1 in 4 buy a car without seeing it

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Fri, 15 Nov 2024

1 in 4 drivers say they have bought a used car online in the past year without first physically inspecting it.

This is a notable jump from the previous year, where around 1 in 5 happily committed to buying a new car without first seeing it.

The research by AA Cars suggests that Brits are becoming increasingly confident with the idea of purchasing a new or used car online.

However, it adds, this confidence is focused on new and used cars purchased from dealers, rather than private sales – just 6% of drivers bought secondhand cars from private sellers, and a mere 2% from auction. 

The trend is because of the warranty provided by dealers, which drivers say gives them added peace of mind. Confidence increases further for those purchasing from a reputable national dealership or well-known platform such as heycar.com 

The fact many dealers now offer flexible returns policies is also helping motorists commit to buying a car without seeing it, along with the thorough inspections many dealers carry out on used car stock.

Increasing use of high-quality photos and videos helps as well. More than a third of buyers say that they would be more inclined to buy online if there was a range of high-quality photos – which rises to a hefty 65% for those aged 18-35.

"The majority of drivers still prefer to visit a forecourt in person, believing they will get better value for money and less likely to end up with a car with any mechanical issues or cosmetic flaws," acknowledges AA Cars director James Hosking.

However, consumers are growing increasingly confident in buying a car online, which allows for greater convenience and access to a wider variety of options.

"Dealerships that offer the option to buy online and a user-friendly experience can expand their customer base across the UK, making it easier for consumers to find the right car without being limited by location."

Many drivers say the extra choice they have in buying online helps overcome any barriers – instead of being restricted to looking at cars locally, they can assess vehicles nationwide, to find the perfect car for them. This can even help some seal a better deal than they would locally.

Ask HJ

Is it legal for a dealer to sell a car with three different brands of tyres?

Should a reputable car dealer sell a car with 3 different brands of tyres on. The two on the front are identical but the two on the rear different from the front and each other. The sealer says that the car has passed their approved status. Would this situation be an MoT failure and also dangerous?

Although having matching tyres is desirable, it is not a legal requirement. If the tyres are in good condition, with sufficient tread and they are the same type of tyre - so all summer, or all-season for example - then this would not be an MoT failure. Mismatching tyres may increase the chance of undesirable handling characteristics, but in normal driving conditions this is unlikely to be a factor.

Answered by David Ross

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