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When it’s time to buy new wheels, you might not think about buying a car on eBay Motors. It might not be the first place you start a search for the best deal on new wheels… but maybe it should be!

With millions of items—from the meaning of life and a ghost in a jar to jewelry—being safely bought and sold daily, this commercial e-Trading platform is drawing more individuals looking for an automotive bargain than ever before.

Can you get scammed buying a car on eBay? Of course… Buying a car on eBay without seeing it is always risky, as it is with any other transaction where money is exchanged for goods. Where there’s a will, a criminal will find a way. But don’t let that fact of life deter you from buying a car on eBay out of state.

With over a quarter century of internet excellence buyers and sellers can do business with trust and confidence… but watch out for traps and pitfalls!

The Nationwide Guide below will show you what to know before buying a car on eBay Motors.


Looking to ship your vehicle overseas without breaking the bank? Dive into our comprehensive guide on Cheap International Car Shipping Rates at Nationwide Auto Transportation. Discover how to make informed decisions while keeping costs in check!


How Does Buying a Car on eBay Work?

If you are unsure about how buying a car on eBay works, we provide enough valuable information to consider selling or buying a car on eBay without fear or anxiety. Learning that eBay Motors has facilitated more than four million successful sales, and monthly there are more than 14 million individual visitors on the site should make you feel confident. 

buy a car

When you buy a car online, it often needs to be transported to a different state. A majority of these cars need to be shipped hundreds, or even thousands of miles away.

So how will you get your new set of wheels home then?

Do you drive or ship a car? If it is a new car and you need to run in the engine, then driving is not the best option. But you could consider flying to pick up your pre-used car from the seller…and road tripping back home. Or you could take the car train to Florida and back… If a road trip is on the cards, you will appreciate this Road Trip Preparation Checklist. And be sure to read Healthy Road Trip Meals and Snacks to know what to pack for sustenance.

How do you know what to watch out for when buying a used car on eBay?

Further on in this article we look deeper into red flags and warning signs; but you should at least be aware of how far your new purchase will have to travel. Use this handy Car Shipping Calculator to see how much car shipping with Nationwide Auto Transportation will cost when you buy a car on eBay Motors.

Car buyers refer to cars that are more than twenty years old as ‘classics’. Every four minutes someone sells a classic car on eBay. Classic car shipping is a bit more complicated than normal Open Carrier shipping. We recommend you use a professional auto shipping company when you buy a classic car on eBay. Ship your classic car with a professional shipper to ship your investment in Enclosed Car shipping. That should give you peace of mind knowing that it will not scratch or damage your baby.

Do you know what car suits your personality?

Happiness—for a Ford Mustang lover—is knowing that there is one sold on eBay Motors every 43 minutes. If you are unsure what car suits you, please read this post on vehicle types and personalities.

Expedited Motorcycle Shipping | Fast, Safe Transport Solutions is a must read!

What Should I Know When Buying A Car On Ebay?

By now you are getting the idea of how buying a car on eBay Motors works. Your eBay Motors profile can count for, or against you, depending on the feedback from your previous sales. Sellers prefer trusted profiles with only positive feedback.

What Are The Steps For Buying A Car On eBay?

The more you know about how to buy a car on eBay, the better chance you have of finding a good deal online. This also gives you a better platform to negotiate a better deal from. Here are a few steps you can take before clicking on any buy button:

  1. Decide on your budget at the beginning and stick to it, and don’t forget about taxes and insurance.
  2. Do you know what you want to buy? If you are still looking, here is the low down on Cool Cars from this year.
  3. Now that you know how buying a car on eBay works, you can start looking around for the a cheapest state for buying a car? If you don’t want to drive your new purchase home, Nationwide Auto Transporters can safely and affordably ship it home to you.
  4. Make sure you read the listing carefully and until the end, then do it again. Do not click BUY until you’re sure you know everything about the car listed. If you want to know more information you should contact the seller and have a list of questions to ask when buying a used car on eBay… get any missing information you may need or want. Sellers will benefit from reading this post on the best ways to sell a car for maximum profit.

How Safe is Buying a Car on eBay?

Internet shoppers should always be aware of safety when shopping for a car on eBay. Ask yourself, “How do I detect a scam when buying a car from another state on eBay?” A good rule of thumb is when you see a listing that looks too good to be true, it normally is, so beware.

Now is the time for you to do some level headed homework to feel out the market and compare prices to similar models that you may be interested in buying. Look for vehicles that have similar:

  • Miles on Odometer
  • Model specs
  • Condition
  • Engine capacity

Auto Trader, Edmunds, and the National Automobile Dealers Association are sites that have credible comparison prices and are valuable places to get an idea of what a good price for your potential new car is. In the next section we look at how to protect yourself from buying a scammed car on eBay, but here are 7 tips to help you safely buy a car online

How Reliable is Buying A Car On eBay?

The question of reliability when it comes to buying a car on eBay, or any other internet site for that matter, comes down to trust and reliability, but how do you check that if you don’t know the seller?

A seller will look at your account and profile to see feedback and activity, and you should do the same, and go that little bit further. Contact the seller with feedback or remarks that will clarify any discrepancies. If your spidey sense tingles, walk away… there are hundreds of deals on eBay that are 100% legit.

How is The Buyer Protected When Buying a Car On eBay?

When you plan to buy a car on eBay, the first thing people think is how they will be protected during a sale. The site itself does as many checks as the law allows, but in the end the onus is on you to tick all the right security boxes.

An auction listing on eBay Motors normally runs for a week, and often even longer. This gives you enough time for a personal inspection, just in case someone is trying to sell you an invisible car that does not really exist. To reiterate, if your Spidey senses tingle in any way, it is safer to rather walk away.  

Are you buying your first car? Here is a great guide to help you through the process of inspecting the car you want to buy on eBay. Look out for these issues. Does it:

  • start easily?
  • idle smoothly?
  • stay in a straight line when braking?
  • pass the bounce shock absorber test?
  • Is it insured?

An uninsured vehicle can lead to headaches that you don’t need now. The last thing you want is to be pulled over while test driving the car, because it is uninsured. But how do you get an uninsured, or even unlicensed car home? Vehicle shipping is the answer, and you can read more about shipping an unlicensed car on our BLOG.  

Should I Bid Early and Often on eBay Motors?

eBay advises buyers to start bidding early in the auction process, and then to keep bidding as the price increases. This may not be the best instructions to follow because the bidding can be very random. A better strategy is something that buyers refer to as a sniper bid. It entails knowing exactly what amount you want to spend, and to wait until the last possible second to place your bid. This keeps you out of any bidding war that just drives the price skywards. If possible do not look at auctions that end on Sundays or Thursdays as these are traditionally the busiest internet shopping days.

How do you pay the bid when buying a car on eBay?

PayPal is often preferred, so make sure your account is registered and active before bidding. A plus point for this payment method is that your details are not visible to the seller, but you are without buyer insurance and protection because of the identity of this specific market.

covid-19 car buying

How Do You Get a Car Bought on eBay Home?

Congratulations! You’ve won the bid and paid with PayPal… now what? Follow the instructions on how to transfer money when buying a used car on eBay. Once the deal is concluded, you can ensure that it is roadworthy, registered, and licensed. If you have all the correct paperwork, you could consider driving your new wheels home… if it isn’t too many miles away.


When considering a drive in your newly purchased car, there is a lot that can go wrong, including hitting a pothole, so why take the risk? Nationwide Auto Transportation specializes in Auction to Dealer transport and our friendly consultants are waiting for your call. You could even ship a car by plane if you’re in a hurry.

car types car buying guide
So you know that you want to buy a car, but have you really given thought to what kind of car you want? Check out our ultimate car buying guide to learn which car types are best suited to your needs and lifestyle.

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