7 Tips to Successfully Buy a Used Car Online

Oct 20, 2017 Suhail Ajmal Tips 0

Buying a used automobile could be a daunting task, especially if you want to buy it online. That’s why you need to follow these simple tips and get the best deal without being cheated or ripped off.

Buy a Used Car Online Image Source: Pexels

1. Verify the Vendor’s Credibility

You should know whether the seller you are working with is a reliable person who delivers the used cars in accordance with your terms. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help you check the history and credibility of all the sellers in the US and Canada. You can also verify that information by reading other sellers’ ratings.

2. Do Your Research

It is a big mistake to get at a car lot and buy a certain vehicle without doing the thorough research first. Luckily, it is possible to find out almost anything you wanna know about an automobile online. Take advantage of that!

3. Refine Your Search

It’s a good idea to refine the search for a particular model you are looking for. In addition to the price, you should also do the research based on the age, body type, trim, location, and other details. Are you living in Auburn? There are a lot of decent used cars in Auburn metro area to choose from.

4. Compare Prices

Regardless of your target country and city, make sure to research the newest resale prices for a specific car model that match your price range. Look for competing websites when research prices online rather than focusing on a single site. Those websites will give you a better idea of the average price. That will help you avoid rip-offs.

5. Make Use of Incentives

Many car manufacturers offer incentives. You should not miss out such perks just because you are shopping online. To find out potential dealer based incentives, call the local dealership in your country if they aren’t advertised online. You can also familiarize yourself with current national promotions by visiting the manufacturer’s official site.

6. Test Drive the Car

Let’s say you did everything mentioned above properly. Now it’s time to meet your seller in person and get that used-car test drive. Go out to the car lot to test-drive the car, or arrange a meeting at a safe location. This is the only way to really find out whether the car can drive the way you would like.

7. Get it Inspected In Person

Sometimes the reviews, information, and pictures provided online are not genuine. Not to mention Photoshop and other tricks. Your best bet is to inspect the car personally or take a mechanic along to take a closer look at it.

Here are some critical pointers for inspection you should check for:

Body underneath, carpet for rust, and bonnet
Oil filler cap
Signs of oil leaks
Engine wear
Tyres (including the spare one)
The car interior – the seatbelts, front seats, switches, etc.

At last, make sure to use a safe online payment method. This is important even if you only want to make a deposit online. Try to find out whether the deposit is refundable and only use the credit card that involves limited liability in the case of fraud. Happy motoring!