Buying a Second Hand Car

[Graeme S]

Hi again guys,

Hope this finds everyone well and things are going good in Chengdu!

I posted a few questions a couple of months back before heading out on a go see trip, firstly thanks for all the help with that and thanks to the guys I met in Machu Picchu Bar when I was there. Doing shots of Jagermeister until 4 in the morning with Hise, Trevor, Chris, Alan and anyone else I met there certainly made the early visit to the panda sanctuary a bit of struggle. My guide who was lovely used her whole weeks worth of water to get me through!!

Anyways I have now agreed my contract with IKEA and the visa etc is pretty much in place but I was wondering if any of you guys have advice and or views on buying second hand cars in Chengdu. Its not completely clear yet whether I am getting a company car or not but if not do you guys know what the deal is with insurance, road tax etc? Is the price of a second hand car comparable or more/less expensive than the UK? I’d rather a nice second hand car (maybe a few years old) as opposed to losing a fortune on a run of the mill brand new car.

Thanks in advance for all the help,

Graeme.

[Andy]

Second hand cars are not so cheap here, infact they are dam expensive compared to the UK. There are 2 main second hand car markets here, Dont have the address to hand but if you want to take a look once you are here just drop me a message and can go see whats out there.
Best to buy a foreign brand as a Chinese car is just junk.
I got a sweet MG TF convertible going if you are interested;)

Drop me a line once you are here and we can go an take a look, always fun checking out what is on the market.
Andy

[Graeme S]

Thanks Andy,

Do main dealers keep approved used or equivalent? How about insurance etc is this more expensive too?

Haha thanks very much but more than likely I’ll buy something German….

Provisional start date of the 1st of September and will probably travel out the week before that but I’m in no rush to buy a car right away (and will still have to arrange my license). I’ll have a lot going on…

Graeme.

[Andy]

Hi Graeme
I know BMW have a large department for used cars as does Mercedes, pretty sure VW and Audi do too.

Last month I bought a C-Series from Mercedes second hand department, it is 3 years old and cost me 22,000 GBP which I thought was a good deal for here. The insurance was 700GBP a year and buying from the dealership the car came with one years warranty.

Hope that gives you an idea

[Graeme S]

Thanks Andy that helps give me an idea. Doesnt sound too bad but the insurance is a bit more expensive than I would expect. I take it main dealers are the place to go for servicing etc? No specialist private companies?

Confirmation today that there is no company car….never mind I’ll buy something a bit more exciting then! You only live once after all!

Graeme

[Andy]

Yes best to take them back to the main dealer for repairs, I insured my car with Mercedes so any problems just take it back to them and they will fix but there are plenty of smaller cheaper places.

Lets go car shopping when you are here, when I sell the MG TF I’m thinking of getting a Toyota GT86, looks a sweet car.

[Graeme S]

No problem as I say barring any further complications I should be out around the 26th of August. I have no idea what the road network is like except what I seen in the cities but I do fancy some touring.

Toyota GT86 – Gets a good write up….<!– .bbp-reply-content –>

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