Tips for buying a car online

Considering buying a car is normally a pretty big purchase, it might seem weird to complete a sale with just a few taps on your smartphone. If you're wondering whether to buy a car this way, our guide is here to help.

We believe you should buy your car in the way that suits you best. That could be shopping in-store, or buying online from the comfort of your sofa – or a bit of both. Here are our tips for online car buying.

Advantages of buying a car online

Here are some of the advantages of buying a car online:

• Choice – you can browse thousands of cars from all makes and models, including cars sold anywhere in the country without restricting yourself to those that are close to you
• Convenience – you don't have to visit multiple dealers to look at several different cars, with all their stock viewable online
• Quick – once you've found the car you want, you can buy it in just a few minutes or even apply for finance and get a confirmation all on the same day

How do I buy a car online?

Our recommendation is to buy from a reputable retailer – possibly even from us at Motorpoint! – as this will give you extra protection as a buyer should you encounter any problems. Reputable retailers will have clear return and exchange policies, and will usually work with you to resolve any issues quickly. Privately sold vehicles are available through some online listings sites and may be a little cheaper than cars from retailers, but you have little protection if the car you buy has hidden problems.

Buying from a reputable retailer is usually quite easy. Most sellers make their entire selection of cars available on their website for you to browse. Once you've found the right car, you can follow the on-screen links to arrange purchase and any finance details, along with collection or delivery details. This is also just one of the ways you can buy a nearly new or used car from Motorpoint.

Is buying a car online safe?

Buying a car online is completely safe as long as you are purchasing from a trusted retailer. Like any online purchase, it’s good to check for testimonials from previous customers, and read into the site's return policies as well.

We’d also recommend checking for a phone number that lets you speak to a real person. Retailers with physical stores can also offer added reassurance as you can inspect the car in person before committing to your purchase.

Is it okay to buy a car online without seeing it?

The answer here depends on a few factors – namely who you buy the car from and how comfortable you are with buying a car without viewing it beforehand. Of course, most reputable online retailers do let you 'see' the car in a sense because they'll include several good quality photos to let you view the car and its features from key angles.

Whether that's enough reassurance to buy the car will be for you to decide. Reputable retailers will often have thorough inspection processes – like Motorpoint's Quality Standard – that'll catch and fix any problems before they put the car on sale. Plus, on the off chance that you do encounter a problem with a car you've bought online when you come to collect it, those same retailers will have clear procedures to fix the car, or provide an exchange or refund.

Tips for buying a car online

Research the car

A car is a big purchase. However you choose to purchase your vehicle, it's important to do plenty of research before you begin. This will help you understand which models may meet your needs and fit in to your lifestyle.

Think about what you’ll be using it for:

• If you’re commuting and only carry occasional passengers, a small fuel-efficient car may suit you
• For those transporting the family, you’ll want something more spacious with a good safety rating
• If you travel long distances, you might appreciate a comfy car with an efficient diesel engine

Then consider the features you want or need such as sat nav, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated seats or adaptive cruise control. What will make your day-to-day car journeys easier and more enjoyable?

Finally, consider your budget. How much are you looking to spend, and which cars fit in your price range. Opting for a nearly new car over a brand-new car can save you thousands of pounds so these are always worth considering. If you're financing your car, you might consider the monthly payments ahead of the car's total value.

For more in-depth advice, check out our guide to researching and choosing your next car.

Research the retailer

Choosing a reputable retailer is really important when buying a car online. It’s an expensive purchase and you'll have the most protection if you buy from a business you can trust. Private sellers are only obliged to describe the vehicle they're selling accurately – beyond that, they'll offer no returns policy of any kind and no warranty coverage.

To learn more about a particular car retailer, you can look at factors like how long they've been in business and whether they're publicly traded. You can also look at the company's social media channels, or see customer testimonials on review websites such as Trustpilot, or talk to friends or family with direct experience.

Part exchange

If you're trading from one car to another, you may want to get rid of your old car at the same time. Many retailers will also allow you to arrange a part exchange online at the same time as buying your new car.

This saves you the hassle of selling your old car privately and, if you bought the car on PCP finance, any equity can be put towards the purchase of your next car. What’s more, if you opt for a home delivery, your car can be sent straight to your door, with your old one taken away at the same time.

Think about which finance options are best for you

Car finance is a great way of spreading the cost of your purchase over a few years.

The most common car finance types are Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Purchase (PCP):

• HP lets you spread the total cost of your purchase over a set number of years with fixed monthly payments. You will own the car outright at the end of your agreement. Learn more about HP finance
• PCP means lower monthly payments than HP because you defer a large proportion of the value of the car to a final (balloon) payment. At the end of the agreement, you can either pay or refinance the balloon payment to own the car outright, return the car, or part exchange it for a new car and roll any equity into a new finance agreement. Learn more about PCP finance

There is no ‘best option’ when it comes to car finance, it simply comes down to what is best for your needs. HP usually means higher monthly payments with less to pay overall, while PCP typically means lower monthly payments but more to pay in total.

Choose a handover option that works for you

Once you've found your perfect car and decided how you'll pay for it, the next step is getting those keys in your hands and enjoying your new wheels!

There are normally two options available to you when you have bought a car online – collecting the vehicle in person from a store or collection hub, or having it delivered to your home. Delivery is more convenient but might add a small extra cost to the car's price.

Either way, we recommend looking at the returns policy with both options just in case you are not entirely happy with your purchase. Speaking of…

Returns policy

Do your research around the company's returns policy. Make sure you understand your right to return or exchange the car if you're not happy with it.

Remember, you'll only get a clear return or exchange policy if you buy your car from a reputable retailer. Private sellers will not offer any kind of return policy so any sale made is usually final.

Ask for advice, help and opinions

No matter how much research you do, car buying can still be an overwhelming experience with the volume of choice that is available. Asking for outside opinions can help you make your mind up if you're stuck.

That might be speaking to family or friends with car buying experience, or picking up the phone and speaking to the car retailer directly. Handily enough, Motorpoint has a huge range of handy buying and ownership guides, plus top 10 lists of our favourite cars to help you in your buying journey.

Ready to buy your car online?

Are you ready to start your car-buying journey? Motorpoint has thousands of nearly new and used cars for sale, all with warranty cover and available at unbeatable prices. If you're buying online, you can choose to collect your dream car in-store or have it delivered straight to your home!