Buying a used car

[MandM!]

I did a search and found since forums saying dealers and many cars have their mileage rolled back.

If buying a used BMW, a mechanic inspection at the dealer is $3500. Not cheap and they claim to check the engine and transmission with a computer but I'm wondering what they actually look for and how accurate their inspection.

Keen to get people's experiences buying used cars, what to look for, would you consider a high mileage car (over 100k), etc. Does it matter if you can get a high mileage car for 50k less when you aren't even sure if the mileage on the lower mileage car?

Anyone know how dealer consignments work? Are the dealers holding the car or did they officially buy the car at a bargain to resell it?

I've contacted some owners who couldn't answer basic questions and asked me to contact their car salesman. They didn't know what engine they had or how many kilometers done.

Thanks for your input!

[jmbf]

Get the HKMI to inspect the car if you are interested in it.

Before getting to that stage of course you can use a bit of common sense and do some basic checking yourself. Ask for any service history for the vehicle. Check to see that all the functions / electronic items work. How does it drive? Any hesitation / strange sounds / smoke etc etc are all warning signs.

[Mat]

Most 2nd hand car are clocked so stop worrying about it and accept it, or buy a new one, or buy one with all servicing (rare)

I bought one over 2 years one (bmw too). I am sure it was clocked (10 years old 85.000km) but for 35K it was a good deal and no complain so far.

I got it checked (for 1.5k) at Pre-owned Car Inspection Service

[Mat]

.................Now bets are on...how many posts until Skyhook shows up
;P

[MandM!]

I think I'm just bring too paranoid after reading the past forums. I mean of course I check basic maintenance items to see what immediate costs we have such as:
Thickness of brake pads
Tire tread
Tire wear (happens w older cars tho)
Electronic items working (windows, mirrors, seats, radio, sunroof, radio, etc.)
Weird engine noise or shifting issues
Noise when turning, shifting into gear, braking, etc.
Air con
MOT and license
Dripping fluids
Bent frames or damage, etc

I guess my concern was more what can they hide

Engine issues
Transmission

Those are probably the two biggest expenses

I heard HKAA doesn't do a good inspection. Have you had good experience or a thorough inspection by them?

[Mat]

I think I'm just bring too paranoid after reading the past forums. I mean of course I check basic maintenance items to see what immediate costs we have such as:
Thickness of brake pads
Tire tread
Tire wear (happens w older cars tho)
Electronic items working (windows, mirrors, seats, radio, sunroof, radio, etc.)
Weird engine noise or shifting issues
Noise when turning, shifting into gear, braking, etc.
Air con
MOT and license
Dripping fluids
Bent frames or damage, etc

I guess my concern was more what can they hide

Engine issues
Transmission

Those are probably the two biggest expenses

I heard HKAA doesn't do a good inspection. Have you had good experience or a thorough inspection by them?

This is always the same issue. (Complain not directed at u at all)…people (expat...i am one of then)…expect thorough reviews and top notch services at bargain price...cos it is hk. The expectation would be different at home.

For 1.5k u get the basic inspection (12 items listed on their website)…for 35k (price of my car)…u don t expect a rolls royce.

What am trying to say is set ur expectations right. Either u spend top bucks and get top service etc or u go with the flow and try to mitigate as best as u can. Their checking was fine in my case (no major issue and what they detected as issue was correct) and the price was reasonable.

[imparanoic]

I am just wondering most older cars user analog odometer for mileage, thus,can only be manually clocked, does the hk aa identify this issue? Are they obliged to tell us, Usually tell tale signs worn screw heads on the back of the odometer etc

[shri]

Word of advice - Try and buy from a leaving expat. Dozens will leave over the next few weeks (number of car for sale by owner ads have doubled over the last two weeks on our classifieds) and many of them have records and actually have low mileage and well maintained cars.

If not, then go through the dealer / local sales route.

Regardless get the car inspected by a mechanic - your choice how much you want to spend, should not be more than 1-5K either way depending on how comprehensive you want the inspection to be. (Do you get a home surveyor to check your flat out for electrical / plumbing / windows etc before you rent a flat?)

[Skyhook]

I am just wondering most older cars user analog odometer for mileage, thus,can only be manually clocked, does the hk aa identify this issue? Are they obliged to tell us, Usually tell tale signs worn screw heads on the back of the odometer etc

Most cars post 2000 have LCD digital odometers, which can be easily altered by removing the instrument cluster from the binnacle, plugging a laptop into the EPROM that stores the odo info and flashing it with whatever number you so choose.
all of about 30 - 40 minutes worth of work. And a lighter wallet by $400 to $500.

[gunsnroses]

The advise that I got when we moved to the woods from friend and a mechanic is to try and buy Japanese cars if buying used one. Reason being it's easier and cheaper to get parts replaced and majority of the mechanics would be able to fix it. First we had a Mazda and now a Lexus, and we have been happy, especially when we look at our neighbours, who can't give up BMW, even though they keep dropping chunk of money every quarter or so. FYI this is their second BMW.