Just a few years ago, the only way to purchase a car would be by reading the local newspaper, going out to take a look at the vehicle and then instantly purchasing it. However, all thanks to the internet, buying cars from across the country or even from abroad has never been easier. You can find exactly what you want, often for half of the price. But several complications come with buying cars online which can be easily resolved, providing you have thought about the necessary steps involved with the process.

When it comes to purchasing a car online, here are some great tips you need to know:

1.  Verify the seller

Unlike purchasing from a garage as you would have done in the past, the credibility of car dealers can be difficult to comprehend when you’re buying something with the click of a button. There are many sites to buy cars online, whether on social media, car trading sites or generalized selling sites such as eBay. It would be wise to check the seller’s history with the Better Business Bureau, so you know exactly who you’re buying from and what other customers have rated their service. You can also check a used car’s history for free online.

2. The best time to purchase

Once you’ve found the car you’re looking for, it’s good to know what the best time to buy is, as you could save yourself a great deal off the vehicle price. Dealers have targets to meet. Therefore, vehicles can often have a bumped-up price, which is all due to the added commission. At certain times of the year, you can get reasonable prices on vehicles, such as at the end of March, June, September, and December. During these months, dealers are usually desperate to get rid of older models to make way for new stock.

3. Find a cheap car to run

Although finding the perfect car is firstly based on its personal opinion, you also need to bear in mind the efficiency of the vehicle for the long-term future. You can compare the running costs of different vehicles online to see whether the car you like is priced reasonably. If the car is relatively small in size and is hybrid or electric, you’ll find that you’ll be paying significantly less than other models. Once you have purchased your ideal car, you can then go on to keep track of your spending by investing in a fuel management system. This will monitor your fuel transactions and Co2 emissions, to help improve vehicle performance and make the most of your money.

4. Shipping methods

One of the downfalls of buying online is working out how to get the vehicle from one location to another. In some instances, you could ask a friend or family member to drive you to the car’s location, to then drive the new car back, but you can’t necessarily rely on this tactic. If in any doubt about transporting your recently purchased vehicle, it would be best to investigate appropriate shipping methods. For example, use open carriers, flatbed carriers or enclosed carriers that offers real-time tracking, so you know exactly where your car is in live time and when it will reach you.