Best place to buy a used car

In case you hadn't heard, you no longer have to drag yourself around to all your local car dealers if you're trying to buy a used car. You can do all your car shopping online instead.

Here at BuyaCar, we offer an entirely online service to help you identify your next car, apply for a great value finance deal, and finally get the car delivered to your door. It's a hassle-free process, and one that you can complete from the comfort of your own home. No more haggling on forecourts, or dodging the advances of pushy salespeople.

At BuyaCar, it's all about the people. Our team of experts will talk you through the process from start to finish, helping you to confirm your order and keeping you up to date throughout until the car has arrived on your driveway. You'll also benefit from a 14-day returns guarantee, so there's plenty of time to change your mind if you decide the car's not for you.

Buying a used car online will be an entirely new experience for many drivers, and although you can't test the car before you buy it, each and every car is inspected thoroughly before the delivery is made. It is of course totally possible to book a test drive of a similar car elsewhere before making your decision.

If buying a used car online sounds like your kind of thing, then you can head straight to the BuyaCar search page to check out the selection models currently available with great value cash or finance deals. If you're still not quite sure, keep reading to learn more about buying a used car online.

Buying a used car online

Buying a car online allows you to look for a car and order it at your pace, in your own home. What’s more, you’re protected by robust consumer laws, which include a 14-day period during which you can return the car for a refund.

If you pay for part of the purchase with a credit card (a deposit, for example), you'll get further protection from your car provider under the Consumer Credit Act.

Car shopping online also makes it possible to compare prices of cars from around the country, so you have a much wider range of deals available to you than you might have searching locally. Better still, many of these can be delivered to your door, and finance quotes are generally available from a panel of lenders to ensure that you're offered a low interest rate, where available.

You should make sure that you're aware of the delivery charges and the restrictions on returning a vehicle. For example, there's normally a limit to the number of miles that you can cover if you decide to return the car. Going over this limit may mean that the car cannot be returned.

Protect yourself by dealing with companies that have a verified presence, including a UK address, phone number that they can be reached on, links to other companies and evidence of past sales, such as Trustpilot reviews.

Buying a used car online

Buying a used car from a franchise dealer

Also called 'main dealers', these businesses represent the car manufacturer so, theoretically, should operate to the highest standards. They offer the lot: from test drives to servicing. Salespeople will walk you through the whole selection and purchasing process.

Some people like the process; others like to be guided on the various specifications avaialable. Sales staff will value your existing car at the same time so you know exactly how much money you have to change to the new one.

The cars tend to be among the best used examples available: rarely more than five years old, with low or average mileage and little excessive wear. Most manufacturers have approved used schemes, which typically ensure that cars are thoroughly checked and provided with a warranty. If anything does go wrong, you have a car maker's professional customer service team to contact.

Finance is always available but the rates on offer for used vehicles are rarely as good as the subsidised deals on new cars. This means that you can often get cheaper finance by arranging it elsewhere.

Most car makers are represented in major towns and cities so it’s easy to go from one main dealer to another, trying cars and comparing prices. However, you need to be a good negotiator to get the best price. Not everyone is comfortable with that but if you enjoy haggling, you can get a good deal.

Buying a used car from a main dealer

Buying a used car from an independent dealer

Independent dealerships aren't linked to any particular manufacturer, so they are free to sell what they like. Some generalise and sell most things, while others specialise in particular makes, models or price ranges. They vary in size from small shop units to huge car supermarket warehouses.

Without a manufacturer behind them, there's no requirement for a gleaming showroom, so their costs are usually lower than franchise dealerships, enabling them to offer cheaper deals. Finance offerings can be basic, so rates don't always represent good value - it's always possible to arrange this elsewhere.

Independent dealerships have no brand reputation to fall back on, so standards differ. The best can often outperform main dealers in terms of their knowledge of particular cars and servicing older ones, as well as their style of doing business which is often less corporate and more approachable. The worst are complete strangers to customer service.

Independent dealers are good sources of cars over three years old but their standards of vehicle preparation vary widely.

Regardless, the Consumer Rights Act (2015) states that the car must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. If the car develops a fault within 30 days of you buying it, is not fit for purpose or is not as described, you can reject it. Between 30 days and six months, the dealer may try to repair it but if they fail, you can reject it.

Buying a used car from an independent dealer

Buying a used car privately

Buying from a private individual comes with fewer safeguards but is often the cheapest way of getting a car.

Whether you respond to a classified listing or an online auction, you don't usually know exactly who you're dealing with and there's less legal protection than if you were buying from a business.

That said, the car must be roadworthy, it should match the description provided by the seller and the seller must have the right to sell the car.

Unless you have some expertise, then it's wise to have the car mechanically checked, as an MOT certificate doesn't prove that a car is in good mechanical condition. It's also work having a background check carried out by a company such as HPI to confirm the car's ownership. A car's V5 logbook document only shows a vehicle's registered keeper (the person responsible for keeping the car insured and taxed). It could be owned by a finance company, for example, which may mean that the car ends up being seized from you.

On the positive side, buying privately usually means that you get to meet the car’s current owner from whom you can learn a lot about the vehicle's history and condition. And you may be able to strike an excellent deal with skilled haggling.

Buying a used car privately