How to Buy a Car Online

How to Buy a Car Online

A Step-by-Step Guide To Remove Risk

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In the past year, worldwide car sales have increased significantly. Despite the prior decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sales grew to 67.2 million compared to 66.7 million in 2021. With digitization entering the automotive industry, vehicle sales through the internet are becoming more popular, and people can simply order through an online car retailer instead of traditional car retailers. However, we understand that given the significant money involved, this can be a risk. In this article, we’ll detail a step-by-step guide on how to buy a car online so you can proceed in an informed manner.

1.   Decide on a Budget

Setting your budget is crucial, whether you buy a car traditionally or online. Cost of the vehicle aside, make sure you consider taxes, registration fees, insurance and any additional charges like shipping or inspection. Consider maintenance costs beforehand to determine how they’ll affect your monthly or quarterly budget. If you have a car you want to sell before buying a new one, look at trade-in values or sales prices while establishing your budget. That way, you’ll know beforehand if you need additional money for the new purchase.

2.   Research Cars

Your car must fit your budget, preferences and needs. Vehicle features and appearance aside, consider how reliable the vehicle is and the average maintenance costs. Researching your options beforehand will save you the hassle when purchasing your car online. Look at the different makes, models and reviews [Ed tip: Try searching Clean Fleet Report], and compare the prices to traditional options to ensure you get the best deal possible on the car you’re buying. As you may not see the car in-person, your best bet is to make sure you read detailed reviews about the model.

3.   Check Vehicle History and Seller Credentials

The third and most crucial step to buying a car online is to run a background check on the seller and the vehicle. Online reviews make it much easier for the seller to determine the seller’s credibility. But make sure that the car company they’re associated with is credible. 

We strongly recommend opting for an established business instead of buying from a listing, if you do not have the time to go and check the car out thoroughly by yourself. Use trusted websites to look for cars to avoid being scammed. Online car companies usually post their car ads on online marketplaces. Some also offer buying, selling or exchanging old and new cars. But be sure to call and inquire about their policies beforehand, considering it’s a big purchase.

If you’re looking to buy a used car in particular, ask the seller for the car’s VIN before you purchase it. You can use this number to obtain a vehicle history report detailing the car’s past, including accidents, title history and maintenance records. Ask the seller about the car’s current condition and history. You can always request additional photos and videos if you need them.

Once you’ve made up your mind about a car and have made all the background checks, you can buy the vehicle through an online marketplace or directly through a seller. Using an online marketplace is generally more secure, but you might have to pay a commission to some of them. If you trust your supplier to make the dropoff safely, purchasing through an online marketplace is a reasonable option.

Endnote

Online car retail has become very popular since the COVID-19 pandemic owing to its convenience and the more extensive variety of car options that are available online. However, buying a car can be a hefty task, whether you do it online or in person. It’s best to set a budget, research car options and potential sellers, and run background checks before buying your car.