Tips for Navigating Used Car Websites (And Some top Choices)

Buying a used car online is a nerve-wracking procedure, especially if you can't go actually view the car before you purchase it. With the variety of scams taking place today, you may worry you'll end up with a heap of junk that needs continuous work and car parts, or that you'll get taken for every pound you have and end up with nothing. This is completely understandable, but it doesn't have to be true. In order to make sure you're getting the best and most trustworthy deal online, you need to know how to navigate a used-car website correctly.

Navigating a Used Car Website

Be Specific in Your Search

Every used car website should give you the option of narrowing down your search to find the option that best suits you. Consider your choices very carefully when doing this. If you're nervous about purchasing cars from individuals, don't. Simply choose to look at dealership options so you aren't tempted by a low-price offer elsewhere. If you want a specific make or model, include this in the search. By doing this, you'll be provided only with the results you actually want.

As you might imagine, having the chance to limit your options to those that fit the criteria you want can be a perk you won't experience by visiting a brick-and-mortar dealership. There won't be any pushy salesman there, trying to tell you what you should by instead of showing you what you really want to purchase. This is a huge benefit of navigating a used car website for your next 'new' car.

Consider the Seller Carefully

In order to avoid a scam, a bit of work needs to go into evaluating the seller you're interested in buying from. You don't want to purchase a used Vauxhall, only to find that the car is nothing but spare Vauxhall parts glued together into the shape of a car. A few easy ways to do this are to look at the ads and spot these indicators of bad sellers.

• All caps- These individuals are making the wrong choices when it comes to drawing your attention.
• Buzzwords- Certain words, like "air blows cold" may not be as helpful as you might think. They often indicate that problems do exist, and while the car is still functioning at the moment, it might not be when you get home. In other words, you'll be buying some car parts.

If the website provides reviews for the seller or a percentage of satisfied customers, you'll also want to look at this as well. The rule of thumb here, if a percentage is provided, is to never buy from individuals who have less than 97% satisfaction. Their recent customers may rave about the service received, but you may be one of the unlucky few who receives a bad car.

Call First

This is one of the best ways to determine whether a seller is truly interested in selling you a car, and it helps you gather as much information as possible about the car before you make a decision to buy it. Whether you're purchasing a Land Rover or a Vauxhall, use this call to determine what parts you might need to repair or replace.

While you're talking to the seller about Land Rover parts, truly listen to what they have to say. Do they seem uninterested in your questions? Does it seem like they are particularly sketchy? You don't want to drive halfway across the country just to find out they really weren't interested in selling the car- they just wanted to know if there would be anyone actually interested in it.

Write- and Negotiate

Don't rush into a purchase. The website should provide you with an area to contact the seller, either by email or phone. Before you invest time in a phone call, write the seller and see what they have to say. Find out if what they know about the car, whether they have the proper paperwork and where the car is located. This is also the first place where you can bring up the idea of negotiating the price down. This is important, as you want to get the car for as low of a price as possible. However, it can also be very telling. If the seller folds immediately and drastically reduces the price of the car, run! This often means they are simply trying to make a quick buck off of you. You'll either be stuck with a lemon that constantly needs replacement car parts or you won't end up with a car at all.

Look at the Car in Person

It isn't always possible, of course, especially if you're purchasing a car overseas. However, if you have the opportunity to buy your next vehicle online and look at it prior to purchasing it, take it. This can help you avoid making a costly mistake. Looking at the car prior to buying it can help you determine if it is stolen or not, view the replacement car parts it will need and better evaluate the seller's honestly.

Used Car Website to Try

There are a variety of used car website available to use these days, but some of the best we've found include:

• Motors.co.uk
• Autotrader.co.uk
• Exchangeandmart.co.uk
• Parkers.co.uk

If you're looking for a used car, but don't want to subject yourself to the pushiness of visiting a dealership in person, consider buying your next car online. By learning how to navigate a used car website correctly, you can avoid sellers who want to scam you and take your money. You can also avoid purchasing cars that require too many repairs or replacement Land Rover parts.