Singapore Club in Australia Advice: Buying a Car in Sydney Part 1 (Looking for a car)

Singapore Club in Australia Advice: Buying a Car in Sydney  Part 1 (Looking for a car)

During one of our recent gathering.. one of the most commonly asked question is how to buy a car in Sydney? Is it risky to buy a old car?

In one of our previous post, we have a small section about car ownership in Sydney..
http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/typical-living-cost-in-sydney.html


This post is to explain more, we talk more about old car coz it's cheaper and higher risk, if u can afford new car then is the best la got warranty etc, but old car, we take the risk.

Where to find lobang for old car:

Here are some guide to get you started:

Online: (Google la .. i am sure u can find more!)
Car sales websites:

http://www.carsales.com.au/

http://www.drive.com.au/buy-used-cars

http://www.carsguide.com.au/buy-a-car

http://www.carpoint.com.au/

Of coz you can also buy car on ebay la!

http://cars.ebay.com.au/

Or the usual Classified websites

http://www.gumtree.com.au 

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/

Others (Traditional way):

• Newspaper Classifieds. your traditional way to buy and sell car
• Your local newspaper E.g North Shore Times
• Car with for sale sign driving on the road or parked at the road site
• Don't forget your uni or local shopping center notice board, there maybe good lobang there!

Go and visit Car Dealers:
This is a big place somewhere at the western end of sydney near to blacktown, in there you can see a huge selection of cars.
http://www.carcity.com.au/

Parramatta Road Car dealerships 

Just Drive down Parramatta road from Sydney, westbound towards Parramatta, you will pass by many dealerships.. just turn up and look at the you are interested car! The road is so long and lined up with Car dealers from Sydney University to Parramatta Church Street!

Go to a Car Auction:

This is something that's very interesting here, you can get a variety of cars here, the only problem is you can't test drive.. and no recourse if you bought a lemon. 
However,  the good thing is most car are EX GOVERNMENT FLEET vehicles, so means that they are usually serviced at their regular interval, but of coz since it's a FLEET car, there's no owner and drivers do not take good care of their car.. but the cars there are relatively new and most likely you can find a bargain here.

here are some website for u to get started.
http://www.pickles.com.au/about/branch-location/sydney
http://www.governmentauctions.com.au/
http://www.manheim.com.au/


Buy from Dealer or Buy from Private?

Buying from private:

• No warranty
• No recourse if sold a lemon
• Cheaper

The previous owner  may have fines or outstand loans on the car, to prevent that check the PPSR link below
To ensure car is not stolen property in NSW.. check this Personal Property Securities Register  first: http://www.ppsr.gov.au/Pages/ppsr.aspx

Buying from dealer

• Some claim they give warranty (REal or not i dunno la)
• Dealers are legally obligated to give you a "roadworthy" car (is car really roadworthy?)
• Dealers are more expensive
• Maybe able to lodge a complain if sold a lemon, or goods not as described.

If you dun feel safe buying a old car, we got mechanic friend who maybe able to help, read more here:
http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/automotive-workshop-in-sydney-he-will.html


Your Consumer rights
As a consumer, you have the right to be given the goods that's exactly described... If after buying the car, maybe if you have some complains, go back to the person who sold you the car and try to resolve it.

If you bought from a dealer, you maybe able to get some help from "FAIR TRADING" office if you feel that you really got cheated http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Consumers/Buying_goods.html


So take your time to pick and choose the car you like.. so many cars in Sydney, there will be one that suits you!

Remember :

• Car age is not by year rather by mileage if a newish 2010 car has 400k Mileage, better avoid them!
• To get Low mileage car: around 100k is good (But beware ppl modifying speedo and mileage)
• Avoid cars with engine oil leaks (expensive to repair)
• Avoid cars with screeching sound when cold start (Prob engine belt need to change also $$$)
• Check the car tyre not botak (1 tyre at least $70 for 165R13) change 4 then multiply that by 4!!
• Manual car are cheaper than Automatic
• Make sure that the car is registered in the STATE that you are buying. Do not buy interstate cars.
• Do not buy the car if it's not registered even if it's velly cheap and seller say easy to register
• Make sure that the car has long "rego" or registration so that you no need to pay registration 1 or 2 weeks after buying the car.

Part 2 will talk about registration and insurance and maintaince etc..  akan datang!

So any questions about Part 1 please feel free to ask.. as for Registration and insurance etc please
go to part 2 here: http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/singapore-club-in-australia-advice_10.html

Thanks!!