Malaysia with different types of coverage with the three main types being third-party insurance, fire insurance and theft insurance. You may also want to consider adding on a special perils cover to insure your car against damage incurred by natural disasters such as floods.

5) Plate number

While it is mandatory to have a vehicle registration number, when purchasing a second-hand car, you are not required to maintain the existing number. If you would like to change your car plate number, you may do so by visiting a JPJ Office, or applying online via MYSIKAP for standard numbers or JPJeBID for special numbers.

6) Transfer car ownership and paperwork

Once you have agreed to purchase a used car and settled all of the above, you will need to present required documents and fill up paperwork to ensure that the car ownership is legally transferred to you. When this has been completed, congratulations! You are now a new car owner!

Thank you for exploring our guide in buying a used car in Malaysia. We hope that this article has provided you with useful insights and knowledge to help fuel a well-informed purchasing decision. You need not bounce back and forth between Carlist.my, CARSOME and myTukar when Pilihcar.com is here as a one-stop solution to support you through every step of your journey in becoming the new owner of a second-hand car.

Pilihcar.com was established to help car seekers find new, recon and used cars online in Malaysia while ensuring that customers get the best deal from direct owners or dealers. Browse through our website for our curated selection of used cars and if you have any enquiries, please contact us via email at info@pilihcar.com or give us a call or WhatsApp at +6014-9102286. We guarantee top-quality used cars, dedicated customer support and transparent transactions so that you may drive with confidence.