Korean Job Discussion Forums

Golden Lama

This post is getting no action on the Off Topic board, so I thought I'd try my luck over here, too:

I've been in contact with a few dealers through Korean colleagues and have tracked down a few possibilities, but I'd still like some feedback from veterans who have purchased a used car in this country - private or dealer sales - to sort out what I should expect.

What I'd like to know is:

What constitutes legally taking possession of a car? Can I count on the dealership to do all the necessaries as I could back in the world, or is there something that I should be expecting that'll be completely different? Obviously, there's going to be a difference between private and dealership sales, so any steps that are necessary for a private sale would be appreciated as I might end up going that way.

And what about insurance? I've been driving for almost two decades, but I haven't been the primary policy holder for more than a year on a vehicle. Does anyone have an insurance company that they'd recommend, i.e. the cheapest option that's not going to require me to track down and translate an affidavit that I've been insured before?

Also, I'm a licensed Canadian driver and I have a valid international drivers license, so how quickly should I look into transferring my license over, or should I not even worry about it and just drive a car on an international license until somebody tells me to do otherwise?

Lastly, one of the options that I've come across on USFK Classifieds is Mr. Bills Cars. Has anyone ever dealt with this guy? It all seems a little shady as all of the pictures he posts of "his" cars for sale are in totally different locations, so I can't be sure if I want to deal with somebody that doesn't have a solid base of operations, but he's also got a couple good deals that I'd look into if somebody could tell me he's worth the time; thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

GL

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

First International licence means squat in this country. Or any other country for the matter of fact.

The good news is that your a canuck. Korea and Canada have an exchange on a lot of things all you need to do is bring in your licence in and 10 dollars and tada you got your self Korean drivers.

poker player · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: On the river

First of all, Wrench's info is right and you must have a valid Korean license to buy a car here.
When I bought mine, the guy I bought it from did everything for me. He sold me the car, arranged the insurance and did all the paperwork. It really was a no muss no fuss deal and he even came to my apartment 3x to get everything signed, delivered etc. I basically just trusted him on everything and when it came time to renew the insurance he again came to my apt. got me to sign everything and then brought back the papers. Now I have to tell you I think I may have paid a bit more for the car than I needed to (1.5 for a 95 Sonata 2 years ago but never a problem so far) and probably also for the insurance but it is was worth it. I found him through a student in 1 of my uni classes-I basically just told all my classes I wanted to buy a car and could anyone help me and this guy popped up and my student did all the translating (and oddly enough got an A in the course). If the student got a kick back from the dealer I was OK with that because I had heard some horror stories about other foreigners buying cars so I just wanted no problems and I had none.
I would give you this guy's name except I am near Seosan so unless you are in that area I doubt he can help you.
So the key is to get a Korean friend or student involved to help you find someone who is in the business.

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

Yep, we got our car through a dealer, everything sorted through him, he asked us what insurance company we wanted to use, my brother-inlaw suggested Meritz. I just got the renewal but opted for full insurance this time, only 10% more than third party! We paid 3mill for a 1999 very low mileage Matiz this time last year.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

I got mine through a dealer and he arranged everything. Paid for the car, got my insurance (600k inluding roadside assistance - like CAA/BCAA/AMA etc). He took me down to the DVM to change my plates and registration over. It iwas pretty painless.

You do need your KOREAN licence AND your ARC to get and register a car.

Golden Lama · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:46 pm Post subject:

Cheers!

Very helpful info. I'll get my license changed over and get myself a vehicle together through a Korean colleague as that's the M.O. I'm currently employing.

So, Meritz is the name of one insurance company, but Poker Player and ttompatz, who did you go through?

Also, did anybody have to supply proof of insurance from before? I really don't want to go through that hassle if I can avoid it.

Wrench, what do you mean by "squat"? I've used my international license in any number of countries - even rented cars with it - so, do you mean that I'm not actually insured when I'm using it, or I'll be charged as an unlicensed driver if something happens? Obviously, I'll get my Korean license arranged, but just for future reference.

Thanks,

GL

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Riposte · Joined: 07 Feb 2006

Also - an IDP is technically just a translation of your home country license, not a license in itself, and valid only in conjunction with your (valid) home country license.

*Check your PM, sent you info that might help.

ttompatz - slight correction. A Korean license is NOT needed when registering a car (see above poster's info re grace periods before local K license must be obtained - also, many Koreans, for tax purposes aand other dodgy reasons, have their cars registered under someone else's name, often times a family member who doesn't even have a license). Actually, most insurance companies won't even ask to see one either when signing up for a policy.

Insurance - 2 kinds of insurance alternatives. Basic liability (minimum required by law to get on the road) and full coverage. Under 26 yrs of age and it's a bit expensive.

blackbird · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Location: Songtan

I just wanted to note that I purchased my car and insurance using an international drivers license. I was told that it was legal to use this license for up to one year.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

happygirl · Joined: 20 Feb 2006

I am still a legal resident of the US here on an E2 visa. I've been told that the Intl license is all I need. When I bought my car last year, that's all they wanted.

If I get the Korean one, I have no current license when I go home on vacation. I'm sticking with what I've got. Try renting a car in the US, Mexico or Canada with a Korean driver's license Shocked

Riposte · Joined: 07 Feb 2006

The point is that in order to purchase a car, register and insure it, you do not need to show a Korean license or any license for that matter. The insurance folks may ask you if what you have but in the end won't give a toss if it means losing a sale, ditto for the car seller/dealer as they are not legally liable for a customer's failure to confirm local regs accurately. The Gu office flunkies also are not required to determine if you are legal to drive or not.

If you happen to be stopped by a K-cop who knows his regs (or, worse, cause an accident) with only an IDP and no valid home country license, you are farked.

But you'd be farked anyway as:

Your being a "legal resident of the US here on an E2" (or for that matter any resident waygook visa) doesn't mean shiat. E2 = resident foreigner = need to be in possession of Korean license after a certain time in country.

poker player · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: On the river

[quote="Golden Lama"

So, Meritz is the name of one insurance company, but Poker Player and ttompatz, who did you go through?

Also, did anybody have to supply proof of insurance from before? I really don't want to go through that hassle if I can avoid it.

GL[/quote]

I'm embarrased to say I don't know who my insurance is through. Embarassed

I think it's LG but I'd have to check it out. Obviously I haven't had to use it. It just sits in my glove compartment. I just left it up to the dealer. The cost was about 700k 1st year. I didn't have to show any proof of prior insurance. I even got a discount this year because of no claims.

Golden Lama · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:51 pm Post subject:

Fair enough, PP, thanks for telling me how much you had to pay as that will help me know if I'm gettin a good price or not.

If you don't mind me asking, could you give me a ballpark on your age?To make it fair, I'm between 32 and 34. I figure if we're in the same age range, I can push for the same deal.

Cheers,

GL