4 of the Best Online Car Buying Sites

Fortunately, that kind of ordeal has become a thing of the past. The wonders of modern technology mean that the automotive market has, like many other industries, moved largely online. Nowadays, you can log on to any number of car buying websites to browse their available wares, peruse 360° photographs of the vehicles in question and even use car finance calculators to understand how much the purchase might cost you over time.

While this has undoubtedly made the whole process easier, fairer and more convenient, the sheer wealth of options out there can make it difficult to know where to begin. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best online car buying sites on the internet today, along with a quick rundown of their USPs, benefits and drawbacks. And when you’ve finally struck upon the car of your dreams, you can count on My Car Credit to help you find the financing so that you can afford it. Read on to find out more about four of the best online car buying sites.

1.   Auto Trader

First founded in 1975, Auto Trader is the oldest and most popular option for finding a new car on the internet. Once a hugely popular print magazine, Auto Trader migrated fully online in 2013 and has never looked back. Today, it’s the biggest database of new and used cars you’ll find anywhere in the UK, with over 90% of its more than half a million vehicles sourced from licensed dealers and the remainder sold by private owners.

Auto Trader has integrated a number of handy search functions into its site, allowing you to narrow the parameters based upon size, fuel type, emissions ratings and cost, both upfront and monthly should you choose to take a finance plan. However, visitors should be aware that the default search results are ranked according to the fee paid to the site by the dealer, so adjusting those rankings is paramount to finding the best deal for you and not the best deal for Auto Trader.

2.   Motors

Motors has the second largest collection used cars online, though it does not stock new models and its overall listings still lag some way behind market leaders Auto Trader. Having said that, Motors has made great use of the available technology to create a site that’s incredibly user-friendly and easy on the eye at the same time.

With the use of clean graphics and an intuitive interface, Motors allows buyers to adjust their search according to a whole host of preferences, including things like the road tax that the car carries and the bells and whistles that it comes with. One slight drawback of Motors’ system is that the reviews left by other buyers on the site don’t always correspond to the image of the car in question, with reviews grouped together by make and model rather than individual vehicle.

3.   Cazoo

Cazoo is one of the fastest growing sites for used cars in the UK, with over 250 makes and models to choose from. Their USP is that they were launched by those with a vested interest in facilitating the process of finding a new car, which means that every vehicle in their online showroom has been subjected to a meticulous 150-point inspection, as well as a recent service, MOT and reconditioning where necessary.

Cazoo also pride themselves on promoting transparency and fairness in every deal they do, so you don’t have to worry about hidden fees or costs when it comes to signing on the dotted line. Best of all, they offer a seven-day, no-questions-asked returns policy alongside a 90-day warranty, giving you complete peace of mind that your purchase is the right one for you.

4.   Cinch Cars

Another up-and-coming star of the used car market, Cinch Cars are one of the best online car buying sites for those on the lookout for a second-hand vehicle with first-class quality. Each of the thousands of cars available in their database is less than seven years old and has fewer than 70,000 miles on the clock, so you can be sure you’re getting only the crème de la crème of used motors.

Like Cazoo, Cinch Cars also conduct a thorough inspection of each vehicle in their care, refusing to sell anything that doesn’t cut their mustard. What’s more, the entire process – from searching for your next ride to finding the finance to suit to signing the papers – can be handled online and you won’t even have to leave your home to get behind the wheel! That’s because Cinch offer a delivery service at the date and time of your choosing. Now that’s convenience.

Which is the best online car buying site?

To put it simply, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Each of the sites listed above come with their own unique advantages, meaning the one which is best for you will depend on your own preferences and tastes. Auto Trader and Motors both offer enormous databases of hundreds of thousands of vehicles, while Cazoo and Cinch Cars prioritise quality, transparency and convenience in their dealings.

Whatever site you decide to use for your next vehicle purchase, My Car Credit is here to provide the financing you need to seal the deal. We consider all circumstances – even if you have a poor credit rating or you’re a young driver – and we’ll give you a fair decision within minutes of receiving your application. Want to learn more? Give us a ring on 01246 458 810 or send us an email to enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk and we’ll start the ball rolling on your application today.