How to buy a car online? Tips for for new or used cars

By Maria Gil · · 2 min read
Fact Checked
Advertiser disclosure
dog driving a car bought online

Buying a car typically means time in your diary to visit a dealership or two and have to deal with pushy salespeople. If this sounds like a nightmare, rest assured it’s a common fear. 

Young Australians are more keen to keep the majority of their purchases virtual and it seems that car markers want to cater to that too.

If you are one of the many Aussies who wants to avoid the car dealership and want to buy a car exclusively online then these tips are for you:

Do your research

There are several car makers that have begun offering online sales set at a manufacturer price. Toyota, BMW and Tesla in particular are some manufacturers who offer their merchandise online, and in the case of Tesla, it sells its cars exclusively online. 

You can use websites like carsales.com.au to look at both new and used cars that are available in your area.

Narrow down your options

After doing your research, you might have found several models that might fit your needs and wants. Try to keep your options to 3-5 different cars. By having a small option pool you’ll be forced to be specific about which features you really need in a car.

Figure out your financing

One of the most important aspects of buying a new vehicle is financing it. That’s why it’s good to compare different car loan options available to you. Mozo’s car loan comparison hub has hundreds of car loan products that you can compare to find the perfect one for you. Simply put in the loan amount you plan on borrowing and how many years you think it will take you to pay it off. 

Keep in mind that, just as you would for a parcel, you have to pay for shipping. And in this case the shipping is the delivery fee where the car is dropped off at your home. So be sure to add a couple of hundred dollars to your car financing budget.

Consider going for an inspection

If you are thinking about buying a used car online, maybe you should consider going for an inspection before you commit. Unlike new cars, used cars can have issues that are not visible in an online listing. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to large expenses.

If you are buying a car directly from a manufacturer, then going for an inspection might be more tricky. However, many car makers have display models available in retail showrooms exclusive to their brand. If you can’t find a place to trial your potential car, you might want to consider going to the dreaded car dealership, after all, for a test drive. Just remember to be strong and not fall for their pushy sales tactics!

If you want to learn more about the costs of buying a car or how to properly finance your next vehicle, check out Mozo’s car loan guide page.

Car loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated 20 April 2024

Search promoted car loans below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • Used Car Loan

    Fixed, Secured, No vehicle age limit

    Interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 18.99% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 21.78% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Get a competitive fixed interest rate on a secured used car loan of up to $75,000 depending on your credit score. No vehicle age limits. Easy online application. Fast pre-approval. Pre-approved funds held for up to 3 months. No monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Flexible weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments on terms from 1 to 7 years.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

    Compare
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    Details
  • New Car Loan

    Fixed, Secured, Excellent Credit Score [832+]

    Interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    7.29% p.a.to 7.79% p.a.
    8.00% p.a.to 8.50% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Enjoy a quick application process and no monthly fees on NRMA new car loans. Finance also available motorcycles, caravans and motorhomes. Low fixed interest rates with terms of up to seven years. Plus, NRMA Blue Member benefits apply so you could enjoy even lower rates as an NRMA Member**.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 7.29% would cost $36,387.95 including fees.

    Compare
    Go to site
    Details
  • New Car Loan - Special

    Home Owner Discount, Including Demo, Variable, Secured

    Interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.24% p.a.
    7.36% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Low variable car loan rate for purchasing new and demo vehicles from dealers. Personalised loan amounts between $5,000 and $150,000. Flexible repayment options. Choose between the 3 to 7 year loan terms. Good credit history. Stable employment history and Australian citizenship or PR required.

    Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.24% would cost $35,880.27 including fees.

    Compare
    Go to site
    Details
  • New Car Loan

    Fixed, Secured

    Interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 18.99% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 21.78% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Get a competitive fixed interest rate on a secured new car loan of up to $75,000 depending on your credit score. Easy online application. Fast pre-approval. Pre-approved funds held for up to 3 months. No monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Flexible weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments on terms from 1 to 7 years.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

    Compare
    Go to site
    Details
  • Used Car Loan

    Fixed, Secured

    Interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    8.49% p.a.to 16.99% p.a.
    9.21% p.a.to 17.77% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Enjoy a quick application process and no monthly fees on NRMA used car loans. Finance also available motorcycles, caravans and motorhomes. Low fixed interest rates with terms of up to seven years. Plus, NRMA Blue Member benefits apply so you could enjoy even lower rates as an NRMA Member**.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 8.49% would cost $37,420.08 including fees.

    Compare
    Go to site
    Details
  • Used Car Loan

    Up to 5 years old, Variable, Secured

    Interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    7.74% p.a.
    8.85% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Used Car Loan with no monthly or ongoing fees, with a fixed rate for the life of the loan. Fast online application. Good credit history. Stable employment history and Australian citizenship or PR required.

    Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 7.74% would cost $37,153.94 including fees.

    Compare
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    Details

* WARNING: The Comparison Rate combines the lender's interest rate, fees and charges into a single rate to show the true cost of a personal loan. The comparison rates displayed are calculated based on a loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years or a loan of $10,000 for a term of 3 years as indicated, based on monthly principal and interest repayments, on a secured basis for secured loans and an unsecured basis for unsecured loans. This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan.

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Personal Loan Awards

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