Top Tips for finding cars online

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by: Martyna Sroka
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Word Count: 504
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 Time: 7:53 AM
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When it comes to buying a car, it can be a daunting prospect to pick the perfect one out of the thousands of choices out there. Instead of trekking around many garages, seeing what vehicles are available on their forecourt, many find it more convenient to search online for what they're looking for.

Every motorist has their own needs in a new car and finding them catered for in one vehicle can be problematic, requiring a great deal of research, which is much easier if you utilise the internet - gaining access to many thousands of options right for your driving requirements as well as your budget - and all from the comfort of your own home.

Here are some top tips to make your online car search a stress free simple process:

1. Asses the best sites to use

Word of mouth will tell you of the best, most reliable sites to use which offer easy to use layouts and plenty of choice. Your best bet is to stick to large sites like eBay Motors, which will allow you to search by different terms such as colour, make, model, mileage, budget or keyword. Whether you're looking for a sports car, old classic, or just a little run around to pop to Sainsbury's, eBay Motors is guaranteed to have the perfect vehicle for you.

2. Deal or no deal?

Decide whether you want to opt only for car dealers trading online, or whether you will consider private sales too. The benefit with dealers is that you can often part exchange and take advantage of offloading your old car and getting a discount in the process.

3. Be sure to test drive

By opting for a vehicle which is located locally to you (you can find plenty of them on and eBay Motors)will ensure that you can take the vehicle for a test drive before committing to buy. Be wary of sellers who won't let you test drive, and don't make any payments until you've seen the car yourself. Have a list of questions ready for when you meet the owner or dealer, so you can get a clear picture of the car's history and current condition.

4. Bring an expert

It is a good idea, whether you've found your car online or by driving around local dealerships, to bring a mechanic with you to assess the car and point out any problems. You can do this by calling the RAC or AA, both of whom provide this unbiased third party expert. By choosing this small initial outlay you could save thousands by avoiding the purchase of a car that's got a major problem you weren't aware of.

5. Consider insurance

Searching for your car online will allow you to find out insurance and tax costs automatically by putting the details of the car into a car insurance comparison site. There are plenty to choose from, and it is a good idea to know this cost before purchasing a vehicle as it can significantly add to the overall outlay.

About the Author

U.K based journalist, Martyna Sroka writes about fashion, online shopping, food and drink, home and garden and other online shopping experiences, industries and outlets including eBay and eBay Motors.