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Video: Buying a car online with Auto Trader
Thinking of buying a car online? Rory Reid explains how we’re making it easier for you, with new features like home delivery and click and collect as options for purchasing your next car.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 11 August 2021 | 0 min read
Buying a car online – tools to make it easy
It’s easier than ever to buy a car online, and thousands of cars listed Auto Trader are now available for Home Delivery or collection.
You can filter your searches by these criteria and find any delivery or “click and collect” services available when you’re browsing the site. Need a little more info on the car before you pull that pin? Don’t worry — lockdown innovations like video viewings mean dealerships can offer you a livestreamed look at the car and your chance to ask specific questions to the salesperson as they show you around. Just look for the ‘live video viewing available’ icon on the ad and book a virtual appointment through the ad. Some retailers have embraced new buying habits and gone fully online, meaning you can go from start to finish in just a few clicks. Tens of thousands of cars have been sold this way already in the last 12 months. When buying online, you’re protected under UK consumer law. Vehicles purchased online also come with a returns policy, similar to other online purchases – just make sure you check the contract for details on how to arrange a return before you sign. Whether you’re buying, selling or financing your car online, Auto Trader have plenty of information and buying tools available, and you can go from start to finish in just a few clicks.
You can filter your searches by these criteria and find any delivery or “click and collect” services available when you’re browsing the site. Need a little more info on the car before you pull that pin? Don’t worry — lockdown innovations like video viewings mean dealerships can offer you a livestreamed look at the car and your chance to ask specific questions to the salesperson as they show you around. Just look for the ‘live video viewing available’ icon on the ad and book a virtual appointment through the ad. Some retailers have embraced new buying habits and gone fully online, meaning you can go from start to finish in just a few clicks. Tens of thousands of cars have been sold this way already in the last 12 months. When buying online, you’re protected under UK consumer law. Vehicles purchased online also come with a returns policy, similar to other online purchases – just make sure you check the contract for details on how to arrange a return before you sign. Whether you’re buying, selling or financing your car online, Auto Trader have plenty of information and buying tools available, and you can go from start to finish in just a few clicks.
New advert features for buying online
To help you do more of your research and car buying from your own home, we’ve introduced several features to Auto Trader adverts.
These features highlight the ways dealers have adapted to help keep you safe, observe social distancing, and keep car buying easy during the lockdown.
These features highlight the ways dealers have adapted to help keep you safe, observe social distancing, and keep car buying easy during the lockdown.
Live video viewings
With some dealerships, you can book a video viewing and vehicle walk-around to replace a forecourt visit.
It’s a great way to work through your shortlist, and you can line up cars from different dealerships all in one morning – then pop the kettle on and think about which one’s your favourite. Live video viewings can be arranged directly with the dealer. They’ll walk you around the vehicles on camera and give you time to ask any questions, just like they would in person. We’ve introduced these feature across Auto Trader – including bikes, vans, >motorhomes and caravans – look out for the live video viewing icon on the car advert, to see if they can offer you this service.
It’s a great way to work through your shortlist, and you can line up cars from different dealerships all in one morning – then pop the kettle on and think about which one’s your favourite. Live video viewings can be arranged directly with the dealer. They’ll walk you around the vehicles on camera and give you time to ask any questions, just like they would in person. We’ve introduced these feature across Auto Trader – including bikes, vans, >motorhomes and caravans – look out for the live video viewing icon on the car advert, to see if they can offer you this service.
Home delivery
Thousands of cars are now available for home delivery (or collection, if you prefer) on Auto Trader.
When searching, just look out for the tab on the listing or filter ads by dealers offering Home Delivery. Dealers will flag when Click and Collect is available, and you can discuss the ins and outs of how it works when you contact them through the ad. You can also add your postcode to see if a dealership offers delivery to your area. Note that some dealerships may offer this service for free, others may charge an additional fee. Learn more about home delivery and customer collection. If you’re visiting a dealership for a collection, or to browse, please check local lockdown guidance for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When searching, just look out for the tab on the listing or filter ads by dealers offering Home Delivery. Dealers will flag when Click and Collect is available, and you can discuss the ins and outs of how it works when you contact them through the ad. You can also add your postcode to see if a dealership offers delivery to your area. Note that some dealerships may offer this service for free, others may charge an additional fee. Learn more about home delivery and customer collection. If you’re visiting a dealership for a collection, or to browse, please check local lockdown guidance for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
COVID-19 safety measures
Formal government restrictions have been lifted, but it’s understandable that everyone will approach the ongoing coronavirus outbreak differently.
Dealerships may still have social distancing and sanitisation measures in place. When they do, we’re helping them show the measures they’re taking via their adverts on Auto Trader. This way, we’re making it easier for customers to visit showrooms and forecourts in confidence. Check this feature for any guidance, such as operating by appointment only, employee use of masks and sanitiser and any other information. If in doubt, contact the dealership to confirm.
Dealerships may still have social distancing and sanitisation measures in place. When they do, we’re helping them show the measures they’re taking via their adverts on Auto Trader. This way, we’re making it easier for customers to visit showrooms and forecourts in confidence. Check this feature for any guidance, such as operating by appointment only, employee use of masks and sanitiser and any other information. If in doubt, contact the dealership to confirm.
Finding your next car
Obviously, we’ve got a ton of content here on the site, including expert reviews, guides to the best cars for your lifestyle, long-term reviews and plenty more features and finance guides. You can also see your next car in action on our YouTube channel.
If you haven’t already, check out the Auto Trader app – it’s a great way to see what’s on the market near you and shortlist your favourites by saving them. Take your time, run your budgets, pick out the coolest cars and find the one that’s right for you. Once you’ve chosen the model you want, you'll find everything you need in our new online hub, which is designed to help you find and buy a car from home – including filters to help you find dealers offering home delivery and click and collect services. This article represents Auto Trader’s opinions and interpretation of the current situation and does not necessarily reflect the latest government guidance and advice. Please consult the latest official guidance and advice before taking any decision based on this article.
If you haven’t already, check out the Auto Trader app – it’s a great way to see what’s on the market near you and shortlist your favourites by saving them. Take your time, run your budgets, pick out the coolest cars and find the one that’s right for you. Once you’ve chosen the model you want, you'll find everything you need in our new online hub, which is designed to help you find and buy a car from home – including filters to help you find dealers offering home delivery and click and collect services. This article represents Auto Trader’s opinions and interpretation of the current situation and does not necessarily reflect the latest government guidance and advice. Please consult the latest official guidance and advice before taking any decision based on this article.