Prospective owners are essentially faced with two viable and cost-effective options when looking at buying a vehicle: new or second hand. Each has its advantages; it’s really a case of choosing which is best for you.

While new cars should prove to be more of a hassle-free option, they do come at a heavily taxed premium if choosing an international brand. On the flip side, local brands actually benefit from the tax laws (which are, after all, aimed at promoting the local motor vehicle industry) and servicing is both cheaper and more readily available for these vehicles.

The other cost-effective option when buying a car is to go second hand. If possible, buyers may wish to investigate their expat community (whether it be through work, social networks or internet communities) to see if anyone is leaving Malaysia and is looking to sell a vehicle. Dealing with a trustworthy acquaintance will likely be less expensive and certainly saves trawling through the endless pages of local adverts.

Unfortunately for those thinking of importing a car from home, the import duty of around 200 per cent of the vehicle’s costs, including insurance and freight, effectively makes it an unviable option.