Malaysia is one of the most developed countries in Southeast Asia, where a car is a necessity for the majority of the population. The car market here is characterized by high demand for new and used cars, various offers from local and foreign brands, as well as legislative and taxation privileges.
Popularity of brands and models
According to car sales statistics in Malaysia, the market leader is the local brand Perodua, which occupies almost 38% of the market. In second place is another national manufacturer Proton with a share of about 22%. The third place is occupied by Toyota of Japan with 14% of the market. It is followed by Honda (10%), Mitsubishi (4%) and Nissan (2%). Among European brands, BMW (2%), Volvo (0.5%) and Volkswagen (0.4%) are the most popular. Among American brands, Ford stands out (1%). Among Chinese brands, Foton (0.04%), ChangAn (0.08%) and Sinotruk (0.05%) are the most in demand.
The best-selling models in Malaysia in 2023 are Perodua Myvi (compact hatchback), Perodua Axia (subcompact hatchback), Proton X50 (compact crossover), Toyota Hilux (pickup) and Honda City (sedan). Among the premium models, BMW 3-Series, Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are in the highest demand.
Buy and sell cars
There are several ways to buy or sell a car in Malaysia. One of them is to contact an official dealer or car dealership that offers new or certified used cars with warranty, service and financing. Another way is to use online platforms or advertisements on the Internet or newspapers where you can get personal offers from sellers or buyers. You can also turn to intermediaries or agents who help in the search, valuation and re-registration of cars to earn a commission.
When buying and selling a car in Malaysia, you must have the following documents:
passport or identity card;
driving license (international or local);
vehicle registration certificate (VOC or V5C);
technical inspection certificate (PUSPAKOM);
insurance policy or certificate;
road tax receipt.
When buying a new car in Malaysia, you must pay the following taxes and fees:
value added tax (SST) – 10%;
vehicle registration tax (JPJ) – from 20 to 2000 ringgit depending on the type and capacity;
luxury tax (EOT) – from 0 to 105% depending on the cost and class of the car;
import duty – from 0 to 300% depending on the country of origin and car class.
When buying a used car in Malaysia, you must pay the following taxes and fees:
value added tax (SST) – 10%;
vehicle registration tax (JPJ) – from 20 to 2000 ringgit depending on the type and power of the car;
property transfer tax (transfer fee) – from 100 to 3000 ringgit, depending on the cost and class of transport;
technical inspection fee (PUSPAKOM) – from 30 to 100 ringgit depending on the type and age of the car.
Maintenance cost
Owning a car in Malaysia also requires certain costs such as:
road tax payment – from 20 to 5000 ringgit per year;
insurance payments – from 300 to 5000 ringgit per year, depending on the type, cost, age and class of the car, as well as the experience and age of the driver;
payment for fuel – about RM2.2 per liter of RON95 petrol or about RM2.6 per liter of diesel;
payment for maintenance and repair – from 500 to 5000 ringgit per year, depending on the condition, age and brand of the car;
parking fee – from 1 to 10 ringgit per hour or from 50 to 300 ringgit per day in the city center. Some parking lots have special payment terminals, others you need to find a store with a “Parking Coupon” sticker, where you can buy a coupon for a certain time and leave it under the windshield.
Overview of the best online platforms and sites to find a car
There are many online platforms and websites on the Internet that help sellers and buyers of used cars in Malaysia find each other and make deals. Here are some of the most popular and trusted sources you can use for this purpose:
Carlist.my is Malaysia’s largest site for selling and buying new and used cars, with over 160,000 listings from individuals and dealers. On this website you can easily find the right car by make, model, price, year of manufacture, mileage, type of fuel and other parameters. Also on the site you can find useful information about market value, compare different options, read expert reviews and advice, and get insurance or a loan.
Mudah.my is another popular website in Malaysia to sell and buy various goods and services, including cars. On this website you can find more than 100 thousand ads for the sale or purchase of new and used cars from individuals and dealers all over the country. Also on the site you can contact the seller or buyer via chat or call.
kereta shop – new but promising site with lots of listings from individuals and dealers.
This is not a complete list of all online platforms and websites available to sell or buy used cars in Malaysia, but these are the most well-known and trusted sources that can be used for this purpose. When choosing any of them, you should be careful and careful, check the documents, condition and history of the car before the transaction, and use a safe payment method.
How to check used cars in Malaysia
Checking the condition and history of a used car before buying or selling is an important step to avoid unpleasant surprises and losing money. Here are some tips on how to properly inspect a used car in Malaysia:
Check the VIN code on a dedicated site. This will help you find out if the car has been involved in an accident, how many times it has changed owners, repairs and maintenance it has undergone, whether there have been searches, arrests or other encumbrances on it.
Check the body with a thickness gauge, which will show if there are any repainted or beat up parts on it. Also inspect the bodywork for scratches, dents, rust or other damage. Pay attention to the joints of the body parts – they should be even and equal around the entire perimeter.
Check the engine for operation, noise, smoke, leaks and compression. To do this, you can use a special device or contact a trusted service. Also check the color and level of oil and antifreeze – they should not be dark, dirty or mixed with each other.
Check the transmission for shifting, noise, vibration and temperature. To do this, you need to drive through different driving modes – city, highway, mountain. Also check the car’s clutch – it should not slip or jam.
Inspect the underside of the car to determine the condition of the suspension, steering, brake system and tires. To do this, you need to drive on different road surfaces – asphalt, gravel, potholes. Also check the alignment of the car wheels – they should not be knocked down or bent.
Check electrical and electronics for operation of headlights, turn signals, power windows, locks, air conditioning, multimedia and other systems. To do this, you need to enable all possible functions and check their serviceability.
Check the document for compliance with the VIN code and data sheet. Also check the availability of insurance and vehicle inspection. If possible, check the seller’s data with the owner’s data according to the database of the Ministry of the Interior or the traffic police.
Documents when buying or selling used cars in Malaysia
Paperwork when buying or selling a used car in Malaysia is a process that requires compliance with certain rules and regulations. Here are the main steps to follow for a legal transaction:
Make a sales contract between the seller and the buyer. The contract must contain information about both parties, about the characteristics and condition of the car, about the price and method of payment, about the guarantees and liabilities of the parties. The contract must be signed by both parties and certified by a notary or lawyer.
Transfer the original and copies of the following documents to the buyer: Vehicle Registration Certificate, Vehicle Inspection Certificate, Vehicle Insurance Policy, Road Tax Receipt, document confirming the payment of tax on the transfer of ownership (Ownership Tax Transfer Receipt).
Apply for transfer of ownership at the Road Transport Department. To do this, you need to fill out a special form (JPJK3) and attach copies of the seller’s and buyer’s documents, as well as the sales contract. The application consideration period is from 7 to 14 days.
Get a new registration certificate in the buyer’s name at the traffic police department. To do this, you must present the original old certificate and receipt of tax payment on the transfer of ownership.
Issuing a new car insurance policy in the name of the buyer in any insurance company. To do this, you need to submit a new registration certificate and fill out an application for insurance.
Pay traffic tax for the current year at any traffic police station or via the Internet. To do this, you need to present the new car registration certificate and receive a receipt for payment.
By following these steps, you can legally buy or sell used cars in Malaysia without any problems or risks.
Conclusion
Malaysia is a country where cars are not only a means of transportation, but also a symbol of status and success. The car market here offers a wide variety of new and used cars from local and foreign brands, as well as various services for buying and selling. However, owning a car in Malaysia also comes with certain costs such as taxes, tolls, fuel, maintenance, insurance and parking. Therefore, before buying or renting a car, you must carefully study all the conditions and characteristics of traffic in the country.
