Here's a guide on how to buy used cars buy used cars (and sometimes, new cars) from private sellers
. Granted, there are a few more hoops to jump through with a car than with a bag or pair of shoes, but the principle is still the same. If you are in the market for a car and considering buying one on eBay Motors
, car insurance
comparison shopping and broker app Jerry
is here to help guide you. How to bid through eBay Motors
Step 1: Know your limits. The most important limit to keep in mind is financial: Don’t overspend simply because you are dealing with virtual money.
With this in mind, get a sense of your budget. Determine how much you can afford to spend and don’t exceed it. Exercising restraint is key to coming out on top of a bidding war, even if you don’t end up with the vehicle.
Step 2: Check out a car you want. Look around the website for cars that fit your needs and assess your options carefully.
There should be information listed about the car that will allow you to look it up more. One key piece of information is the vehicle identification number (VIN). This will give you special access to the car’s history and a better sense of the shape it is in. You can always contact the seller if you have questions or concerns about some detail.
Step 3: Investigate the seller. Luckily, eBay provides a way for potential buyers to look into the backgrounds of sellers on the site.
This means you can look at the comments and feedback that other buyers have provided on the person you are thinking of dealing with. Depending on the quality of the reviews, you may want to move on to another seller.
Step 4: Set your bidding limit. This is the amount that the computer will not exceed during the bidding period.
Your bids will increase slowly until the maximum amount is reached, at which point you can exceed the original limit if you choose to. Again, don’t exceed your budget unless you have extremely good reason to.
Step 5: Pay for and acquire the car. Finally, if you win the bid, you need to send the money to the seller and arrange for the car to be shipped or picked up.
You’ll also want to complete any necessary paperwork, such as title transfers, and other administrative tasks, such as taxes. Go to your local DMV for registration
and any additional help. How to use the "Buy It Now" function
If bidding is not something that interests you, there are ways to search for cars and offer to purchase one immediately.
Step 1: Find a car that interests you. Search the listings to find a car that fits your needs and budget.
Step 2: Research the seller. Just as above, look into the history of the seller to determine if the experience of other buyers has been positive.
Step 3: Buy the car. Once you are satisfied that the seller is trustworthy, purchase the car and pay the seller the asking price.
You don’t have to worry about competing with other buyers when you use the Buy It Now function, but once you decide that you want a certain car, it is wise to act quickly to prevent someone else from purchasing it first.
Step 4: Finalize all the details. Settle all the details such as taxes, title transfers, and shipping, if needed.
Remember that shipping is not guaranteed, and you’ll need to be on the lookout for shipping options as you are shopping for cars. Some sellers may offer special deals for shipping, but in general, the buyer is responsible for shipping.
Buying a car on eBay Motors is not overly difficult, but you do need to approach the process with caution, especially since so much money is at stake. If you are careful and use all the protections that are in place, you could end up getting a good car for a reasonable price.
How to buy a car on eBay out of state
If you find your dream car from beyond state borders, you can still buy the car using the same process listed above. However, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind.
First, you need to make sure that whatever car you're buying meets your state's safety emissions standards. You should also get a mechanic to inspect the vehicle before you buy it.
When you actually purchase the vehicle, you'll need to figure out shipping. If the state borders yours, you might be able to pick it up yourself. But if you're too far to drive, you'll have to get a car transportation company to ship it for you.
Don't forget to buy insurance
Whether you buy a car at the dealership or from your couch, you're going to need insurance on your new ride. After buying your car, make sure to get quotes from insurance carriers so you can rest easy knowing your car will be covered.
If you don't want to go through the hassle of searching for several quotes yourself to get the best deal, give Jerry
a try. If you want to save money on car insurance, the Jerry app is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
FAQs
Is it safe to buy a car on eBay?
Generally, yes, it's safe to buy a car on eBay, so long as you're taking the right precautions. You need to make sure you look into the sellers' reviews, get the car inspected, and exercise caution if you're meeting the stranger in person to pick up the car.
Can you buy a car on eBay with a loan?
Yes, you can buy a car on eBay with a loan. In fact, eBay Motors will connect you with lenders that can help you and make part of the financing process a lot easier.
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