9 online car dealers in Canada

In the last few years, the launch of online car dealers made it easier to buy a car online in Canada. In a recent Finder survey, where more than 1,011 Canadians were asked about their 2023 spending plans, 9% of respondents selected an online dealership as their first choice for buying their next car.

If you’re interested in buying a car online, we can help. In this guide, learn about seven online car dealers in Canada, including where they operate, what benefits and features they offer, and how to pay for and get your car delivered without ever leaving your home.

• How we created this list of online car dealers in Canada

  We searched for car dealerships in Canada that offer a fully online process, from browsing their inventories to delivering the car to your doorstep (or picking it up locally). We excluded online automotive marketplaces with individual (non-dealership) sellers like Carpages.ca and AutoTrader.

1. CarsFast

CarsFast is not a dealer, but it will connect you with the right dealership from among hundreds of partners across Canada. Shop online for new and used vehicles, and get your car delivered to your door. Multiple financing options are available for both good and bad credit customers. Apply an get pre-approved within minutes.

• Serviced provinces: All provinces
• 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)

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2. Clutch

Clutch offers a 210-point inspection and shows a visual depiction of any damage to its vehicles on the website so you know exactly what you’re buying from this online car dealer.

• Serviced provinces: Ontario and Nova Scotia
• Number of used cars: 700+
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, Jeeps, trucks (2012 or newer with 150,000km or less)
• 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 you may need to pay a fee of $399 in some locations. Speak to Clutch to find out if you qualify for free shipping

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3. CarDoor

CarDoor is a Toronto-based online car dealer offering a 90-day bumper-to-bumper warranty and a generous trial period for its cars.

• Serviced provinces: Ontario
• Number of used cars: 1,000+
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks
• Trial period: 14 days/750 km, plus exchange within 60 days
• Warranty: 90 days/10,000 km for free
• Negotiable prices: No
• Free CARFAX report: Yes, just click “View your free report” on the listing you’re interested in
• Delivery to your home: Free

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4. Autorama

Autorama is a physical dealership in Toronto, but this forward-thinking company is also set up to allow you to buy a car online in Canada. It offers both at-home and in-person car purchases and gives free cars to people in need with its Care to Share program.

• Serviced provinces: Ontario
• Number of used cars: View over 200
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, minivans
• Trial period: No trial period is available
• Warranty: Paid warranty options only
• Negotiable prices: Does not seem to support negotiating on prices
• Free CARFAX report: Yes, available on each listing
• Delivery to your home: Look for the “Buy from home available” stamp on the listing to find out if you can pay online and get the car delivered to your home

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5. Carnex

Carnex is an Ontario-based online car dealer that specializes in electric vehicles, with the lowest ticket price starting at just over $27,000. You can buy, sell, trade in and finance an electric vehicle though this online platform.

• Serviced provinces: Ontario and surrounding region
• Number of used cars: Currently, there are over 60 cars available (but inventory fluctuates based on supply/demand)
• Types of cars available: Electric vehicles only
• Trial period: 10 days/720 km
• Warranty: 100 days/5,000 km for free
• Negotiable prices: No
• Free CARFAX report: No, but you can access a free 170-point inspection report on every listing, which highlights any previous accidents based on VIN
• Delivery to your home: Free within 250km of Toronto

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6. The Auto Providers

The Auto Providers is an online platform that connects car buyers with suitable offers from a large Canadian network of dealerships. It’s completely free to use, and you can apply within 60 seconds. Bad credit applicants are welcomed.

• 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, crossovers, coupes and minivans (no motorcycles)
• 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

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7. Vancouver Car Centre and Calgary Car Centre

The Vancouver Car Centre sells fully-inspected used cars online for home delivery in British Columbia and Alberta. Financing is available for all credit types, and trade-ins are accepted. The dealership also offers extended warranties on top of outstanding manufacturer’s warranties.

• Serviced provinces: British Columbia and Alberta
• Number of used cars: 100+ (supply varies)
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks and vans
• Trial period: Not listed
• Warranty: Extended warranties available
• Negotiable prices: No
• Free CARFAX report: Not listed (every vehicle goes through a 140-inspection)
• Delivery to your home: Yes

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8. Car Canada

This online car dealer lets you shop for new and used vehicles online in the Ottawa area and enjoy virtual tours of each vehicle, at-home test drives and buy-from-home options.

• Serviced provinces: Ontario (Ottawa area)
• Number of used cars: Over 500
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks, minivans, convertibles
• Trial period: Not listed
• Warranty: Not listed
• Negotiable prices: No
• Free CARFAX report: Not available online, but may be available through the dealer
• Delivery to your home: Available through the Buy@Home program

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9. DriveAxis

This Ontario-based online car dealer is the direct-to-consumer portal for Axis Auto Finance. DriveAxis offers ‘best price’ guarantees, where they will price match plus give you an extra $500 if the website isn’t up to date with the latest dealer pricing.

• Serviced provinces: Ontario
• Number of used cars: Over 500
• Types of cars available: Cars, SUVs, trucks, minivans
• Trial period: 7 days
• Warranty: Paid warranty options only
• Negotiable prices: No
• Free CARFAX report: Provided prior to finalizing purchase
• Delivery to your home: Yes, but you may pay a delivery fee depending on where you live in Ontario

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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 cash, 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.

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 set-up 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.

Alternatives to online car dealers in Canada

If you’re looking for where to buy cars online in Canada, you have more options than just online car dealers.

There are generally three options for where to buy a used car online: From private sellers on online general marketplaces, from both private sellers and dealerships on automotive marketplace sites or through online dealers.

Online general marketplaces where you can buy a car online include Kijiji, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Another car dealer alternative in Canada is from an automotive marketplace like AutoTrader, Carpages.ca and CarGurus. You can also check out an online network of in-person dealerships through companies like Go Auto.

Must read: Our picks for the best online car buying sites for used cars

Bottom line

While most Canadians still prefer to visit new or used dealerships, when buying a car, a larger number of Canadians are becoming more comfortable and more familiar with the online car buying process. In the recent Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey Q2 2023 survey, more than 1,000 Canadians were asked where they planned to buy their next car and 9% opted for an online dealership.

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To help with the process of buying a vehicle from an online car dealer in Canada, keep the following in mind:

• Online car dealerships can be an easy and convenient way to purchase a vehicle if you know where to shop and what to watch out for before you buy.
• Many online dealers let you pay for your car outright using cash, credit card, bank draft or external financing. You can also apply for in-house financing with most online dealers, or bring financing from a preferred car loan lender.
• Once you pay, your car will be delivered to your house and you’ll often have a promo period to test drive the car before your payment is finalized.

Frequently asked questions about car dealers in Canada

• 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 full guide to Canada Drives to learn more.

• 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 — which 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.

• 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 that the online dealer provides some sort of warranty or trial period of at least seven days, so you have time to see if the vehicle is really what you're looking for.

• 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 an online car dealer, a bank, a credit union or an online car loan lender. In fact, you are better off securing your vehicle financing before you shop and finalize a car purchase. Not only does a prequalification help you properly budget, but it allows you to negotiate prices and perks, without fear of getting dinged with higher car loan interest rates.

• 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 and Canada Drives. You can learn about more Carvana alternatives in Canada in our full guide here.

• What should I look for with an online dealer to get the best deal?

  As a baseline, look for features like a competitive price, a reasonable exchange program, a longer test drive period (7 days or more) and a decent level of warranty coverage (90 days is typical for online dealers). Pick and choose what's most important to you and select your dealer accordingly.

• What are the alternatives to Autotrader Canada?

  Yes, there are alternatives to Autotrader Canada. But to understand the alternatives, it's best to identify the three main categories of online car shopping:

  1. General marketplaces, like Facebook and Kijiji Autos
  2. Automotive marketplaces, like Autotrader Canada and CarGurus
  3. Online car dealers, like Clutch and CarsFast.

  When looking for an alternative to Autotrader Canada, you may want to expand your search to include general marketplaces, as well as online car dealers. This gives you the largest inventory to select from and increases your options for negotiating a better price along with better terms.