How to Buy a Used Car Online the Right Way

Used Car Dealer

Private Seller

You’ll get a warranty backed by the dealership. And if you buy a Certified Pre-Owned MINI Cooper, you’ll receive extra peace of mind in the form of a 6-year/unlimited-mile warranty and 24/7 Roadside Assistance.

You may find a lower price on a similarly equipped pre-owned vehicle. (Note: Some sellers will overprice their vehicles because of “emotional attachment.”)

Many used car dealers will give you a few days to return a pre-owned vehicle to the dealership and buy a different one.

A private online seller may be highly motivated to sell, giving you some leverage in negotiating a lower price.

You can easily apply for financing, schedule a test drive, and value your current trade from the comfort of your home.

A private online seller is likely to be more intimately familiar with the car they’re selling, so they can tell you about it in detail.

Because dealers are mindful of their reputation and must abide by consumer protection laws, they’ll bend over backward to make sure you’re satisfied with your purchase.  

You can take advantage of used car deals and special offers. 

You can use your current vehicle as a trade-in to help lower your monthly or down payment.

You can choose from a much larger selection of highly reliable used vehicles, each of which comes with a free vehicle history report.

With the exception of registration and other related documents, dealers will handle the filing of paperwork, like title transfers, on your behalf.

Used cars sold at a dealership or car lot have been thoroughly inspected and vetted.

You can purchase or request add-ons during the negotiation phase. This includes roadside assistance, tire insurance, and routine maintenance for a set duration.

Used Car Dealer

Private Seller

Although minimal, you may pay a bit more for a similar pre-owned vehicle at a dealership. This is not always true, but it is a general expectation.

A private seller isn’t obliged to give you an accurate vehicle history, so it’s a matter of trust. Even the vehicle history report may not be accurate if the owner did not properly disclose damage, accidents, service history, etc.

Haggling can sometimes be stressful, even if it will get you a lower-than-advertised price.

A private seller can’t warranty their car. That means you could be stuck if you find any mechanical problems after the sale.

Some banks won’t finance a private used-car purchase.

You’ll be dealing with someone you don’t know. (Again, the trust factor comes into play.)

You cannot trade in your vehicle directly to the private seller.

Consumer protection and lemon laws don’t apply to private used vehicle sales. You’re buying “as is,” so you’d better request approval from the seller to get a third-party pre-purchase inspection (PPI) from a mechanic!

You and the seller are responsible for all the paperwork, including title transfers, bill of sale, registration, and tax documents.

You have no option to negotiate extra amenities or add-ons such as roadside assistance.

Finding the right vehicle can take more time and effort since sellers don’t typically have a large pre-owned inventory.