Car Search is Singapore's first all-encompassing car agent and service provider

Car Search is the brainchild of Ken, who toyed with the idea of an all-encompassing service for car owners several years ago. For starters, Ken wanted Car Search's practices to be transparent throughout and thorough.

At the same time, he wanted to do more than just acquiring and selling cars for profit. He wanted to create a personalised 24-hour service that serves to help car owners sell their cars, buy their next car (be it new, used or COE-renewed), provide the best insurance and loan rates, and also help them maintain it down the road at unbeatable prices.

Think of its staff as personalised, round-the-clock agents, who will represent both car sellers and buyers fetch the highest prices, get the best deals and protect their rights throughout.

With that in mind, Car Search was born, and its team comprises specialists from different parts of the car industry, each with over 10 years of experience.

Representing sellers

Selling a car can easily become a nightmare of an experience for a first-timer. Trading it in or selling it to a used car dealer is the quickest but least financially savvy option, while selling via consignment has its risks.

Selling it on your own is the safest option, but definitely the most troublesome. Car Search helps sellers using all possible methods - via consignment, bidding, exporting or rental - whichever gets the seller the highest returns, and is strict with the way it handles business.

Whatever the car and no matter how expensive it is, Car Search insists that both the seller and buyer sign on the same sales agreement, which clearly states the conditions of the sale as well as the selling and buying price.

It practices multi-platform advertising for the cars it represents, and each car it lists for sale is entitled to bidding, which is only open to direct buyers. With the extensive network reach and good relationships it has with other dealers and consignment agents, Car Search will exhaust all means to get its sellers the highest financial returns.

For buyers

With the Car Search team's extensive experience in the car industry, finding a car for a buyer is even easier, whether it's a new or used car. It is able to acquire any car available on the used car market, and as a parallel importer itself, it is also able to import the latest, coolest models, such as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class that was only launched earlier this year.

More importantly, the company's reach extends into the realm of loan and insurance, too, which is one of its strengths. It will craft out the best-suited loan and insurance packages from all institutions, tailor-made to every individual's budget, starting from as low as 1.98%. The usual market loan rates are 2.78%.

At the same time, with its good relationship with many workshops, Car Search will ensure a car is in optimal condition before its buyer signs on the dotted line.

The company promises that it will go above and beyond to create a positive buying experience by also preventing hidden or extra charges from being slapped on the buyer. Ken says he always encourages all buyers to bring the car to a professional mechanic for a thorough evaluation before committing, no matter how good it may look in the flesh.

Buyers can bring the car to whichever workshop they are comfortable with, even to STA if they would like. If the car requires a fair amount of repairs, Car Search will make it known to the seller that it is only fair that a discount is given, or that the car is repaired before it is handed over to the buyer. Either way, the company insists that the buyer must not be shortchanged.

If the terms aren't fair, the company will strongly recommend the buyer to look at another unit. "Creating a relationship built on trust is much more important than creating short-term profits," says Ken.

For owners

Another interesting business idea that Car Search has come up with is its mobile app, Car Search Rewards, which is found on the Apple App Store, as well as on Google Play Store.

The app is tailored to improve the lives of all car owners, offering them unbeatable discounts at many merchants and workshops, ranging from grooming, and wheels and tyres, to repair and maintenance services.

Some of the big names it has partnered up with so far include MBM Wheelpower, Mirage Motorwerkz and AL Tyres, with many more coming on board as we speak. To use the app, car owners simply need to sign up, either as a free member to enjoy 10% off with its partners, or as a premium member for $250 a year to enjoy up to 20% off.

With its Car Search Rewards app, the company aims to take care of car owners at every leg of the journey, from buying a car, to selling it and getting another, and maintaining in the long run for the least amount of money spent, with discounted prices from its partners.

And from what we've seen so far from the company, it indeed is becoming what it promises to be - Singapore's first and best all-encompassing automotive service provider.

To find out more about how the company can help you, you can check out its microsite, or head down to its headquarters at 18 Sin Ming Lane #01-83/#04-02 Midview City Singapore (573960) for a chat. Its team is also contactable at 6262 0728.