Are Online Car Buying Sites Legit?

If you’ve never used an online car dealer, we don’t blame you for having some questions about how the process works. There are plenty of drivers who have only ever worked with traditional, in-person dealerships and associate buying a car online with scams and shady dealings. But there’s a big difference between responding to a Craigslist ad and working with a reputable online dealer. Of course, it can be hard to know what to look for if you’ve never done your car shopping online before. There are online car buying sites that are legit, but you need to do your research to determine which ones you can trust. In this article, we’ll cover some questions you can ask to determine whether an online car shopping platform is legit or covered in red flags.

Does the Platform Stand Behind Its Vehicles?

One of the problems with platforms that are simply there to allow individual sellers to make their own posts is that the platform itself isn’t liable for misleading or fraudulent posts. Craigslist itself isn’t a shady company that’s out to scam you, but it’s an accessible platform that pretty much anyone can post on, whether they have good intentions or not. With a big purchase like a car, it’s not a good idea to take on a risk like that.

Instead, you want a car-buying site that stands behind every vehicle listed in its inventory. For instance, here on Online.cars, we don’t allow just any vehicle to be posted to our site. We have Patented Nationwide Search software that filters out any vehicles that have been in major accidents, have salvage history, or are likely to have costly issues under the surface due to flood damage or electrical problems. Our high standards mean that only high-quality used vehicles end up in our inventory, so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck with a lemon.

Do They Offer a Vehicle History Report for Used Vehicles?

Even if a company is willing to stand behind its inventory, you may still want to do some research for yourself. You can learn a lot about a used vehicle by looking at its vehicle history report, which can let you know how many previous owners it’s had, how well it’s been maintained, and whether it’s ever been in an accident. If a seller lets you know the vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number), then you will be able to look up its history on your own through a third-party service; however, it will probably cost you a fee, which can get expensive quickly if you’re deciding between multiple options.

You can get peace of mind at no additional cost by working with an online seller that will show you history reports for free. While browsing through pre-owned vehicles on Online.cars, you can look at any vehicle’s history report through CARFAX with a simple click at no extra charge. Plus, all of the used models listed on our site come with a CARFAX Guaranteed Clean Vehicle History Certificate and the protection of the CARFAX buyback guarantee. This means that CARFAX will buy the vehicle back if you find that the history report managed to miss any severe damage, odometer problems, or lemon history that has been reported by a DMV.

Can You Get Warranties and Protections?

A car is a major purchase, and many people rely on their vehicles to get them to work, so it’s no wonder that people want to be reassured that the car they’re buying will be covered if they have issues with it. If you bought a car from a stranger on Facebook Marketplace and find out the next day that you need to take it to a mechanic for a costly repair, then there’s not much you can do. Once the money has changed hands, you have to hope that the car’s condition is as good as it appears.

However, with the proper warranties and protections, you can get peace of mind knowing that you’re covered. When you buy a car from Online.cars, we’ll provide our Lifetime Mechanical Warranty at no additional cost. As long as you get your oil changed every 6,000 miles, you’ll have major mechanical coverage not just for a year or two but for a lifetime. We offer plenty of other warranties and protections as well, some of which come standard with the purchase of certain vehicles and some of which can be added on.

Is There a Money-Back Guarantee?

Once the money has changed hands with a private seller, it’ll most likely be difficult to get it back for any reason. Even some larger companies won’t give you a refund after your vehicle has been delivered and you’ve had a chance to inspect it. But no inspection is going to be as thorough as actually having a few days to use the vehicle and get a feel for how it drives.

With Online.cars, you don’t have to stress out about the deal becoming permanent the moment your delivery driver is out of sight. We offer a ten-day, 1,000-mile money-back guarantee that gives you the opportunity to feel fully confident in your purchase before anything is final. You will even be asked to verify the odometer reading at the time of delivery so that you can be absolutely certain that a clerical error isn’t cutting into your promised 1,000 miles.

Do They Charge Excessive Delivery Fees?

With an online forum that hosts individual private sellers, like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, it’s not wise to accept home delivery even if offered. When buying a vehicle from a complete stranger, it’s safer to meet in a well-populated public location rather than letting the seller know where you live. If you buy from a more reputable online source, be wary of excessive delivery fees. These are often non-refundable, even if the seller gives you a window where you can get your money back for the car itself and slash into your budget.

Here at Online.cars, we offer free delivery within a 150-mile radius of our headquarters in Loveland. Beyond that, we ensure that our delivery costs are modest, reasonable, and clear. We certainly don’t want to hit you with a hidden fee that comes out of nowhere or charge an excessive amount that’s way more than the actual cost of shipping the vehicle to your address. We also give you the option to pick up your vehicle in person if you’d rather pick it up that way. And if you decide to return your vehicle during the money-back guarantee window, we don’t charge a pickup fee.

We’re Here to Change Your Car Buying Experience

It can feel scary to shop for a big purchase like a car without going to an in-person dealership but don’t forget that there are many benefits to buying online. For one thing, you can do everything from the comfort of your own home, which means that you can feel relaxed and take your time while browsing inventory without feeling the pressure of a car salesperson breathing down your neck. Shopping online and getting a vehicle delivered to your home is also easier to fit into a busy schedule than visiting a dealership, hoping they’re not too busy, and perhaps even driving back and forth multiple times if there are any complications in the buying process.

Here at Online.cars, we offer all the benefits of shopping for a vehicle online without any of the risks you take when you work with less reputable platforms. We always strive to be fully transparent and offer all the protections and guarantees you need to shop confidently. So take a look at our inventory today and see what we can do for you. Our goal is to give you a car-buying experience that is unlike anything you’ve had in the past, and we look forward to finding you a great vehicle that you’re going to love.