Buying an SUV in Thailand. What to check for?

[thaitanic 16]

I'm planning to buy an SUV in Bangkok in the next couple of weeks. Probably a couple of years-old Ford Everest 2.0 Bi-Turbo Titanium+ 4x4 10A/T. Not sure if I'll buy from an agent or privately. There aren't huge numbers of them around.

 

I've not been involved much with vehicles for a long time, other than renting from time to time. I'd like to compile a list of things to check for. Found these on another post and it seems like a good start:

 

1. Google owner's phone number to make sure the car was never rented.
2. Check for stamped service record every 10k in service history book. (is this realistic for a 2+ year old car?)
3. Check for oil change record every 50k.
4. Radiator has water instead of coolant.

 

Anything else?

 

Is checking for a chassis number matching an engine number still a thing? How about tire tread depth? How to check if major repairs have been done?

Edited November 25, 2020 by thaitanic

[liddelljohn 507]

Oil changes in engine should be every 10k  or once a year ,,,   Gearbox or auto oil every 50-70k

 

you need a mixture of coolant and water  as the coolant has corrosion inhibitors   even in Thai climate

 

check for oil leaks  ,

[fredob43 1,738]

The 2lt Bi-turbo have had some very bad reports of oil leaks in the engine. Give it a good look over in that respect. If you don't know what your looking for suggest you don't buy one. 

 

To check on my report there are some very good posts from Thai Ford owners club on the internet, about the 2lt Bi-Turbo Suggest you look those up.  

[JAS21 2,698]

Everest Club Thailand and Ford Everest Club Australia are two FB groups, I belong to both ... worth  reading and maybe even joining

[Techno Viking 1,293]

21 hours ago, thaitanic said:

1. Check for stamped service record every 10k in service history book. (is this realistic for a 2+ year old car?)

 

1st service is at15,000 and at intervals of 15,000 there after.

[DavisH 4,031]

The minor update for the nissan terra has just been released. It may be worth a look as its quite a bit cheaper than the ford but still has a strong twin turbo engine, even in 2wd spec. I paid 150K more for my crv than this, but it looks pretty loaded. Suspension is said to be close to the everest in comfort too.  

http://www.headlightmag.com/official-price-nissan-terra-my2020-2/

[teacherclaire 1,859]

Not sure if I'll buy from an agent or privately. 

 

A compression test and a thorough check of the frame. chassis is very useful. Thailand does repair totally destroyed vehicles that don't even drive straight anymore.

 

  All used cars seem to have around 100,000 km. Don't believe them, they turn the clock back.

 

A good mechanic can see if that's true by removing the cam cover and have a look how it wore off.

 

   Never trust anybody and forget agents. They want money and they do all for it. 

 

 

[Techno Viking 1,293]

12 hours ago, teacherclaire said:

Not sure if I'll buy from an agent or privately. 

 

A compression test and a thorough check of the frame. chassis is very useful. Thailand does repair totally destroyed vehicles that don't even drive straight anymore.

 

  All used cars seem to have around 100,000 km. Don't believe them, they turn the clock back.

 

A good mechanic can see if that's true by removing the cam cover and have a look how it wore off.

 

   Never trust anybody and forget agents. They want money and they do all for it. 

 

 

 

hahahahaha, good luck finding a seller that will let you remove the cam cover to inspect the valvetrain !!

[1FinickyOne 7,020]

On 11/26/2020 at 9:43 PM, Techno Viking said:

 

1st service is at15,000 and at intervals of 15,000 there after.

For diesel... right?

[teacherclaire 1,859]

16 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

For diesel... right?

No way. I change my oil at my Mitsu Diesel L 200 2.8 l every 5,000 km, clean the airlifter and check other stuff.

 

Ford tells people to either change every 5,000 miles, or 10,000 km.

 

I know that I'm on the safe side with 5 K. I've got 321,000 km on the clock, engine runs like a Swiss clock. 

 

   

Edited November 28, 2020 by teacherclaire

[Techno Viking 1,293]

14 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

For diesel... right?

yes, the vehicle that is the subject of this thread "Ford Everest 2.0 Bi-Turbo" is Diesel.

Edited November 28, 2020 by Techno Viking

[teacherclaire 1,859]

On 11/27/2020 at 10:11 AM, Techno Viking said:

 

hahahahaha, good luck finding a seller that will let you remove the cam cover to inspect the valvetrain !!

But it's an easy procedure to see how long an engine was running. 

[Techno Viking 1,293]

1 minute ago, teacherclaire said:

No way. I change my oil at my Mitsu Diesel L 200 2.8 l every 5,000 km, clean the airlifter and check other stuff.

 

   

 

Yeah my old clunker I did the same, Current ride is by the book..... atleast until the warranty period has finished anyways.

[Techno Viking 1,293]

1 minute ago, teacherclaire said:

But it's an easy procedure to see how long an engine was running. 

 

Do you also ask to put the vehicle on a hoist and remove the gearbox to inspect the clutch life ?

[teacherclaire 1,859]

15 minutes ago, Techno Viking said:

 

Do you also ask to put the vehicle on a hoist and remove the gearbox to inspect the clutch life ?

Nonsense. But if a seller doesn't want a compression check, then don't buy.

 

That tells you enough about an engine, but it's too difficult for most garages, as they do not have a compression tester. I do.