Guide for people who want to buy a car online

Nowadays, most people are interested in buying products online. Whatever the product, if people place an order from their living room, it will reach their doorstep. But it is amazing that so many people have come up with the idea of ​​buying a car remotely.

Many dealers are exceptionally well geared up to sell new and used cars via hi-tech digital platforms. You may not have to go to the store physically, but there are certain decisions that you should make before you make a deal.

It is really important that you don’t rush into buying something because it is available rather than being exactly what you want.

Here are the important steps you need to take if you want to buy a car online, whether it’s a new or a secondhand:

● It’s likely you have more time on your hands these dark evenings, so you (collective you: partner, family member etc) can carry out a wide sweep of what is out there in your price range. You have the world at your fingertips. There was never a better time to compare and contrast what’s on offer because there are myriad options. There are serious deals out there.

● After your extensive first trawl, try to settle on body style and size (hatchback, saloon, crossover, SUV etc). Same again or change? I think that is a great help in keeping focus on what is relevant, and eliminates distractions. Sometimes having too much choice is as bad as having too little.

● Decide on engine type for the road ahead. This is where you need to ask serious questions for 2021: Is it time to think electric, hybrid, PHEV, or does your mileage and lifestyle still warrant diesel or petrol?

● Take your time, keep some notes on important elements and questions that arise throughout. It is easy to forget. And never be afraid to ask (email, text or phone).

● As soon as you have narrowed your range, touch base with the relevant dealerships (you may have already done so in the course of your trimming process).

● Vitally important: Establish the Cost to Change with each dealer if you have a trade in. Dealers can value your car to within a few euro. It’s done via an online device that lets you send pictures of your vehicle so they can asses s its worth. Keep totally fixed on how much it is going to cost you to move up the years. That’s the core of any transaction.

● Establish how much the suggested deal will cost in monthly repayments, if relevant. Stress-test your finances to be sure you can afford the outlay if you were to suffer reduced income.

● By this stage the dealer(s) should have sent you a video on the car you’ve discussed – including colour, spec levels etc. Take your time checking what’s on board. If you don’t want something – such as interior trim colour or such – you have to decide whether to wait until one with your preferred colour arrives. You have to live with it for a long time, so you might as well get what you want.

● You can repeat these exercises with a couple or three dealers and that gives you great peace of mind that you get what you want. Wrap up the deal, decide if you want to collect or have the car dropped to you.

Credits: Independent.ie