How to Buy a Car on eBay

When it comes to new wheels, you might not consider purchasing a car on eBay Motors. It may not be the first place you look for the best value on new wheels, but it should be! eBay is a popular online auction site where numerous car dealers can easily and rapidly offer their new and used vehicles for sale.

In this article, we will explain how to buy a car on eBay. We will present a thorough guide to assist you to avoid being scammed as well as some additional tips when buying a car on eBay!

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Things to Consider Before Buying a Car on eBay

There are numerous factors to consider before purchasing a car on eBay such as:

What Type of Vehicles to Purchase

Consider your needs and preferences while purchasing a car, such as a car’s function, size, fuel efficiency, safety features, maintenance and repair costs, brand choice, and pricing. Investigate the vehicle and the seller, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Check the vehicle’s history report and utilize only secure payment methods.

Setting the Budge

Consider the purchase price, insurance charges, gasoline costs, maintenance and repair costs, and finance when creating a budget for a car purchase. Investigate all prices and create a budget that is practical for your needs and financial capabilities.

Registration Document

Registration documents are extremely crucial when purchasing a car! They demonstrate that the seller owns the vehicle and is legally permitted to sell it to you. Before you complete the transaction, ensure that the registration papers are in the seller’s name and that they are being transferred to you as the new owner. 

Check that the registration documents are legal and up to date and that there are no ongoing concerns like liens or unsolved recalls that could pose problems in the future. Simply double-checking these areas will save you a lot of trouble in the future!

Purchasing a car online is similar to purchasing one in person at a local dealership. The easiest approach to buying a car online is to plan ahead of time and stick to your budget.

How Does Buying a Car on eBay Work?

A woman getting a car key

The procedure is straightforward; sellers will put their vehicles for sale on the site and supply all relevant information. As a buyer, you can filter the results by manufacturer, model, price range, year, and vehicle condition. Upon finding a suitable vehicle, the site will present two purchasing options:

Place a Bid 

You can establish your own bidding limitations using this option. What is the most you’re willing to pay to receive the car? During the bidding period, offers will gradually climb until they meet the buyer’s limits. If you insist on buying the vehicle, they have the option of exceeding the bid limit at any time. Eventually, if the buyer wins the bid, they must transfer the money to the seller, prepare to transport the vehicle and complete all necessary paperwork.

Use the Buy it Now Button

Assume you’ve decided on a specific automobile and don’t want to participate in the bidding process or compete with other purchasers. You can always buy the car straight from the vendor by paying the requested amount.

How Safe is Buying a Car on eBay?

When purchasing a car on eBay, it is crucial to research the vehicle and the seller, schedule an inspection, and utilize safe payment methods. It is also critical to follow the appropriate protocols and trust your intuition. By following these precautions, you can increase the likelihood of a secure and successful transaction. However, keep in mind that it is always best to be properly informed before making any purchase to avoid any possible problems or regrets.

How Do You Pay the Bid When Buying a Car on eBay?

You can pay for a car on eBay with a credit card, PayPal, an escrow service, bank transfer, or cashier’s check. Before making a bid or buying, it is critical to confirm with the seller what type of payment they take. Always utilize secure payment methods and never transfer money to the seller without first inspecting the vehicle.

Ship the New Car From eBay

Shipping can be a helpful alternative when purchasing a car on eBay and the vehicle is not located near you. Make shipping arrangements with the seller and select a reputable shipping company. You can pick between three different types of vehicle carrier options to transport that vehicle.

Look For a Reliable Auto Transport Company

There are a few factors to consider when looking for a reputable auto shipping company to move a vehicle acquired on eBay:

  • Research the company: Look for companies that have been in operation for a while and have received positive feedback from prior consumers and make sure to look for these 5 signs so you don’t get scammed.
  • Get multiple quotes: Contact many companies to obtain shipping rates and compare the prices and services provided.
  • Check for insurance and licensing: To secure your investment and your safety, make sure the company is licensed and insured to move vehicles.
  • Ask about their experience: Inquire about the company’s expertise in shipping cars and whether they have any special protocols in place to ensure the safe transit of autos.
  • Communication: Look for a company that is simple to connect with, keeps you updated throughout the process, and can answer any questions you may have.

You may boost your chances of choosing a professional and trustworthy auto transport company that can securely carry your car to your location by taking the time to study and compare several providers. Scams in auto transport are an unfortunate reality for anyone seeking someone to transport their vehicle to a new place. Nevertheless, there are ways that you can make sure that you are not a victim of one of these auto transport scams.

But you’re in luck! Because at Mercury Auto Transport, we value trust, and it’s our responsibility, as part of offering a fantastic car shipping experience, to ensure that the carrier we assign to pick up your vehicle is licensed and insured. Click here to check out our license.

When you choose Mercury for auto transportation, you can rest assured that the carrier assigned to transport your vehicle is fully insured and licensed by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration).

Your vehicle is covered by the carrier’s insurance policy if they are doing the shipping. Also, depending on the type and size of the truck/trailer that is shipping your car, the insurance policy can cover from $100,000 to $1,000,000 of damage. Click here to get your free quote!

Tips For Buying a Car on eBay

When purchasing a car on eBay, do your homework on the vehicle and the seller, arrange for an inspection, use secure payment methods, thoroughly read the description, check the car’s history, and set a budget. This will ensure that the transaction is safe and successful.

When researching a car and its seller history, it’s important to check the car’s VIN (vehicle identification number) to see if it has a clean title and has not been in any accidents. You can also check for any outstanding recalls on the vehicle. When purchasing a car on eBay, it is crucial to be wary of potential fraud. Make sure to thoroughly study the seller’s reputation and read their comments and reviews. 

It’s also a good idea to properly inspect the vehicle listing and ensure that the information provided is correct. Finally, inspect the vehicle in person or obtain a vehicle history report to ensure that there are no severe difficulties or concerns. It’s preferable to avoid the transaction if something doesn’t look right.

Planning to ship your car without a title? Read our informative article “What to Expect When Shipping Your Car Without a Title” to understand what to expect during the process.

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We feel it’s important for you to know how we determined your quote. Quotes are based on what the market demands for cars to be moved at a given time. Each quote is compared with the current rates on the National Load Board before being sent to our customers and will be reviewed periodically through the process.

Other companies might offer you a lower price to obtain your business. This method is ineffective because if the car does not pay the correct amount of money, it will run the probability of not getting loaded or transported on time. You will not get this information from our competitors. Truck drivers always take the loads that pay the most first, leaving the loads that are mispriced to be moved last or not at all. We try very hard to avoid this with our customers by quoting a fair but realistic quote up front. Visit our How we determine your quote page for more information.

Understanding auto transport insurance is important and we think it’s valuable to explain how it works. As part of providing a great car transport service, it is our job to guarantee that the carrier we assign to pickup your vehicle is licensed and insured. Click here to check out our license.

When you go with Mercury to ship your vehicle, you can rest assured that the carrier assigned to move your car is fully insured and licensed with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier and Saftey Administration).

Your vehicle is covered by the carrier’s insurance policy that is doing the shipping. Depending on the type and size of the truck/trailer that is shipping your car, the insurance policy can cover from $100,000 to $1,000,000 of damage.

We have also provided a checklist to explain what you need to do at both pickup and delivery in case there are any issues so, you can file a claim and know that everything will be taken care of.

It is rare but, time-to-time there may be accidental damage while in transit and it is good to know that your carrier’s insurance will protect your auto shipment in that event.

To view a sample BOL (Bill of Lading) and learn what to do in case of accidental damage, please check out our Condition Report and Procedure checklist.

When comparing auto transport companies, keep in mind that low-priced quotes often result in delays in getting your vehicle loaded. Choosing the right broker is vital to getting a reputable carrier for the lowest price possible.  

We feel it’s important for you to know how we determine your quote.

When you’re looking for a car shipping rate, you want to understand how auto transport works. Prices are based on seasonal market demands for cars to be moved at any given time. Each quote is prepared based on the season and the current national rates.

When comparing auto transport companies, keep in mind that low-priced quotes often result in delays in getting your vehicle loaded. Choosing the right broker is vital to getting a reputable carrier for the lowest price possible. Not all brokers are created equal in this talent.

Mercury does a thorough background check with each carrier for every shipment. We verify their ratings, references, and in addition, we obtain a certified copy of their insurance certificate, directly from the government agency that it is on file with.

You can have peace of mind knowing that the carrier shipping your vehicle is the very best and that there are no surprises guaranteed.

Mercury Auto Transport is licensed, Bonded and Insured. Our FMSCA Motor Carrier Number is MC647319.

While we do our best match your auto shipping needs with the most responsible carriers with the best track records, from time-to-time there may be accidental damage while in transit, it is good to know that the insurance of the carrier we locate for you will protect your auto shipment in that event.

Shipping a vehicle can be stressful if you don’t know what to do.  This is why we believe it is paramount to have our highly trained agents be your main point of contact from start to finish.

They will go over everything you need to know so you can relax.  In the meanwhile, we prepared this checklist.  This includes everything from pickup to delivery and how to make sure your car is ready for pickup.

When it comes to car moving, we want you to be ahead of the game!  For any questions and further assistance our agents are standing by, (800) 553-1828.  Please read our checklist to prepare your vehicle to learn more.

There are several ways you can ship a car.  The options include enclosed trailer, open carrier transport, flatbed truck, door-to-door shipping services, and to or from a terminal as well.  The most popular of the options is a 7 to 10 car open carrier.  These large trucks can accommodate almost any size vehicle including carsSUVstrucksjeeps, and vans.

Open car transport, door to door is also the best way to get the cheapest auto transport rate possible.  To learn more and see what transport method is best for you, please fill out our free quote form and one of our representatives will respond to you within minutes.  You can also call us at (800) 553-1828.

We present offers from FMCSA Licensed and Insured Carriers. When you accept an offer, we send your service agreement that guarantees the price, door-to-door service, and 100% bumper-to-bumper insurance. There are never any hidden fees or charges, guaranteed.