Buying guide
How to buy a used car in Kuching
The short answer
By Kevin Kho, Founder of Tiger Motors · Updated
- 1
Set a monthly budget, not just a price
Most buyers in Sarawak pay by hire purchase, so start from what you can pay each month. As a rule of thumb, a RM35,000 car under 10 years old works out to about RM384 a month with a bank over 9 years (90% financed at about 3.5% flat). Keep your total monthly debt within a healthy Debt Service Ratio; your lender will check this. See current estimates on every car page.
- 2
Check your loan eligibility before you choose a car
Lenders look at your age (18–55), income proof (payslips, EPF or bank statements) and credit record (CCRIS and CTOS). Part-time, contract and e-hailing income is generally not accepted, and a CCRIS blacklist, AKPK or bankruptcy will be rejected. You don't need a driving licence to buy: banks need a full licence, but AEON Credit and Chailease accept buyers with no licence or an L licence. Knowing your answer first avoids losing a deposit on a car you can't finance. Who qualifies →
- 3
Plan the downpayment (or a full loan)
Banks usually finance up to 90% of a used car's price, leaving a 10% downpayment. Some dealers can bridge it: at Tiger Motors, Tiger Capital finances up to 20% of the price, covering the downpayment plus insurance and road tax, so most approved buyers get a full loan. Make sure any downpayment financing sits alongside a loan from a licensed bank or financier, not "loan kedai".
- 4
Insist on a written inspection report
Ask for a documented inspection covering engine, gearbox, body, interior, electrics and a road test, not just a visual check. Look for uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint, which can mean hidden accident repairs, and check carpets, seat rails and the boot for water marks and rust, which can signal a flood car. Tiger Certified cars come with a 128-point inspection.
- 5
Get the flood and total-loss guarantee in writing
Flood and total-loss cars can look perfect after a respray. Ask where the car was sourced, whether there is an auction or third-party inspection report, and whether the dealer guarantees no flood and no total-loss history in writing.
- 6
Read the warranty: what, how long, and where repairs happen
A useful used-car warranty covers the expensive parts (engine and gearbox at minimum) for at least a year, with written terms. If you live outside Kuching, ask where warranty repairs are done; a dealer with panel workshops in Sibu, Bintulu or Miri saves you the drive back.
- 7
Test drive, then confirm the full on-the-road cost
Drive on a mix of roads, and listen for gearbox knocks or suspension noise. Then ask for the total cost in writing: the car price, ownership transfer, road tax and insurance. At Tiger Motors the price includes JPJ transfer, tint and an Android player; road tax and insurance are extra.
- 8
Complete the ownership transfer and delivery
A used car must pass a PUSPAKOM inspection before JPJ ownership transfer, which most dealers handle for you. Once the loan is approved and the agreement is signed, collect the car or arrange delivery. Tiger Motors delivers free anywhere in Sarawak except Limbang. Delivery details →
Common questions
How do I choose a good used car dealer in Kuching?
Ask every dealer five questions before you pay anything: Can I see the written inspection report? What does the warranty cover, and is it in writing? Do you guarantee no flood or total-loss history? Which lenders can you submit my loan to? What do your Google reviews say? At Tiger Motors, the answers are: a 128-point report; a 1-year engine, gearbox and ECU warranty with 60 days of unlimited claims; a no-flood, no-total-loss guarantee; six lenders plus Tiger Capital downpayment financing; and 4.9 stars from 265 Google reviews.
Can I get a full loan for a used car in Kuching?
Yes, most of our approved buyers get a full loan with no deposit. We submit your application to the most suitable lender (Maybank, CIMB, Hong Leong, Public Bank, AEON Credit or Chailease), which usually finances up to 90%. Tiger Capital then finances up to 20% of the car price to cover the 10% downpayment plus your insurance and road tax. The final result depends on your approved amount and credit scoring.
What interest rate and loan tenure can I get for a used car?
The maximum tenure is 9 years. Banks charge about 3.5% flat and finance cars up to 15 years old at the end of the loan. AEON Credit rates depend on the brand and the car's age: for Perodua and Proton, about 5.28% up to 5 years old, 5.58% at 6 to 10 years, and 9.1% (Perodua) or 9.9% (Proton) at 11 to 16 years; Japanese makes are lower, from about 3.99%. AEON finances cars up to 17 years old at the end of the loan and not older than 16 today. Chailease charges about 9% and finances cars up to 17 years old at the end of the loan (16 for Proton). For example, a 7-year-old car can get up to 8 years with a bank, but 9 years with AEON or Chailease. These are the estimates we quote; your actual rate is set by the lender.
What documents do I need for a car loan as an employee?
Your IC (front and back), 3 months' payslips, and either your EPF statement or 3 months' bank statements showing your salary. Your driving licence (front and back) is optional. Some lenders also ask for an employment confirmation letter from your HR, so it helps to have one ready.
Can I get a car loan if I have CTOS records?
It depends on what the record is and how much. Small CTOS records (generally under RM2,000) are assessed case by case, and some are still approved. We can't check your CTOS for you, but we can submit your application and the lender will tell us whether it affects approval.
Keep reading
Find out what you qualify for, today.
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