Ready to replace your car? The motor industry is now recovering from critical shortages and car sales in the UK rose by over 25% at the start of 2023. With an increasingly varied selection to choose from, finding a used car online seems to be the easiest option for many prospective buyers. While this can be a fantastic way to bag yourself a bargain, it doesn’t come without risks either.
Buying a used car online means you’ll need to consider your options carefully. Whether you’re looking for the perfect first car or you’ve been in the motor trade for years, it’s always worth learning how to make the most out of the process.
How does buying a used car online work?
The process of buying a used car online is determined by various factors. The website or application you use, the type of car you’re looking for, your budget, and your own knowledge could all influence the overall outcome and experience.
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However, you should expect to find individual listings from each car. In general, you can find cars for sale from private individuals, dealerships, and garages, so it’s always worth paying attention to the vendor if you have a preference on the vehicle’s origins.
Sellers should display basic information about the vehicle, including information on its appearance, mileage, engine health, bodywork, interior, specifications, extra features, and more. Each listing is usually accompanied by a series of photographs too.
Is buying a used car the right choice for me?
Generally, browsing online for used cars takes a lot of time and patience. You’ll need to have an eye for detail, and you might also need to communicate directly with sellers to ask questions and check details on vehicles.
You’ll need to be sure of your standards and expectations. Only one in ten people in the UK would buy a used car clocking over 100,000 miles, but try not to focus too much on one aspect if it could mean missing out on a good car.
If you’re looking for something specific and you can’t compromise, we’d recommend browsing in person. For example, if you have your heart set on a used Mercedes, keep your options open by looking both online and at your local car dealership too.
The benefits of buying a used car online
- It’s more efficient
Buying a car online can save you valuable resources. Rather than using your own time and fuel to visit a dealership, you’ll simply scroll through the available options and contact the seller remotely. You can arrange deposits and reserve cars online, so all you’ll need to do is go and collect it. Equally some of the online-only car dealerships allow you to complete the whole process online, and they deliver the car to your door at a time suitable for you.
- No sales pressure
Often, visiting a garage or showroom involves being followed by a talkative sales representative, eagerly sharing tips and information with you in the hope of making a sale. When you browse online, you can effectively view vehicles without any pressure – and if you have any questions, you’ll have much more time to think about them too.
- Wider choice
Shopping online means you won’t be limited solely to your local area. Instead, you can browse models across different locations, specifications, and types. When you head to a garage, you’ll only be presented with what’s already there – and therefore may need to wait for your desired vehicle to become available.
The drawbacks of buying a used car online
- You cannot see the car physically
Of course, not being able to view the car in person can be off-putting for prospective used vehicle buyers. And when it comes to bodywork and interiors, sellers often photograph only the best parts of the car, leaving imperfections out of the picture. To get a realistic and accurate view of the condition of the vehicle, it could be vital to view it in person.
- No guaranteed test drive before you buy
Occasionally, online sellers are happy to arrange a viewing and test drive, especially if you’ve placed a holding deposit on a vehicle. However, it can be much trickier to arrange viewings for online sales, particularly if you’d already need to travel far from home to reach the seller.
- Negotiation can be difficult
When you visit a dealership in person, haggling down the price is expected. Garages price cars knowing that visitors will be likely to ask for a reduction before committing to buying the vehicle, but online sales won’t always factor this in. Buying online means you’ll need to budget appropriately – and if you’re confident with your telephone skills, these could be extraordinarily useful.
Conclusion…
Buying a used car means you’ll need to be patient. Whether you choose yours online or from a garage, make sure you don’t fall into a bad deal – and don’t feel pressured to make any decisions you’re not comfortable with.
