If you’re looking into buying a car online, you probably already know that you can buy a car from another location and have a Michigan auto transport company or a Virginia auto transport company bring the car to you. While this certainly simplifies the process of buying a car online, there are some other things that you need to keep in mind.
When buying a car online, you should distinguish between private sellers and dealers, check the car’s vehicle history report, and ask the seller to send over copies of the vehicle’s service records. Read on to learn more about the things that you should keep in mind when you are buying a car online.
Distinguish Between Private Sellers & Dealers
When you are looking for vehicles online, you need to check whether the vehicle is being sold by a private seller or a dealer. Vehicles sold by dealers are often more expensive than those sold by private parties. However, you will almost always need to pay the full amount at the time of the purchase when you are buying a car from a private party.
If you are buying a car from a dealer, you will be able to get financing. This makes buying anything but the cheapest used cars from private parties difficult for most buyers.
It may be possible for you to get financing beforehand from your bank or credit union, but many private parties will only accept cash up front. You may even be able to get a leased vehicle online from a dealer, while you will certainly not be able to do so from a private party.
Check the Vehicle History Report
One of the most important things to look for when buying a vehicle online is a vehicle history report. Many dealers and reputable private party sellers will provide interested buyers with the vehicle’s history report upon request. You may also be able to obtain a vehicle history report if you have an account with a vehicle history service.
Once you have received the history report, you should check it to ensure that the vehicle has not been in any serious accidents. If it has, proceed with caution. You should also make sure that the vehicle has already received service for any recalls that the manufacturer has issued.
Some drivers also like to look at the number of owners listed on a vehicle’s report. Oftentimes, a vehicle with fewer owners will be maintained better than one with many owners.
Take a Look at the Car’s Service Records
Finally, you should take a look at the car’s service records. You want to make sure that the vehicle has received routine services like oil changes and brake pad changes according to the manufacturer’s service schedule. If it has not been maintained properly, there’s a better chance that it will break down.
You should also check the service records to see if the vehicle has a history of breaking down. This could help you avoid an unreliable vehicle.