• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • CDNIS School newsWhat’s new on the school scene?
        • Dr. Stephanie JOHNNIDES Veterinary clinic3 Hong Kong veterinarians with a passion for pets
        • Hong Kong news - new book by Robert Ferguson, Wild Creatures of Hong KongWhat’s new in Hong Kong?
        • Business ownersBringing female business owners together
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • Mid-Autumn Festival LanternsTop 35 Best Things To Do In Hong Kong This Weekend
        • Hong Kong news - new book by Robert Ferguson, Wild Creatures of Hong KongWhat’s new in Hong Kong?
        • Trivia Time: 20 Questions on TV
        • rugby world cup teamsRugby World Cup teams and timings!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
        • CDNIS School newsWhat’s new on the school scene?
        • CDNIS English teacherBuilding Momentum at CDNIS HK
        • Technology educationWhy STEAM and technology education matters
        • Paul Wicker - Headmaster Malvern CollegeMeet the new Headmaster at Malvern College
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • MARIANNE OBENA - decluttering, organising and organisation skillsMake decluttering the home a breeze
        • Interior eye candy, modern homes and resort luxury!
        • Home decor furniture Hong KongHome news: décor, furniture & more!
        • Best pillows HeveyaHow to choose the best pillow for you!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
        • Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023Expat Living Reader Survey 2023
        • Mongolia - kidsA family adventure in Mongolia
        • Mount DavisHiking Ideas: A Mount Davis Meander
        • Voco hotel MelbourneA cool Melbourne hotel in the heart of the city
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • new restaurants - bengal brothersNew nibbles: where to dine this September
        • Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023Expat Living Reader Survey 2023
        • Middle Eastern Restaurants and cuisine in Hong Kong - Mama MaloufTaste Test: Middle Eastern Eats
        • Taste Test: Where to get great burgers in HK
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • Hair and beauty salonOne-stop shop for hair, skincare and beauty
        • Lip glossesTried and Tested: Lip glosses and lip liners
        • Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023Expat Living Reader Survey 2023
        • capsule wardrobe minimalistHow to build a capsule wardrobe
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • Dr Keith HarimanBusting myths around treatment-resistant depression
        • rugby world cup teamsRugby World Cup teams and timings!
        • Mindlife-ADHDIs adult ADHD affecting your relationship?
        • Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023Expat Living Reader Survey 2023
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • Magazine
    • Advertise With Us
    • Close

4 tips for buying a used car in Hong Kong

21 October, 2018 by Expat Living 2 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/tips-for-buying-a-used-car-in-hong-kong-hkcartrader/

Sick of public transport and seen a used car for sale in Hong Kong but not sure how to go about buying one? While there are excellent public transport options in the 852, there are definitely instances where having your own wheels makes life easier. We spoke to Conad Bankowski from HK Car Trader, the city’s top bilingual online car classifieds, about the steps you need to take when buying from a private seller.

Buying a used car in Hong Kong, buying a used car, used cars, cars for sale, buying a car, cars
Do your homework before buying a used car in Hong Kong so it’s not a stressful experience

1. Contact the seller

You might want to come forearmed with the following questions that are the most commonly asked in Hong Kong:

“How many previous owners has the car had?”

Sounds ridiculous, but a car with many owners can be difficult to sell later. Bear in mind, if a car has been imported from overseas then the number of previous owners shown will be zero.

“How many kilometres has it done?”

It can be difficult to accumulate kilometres on a car in HK. High-mileage cars are a big deterrent, especially for sporty cars, as these tend to get driven on weekends only.

“What’s the expiry date of the vehicle licence (registration)?”

Registration in Hong Kong is valid for one year. The fee is based on the engine size. Cars that are seven years or older will need a roadworthiness inspection (MOT) by a government-appointed garage within four months of renewing the vehicle licence.

If you’re happy after the initial Q&A, the next step is to meet with the owner. We suggest viewing the car during the day. Have a thorough look at the exterior and interior of the car, and at any maintenance history and receipts the owner may have. Our experience shows that it’s rare to find cars with a full history, and the common story is that the missing records were “lost”. Most owners will be hesitant to allow you to test drive a car; instead, they’ll offer a “test ride” where you sit in the passenger’s seat for a drive.

2. Agree to a deal

If you’re happy with the condition of the car and ready to make a deal, what price should you offer? As with most things in Hong Kong, negotiation is common; it’s not unreasonable to offer 20 percent below the asking price. Once you both agree to a price, a five percent deposit should secure your commitment. We strongly recommend you arrange an inspection; these range from HK$500 to $2,500 and can save you a lot of money and grief in the future.

3. Arrange insurance

Hong Kong requires a minimum of third-party insurance for a vehicle. Arranging insurance is quick and easy, and typically cheaper than in other countries. Note: Before committing to a car, make sure you are eligible for insurance. Certain car models require a minimum age and a No Claims Bonus (NCB) percentage.

4. Finalise the transfer of ownership

The final stage is to visit the Transport Department with the following required documents: insurance cover note, HKID, proof of address (within the past three months), and form TD25 to be completed and signed by both parties, along with a HK$1,000 transfer fee (at the buyer’s expense). The owner will sign form TD25 once they have received the remaining balance for the car. This can be done by cash, cheque or bank cashier order at the seller’s request. Congratulations, you’re now the proud owner of a vehicle in Hong Kong!

hkcartrader.com

This article first appeared in the Oct/Nov edition of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe so you never miss an issue!

Want more advice and tips on Living in Hong Kong?

Categories: Living Here Living In Hong Kong Tags: Buying A Car Cars HK Car Trader Used Cars

Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox
Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox

You May Also Like

village house Hong Kong water views

Swapping the Southside for Sai Kung

Business owners

Bringing female business owners together

Dr. Stephanie JOHNNIDES Veterinary clinic

3 Hong Kong veterinarians with a passion for pets

Primary Sidebar

  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.