Used Cars for sale

There are many advantages to buying a second-hand vehicle, with most of those benefits relating to cost. Regardless of make and model, most of these pre-owned vehicles tend to have a significantly more affordable price tag, some being almost 60% cheaper than their brand-new counterparts.

Note that a brand-new vehicle is more prone to depreciation than used cars. The moment you drive a new vehicle off the dealership, it has already depreciated by at least 10%. Over the first 12 months of ownership, this rate increases to more than 20%. By the fourth or fifth year, a used car loses its value at a comparatively slower rate, having already passed those major depreciation milestones.

Also, pre-owned cars tend to have lower insurance premiums. Older models especially have fewer features likely to break down or malfunction.

At Philkotse.com, you can find numerous listings for pre-owned cars spanning all major brands here in the Philippines, and even a number of good deals on vintage cars. Before diving into our extensive listing, here are the top, most-searched-for vehicles listed on our site, plus some tips on how to choose your ideal second-hand car wisely.

Less depreciation

Manufacturers launch new cars models to the market continuously. This means that most products depreciate remarkably. Even though they are all durable.
According to many users, car depreciation can reach 50% after 3 years of operation. This is a great reason to choose used cars. You don't need to pay a depreciation fee or very little if so.

Save your budget 

Investment in new cars will cost you a lot of money. Especially if you have a tight budget, there won't be too many options. However, things will be different if you use that budget on used ones. 
You can have many better selections or find better equipped cars. You can even use the money you save from purchasing a secondhand car to invest and make a profit.

Lower insurance fee 

Insurance for a new car in the Philippines ranges from ₱8,000 - ₱30,000 per year. This fee varies based on the market price of that vehicle. A used car will be deducted and has a lower market value than a new vehicle. Obviously, the insurance fee you have to pay for it will be cheaper.

Cheap Registration Fees   

The registration fee will be changeable and based on where you live. In some areas, the registration fee for a new car will be more expensive than an old one. However, there are also areas where this fee is charged based on the vehicle's weight or capacity.
 

Car's condition

Even if it's a used car, choose one that is still in good condition and worth your money. Let’s inspect the interior, exterior, engine, or wheels carefully.

You have to see if the paint layer has been scratched or not. Especially the parts of the vehicle that are damaged, distorted, or have signs of traffic accidents. The safest way is to find a professional mechanic to help you check.

Insurance 

Checking insurance is a great way to know its value. This may help you negotiate an ideal price. Besides, these records will help you know the history of the previous owner, whether the car has ever been seriously damaged or in an accident?

Signs of stolen cars

This is a very important thing if you don't want to get in trouble later. Please check the Vehicle Identify Number and all required documents. Also, be careful if the previous owner sells the product too cheap for its value and wants to get cash as quickly as possible.

Registration certificate

The registration certificate will certify whether a vehicle is legally owned and used by the owner. So don't deal with anyone who can't show the vehicle registration.  
 

In case you’re still choosing which brand to get as your next car, you can go to our Philippine car brands page to learn about the typical characteristics of each automaker. Knowing the brand essence of every car manufacturer helps a lot, especially when you still find yourself unsure of which model to spend your hard-earned money on.

1. Car parts

When you first lay eyes on the pre-owned car you want to purchase, check every nook and cranny as possible.

• First, inspect the underbody. Look for signs of rust or repairs. If possible, take the car to a hydraulic lifter to easily check around underneath.
• Inside the car’s interior, check for wet spots under the matting.
• Also, inspect the area under the trunk’s carpeting.
• After that, you can check the pedals, as they indicate how often the car was used.
• Take a look at the engine bay. Check around and under for potential weak spots and leaks. Don’t be afraid to get a little dirty.

Remove the foot mats and check for any moist and wet spots

>>> Related: What’s the optimal mileage on a used car?

2. Documents

Go over the car’s documents. Confirm if the car is registered or otherwise. It’s also prudent to check maintenance records.

Check the related documents such as the registration document, service and full car record, etc.

>>> Related: 7 essential documents needed when purchasing a car in the Philippines

3. Signs of a stolen vehicle

To avoid a huge amount of headaches later, check if the car is in possession of its legitimate owner and not stolen. To do this, you’ll want to check the car’s VIN (vehicle identification number) and license plates, cross-checking these with the LTO.

Be wary if the seller wants you to pay on a cash basis. Usually, a seller who can’t provide legally binding documents will tend to go for cash transactions only. If there are documents, take a close look at these to make sure that they have not been falsified. Check for incorrect and tampered info.

Also, note if the deal is too good to be true, as some criminals want to get rid of a vehicle if it was used in a crime.

>>> Related: 10 signs that you are about to purchase a stolen car

Data show that mainstream models are the most-often stolen rides on the road

4. Signs of damage caused by an accident

• Looks for signs of overspray in random places as this is the easiest and most common solution to make a crashed vehicle look like new.
• Check if the seatbelts look overstretched or even ripped. Likewise, look for signs that the airbags have been previously deployed.
• Thirdly, feel the doors of the car. If they are flimsy and does not close with a thud, that might be bad news.
• Check the chassis of the car itself; if it’s not straight, you may want to inquire further.
• Also, take note of mismatched parts and uneven panels or gaps as vehicles tend to follow a consistent value with it comes to the space between panels.

>>> Related: 9 signs to check a used car for accident damage

You should require the seller to provide information about the car’s history and its replacement

To know more about smart tricks for car buyers, owners and drivers, check out our tips and advice section.

Like other online portals that sell goods, car websites out there have their fair share of online scammers. To avoid online these scam sellers, here are some useful tips:

• Watch out if the price is too low. If you’re in doubt with that second-hand car price, you can always cross-check it with other listings. This is either a trap to catch your interest or the car has some hidden defect that the seller is not willing to share.
• If there’s a hint of rust on the vehicle, you might want to think twice about buying the car. If you see some on the car’s frame, it usually means an advanced state of corrosion.
• Usually, a seller is keen and determined to sell his/her vehicle. If the seller is not enthusiastic, that might be a good sign to back off.
• When a seller is not willing to meet and delegates the job to another person instead, that might be a sign that he is not trustworthy.
• Ask for the car’s papers and check them immediately. If those can’t be provided or they look sketchy, walk away.
• When a seller avoids directly answering questions about the car, he or she might be hiding something.

Aside from an extensive pool of car listings, a one-stop shop for anything related to cars, Philkotse.com also provides readers the latest automotive news, the most updated pricelists for all makes and models of cars available in the Philippines, and also tips on how to become a responsible driver and a car owner.

We hope you enjoy your time with us!