These days, you can buy anything online, even cars. Although you might feel more comfortable at a dealership, here are some tips to buy a car online.

It sounds a little strange because you can’t have a car put in an Amazon box and shipped to your doorstep, but it is possible to buy a vehicle online. The unconventional nature of this purchase means you need to be aware of what to expect and look for when shopping. Most online car shopping is accomplished with private sellers, but some dealers will sell cars online as well.

Use these tips to successfully buy a car online.

Find the cars you want

There are several websites available to make it easier for you to find a car and connect with the current owner. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are two of the most popular choices when you want to buy a car directly from the seller. You can filter your search with year, make, model, and mileage and set the distance you’re willing to travel to find the vehicle that matches your search. This will help you figure out which car you want to drive and enjoy.

Ask the right questions

Once you’re connected with the seller and want to buy a car online from them, you need to ask the right questions. While you don’t know if you can trust them or not, most sellers are likely going to answer questions honestly for you. Here are a few questions you should ask:

• Has the car ever been in a collision or had other damage?
• Is there a current loan on the car?
• Do you have the car title in your name?
• Had the car had any major mechanical repairs?
• Do you have service records for the vehicle?
• Does the car have a transferrable warranty?
• What is the current odometer reading?

Obtain a vehicle history report

Ask the seller for the vehicle identification number and obtain a vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck. These reports cost less than $50, which is worth the cost of learning about the vehicle you’re considering. This report will reveal the history of the car, including maintenance records. Keep in mind, with some older cars, owners often perform their own maintenance, which wouldn’t be part of the report.

Is the car being sold for a fair price?

When you want to buy a car online from a private seller, you should get a much better price than you would from a dealership. The only issue you might run into could be owners who put too much value on accessories and customization items that they have put on their vehicles. Check the Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds value for the car based on the condition, mileage, and model year. If the price seems fair, move forward with your conversation; if not, start discussing a price reduction.

Meet the seller to check out the car

Once you’ve done the online work of communicating back and forth regarding the vehicle, its history, and the price, its time to meet the seller and check out the car. You’ll want to meet in a public place and you should not go alone. This would be difficult to do, especially if you plan to drive the car home after you meet and complete the purchase. Always take along a friend or family member, especially someone who knows about cars and what to look for.

Perform a visual inspection of the vehicle

Take a walk around the vehicle and look at everything. Try to keep your emotions out of the picture when you buy a car online. It’s good to know how everything looks and feels. Make sure you open the hood and trunk. If the car is clean, and the tires look relatively new, you’ve probably found a good car, but if it’s a mess, that’s a sign the owner hasn’t cared for it.

Test drive and take it to a mechanic

Finally, you need to test drive the car and have a mechanic ready to inspect it for you. Most likely, the current owner will go on the test drive with you, but you might be allowed to take it to the mechanic for an inspection on your own. If the car feels good and the mechanic only finds minor issues, you could have a great new ride on your hands.

Once you’re done with all of these items, you’ll have to do the paperwork, but these are the basic tips when you want to buy a car online from a private seller. This is a great way to find a nice car that could work well for you for many years.