Is it Safe to Buy a Used Car Online?

Buying a used car is an exciting prospect, but also a potentially stressful experience. Often, it involves traveling to numerous dealerships to find the perfect vehicle at the best price. When you get there, it can take hours to negotiate with salespeople and wrangle over financing.

One option to ease the car-buying process is to shop for cars online. But there are several disadvantages to this method of shopping, including the fact that you don’t have a chance to test drive the car you’re interested in. In addition, many online sellers won’t give you the chance to ask for more information about the car before purchasing it.

In the meantime, the Better Business Bureau suggests that you take a number of precautions to make sure your used car purchase goes smoothly. Here are some tips to help you avoid scams and save money:

1. Don’t buy a car from a private seller:

When looking for a used vehicle, choose to work with a dealership rather than a private seller. Dealers are subject to strict regulations that private sellers don’t have to follow, so you’re more likely to get a quality vehicle from a dealer.

2. Ask for a thorough used-car inspection before buying:

If you are buying a used car from an individual, it’s important to have it inspected by a qualified mechanic. The mechanic should be able to point out any defects and provide recommendations on how to correct them. This is especially true if the car has been driven in harsh weather or for long periods of time.

3. Check the car’s history report before buying:

If the car you’re interested in is a used vehicle, it should come with a vehicle history report from a service like Autocheck or Carfax. These reports can tell you if the car has been in an accident, how many owners it has had, and other information that may impact your decision.

4. Avoid scams:

The most common online car scams are fake escrow services and low-priced cars that are located overseas or in another state. These are typically perpetrated by criminals who steal someone’s identity and transfer their funds into an account outside the country.

5. Never sign a contract that doesn’t contain all the details:

Regardless of where you buy your vehicle, make sure you read and understand the contract. The contract should include all the terms and conditions of the transaction, including a breakdown of fees and costs. It should also specify whether you’re paying with cash or on finance.

6. Never meet with a stranger alone:

If you’re buying a used car from a private seller, it’s important to meet with them in person and in the presence of a trusted friend or family member. This will help you verify the seller’s identity and ensure that they are legitimate.

7. Don’t agree to pay with a money order or cashier’s check:

This is a common scam in which buyers send you a cashier’s check or money order for more than the agreed-upon price, only to tell you that they made a mistake and need you to refund them the difference. In reality, the money order was never legitimate, so you will have to return it and possibly lose any money you sent them.