[Car Knowledge] Used Car Buying Traps and Preventative Measures

Used Car Buying Traps and How to Avoid Them (Hong Kong Edition)

The editor’s personal experience + real cases will help you avoid the black holes of car buying!

Hello everyone! Having been in the industry for many years, I've seen countless friends fall prey to scams when buying used cars. While Hong Kong's used car market offers a wide selection and attractive prices, it's also riddled with scams, traps, and unsafe vehicles. A careless purchase can easily lead to significant losses and a worrying purchase.

This time, I'll use the most down-to-earth and detailed perspective to cover everything from car selection, viewing, inspection, negotiation, contract, payment, to ownership transfer. I'll tell you about scams and traps at every stage, and teach you how to prevent them, ensuring you feel more at ease when buying a car!

1. Online car viewing traps and precautions

Common pitfalls:

  • Fake cars really cost money : Some people post photos of fake cars online, mark them at super low prices, attract buyers to contact them via WhatsApp or WeChat, and then ask for a deposit or shipping fee first.
  • Fake brand-name cars are sold at low prices : the market price is clearly 300,000, but the owner said he was in a hurry to leave and only wanted to sell it for 150,000. There are pictures and texts, but there is actually no car.
  • Flash Sale/Today Only : We'll give you a very short time to make a decision, rather than you having to do a detailed vehicle inspection.

Editor's suggestion:

  • Only use large, reputable platforms (such as 28Car, Car1.hk, Carousell) and avoid using websites of unknown origin.
  • View the car first, inspect it in person, and never pay a deposit before seeing the car.
  • Pay attention to the seller’s WhatsApp number and contact information to see if there are any unusual features (+86, +852 6-digit numbers, only willing to contact online).
  • The price is obviously lower than the market price, and nine out of ten times there is something strange.

2. Car selection stage: mine models and special vehicle traps

Landmine 1: Flooded cars, accident cars

  • In low-lying areas/areas that have been flooded in Hong Kong, flooded cars will be renovated and sold.
  • For cars that have suffered major collisions/structural damage, the interior may have already been damaged, even though it is not visible on the outside.

Landmine 2: Long-term rental/Uber car

  • Some car dealerships refurbish cars that have been rented out or leased for a long time and sell them as private cars. The mileage is too high, the cars are severely worn out, and the maintenance records may not be true.
  • For Uber/food delivery vehicles, the owner will not tell you and you need to check the vehicle records yourself.

Landmine 3: Over-modified Car

  • Modifying a vehicle (exhaust, shock absorbers, audio system) can easily lead to hidden damage, making maintenance and repair more difficult and risky for insurance claims.

Landmine 4: Smuggled cars/cars without legal documents

  • Illegal parallel-imported/smuggled cars have incomplete documents, making transfer of ownership difficult, and making future repairs and insurance difficult.

Editor's suggestion:

  • Check the vehicle's age, mileage, and maintenance records. A typical private car travels about 15,000 kilometers per year. Be wary of unusually low or high mileage.
  • To check the license plate number, you can go to the Transport Department website to check basic information. Some paid services can check maintenance/accident records.

3. Vehicle viewing and inspection stage: practical details and pitfalls

Trap 1: Makeup car, clean surface

  • Car dealerships or private sellers will wash, wax, and refurbish the car's interior to cover up any issues with the car.
  • Some use "reducing agents" and "new cushions" to cover up water damage, moldy smells, and smoke odors.

Trap 2: Hiding major accidents or structural damage

  • There are welding marks, the frame is not straight, and the chassis has signs of unusual repairs.
  • The airbag had deployed but was replaced.

Trap 3: Modifying the instrument panel and lowering the mileage

  • The mileage is lowered through illegal means. The vehicle looks new and clean but has actually traveled many kilometers.

Prevention methods (taught by the editor):

  • View the car in person : Bring friends/family along so you can see the car in person.
  • Careful inspection :
    • Are all gaps in the car body consistent (door gaps, hood, trunk), and are there any signs of heavy oil injection?
    • Chassis rust, oil leakage, and abnormal welding.
    • Check if the inner cage carpet and floor mats are moldy or have a bad smell.
    • Are any dashboard lights on (such as the engine light and airbag light)?
    • Start the engine and listen for any unusual sounds, and test whether the air conditioning is cold enough.
    • Take a test drive to check if there are any abnormalities with the brakes, steering, shock absorbers and gearbox.
  • Third-party vehicle inspection :
    • It is strongly recommended to find an independent vehicle inspection company (such as the AA, Car Inspection HK, Garage Plus, etc.), which will cost $500-$1500 and provide a detailed report.
    • The vehicle inspection report includes: chassis, battery, gearbox, engine, spark plug, shock absorber, air conditioning, brakes, tires, and electronic equipment.
  • Check the maintenance records : It is ideal to have the maintenance manual/invoice, but be careful if there is no record.

4. Bargaining, Contracts, and Payment Traps

Trap 1: Verbal promises don’t count

  • The seller promised to "replace the gearbox", "replace four new tires", and "transfer ownership" but did not write it down in any documents, so there is no way to recover the money afterwards.

Trap 2: Hiding fines, mortgages, and outstanding taxes

  • The vehicle had outstanding tickets and an unpaid mortgage, which were only discovered when the ownership was transferred.

Trap 3: Fake documents and contracts

  • The contract content is vague, the payment method is unclear, and even the documents are forged.

Prevention methods (taught by the editor):

  • All commitments are written in black and white in the contract , including:
    • Model, year, vehicle number, mileage, and seller identity.
    • Include transfer of ownership or not, include vehicle inspection or not, free accessories.
    • Delivery date, deposit amount and return terms.
  • Check if there is any outstanding debt/mortgage on the vehicle : You can ask the seller to provide a certificate of no mortgage, or check in person at the Transport Department.
  • Payment Methods :
    • It is recommended to pay the deposit and the remainder by bank transfer or check and keep the proof.
    • Cash transactions/payment first and transfer later are not recommended.

5. Transfer and delivery stage: the last line of defense

Trap 1: Paying money but not transferring ownership/difficulty in transferring ownership

  • The seller refuses to transfer ownership after receiving payment, or the transfer is impossible (there is outstanding debt on the vehicle, or the documents are incomplete).
  • The vehicle cannot be transferred if the outstanding taxes and fines for violations have not been paid.

Trap 2: Vehicle condition changes upon delivery

  • The vehicle body, interior, and accessories at delivery are different from those when you inspected the vehicle, or some original accessories are missing.

Prevention methods (taught by the editor):

  • Transfer location : It is recommended to go to the Transport Department office (there are service centers in Hong Kong, Kowloon and Shatin).
    • Both parties should bring their ID cards, vehicle registration documents, contracts, and vehicle inspection reports.
    • On-site processing ensures that the vehicle is delivered as soon as the payment is made.
  • Transfer fee : Usually paid by the buyer, about HK$1,000, with immediate receipt.
  • On-site vehicle delivery and acceptance : Check that the entire vehicle (body, interior, tires, documents, remote control, spare tire) is consistent with the contract records, and any problems must be reported immediately.
  • Keep copies of all documents, receipts, and contracts .

6. Other Hong Kong-specific traps and suggestions

Trap 1: Parallel import/parallel import trap

  • Unofficial imported cars (such as some European/Japanese cars) do not have original factory maintenance, and repair parts are difficult to find and costly.

Trap 2: Used car dealership "guaranteed car" trap

  • The car dealership used the contract to evade responsibility, claiming that "the engine and gearbox are only covered for one month."
  • Some unscrupulous car dealerships lure you in with short-term "sponsorship" offers and then shirk responsibility.

Editor's suggestion:

  • Priority will be given to reputable car dealerships that have been in business for many years and have high online reviews.
  • Don't be impatient, don't blindly believe in "flash discounts".
  • Compare several cars of the same type and year, and don't place an order on the first impression.
  • If you have any questions, ask them immediately without any worries.

7. Share real-life examples of common fraud cases (from the editor’s personal experience/friends’ experiences)

Case 1: The Low-Price Tesla Trap <br>A friend saw a Tesla online for nearly $100,000, claiming it was imported from abroad and requiring a $5,000 deposit to "secure the car." However, after paying, the seller disappeared, their WhatsApp account was blocked, and calling the police proved futile.

Case 2: A "new car" becomes a "flooded car"
The owner was attracted by the price of a new, clean SUV. However, after buying it, the carpet smelled bad after a heavy rain. Later, when the car was inspected, traces of mud and sand were found on the chassis, indicating that the car had been flooded and refurbished.

Case 3: Uber car sold as personal use <br>A used car dealership marketed a long-term Uber car as belonging to a "first-time female owner," but in reality, it had already traveled 200,000 kilometers, with the mileage downgraded to 60,000. Fortunately, a friend insisted on a third-party inspection, which exposed the truth.

8. Editor's Guide: Five Principles for Preventing Scams When Buying Used Cars

  1. Don't pay if you haven't seen the car yet.
  2. Be sure to get a third-party vehicle inspection done, and don't trust the dealership's report.
  3. All promises are written in black and white in the contract.
  4. The transfer will be settled on site, so please do not pay the full amount in advance.
  5. If you suspect there is a problem, it is better not to buy it than to be impatient.

【Summarize】

Hong Kong's used car market is diverse, so don't be intimidated. However, be vigilant, don't be afraid of hassles, and be willing to research. Every effort pays off , so don't let the pursuit of cheapness or speed lead to losses. Buy with confidence and use with confidence, first and foremost!

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a message or send a private message to the editor. Let’s be smart second-hand car owners and stay away from unscrupulous traps!

(Feel free to share this with friends who are planning to buy a used car, so we can all become smart car owners!)

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