5 Online Car Dealers in Canada

Online car dealers make shopping for your next vehicle easy and convenient. In this guide, we’ll explore the features of five online car dealers in Canada, how they work and how they can help you shop for a car from the comfort of your own home.

1. Clutch

Clutch is an online car dealer that aims to make it easy and stress-free to buy or sell a car online. Its online inventory includes thousands of vehicles, from budget-friendly runabouts to high-end luxury models, and all of them undergo a comprehensive 210-point inspection. There’s also no need to worry about haggling when you buy from Clutch, while the 10 days/750 km money-back guarantee gives you the flexibility to make sure the vehicle is right for you. Learn more about companies like Clutch.

• Serviced provinces: ON, NB, PEI, BC and NS
• Number of used cars: 3,000+
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks and vans
• Trial period: 10 days/750 km
• Warranty: 90 days/6,000 km for free
• Negotiable prices: No
• Free CARFAX report: Yes, just click “View CARFAX” on the listing you’re interested in
• Delivery to your home: Yes, but delivery fee varies depending on distance and location

2. CarsFast

CarsFast is an auto finance network that partners with 350 car dealerships across Canada. You can use this online platform to fill out a two-minute application and get pre-approved for financing. Multiple financing options are available, including loans for bad and limited credit, and you can then shop for a suitable vehicle from CarsFast’s network of dealers.

• Serviced provinces: Across Canada
• Number of used cars: Thousands of vehicles from approx. 350 dealerships
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks and vans
• Trial period: Depends on what your dealer offers
• Warranty: Depends on what your dealer offers
• Negotiable prices: Yes
• Free CARFAX report: Depends on the dealership
• Delivery to your home: Offered by some dealers (a fee may apply)

3. The Auto Providers

The Auto Providers is an online platform that connects car buyers with suitable offers from a network of hundreds of dealerships across Canada. It’s completely free to use, and you can apply within 60 seconds. Bad credit is OK too, and The Auto Providers will contact you within 24 hours of applying to discuss the best car financing deals in your area.

• Serviced provinces: Ships vehicles across Canada
• Number of used cars: Thousands of vehicles from hundreds of partner dealerships
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks and vans
• Trial period: Depends on what your dealer offers
• Warranty: Depends on what your dealer offers
• Negotiable prices: Yes
• Free CARFAX report: Not available online, but may be available through your dealer
• Delivery to your home: Optional home delivery or pickup from the dealership

4. Vancouver Car Centre, Calgary Car Centre and Kelowna Car Centre

This network of used car dealerships offers a convenient online car-buying experience. You can browse its inventory of fully inspected used cars online for home delivery across British Columbia and Alberta, with trade-ins accepted and financing available for all credit types. The dealership also offers extended warranties on top of outstanding manufacturer warranties.

• Serviced provinces: British Columbia and Alberta
• Number of used cars: 150+ (supply varies)
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks and vans
• Trial period: Not listed
• Warranty: Extended warranties available
• Negotiable prices: Yes
• Free CARFAX report: Yes (every vehicle goes through a 140-point inspection)
• Delivery to your home: Yes

5. CarEvo

CarEvo is an online used car dealer for buyers in Atlantic Canada. It offers a simple car-shopping experience, allowing you to pick out the vehicle you want from its online inventory and then work with a CarEvo agent to secure financing. Bad credit won’t stop you from getting a loan, and the car is delivered to you for a test drive before you sign any loan documents.

• Serviced provinces: NB, NS, NL and PEI
• Number of used cars: 300+
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks, vans and powersports vehicles
• Trial period: Not listed
• Warranty: Not listed
• Negotiable prices: No
• Free CARFAX report: Yes
• Delivery to your home: Yes, free delivery available

Car loan rates in Canada

What do I need to provide to buy a car online in Canada?

You’ll need the following documents or information to buy a car online:

• Government-issued ID. Show ID when you buy a car online so that online dealers can verify your identity.
• Personal information. Fill out an application with information such as your full name, address, phone number and other contact details.
• Payment. Pay by electronic funds transfer, credit card or bank draft in most cases if you’re paying for your car outright.
• Deposit or down payment. Provide a deposit or a down payment to purchase a car with financing. The financing can be in-house, through the online dealer or from another car loan lender.
• Bank account information. Supply direct deposit information to pay for your car or make your monthly repayments if you get in-house financing.
• Insurance/registration. Online dealers will work with you to get your registration and temporary insurance so you can drive your vehicle home.

Car deals in Canada

What should I get from my dealer when buying a car online?

• CARFAX report. Ask for a copy of the vehicle’s CARFAX report to prove that it hasn’t been involved in any accidents or thefts.
• Inspection report. Request an inspection report from the online dealer, and make sure you inspect your car when it arrives to check for potential issues.
• Maintenance records. Check if routine maintenance receipts for oil changes, air filters and other repairs are available. Many online dealers will collect this information from previous owners as a way to show proper maintenance and care for a vehicle.

What should I watch out for?

Watch out for the following potential issues when you buy a car with an online dealer:

• Vehicle damage. Ask online dealers for an inspection report and carefully examine the vehicle when it arrives to check for mechanical or cosmetic damage.
• Hidden fees. Watch out for setup fees, delivery fees and other charges that may show up in the fine print when you check out.
• High interest rates. Watch out for high interest rates with in-house financing, and compare various lenders to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
• Trial period cut-offs. Check how long you have to “test drive” the vehicle and keep an eye on your mileage to make sure you don’t exceed allowable limits. That said, drive the car as much as possible within limitations to make sure it’s in good shape.
• Lack of warranty coverage. Many online used car dealerships in Canada will give you a 90-day warranty. Think twice before signing with online car dealers that offer no form of protection.

What are the best online car dealers in Canada?

That depends on what you need. For instance, some online car dealers specialize in specific models or types of cars, while others focus on higher mileage or repair-shop resold vehicles. Make a shortlist of non-negotiables that you’re looking for in your next car, and then look for online dealers that can offer those options.

You can then narrow down which online car dealer is best by comparing specific features. Some online dealers will let you view the CARFAX report for a vehicle, others provide a complimentary warranty, while others offer free delivery (or reduced delivery fees). Another important feature to look for is whether the online dealer provides some sort of warranty or trial period, giving you time to see if the vehicle is really what you’re looking for.

Alternatives to online car dealers in Canada

If you want to know where to buy cars online in Canada, you have more options than just online car dealers.

You can also buy from private sellers on online general marketplaces, from both private sellers and dealerships on automotive marketplace sites, or through online networks of in-person dealers.

• Online general marketplaces. Marketplaces where you can buy a car online include Kijiji, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
• Automotive marketplaces. Another car dealer alternative in Canada is a specialist automotive marketplace like AutoTrader, Carpages.ca and CarGurus.

Used car sites in Canada

Bottom line

Online car dealerships offer a simple and convenient way to purchase a vehicle if you know where to shop and what to watch out for before you buy. Just remember that it’s worth getting financing pre-approval from other lenders before you start shopping for your car, as this will help you work out whether the online dealer’s financing offer is a good deal.

Frequently asked questions

• Can you buy a car in Canada online?

  Yes. Online car dealers in Canada have grown in number and market share over the last decade. These days, you can buy a car in Canada using a completely online process. This allows you to shop for a car online, make payments and get the vehicle delivered to your doorstep without ever setting foot inside a showroom or pounding the pavement researching vehicles. You can also buy a car online through a general online marketplace like Facebook Marketplace or a specialist automotive marketplace like AutoTrader.

• Is Canada Drives an online car dealer?

  Not exactly. Canada Drives helps customers get a car loan and then matches you with a local dealership where you can buy your car. It is not a direct car dealer with its own inventory of vehicles. Instead, you can think of Canada Drives as a car broker that helps connect you with financing and vehicles in your area. You can read our guide to Canada Drives to learn more.

• If I want to buy a car from an online dealer, can I get financing somewhere else?

  Yes. When buying from an online car dealer, you are not required to obtain financing through that dealer. Like all vehicle purchases, you can get a car loan from any type of lender, including from a dealer, a bank, a credit union or an online lender. In fact, it's well worth securing your vehicle financing before you shop and finalize a car purchase. Not only does getting pre-approved for financing help you properly budget, but it also allows you to negotiate a better financing interest rate with your dealer.

• Is there a Canadian version of Carvana?

  While it's true that Carvana does not currently operate in Canada, there are several similar online car dealer platforms you can try instead, including Clutch. You can learn about more Carvana alternatives in Canada here.

• What are the alternatives to AutoTrader Canada?

  The alternatives to AutoTrader Canada fall into three main categories:

  1. General marketplaces, like Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji.
  2. Automotive marketplaces, like CarGurus and Carpages.ca.
  3. Online car dealers, like Clutch and CarEvo.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Leanne Escobal as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Tim Falk

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Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 20-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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