Should You Buy a Car from an Online Dealership?

Online car dealership

In the age of Amazon and DoorDash, it’s no surprise that the automotive world has followed suit. Online car dealerships promise a seamless, hassle-free experience—browse from your couch, get “no-haggle” pricing, and have the car delivered to your front door. Sounds perfect, right?

But when it comes to one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make, convenience shouldn’t replace caution. While buying a car online can be quick and easy, it also comes with risks you may not see coming—literally.

How Online Dealerships Work

The process is pretty straightforward. Visit the website, browse inventory, choose your vehicle, and complete the paperwork digitally. These vehicles are typically sourced from auctions, off-lease returns, rental fleets, and trade-ins—just like traditional dealers. The difference? There’s no physical dealership to visit, no test drive, and no opportunity for a pre-purchase inspection before money changes hands.

Most online dealers offer delivery and a 7-day return window. Some include mileage limits and stipulations that void the return policy if the vehicle is damaged or involved in an accident. Many will also offer to buy your current car, but the offer may be conservative since they haven’t seen the vehicle in person.

The Hidden Risks of Online Car Buying

Before you click “Buy Now,” make sure you understand what you’re really getting into. Here’s where the convenience of online car shopping can come back to bite you.

No Test Drive or Inspection

This is the biggest red flag. When you buy sight unseen, you’re relying solely on photos and claims from the seller. You don’t get to feel how the car drives, check out the cabin comfort, or inspect the vehicle for wear, smells, or cosmetic issues.

Pre-purchase inspections are a critical step in evaluating a used car’s mechanical health. Online retailers don’t give you the opportunity to complete one until after you’ve already paid.

The Illusion of a "Multi-Point Inspection"

Online dealers often tout their 150-point (or 200-point or 300-point) inspections. While this sounds impressive, it doesn’t guarantee a trouble-free car. These inspections vary widely in quality and scope, and they usually don’t catch everything—especially cosmetic flaws, prior accidents not reported to Carfax, or a sketchy service history.

Some online platforms have even sold cars with structural damage, lemon law buybacks, or branded titles. These aren’t illegal to sell, but they may not be what you were expecting. And while these issues may show up on a Carfax, many buyers don’t know how to read between the lines.

Pretty Pictures Can Be Deceiving

Online listings often include dozens of high-resolution photos, 360° views, and polished videos. But these images can’t convey how a car smells, how worn the upholstery is, or if it rattles when you hit a bump.

Even with a return window, you’ll likely be on the hook for the delivery fee—and return shipping isn’t always free. That test drive you didn’t get in advance just cost you a few hundred dollars.

The Certified Pre-Owned Confusion

Some online sellers advertise their cars as “certified,” but don’t confuse that with a manufacturer-backed Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. In most cases, these are limited warranties that cover only basic powertrain issues and expire quickly.

If the car is still under its original factory warranty, verify that yourself. Call the manufacturer with the VIN to confirm remaining coverage and make sure the warranty hasn’t been voided.

What Happens If You Return the Car?

If you don’t love the car or your mechanic finds something sketchy, the return process can be easy—or a complete nightmare. If you financed through the online dealer’s preferred lenders, the return and cancellation are usually seamless.

But if you brought your own financing, things get tricky. You’ll have to cancel the loan with your bank, which isn’t always fast or simple. Some lenders make you jump through hoops to reverse the paperwork.

Why Many Buyers Still Get Burned

In theory, the 7-day return window should protect you. In practice, most people don’t take full advantage of it. They don’t schedule a proper inspection, they don’t scrutinize the car closely, and they often get caught up in the excitement of an easy buying experience.

Convenience is a powerful lure. But with something as expensive and personal as a car, skipping the due diligence can be a costly mistake.

Should You Take the Risk?

For some buyers, the online car buying model works just fine—especially if they’re familiar with the make and model and are comfortable taking the risk. But for most, the inability to inspect or drive the vehicle in advance makes this a gamble.

If you’re still set on buying online, here’s what to do first:

• Get a pre-purchase inspection the moment the car arrives.

• Read the return policy closely.

• Confirm any warranty coverage with the manufacturer.

• Be prepared to eat the delivery cost if you return it.

  
  

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