Buying guide
Where to buy a used car in Kuching: your options compared
The short answer
By Kevin Kho, Founder of Tiger Motors · Updated
Written by Tiger Motors, so we are one of the options compared. Facts about other businesses come only from what they publish themselves, linked below, and terms can change: always confirm with the seller.
Where to buy a used car in Kuching: your options compared
Tiger Motors (Batu Kawa, Kuching)
Local certified used car dealer, mostly Perodua and Proton.
- Inspection
- Own 128-point report for every car, plus a written no-flood, no-total-loss guarantee
- Warranty
- 1 year engine, gearbox and ECU; unlimited claims in the first 60 days
- Loan help
- Six licensed lenders; Tiger Capital can cover the 10% downpayment; no-licence buyers through AEON Credit or Chailease
- Best for
- Buyers who want a full loan with little or no deposit, and support across Sarawak
CARSOME (national platform)
Online-first used car platform with cars listed in Kuching.
- Inspection
- 175-point inspection, per its listings
- Warranty
- 1-year warranty, per its listings
- Loan help
- Financing offered through the platform
- Best for
- Buyers who want a fixed price and a 14-day money-back guarantee (per its listings)
Recond specialists (e.g. Rayakhas)
Imported reconditioned and premium cars, often from Japan.
- Inspection
- Varies by dealer; Rayakhas says all cars go through rigorous inspection
- Warranty
- Varies; Rayakhas advertises up to 5 years on engine, gearbox and ECU
- Loan help
- Help with loan and insurance applications
- Best for
- Buyers after a newer imported or premium model
Independent dealers (Mudah, Carlist)
Many small dealers and agents advertising online.
- Inspection
- Varies; ask for it in writing
- Warranty
- Varies from none to a year; ask for the terms
- Loan help
- Many advertise “full loan”; check which lender
- Best for
- Buyers who want the widest choice and will check each car themselves
Private sellers
Owner sells directly, usually on Mudah or Facebook.
- Inspection
- None, unless you pay for your own
- Warranty
- None
- Loan help
- Harder: you arrange the bank loan yourself
- Best for
- Cash buyers who can inspect a car and handle PUSPAKOM and JPJ themselves
| Option | Inspection | Warranty | Loan help | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Motors (Batu Kawa, Kuching)Local certified used car dealer, mostly Perodua and Proton. | Own 128-point report for every car, plus a written no-flood, no-total-loss guarantee | 1 year engine, gearbox and ECU; unlimited claims in the first 60 days | Six licensed lenders; Tiger Capital can cover the 10% downpayment; no-licence buyers through AEON Credit or Chailease | Buyers who want a full loan with little or no deposit, and support across Sarawak |
| CARSOME (national platform)Online-first used car platform with cars listed in Kuching. | 175-point inspection, per its listings | 1-year warranty, per its listings | Financing offered through the platform | Buyers who want a fixed price and a 14-day money-back guarantee (per its listings) |
| Recond specialists (e.g. Rayakhas)Imported reconditioned and premium cars, often from Japan. | Varies by dealer; Rayakhas says all cars go through rigorous inspection | Varies; Rayakhas advertises up to 5 years on engine, gearbox and ECU | Help with loan and insurance applications | Buyers after a newer imported or premium model |
| Independent dealers (Mudah, Carlist)Many small dealers and agents advertising online. | Varies; ask for it in writing | Varies from none to a year; ask for the terms | Many advertise “full loan”; check which lender | Buyers who want the widest choice and will check each car themselves |
| Private sellersOwner sells directly, usually on Mudah or Facebook. | None, unless you pay for your own | None | Harder: you arrange the bank loan yourself | Cash buyers who can inspect a car and handle PUSPAKOM and JPJ themselves |
Other businesses' terms as published on their own website or listings, checked on 26 October 2026.
1. Tiger Motors: local certified dealer with full loan support
Tiger Motors is a used car dealer in Batu Kawa, Kuching, rated 4.9★ from 265 Google reviews, with 500+ cars sold since 2021. Every car passes our 128-point inspection, gets a full-body respray and comes with a 1-year engine, gearbox and ECU warranty and a written no-flood, no-total-loss guarantee. We submit loans to six licensed lenders, and Tiger Capital can finance the downpayment, so most approved buyers start with no deposit (see car loans). Free delivery anywhere in Sarawak except Limbang.
Less suited to: buyers who want a premium imported model, as our stock is mostly Perodua and Proton.
2. CARSOME: national used car platform
CARSOME is a Malaysia-wide used car platform with cars listed in Kuching. Its listings describe a 175-point inspection, a fixed price, a 14-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty (CARSOME listings on Carlist.my). It suits buyers who like buying online at a fixed price; ask which workshop handles warranty repairs in your town.
3. Recond specialists: imported and premium cars
Reconditioned (“recond”) dealers import nearly-new cars, often from Japan. Rayakhas in Kuching, for example, describes itself as a premium and recond dealer, says all its cars go through a rigorous inspection, advertises up to 5 years of warranty on the engine, gearbox and ECU, and helps with loan and insurance applications (rayakhas.com.my). Recond cars usually cost more than local used cars of the same model, and warranty terms differ between dealers, so compare them in writing.
4. Independent dealers on Mudah and Carlist
Kuching has many smaller dealers and agents advertising on Mudah and Carlist. You get the widest choice of cars and prices, but inspection, warranty and loan support differ from one seller to the next. Use our 8-point dealer checklist on each one, and get the warranty and the flood guarantee in writing before paying a deposit.
5. Private sellers
Buying from an owner can be the cheapest option, but there is usually no inspection, no warranty and no help with the loan, and banks are stricter on private-sale loans. You also arrange the PUSPAKOM inspection and JPJ transfer yourself. It suits cash buyers who know cars, or who pay a mechanic to inspect one first.
Which option is right for you?
- Little or no deposit, or a small CTOS record: a dealer that submits to several lenders and can finance the downpayment, such as Tiger Motors.
- A fixed price and a money-back period: a national platform such as CARSOME.
- A newer imported or premium model: a recond specialist.
- The lowest price, paying cash: a private seller, with your own inspection.
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.
Can I buy a car and get a loan without a driving licence?
Yes. You don't need a driving licence to buy a car or apply for a car loan. Banks require a full licence, but AEON Credit and Chailease accept applicants with no licence or with only an L licence, so we submit your application to them instead.
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.
Can I buy a car without visiting the showroom?
Yes. Many buyers in Miri, Bintulu and Sibu buy entirely through WhatsApp. We send photos, videos and the stock list, submit your loan with documents sent by phone, meet you at your nearest airport to sign, and deliver the car free.
Find out what you qualify for, today.
Send us your preferred model or monthly budget on WhatsApp. Loan answer within 3 working days of receiving your documents.