Buy a car online

Your questions answered

• What are sellers promises?

  The seller promises are here to give you peace of mind when you order online at Auto Trader.

  When you complete your full order online at Auto Trader, every seller commits to three promises:

  • 14 day money-back guarantee
  • History and safety checks
  • 3 month warranty*

  *Warranties may not be available for cars under £2,000 and should be confirmed with the seller when finalising the purchase.

  Learn more about what classes as an online purchase

  14 day money-back guarantee

  Buy your car with complete confidence thanks to our 14 day money-back guarantee for completely online orders.

  A moneyback guarantee may not be available for cars under £2,000 and should be confirmed with the seller when finalising the purchase.

  More about the money-back guarantee

  History and safety checks

  You can be confident in the quality and safety of any car you order online. Before advertising on Auto Trader, the seller will carry out a vehicle history and safety check.

  More about the history and safety checks

  Minimum 3 month warranty for cars under £2,000*

  *Warranties may not be available for cars under £2,000 and should be confirmed with the seller when finalising the purchase.

  When you order completely online, you're covered against a wider ranger of faults than those covered by your statutory rights.

  More about the 3 month warranty

• How does car home delivery work?

  Where home delivery is available, you’ll see our ‘home delivery’ icon on the advert.

  You’ll typically arrange the delivery date and time with the dealership. Note some dealerships may charge extra for home delivery, so check before you commit. When the car arrives, give it a proper inspection before you sign and make sure the car is as described.

• Can I go for a test drive?

  You may be able to arrange a test drive with the dealership before you buy, check with them to confirm.

  If the car is delivered, and you never got chance to see it, then you should be covered by the Consumer Contracts Regulations – which give you the right to cancel or return your vehicle within 14 days.

• How do online refunds and returns work?

  You are protected by UK law and regulations, which we cover in our top-level guide to your rights.

  Check free, impartial sites like Citizen’s Advice or the Money Advice Service for full guidance on your rights should you need to return a car or make a refund.

• Is it safe to buy a car online?

  We’d advise you to follow the same safety precautions when shopping online as you do in person. Do your research into the vehicle and the seller, check the documents, and get a vehicle history check.

  When doing anything online, you should keep your computer and security software up to date, use strong passwords and check twice if anything looks too good to be true.

  Visit our safety and security centre for more.