BMW Auctions

Buying a car online can be a mixed blessing. While the online automobile marketplace offers many advantages that offline physical markets can't match, uninformed buyers can often find themselves pushed around, scammed, and disappointed by online car sellers. In order to maximize the ease and enjoyment of online car shopping, and minimize the chance of any buyer disappointment, here are some easy to implement tips for online car shoppers.

#1: Made absolutely sure that you know what you want, before you buy.

It's amazing the number of car buyers that end up buying a car online without properly researching beforehand. Research doesn't end with checking the sellers feedback (although this is always a great place to start), it ends with making an informed decision about what type of car is best for your needs. Check out some online and offline car manuals, magazines, and even encyclopedias in order to work out what car is right for you.

Many cars have long term issues that only come to light after a certain mileage or age related event. Be sure to research any car thoroughly before you buy -- the last thing you need is to have a complete engine overhaul on a car that's renowned for breaking down at a certain mileage. When possible, research defects for particular makes, models, and years before you lay down money on a used car.

#2: Test drive the same model at a real car dealership.

This trick is a little mean to dealerships, but it's an incredibly useful tool in any online car-shoppers repertoire. Check out similar models at your local dealerships before you buy a similar model online. While you might not be able to find the exact model that you're bidding on, you can get a feel for the make, model, and condition of cars with a similar age and mileage. Be sure to take anything you look at for a test drive in order to check for any faults that may be consistent across the entire range.

#3: Check the availability of spare parts and maintenance manuals.

Nothing is more frustrating than buying a used car with the intention of fixing it, only to find that parts are no longer available for your specific model. Be sure to check that parts are still available, either by calling dealers, calling local mechanics, or writing to the manufacturer themselves. With many manufacturers no longer producing original parts for used models, you might be reduced to searching through scrapped cars or potentially unreliable third-party auto parts in the event that your car breaks down.

While these tips may seem elementary to some, they're passed over surprisingly often by those looking to pick up a quality used car online. A little research truly goes a long way, especially when you're shopping for vehicles. Be absolutely sure to implement the steps recommended in this article, as it will undoubtedly save you time, stress, and possible money when searching for a used car at auctions.

Buying a car on eBay can be a frustrating experience, especially when sellers and dealers are unable or unwilling to provide the experience that you might like. While the process can be frustrating at times, and occasionally littered with the kind of scam artist or dishonest seller that we all try to avoid, there are several steps that you can take to avoid these kinds of dishonest and devious transactions. From checking feedback, to researching the car model, all the way to checking similar cars and models for sale online, just a few small steps can save you a lot of time and money spent when you're car shopping online.

Firstly, be sure to check the seller's feedback. As basic and elementary as this step sounds, it often goes unnoticed. In many ways the most obvious steps and processes are the ones that goe ignored most often, and this is rarely more true than with eBay feedback. Don't just check the number beside the seller's username, read through their feedbacks individually and check for any inconsistencies and unusual aspects. If all the feedbacks are from users with only one or two positive feedbacks themselves, then the user may have simple created accounts to build their own credibility. Similarly, if the accounts posting feedback are mainly new, it's possible that they're been recently created by the car seller themselves.

Secondly, make sure to check out any specific details about the car itself. Does your deal sounds too good to be true? There's a good likelihood that it is. Check the car in the pictures, does it have any rust or crash damage that the owner is trying to conceal? If you're highly worried about condition, be sure to ask for video footage or more detailed photos of the car you're buying. An honest seller will be willing to put in a few minutes of extra effort in order to sell their car, so they should have no problem providing extra documentation.

Make sure that the car you're buying is legitimately registered and legal to drive on road. If you're extra serious about buying, ask the seller to send through scanned copies of the cars registration certificate (with any confidential details blanked out, of course) and copies of any related information. If you're worried about theft, make sure to contact the local police departments for wherever the car is based, and check to make sure that no similar models have been stolen or reported missing in the recent time period.

Just these simple steps can save you a lot of trouble when buying a new car. While it's easy to take trust for granted, a little research can really help you make the best and safest decision when buying online. Good luck finding the car that you need, and be sure to stay safe and sensible when buying used cars online.

Online car shopping can take many forms, ranging from a cross country (or even international) car purchase, to a simple Craigslist transaction from a local car yard. Wherever you're buying from, there are several important things to look for on any used car. Due to the nature of online commerce, in person checks aren't always possible, so we've put together a comprehensive list of things to look for online. Quality and condition are number one when buying a used car online, so a small amount of time spent examining the details of any car is a wise investment.

#1 Check for any small scratches and dents in the car body and components

While that small scratch along the front bumper may not look like much, it can be indicative of a much larger problem with any used car. Whether the car has been involved in a serious crash, or just a small scuffle with a shopping trolley, there's the possibility of structural damage as a result of that event. Be sure to question the owner on every dent, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Their story might reveal information that wasn't made clear in the online ad, and present you with some new ideas about the car you're looking at.

#2 Always enquire about any minor scuffs

Apart from the condition reasons listed above, this strategy gives you another important advantage: the ability to negotiate on price. When you've got small things to question the owner on, you open up the door for large price negotiation. Don't be merciless and cruel; this is a reasonably friendly online transaction, but don't let yourself get stuck with a bad deal. Use any opportunity to your advantage, and make sure that any small scuffs in the car are dealt with to help you in terms of price.

3# Offer to have the car checked over by a mechanic

Often sellers will be so hard up for cash that they can't afford to have their car looked at by a reputable mechanic. If this is the case, offer them the ability to have their costs refunded on the condition that the car is in good and honest shape. There are many online services that can send a proxy to have a look at the car's condition in your absence, ans report back to you with unbiased and impartial results and information on the car. The small cost of one of these services could save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars down the line in repairs and maintenance.

Be sure to shop smart, and take note of every small detail in the car's appearance and description. When something doesn't match up, it's always best to research and investigate. A small time commitment in the buying process can save you hundreds of dollars, and hours of time later down the line, so be sure to take every step to ensure that the car you're buying is in good condition, and is coming from an honest seller.