In this article, we share these top tips for buying a used car online. If you are looking for a safe and secure way to buy a used car from anywhere in the UK, this article will help you make an informed purchase.
Is It Safe To Buy A Car Online?
Buying a used car online might seem incredibly risky, but you do have backup in the form of consumer protections and motoring organisations established to keep your purchases safe. In some ways, purchasing a used car online might be even safer than buying a used car in person regarding payment protection. To improve your protection, we recommend purchasing your new car with a credit card, given that they come with additional payment protection.
Any purchase you make from a retailer in person is legally protected under the Consumer Rights Act. However, the UK government enacted more legislation in 2013 to protect those who buy online with the Consumer Contracts Regulations. One of the number of protections these regulations offer is the 14-day "cooling off" period, during which buyers can return the goods they bought for their money back with no questions asked.
There are used car brokers out there who already offer this 14-day period for returns, but it depends on who you go to. Some brokers or traders can even arrange to have the car you buy delivered to your home. Another big selling point of buying used cars online is that there are companies offering protected car financing.
What Do I Need To Know When Buying A Car Online?
Many car manufacturers and used car dealers have started to move their businesses online. This is partly to entice new customers, offering easier and more convenient purchases than the traditional standing around on a freezing cold dealership forecourt haggling over prices.
It also provides a way for their customers to bypass the high-pressure sales tactics of the auto dealership, seamlessly picking what car they would like and purchasing it.
However, there is something lost in the faceless reality of the internet that removes the reassurances provided by face-to-face interaction when making a large purchase, such as a car. But there is truly nothing to worry about. This article will take you through the ins and outs of purchasing new or used cars online, with a few handy tips and buying advice thrown in.
Buying a Used Car Online Top Tips
The whole point of buying a car on the internet is convenience. Manufacturers and dealers want to make it as easy as possible for their customers to buy one of their cars.
But with so many options that are all so easily purchased, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here are a few handy tips to get you started when looking to buy a car online.
Research The Car You Want To Buy
Like any other large purchase, you will make in your life, it pays to do the right research first, rather than blindly jumping in and buying the first thing you see.
For most people, buying a car is one of the biggest payments they will ever make, the other biggest probably being a house. Therefore, you should make sure that you know all the ins and outs of what you want and where to find it before you go splashing any cash.
Luckily, most of the information you need to make a good decision is relatively easy to find. A large portion of this is what you want from the car personally, such as colours, models, engine sizes etc., and any other information you might need can easily be found online, such as MOT history.
Finding out this information as you go helps you to be more flexible when making a decision. Through the course of your research, you might find that you need to refine your criteria more towards affordability rather than performance.
On the other hand, if the car model you want to buy is relatively affordable on the used car market already, you can focus more on engine type, for example.
However, we suggest that the first thing to focus on should be the model and make of the car you want. Cars are essentially tools for getting us around, and the car you select should suit all of your travelling needs.
For example, those with growing families might benefit more from a people carrier than a coupe. Of course, if it's style and power you want, you wouldn't do very well showing up to the meet in an executive saloon either.
You should conduct this initial research just as you would if you were buying the car in person. Reading reviews and articles about the different models you have your mind on, getting feedback from people who have previously driven it, all intending to reassure yourself that that will be the perfect car for you.
Every little detail counts when conducting your research. For example, if you require a 5-door car with plenty of space, make sure you only look at vehicles with these options. Additionally, if you are adamant that your car needs an auxiliary port and heated seats, you should focus your search on models with these features.
Buy From A Reliable Seller
When you decide to buy used or new cars online, you should always buy from a reputable dealer or private seller.
As part of your research, you can check the auto dealerships you are thinking of using, checking reviews to see if they are a reliable business.
These checks are for your peace of mind, ensuring that you can buy with confidence. Buying from a private seller, on the other hand, can be a little tricker, and if there is any sign that something isn't right, you should end the transaction.
When you have decided which make and model of car you want and have found an online dealership that looks reliable, the next step is to ensure that the company you are buying from has listed all the relevant information about the car in their online specifications.
Most online retailers make this a lot easier by providing the option to filter different criteria in your search.
Of course, if you are still unsure about what the dealership is offering, it is always a good idea to contact them, either by phone or email and ask them. Most times, they will be happy to help you find the perfect car on their website.
Ask For A Vehicle History Report
Another great tip, once you have found the car you like at a certain auto dealership, is to then ask for a history report on the vehicle.
Any reputable dealer will have no problem providing you with an accurate record of the vehicle's history, which is never a bad thing to have. It will reveal the car's current condition and whether it has had any major work done to it in the past.
These history reports are crucial when buying a used car, given that some cars will have had a rougher life than others. In these reports, you can usually find a record of the car's previous owners, whether it has been in a serious accident, whether it is stolen, as well as transfer records if it has been swapped between dealerships.
Consider Part Exchange
The car you currently own can provide you with additional resources when purchasing a new one. Some may be surprised to find that part exchanges are still possible when buying a car online. Therefore, if you were dead set on part exchanging your old car, it could be worthwhile checking that the dealership you choose offers these kinds of services.
Test Drive
You should never, not even on the internet, purchase a car without seeing it first. You can never truly know what condition a car is in unless you have seen it with your own eyes. While most auto dealerships will be transparent enough, providing you with a vehicle history report, it is always best to go and see for yourself.
Ensuring you have the right insurance cover for a test drive is also a good idea, given that you will not truly get an idea of how the car feels sitting at home on your computer. Therefore we also advise that you take the car you have chosen for a test drive where possible.
Research Finance Options
After finding the car you want, at a dealership you like, with the possibility of part exchanging your existing car, the next thing to do is research your financing options.
Most dealerships will offer car financing themselves, but you can always go to a third party or take out a personal loan with your bank. Sometimes it is best to go with third parties or banks, given that you can go directly to them if something goes wrong.
Luckily, researching and finding the perfect car financing deal online is just as easy as finding the car you want. With several different types of payment options, such as hire purchase agreements, ballooned costs at the end of the agreement term or evenly spread payments throughout, there is a wide range of ways for you to finance your new car.
Consider Car Delivery Options
After you have reached this stage of the buying process, it's time to think about how you want to receive your new car. Typically, when purchasing a vehicle online, there are two main options: collection and delivery. Each option will suit some more than others, with home delivery increasing the convenience of buying online to no end.
Read The Returns Policy
Bear in mind, while you are protected under consumer legislation, it is always best to read the returns policy for your chosen auto dealership, as policies will differ between different businesses. Being able to return your car if you are unhappy with it without encountering a slog of nuisances can truly improve your buying experience.
While you will have the mandatory 14-day returns period when buying online, it is always a good idea to read the small print in case you get hit with a returns fee. Buyers are often liable for any reduction in the value of an item once they have bought it, meaning that the car's mileage will be considered if you choose to return it.
Ask Questions
Purchasing the right car is never straightforward and can often be a complicated process. Therefore, if you are ever unsure about something, it is always best to ask.
Most online retailers will have sales assistants at hand to answer any questions you might have while searching for the perfect car. Never be afraid to ask for help from the dealership if you are unsure about any stage of the used car buying process.
Are you thinking of buying a used car online? If you live in Preston, Lytham, Cleveleys, Blackpool or Fleetwood, you can take advantage of our car collection and delivery service for online purchases throughout the UK.
Call us today on 0759 558 2713 or complete our contact form for more information.
