How to buy a car online

METRO MANILA, – Do you want to treat yourself by buying a car? Great!

Aside from the comfort and convenience that it offers, a car is a great alternative to waiting hours for a ride home through public transportation. And buying one these days isn’t as tough as it was 10 years ago.

Just like groceries, food and even useless stuff that are marked down during payday sales, you can also buy a car over the Internet.

A more efficient process

Going online has many advantages over visiting showrooms.

First, you can easily browse for cars without leaving the comfort of your home. You no longer need to ask someone to watch your kids while you're out searching for your dream ride.

Second, you can ask questions about the car from the seller with just the press of a button. Although some buyers prefer face-to-face negotiations, calling someone over the phone is obviously faster.

Finally, you can read reviews about cars you're interested in while browsing its features online.

What you need to do

Let's say you've finally settled on two or three models after extensive online searches. Here are some things you must remember before handing over any money.

1. Check out the car in person

Even if you can get a lot of information about your desired car online, it counts for you or a friend to personally inspect it.

For example, if you like comfortable seats or a smooth ride, a test drive can help you decide if it's right for you. And if you have a big family or plan to use the vehicle for your business, looking at how much space it offers will stop you from spending big money on a cramped and impractical vehicle.

In addition, checking a unit in person means you can verify if an online ad is real or not.

While some shops don't allow test drives, sellers like Automart.PH let you inspect and try out the cars you're interested in.

2. Settle on a price

Never, ever pay the sticker price on a car, especially if it's a second-hand one.

If there are two or three identical units from different sellers or dealerships, try to beat them down until one of them gives you the price you want.

3. Choose your payment option

When shopping for a car, whether brand-new or second-hand, you can pay in straight cash or financing.

If you intend to get a car loan, reach out to various lenders, especially banks where you've been a long-time client. Try to get a plan where you can pay a higher downpayment so that you have smaller monthly payments.

And don't be afraid to negotiate so that you get the best rates.

For a truly hassle-free car-buying experience, check out Automart.PH for great deals on used and repossessed cars.

You can also reach out to our team on our Facebook page to learn more about what we can offer.

Automart.PH Senior Content Creator VJ Bacungan contributed to this story.