How to buy your dream car online

The internet has brought great conveniences to our modern lives, especially in the field of shopping and research. Buying any item, even a brand new or used car has been made easier and transactions faster. So, how do you buy your dream car online without falling prey to common mispractices of opportunistic car dealers?

Know your car model beforehand

Car shoppers often narrow down the car models they want to own. Either they have been saving for that particular car model or a particular situation has presented itself, such as a growing family. So whether you are aiming to buy a Ford Mustang or a Hyundai Starex, the first thing to do is to research the compatibility of the car to your needs or personality. Several car review websites and magazines like C! Magazine have insightful and thorough car reviews where you can get a preview of the car’s performance and the standout features it has.

Get a feel for its price

Prices of brand new cars are often set by car manufacturers and vary depending on their variant or trim level. When shopping for used cars online, you must look for at least a dozen listings to get a general pricing pattern for the model. Several factors that make second hand cars depreciate in value are their general condition, year built, mileage, and equipment (i.e. DVD headrest). Sometimes you have to look for multiple listings just to make sure that you get the best deal out there. However, one of the conveniences of shopping for a car online is that you can choose the best bargain without physically moving from one dealer lot to another.

Research the car dealer or seller

Make sure you do your research before you make a transaction with the car dealer or seller who owns the car you want to buy. One of the unique features of Carmudi PH is its rating system, where car buyers can give a rating for the dealer; they rate them based on their availability, competency, service and the information they provide about the car. When dealing with a private seller, Carmudi recommends that buyers arrange meetups and give the money physically rather than through money transfer services. Often, scammers price their cars low and then asks for a down payment through a wire transfer before running away with your money.

Inquire if the car has competitive insurance

After you have gone through these first few procedures, the next thing to do is to check if the dealer has the necessary documents, such as LTO registration, and more importantly, competitive insurance, especially if it is a used or second hand car. Ask for as many details as possible and know what type of insurance it has- comprehensive, third-party or act only liability.

Visit the car dealer’s place

The last step in the process of buying your car online is to visit the car dealer’s lot. When buying a used car, never be shy to ask the dealer if you can personally inspect the car beginning with the exterior- looking for dents and scratches; moving to the hood- checking for the engine fluid levels; into the interior- ensuring the instrument panel and equipment is working; and test driving the car to get a feel for its handling and engine noise. Lastly, if you are satisfied and have all the papers signed, get your keys and drive your dream car to its new garage.