2nd hand cars and driver's licensing (fr. US)

We arrived 5 weeks ago and will buy a 2nd hand car before summer. Can anyone recommend a good source of reliable cars? We are looking on AsiaExpat but want other options too and have heard Vins Motors are good.


Also, what's the best approach to getting a driver's license here? Have heard that it's nearly impossible to get passed on a Hong Kong full license and that getting an international license may be better. We hold valid US licenses now.


Thanks so much!

There is an automall in Wanchai. It's on one of the carpark floors of the Hyatt in Wanchai. Basically you go there and it's a floor of all used vehicles for sale. Before purchasing you can get your own certified mechanic to inspect before purchase.


Piece of cake to get a license. All you need to do is go get the paperwork, MV is on the 3rd/4th Floor of the United Centre. Give them a copy of your current US license, paperwork and handover the $900HK and you got a license that will permit yo to drive on the HK roads.

Aaaaarrrrggghhh !! Another post saying "heard that Vin's Motors is good".


I've been active on other posts warning people about this crowd. You'll readily find them. You can tell from my username that I'm not a fan of Vin's (and particularly smooth talking Tommy Siu).


They serviced the car I bought from them a couple of years ago the whole time. We recently took it to a Toyota service centre. Turns out the mileage had been wound back by at least 40,000 km and engine needed a lot of work and attention due to "poor maintenance". Would strongly recommend people avoid dealing with them. Now, whether all such dealers are the same I can't say (the Toyota guy told me this practice was "rife" in HK). But I really don't want Vin's to continue getting the "heard they are good" wrap on this site.

Always insist on an independent inspection before committing to buy from any second hand car dealer in HK. Winding back the odo meter is extremely common here for many reasons. In the end it is not the mileage of the car, but the state of the engine (and the car) that matters. Again just find yourself a reliable car repair shop to do the inspection for you.


Some "expat" dealers have a good reputation, but in my experience that is only based on the fact that they speak English and offer Western-style customer service (it is more like lip service). Their cars are overpriced compared to the local auto malls with nothing to show for it. Caveat Emptor!