Online purchases aren't just limited to supplies and devices. Nowadays, you can even purchase your next vehicle on the web. But before you do, there are some things you should know.

The process for buying new and used cars is slightly different. So, why buy a used car online?

Well, no slimy salesmen trying to push you to spend more than you want. The ability to shop at your leisure. A broader selection of available cars. And in most cases, you can get the exact car you want.

Here's what you need to know about buying used cars online.

Budget, Research, and Decide

Car keys

There are a few important steps that you should take before you start browsing online car-selling websites. It may take a bit of time, but it pays to be smart about the car-buying process and observe the proper measures to get the most value out of your purchase.

1. Determine Your Budget

It can be tempting to spend outside of what you can afford when buying a car, but that kind of irresponsibility could end up causing a lot of unnecessary stress later on. Figure out how much of your monthly income you're willing to spend on a car, and don't forget that bank financing might be an option to pad your budget.

2. Research Cars That Fit Your Demands

Family picnic

Don't buy an SUV if you're never going to drive it outside the city. You may want a full-size sedan or a minivan if you have a large family. If you only care about frugal transportation, look for a compact car and skip the V8 engine. There are a lot of factors to consider when picking a car so be thorough and don't rush it.

3. Read Reviews and Ratings

Unless you're an expert on cars—which if you are, you don't need to be reading this article—then you probably don't know what separates a good car from a bad one.

The best advice here is to ask your knowledgeable friends for advice, but failing that, you should read up on online reviews and ratings that describe the pros and cons of each model.

4. Be Aware of Extra Fees and Costs

Sometimes, additional taxes and fees are associated with used car sales, depending on your location and your seller's location.

5. Where to Buy Used Cars Online?

You can start browsing once you've narrowed it down to one or two car models that interest you (make sure they're within budget). CarMax and CarsDirect are good choices for those in the United States. AutoScout24 seems to be pretty good for Europeans, while those in the UK might try AutoTrader. And, of course, you can buy used cars on both eBay and Craigslist.

Assess the Used Car and Its History

Man standing beside an orange car

When you've found a particular car you want to buy, it's time to do more research and examination. You don't want to end up with a faulty car, right? So be diligent and make sure you're getting what you pay for.

1. Check the Car’s Identity and History

Buying a used car needs more caution. Nothing is worse than buying a defective car than paying for a car that doesn't even exist. AutoCheck is a great service that lets you look up the history of a particular vehicle identification number (VIN). In the UK, you can check the Ministry of Transport (MOT) history. Your location may have its own car history services.

2. Examine the Exterior

In particular, you'll want to look out for worn brake pedals, bad tire alignment, paint inconsistencies, rusty underside, and imperfections along body lines. None of these are deal-breakers, but they can indicate potential problems that exist below the car's outer appearance.

3. Test All Features for Functionality

Steering wheel

If you can examine the car in person, hop inside and test out the health of various mechanisms. Does the air conditioner work? Do the windows roll down? How about the gas cap, the hood, the trunk, the door locks? Malfunctions here could also point to deeper issues with the car.

4. Give It a Test Drive

It's risky to buy a car without test-driving it, so, if possible, always test drive. When you do, push the car to its limits (within the law, of course!). Are there problems when you accelerate? When do you brake? Does the steering wheel feel weird? Is the engine making strange noises? These are all issues you'll be inheriting with your purchase.

5. Consider a Warranty

When buying a used car, you really want a "certified pre-owned warranty" that's backed by the car's manufacturer. These warranties are only given out to used cars in great condition, so having one is a good indication of the car's health.

In the case of a luxury car, you may want to look into an extended warranty (assuming the manufacturer offers them).

Don't Rule Out Long-Distance Shipping

Truck driving on a road

In some cases, the car you want to buy won't be anywhere near you. This makes it tough to conduct test drives and proper inspections, but if you've looked into the vehicle and the seller seems legitimate, you may want to buy it anyway. Fortunately, shipping services will move the car on your behalf from point A to point B.

1. Find a Reputable Auto Shipper

The auto shipping industry has its fair share of shady activity. If you want your car to arrive in good condition, you will have to do some more research. uShip is a popular bid-based market for worldwide shipping. In the United States, Dependable Auto Shippers and Reliable Carriers are both good options.

2. Pick the Right Locations

Setting up a location

Due to the way long-distance transport works, it's often cheaper to transport between major cities since shippers will likely be stopping by major cities anyway.

3. Pick the Right Times

Auto transport prices are similar to airline ticket prices in that they fluctuate based on many factors. Location is one, but time is another. If a shipper is about to depart with open cargo space, they'd rather fill it for less than leave it empty, so you can get good deals if you time it well. Also, fewer cars are transported during the winter, so shipping is usually cheaper then.

4. Insure the Transport

It's not common, but cars in transport can be stolen or damaged. Reputable auto shippers will provide insurance for that, and it would be foolish of you to overlook it. Consider it as a safety fee that's part of your car purchase. You can also insure the car in transport on your own if that is what you prefer.

Watch Out for Used Car Scams

Scam written over papers

Like all things online, car shopping is vulnerable to scams, though mostly in the realm of used cars. There are many overlaps between car scams, eBay scams, marketing scams, and other online scams. In particular, keep an eye out for the following.

1. Reject Wire Transfers

Scammers like to use wire transfers because of fast transaction speeds, which allow them to escape before you even notice you've been scammed. Plus, money lost in wire transfers is difficult, even impossible, to recover.

2. Avoid Urgent Listings

If you feel like the seller is pressuring you, take that as a bad sign and move on. Urgency can cause you to make hasty decisions, and hasty decisions are bad for big-ticket items. Take your time and don't fall prey to impulsive shopping.

3. Be Suspicious of Cheap

If a car's price doesn't seem to match its value, that should raise a red flag in your mind. Sometimes these offers are legitimate, and the seller just wants to liquidate their car right away, but most of the time, it's a trap. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Purchase Your Next Used Car Online Safely

As you can see, buying a car online is a lot of work. However, the beauty of it is that you open yourself to many more opportunities than you would've missed if you were limited to regional car dealerships. Be smart, do your research, and watch out for scams. This article only scratches the surface, but it should provide a good baseline for things you should pay attention to.