Can I Buy a Car During Lockdown?

Despite key workers still needing to commute to and from work, people are again being asked to avoid public transport wherever possible, with car-sharing also seen as a no-go for people from different households. The most obvious way around this is to get a car of your own. Alternatively, entering the winter months, you might have noticed a few issues with your current car and be looking for a replacement.

In both cases, the solution is to buy a car. But what about the restrictions? In this post, we’ll explore whether you can buy a car during lockdown.

What the government says

Announced by the Government on Saturday 31^st October, the second lockdown will force all non-essential retailers to close from November 5^th until December 2^nd. Unfortunately, this includes car dealerships, meaning customers will no longer be able to buy a car in-person.

That said, the Government hasn’t banned the sale of cars completely. As with many other non-essential retailers, click and collect or delivery options are both still available. That means you can buy a car online and pick it up in person, or have it delivered to your address. It’s essentially a repeat of the “distance selling” regulations that were introduced in May.

How dealers can help

Despite being able to buy a car during lockdown, it’s understandable that many customers will still be concerned about the process. Will the pick-up or delivery of the car be Covid-safe? How can I make sure I’m choosing the right car without visiting the dealership?

Fortunately, having been through the same situation from May, many dealerships already have measures in place to make the process easier. Some offer video tours of the car to mimic the in-person experience. You can also expect better support by phone and webchat, with staff keen to continue sales remotely.

For complete peace of mind, it’s worth checking dealerships’ approach to coronavirus safety, hygiene and social distancing before buying.

What about finance?

The final part of the picture is how you pay for the car. Fortunately, that’s another area where measures have already been implemented.

It’s now possible to complete the whole finance journey online including sending and receiving documents, processing proof of ID and address and even e-signing to seal the deal. This was certainly a popular option in the first lockdown, with a 95% increase in car finance applications online compared to 2019.

At My Car Credit, we will remain open for business as usual, with exactly the same opening hours. The majority of our staff are working from home, using new and improved technical equipment and telephone systems and waiting for your call! Some of our operational teams will continue to work from our Covid-secure offices. This is to ensure we maintain the excellent service levels we’ve become known for.

We are also delighted to say that there will be no changes in our processes, which our lenders have confirmed to be more than robust enough for the current climate. This means you can take out car finance through us with complete peace of mind.

To take the first steps towards your lockdown car purchase, calculate car finance and then use our online application form or get in touch with our team for more information.