- It is best to buy a used car that is 5-7 years old to get a good balance of lower price and fewer repairs needed compared to an older car. - When test driving a used car, check for strange sounds, problems with brakes and engine, and that lights and signals work properly. Also check the oil, tires, and for smoky exhaust which could indicate engine problems. - Be sure to get any used car inspected by a mechanic before purchasing to check for issues. Records of maintenance and repairs are also important to review.

1. Buying and owning a car

2. Should you buy a new car or a used car?
A new car is beautiful and
smells nice. It won’t need
repairs. It is expensive.
A used car may need repairs,
and may not be beautiful. It
will save you money.

3. Taxes on new cars
• Trucks have the lowest tax because farmers buy them (4%)
• Small engined cars have about 12% tax.
• Big cars like Toyota Fortuner have more than 20% tax.
• Imported cars like BMW and Mini Cooper have very high tax.
Sometimes 100%!

4. Financing การจัดหาเงินทุน
• Some companies like Mazda give a 4 year interest ดอกเบี้ย free loan.
• Interest will be higher if you take a long time to pay.
• A loan for a used car can be very expensive. It is better to pay cash.

5. Should you buy from a dealer ตัวแทนจาหน่ายรถ, or
a private seller?
A dealer may be more expensive, but you
may get better service.
A private seller may have a better
price, and is especially good if it’s
someone you know and trust.

6. Depreciation การเสื่อมราคา
• A new car loses about 25% of it’s value the first time you drive it.
I think it is best to buy a used
car that is 5-7 years old.

7. Owning a car in Thailand is
very cheap!
• In America it costs almost ten times
more to get your car fixed because
mechanics ช่าง make more money
• That’s why having a used car in Thailand
is good.

8. Cars in Thailand don’t rust
Old car in New York. Rusted
because of salt.Road salt to melt snow and ice.

9. Should you buy a common car, or a rare car?
A common car will be easy and cheap to fix. A rare or very old car will be
more difficult. In Thailand, brands like BMW and Mercedes are VERY
expensive to fix. They have many electronic parts that can break.

10. Blue book (deed ทะเบียนรถยนต์) and green book
Don’t buy a car that doesn’t have a
deed.

11. Has the tax been paid?
If the used car owner did not pay tax,
you may have to pay tax for many years
back!
Usually when you buy a new car, the car
tax is free in the price.

12. Inspection การตรวจสอบ
You must get an inspection every
year before you can pay car tax.
This costs about 200 baht.
If your car has problems, you must
fix them.

13. VIN number- vehicle identification number
Every car has a VIN number. You can use the vin number online to
find information about the history of the car. If the VIN number is
missing or damaged, the car maybe stolen or have other problems.

14. Test drive before you buy
When you test drive a used car,
try to listen for strange sounds
and problems with brakes and
engine.
Let go of the steering wheel and
see if the car still goes straight.
Check that all the lights, turn
signals, and windshield wipers
are working.

15. Engine size
A car with a big engine will use
more gasoline, and may be harder
to repair.
Old cars use more gas than new
cars.

16. Insurance
• In Thailand you need to at least have liability insurance- pororbor. This
costs about 600 baht per year. You must buy pororbor before you pay
car tax.
• You should also get accident insurance. If you have an old car, third
class insurance is probably enough. Its about 2400 baht per year.
• If you have a new car, first class is better because it takes care of your
car damage. It costs about

17. Maintenance records and
receipts

18. Where to buy used cars and motorcycles?
• Kaidee.com
• One2car.com
• Bahtsold.com
• Thaivisa.com
• Unseencar.com

19. Check the thanachart blue book to see what
your car should cost

20. Don’t get too excited when you see the car
You may really want a car, but you need
to calm down and think about if the car
is really good or not.
If you get too excited, you may pay too
much for it.

21. haggling
It is difficult to haggle for a lower price
for a new car. You may get free
upgrades though.
It is easier to haggle about the price of
a used car.

22. Ask why they are selling the car.
Maybe they are selling it because it
has a lot of problems. You don’t
want their problems!

23. Some mechanics cheat women
They will make her pay for
something she doesn’t need
because they think she
doesn’t know anything
about cars. Don’t be that
girl!

24. Oil leaks
Old cars often leak oil. It is difficult to fix. Sometimes you just have to
keep checking and adding oil.

25. How to check your oil.

26. Check for smoky exhaust
There maybe a problem with
the engine.

27. Air filters
Change the engine air filter after about
50,000 km or 3 years.
Change the cabin air filter after about
40,000 km, or every 2 years. If you
don’t your car may smell bad.

28. Does your car make a strange sound?
Bring your car to the mechanic if it makes strange sounds. If you wait
a long time, it may be more expensive to repair.
Brake pads

29. Check the tires
This car has bad
alignment.

30. Check the odometer
When you buy a used car, a low
number is better. Cars have more
problems after about 150000 km.

31. Get it checked by a mechanic before you buy
it.
He will tell you if the car has
problems, or if it is a good car to
buy.

32. Check engine light should be off when you
are driving
If this light is on, you may not pass
inspection. It can be expensive to fix.

33. How to jump start a car
If your car battery dies, this can help you. Don’t touch the metal
clamps together!

34. How to change a flat tire

35. Keep your car in a garage
The sun and rain will damage
your car’s paint over time.

36. Keep the inside clean
Smoking in your car will lower it’s
price when you sell it.
Bringing pets and food in your car will
also make it very dirty and lose value.

37. Manual vs. automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is easier to drive. A manual transmission will
save you money, and some people think it’s more fun to drive.

38. Good used car 2012 Mazda 2 (very common in
Thailand)
78,000 km
Checked by mechanic and has no
problems
Small engine doesn’t use a lot of
gas
Has service records of oil changes
and repairs
220000 baht

39. Bad used car- Don’t buy it!
1997 Model- 250,000 km
Not checked by mechanic
Large V6 engine
Parts are hard to find
120000 baht

40. What is the cheapest new car? Suzuki Celerio
It is only 363,000 baht new.
It is small but feels big inside.
It is easy to park.
It doesn’t use much gas.

41. Enjoy your car!
I hope this lesson will help
you save money and avoid
problems with your car.