We all know that buying a used car is full of pitfalls and risks, not only to your wallet but also your sanity. It usually involves scrolling through classifieds, lots of phone calls, and traipsing all over town.
The end result is often that the perfect specimen of four-wheeled nirvana you found, isn’t quite what the ad had you believe. And so, the process starts again until you end up going to a used car yard, which is full of trapdoors designed to make you lose your mind.
Alternatively, you end up buying the car the salesperson wants you to (that’s nothing against used car salespeople – we’ve met a few, and honestly, some are the nicest people you’ll ever meet in a room full of real estate agents and vacuum cleaner salesmen).
But what if there was another way – a way that didn’t involve losing your dignity, was relatively risk-free, and you could do it without leaving your home, other than to collect it or hand over your trade-in?
Well, that’s what this author decided to do. The time had come to move on from the Subaru and take on a new ride. One with a bit of European flair, one that could still do the family run, but when the mood arose, could also be launched down a back road.
A short list was drawn up, which largely consisted of the odd BMW, a few S model Audis and a couple of VW R and high-end R-line variants. There was even a fleeting desire for a Focus RS, which would have been high on the fun side but low when it came to family.
So with the list in hand, the first car I went to look at was a… Hyundai i30 Fastback N – because, why not? It was great, and was even just about big enough for the family. Something stopped me from pulling the trigger.
Back to searching, and it’s here that we noticed the abundance of online car retailers. They offered the chance to source a car from within their national network, ship it to your location and let you try it for seven days. We know, the concept is wild at first thought.
What’s key here is that if you don’t like it after that time, then you get a full refund. They even do finance, which was surprisingly competitive. We were waiting for the but; the catch, if you will, and we were looking hard, but so far so good.
This writer found the car he wanted – a Volkswagen Arteon – and made an inquiry. Within an hour there was an email in my inbox, giving me the details and drive away price. Great, so when can I come and see it? “When you pick it up sir” was the answer.
Now, for someone who likes to actually check cars out, crawl underneath them and get all touchy-feely, this felt strange and alien. In fact, it very nearly didn’t happen, just because of that.
With the option to trade-in the existing car, and after some quotes and a virtual tour, we took the offer on the table – a fair amount given the condition and kilometres on the Levorg. A deal was struck, and after a few more conversations, a deposit was placed.
I had an email confirming the order, along with the obligatory upsell phone calls, which is nothing unusual, and some of them could be worth it to some buyers. Then the waiting happened. The car was on its way.
I had an email asking for the balance to be paid, and an ETA was given. That date came and went, and still no car. The thoughts that run through your head at that time include whether or not you’ve been scanned and the shear panic that you might be an idiot.
A couple of phone calls and emails later, and I was assured the car had arrived, and there had simply been a delay in getting the blue slip and registration done. I was told that once that was done, I’d get an email with the registration details.
Sure enough, a couple of days later, and just as I’d been told, the email arrived with the registration details, and I was asked to organise a collection time and date. This was done online (much like booking a doctor’s appointment, only a fraction more expensive).
I got a phone call on the morning of the collection to confirm times and reconfirm what I needed to take. And that was that. I had a new car. Well, kind of. I still hadn’t seen it in the metal yet.
On arrival, I had the opportunity to inspect the car before confirming delivery, much like in a normal car yard. I did find a couple of minor scratches which didn’t show up in the pictures I’d been sent.
No problem they said. They could fix them if I wanted to pick it up another day, or I could use a local (to me) paint repairer (at no cost to me). Paperwork was duly signed, and the trade-in was handed over in exchange for my new set of keys.
I had a copy of the contract of sale, and a duplicate was emailed to me. All straightforward, and off I drove, home. After a couple of days, I got a phone call and an email to ensure I was happy with the car.
On the seventh day, I was informed the registration would be transferred to me within the next five working days. I’ve since had a couple of follow-up emails to make sure everything was okay and that I was happy with the service received.
The level of support has been far better than a lot of car dealers, and far better than expected. Overall, it’s been an impressive process. Only you can decide if it’s for you, but buying a car online is definitely an avenue this writer will consider in the future.
To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
