Buying a car online vs in-person

When you're buying a car in Australia, one of the questions to consider is whether you want to do it online or in person.

You should know there are pros and cons to each, and depending on your buying style, you might have been doing it wrong all this time.

Buying from a dealership allows you to speak to experts face-to-face. However, you might not get as good a deal.

Dealerships have more overheads than online retailers, and those overheads will usually be covered by the price of the cars.

Buying a car online can remove some of the hassle involved dealing with salespeople. Not to mention, it can save you money. However, it might also be more confusing - if you don't know what you're doing.

The differences between buying online or buying through a dealership

The difference between buying online vs in person is mostly a difference in the shopping experience followed by the same buying experience. A test run, followed by driving away in a car that you hopefully didn't pay too much for. It's much of a muchness, either way.

These are the main differences that come with looking for a car online, vs heading over to a dealership:

Top 4 reasons you should shop online first

When it comes down to it, it might just be a case of personal preference. However, we would suggest that at the very least that you do some online browsing before heading over to a dealership.

When you buy in person, you get efficiency and the ability to ask your car dealer all the questions you need answers to before buying. But, that's basically it. By going online first, you can reap even more benefits:

1. Get a good idea of prices

If you can find a new car for a certain price online, or even a used car in equivalent condition, you might have a lot more bargaining power. You could even try asking a dealer to price match.

2. Do thorough research

Find out how much it usually costs to buy the car you want, and then learn what to look for in a used car and how to pay less for a new car. Many of these tips work both online and off.

3. Filter your search

Imagine walking into a car dealership and telling them to show you only cars of a specific colour, within a specified price range, below a certain number on the odometer and of a certain make and model. Then imagine asking the dealer to line them all up in front of you so you don't have to walk between them. This kind of filtering service is a normal part of looking for cars online.

4. Get more options

When buying from a car lot, your choices are limited to whatever is available on that lot and at any other lot you visit. When you look for a car online, you have a lot more vehicles to choose from and can find cars that closely suit your needs. You can then check those cars out. However, you still have to travel to inspect and purchase these cars, so keep the location in mind when browsing online.

Car finance online vs at dealerships

Getting a car loan can be quick and easy at a car dealership, but as with many dealer extras, there's a good chance you're not getting the value for money that you could. Once again, going online first and looking for a better deal can give you more bargaining power even if you do end up visiting a dealership.

Get pre-approved

The trick is getting pre-approved for a car loan, with due consideration to how suitable the particular loan is for you. With pre-approval in your pocket, you can simply tell the dealer that you have a better finance offer and then see if they're willing to match the terms.

Getting pre-approved for a loan involves knowing what kind of car you're interested in, which generally means going online and checking your options beforehand. Buying entirely offline can bring convenience and efficiency benefits, but will rarely match the value of going online beforehand, even if you do eventually end up buying from a car lot.

To find out more, get pre-approved or apply for any of the loans displayed below, simply click "Go to Site" to be taken to the lender's website.

Compare a range of car loans you can apply for online

For more information on any of these loans, simply click "More Info" to be taken to our review page. To apply for a loan, click "Go to site".

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Name	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Comp. Rate (p.a.)	Application Fee	Monthly Fee	Monthly Repayment
Simplify New Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.19% to 18%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.6% to 23%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $622.21	Go to siteMore Info Compare
IMB New Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $2,000 - $125,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.24%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.59%	Application Fee $274.78	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $619.01	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate of 6.24% p.a. A low minimum borrowing amount of $2,000 that you can use to purchase a new car or one that's up to two years old.
OurMoneyMarket New Car Loan ($5,000-$100,000) Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $100,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.57% to 18.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.19% to 21.78%	Application Fee $250 min.	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $622.82	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Stratton Finance New Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.52% to 18%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.95% to 23%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $625.27	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate from 6.52% p.a. depending on the lender you are approved with. Apply for up to $300,000 and use cash or trade in a vehicle to use as a deposit. Optional balloon payment available.
RACV New Car Loans Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.29% to 16.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8% to 17.77%	Application Fee $499	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $635.67	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate from 7.29% p.a. A larger loan of $5,000 or more to help you buy a new or used car. 5-hour pre approval available and no ongoing fees.
loans.com.au - New/Demo - Variable Rate Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.24% to 7.39%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.37% to 8.5%	Application Fee $400	Monthly Fee $8	Monthly Repayment $630.83	Go to siteMore Info Compare
OurMoneyMarket Used Car Loan ($5,000-$100,000) Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $100,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.57% to 18.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.19% to 21.78%	Application Fee $250 min.	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $622.82	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Simplify Used Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.19% to 18%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.6% to 23%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $622.21	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Stratton Finance Used Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.52% to 18%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.95% to 23%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $625.27	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate loan from 6.52% p.a. with a comparison rate of 6.95% p.a. A used car loan of up to $300,000 with quick approval times and balloon payment options.
loans.com.au - Variable Rate Used Car < 5 years Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.39% to 7.39%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8.52% to 8.64%	Application Fee $400	Monthly Fee $8	Monthly Repayment $641.54	Go to siteMore Info Compare
RACV Used Car Loans Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 8.49% to 16.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 9.21% to 17.77%	Application Fee $499	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $647.01	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate from 8.49% p.a. Benefit from no ongoing fees, 5-hour approval and a 21-day satisfaction guarantee. Interest rate discounts for members.
loans.com.au - Fixed Rate Used Car < 3 years Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.59% to 8.79%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8.72% to 10.04%	Application Fee $400	Monthly Fee $8	Monthly Repayment $643.41	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Latitude Variable Rate Personal Loan Variable2 - 7 Years $5,000 -	Interest Rate (p.a.) 9.49% to 29.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 10.37% to 30.69%	Application Fee $0	Monthly Fee $13	Monthly Repayment $653.57	Go to siteMore Info Compare	Special Finder offer: $395 establishment fee waived for approved personal loan applications submitted through Finder. Latitude may withdraw offer at any time. T&Cs apply.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best car buying platform?

  The best car buying platforms in Australia include Carsales, Drive and Gumtree. These platforms offer a wide selection of both new and used vehicles, with detailed listings and trusted reputations among buyers and sellers.

• Is it better to buy a brand new car or second hand car?

  Whether it is better to buy a new car or a second-hand car depends on your budget and needs. New cars come with the latest technology and warranties, but they depreciate in value quickly. Second-hand cars are cheaper, but they may come with higher maintenance costs and risks of damage and parts needing repair, which you won't learn about until well after you take ownership.

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Written by

Elizabeth Barry

Lead Editor

Elizabeth Barry was the lead editor for Finder. She has over 10 years' experience writing about a range of topics with a focus on personal finance. You’ll find her writing and commentary in a range of publications and media including Seven News, the ABC, MSN, the Irish Times and Singapore Business Review. See full bio

Elizabeth's expertise

Elizabeth has written 211 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
• Personal finance
• Investing

Co-written by

Bria Horne

Writer

Bria Horne is a writer for Finder, with a specialist knowledge of personal loans, car loans and business loans. Originally from the UK, Bria has been a professional personal finance writer in Australia for over 2 years. She has an M.A and B.A in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Sussex, and previously worked on the UK’s leading hospitality publication. See full bio