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Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Amazon Sells Cars Now!?! Here’s the Fine Print Before You Click “Buy Now”

With online car sales exploding, it was only a matter of time before retail giant Amazon got into the car-selling business. Amazon’s goal is to streamline the car‑buying process through full transparency, then have you click their well-known “Buy Now” button to buy your new car. While you can buy cars on Amazon Autos, Amazon isn’t replacing dealerships—it’s an innovative digital storefront that gets you started on the car-buying process.

It sounds easy enough— especially if you’ve sat in a dealership showroom for hours hammering out the best deal. But delivery, bottom-line cost, and dealer involvement aren’t as simple as they look, and the fine print still matters. Read along as car sales experts and professionals walk through the steps and explain the pros and cons of buying a car on Amazon Autos.

How Buying a Car on Amazon Works

Using Amazon’s familiar shopping interface, you can shop for new, used, and certified pre-owned cars 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When I went to the site, virtually all the dealers within 75 miles of my zip code (just north of Philadelphia, PA) were Hyundai, with Hyundai as the only new-car make listed. Amazon Auto’s site shows the “no-haggle” price, financing details, the vehicle identification number (VIN), plus all the vehicle’s features and specifications.

This allows you to “finalize the purchase before ever stepping into a dealership,” said Jack Carlson, Co-Founder of Carvia, a U.S. automotive data and consumer insights platform. “Participating dealers list their cars on Amazon Autos, and all purchase steps happen on the website. You pick up the vehicle at the dealership when it’s ready.”

Pros of Buying a Car on Amazon

Amazon Autos simplifies the car-buying problems that make people dislike dealerships and the car-buying process. “There’s no haggling over cost with the dealership at delivery, and a seven-day return keeps things stress-free,” said Ryan Salata, Marketing Director of Specialty Auto Parts USA, Inc. If you like, “You can even order your vehicle exactly the way you want,” added Salata. Other pros include:

  • The convenience of anytime online browsing makes comparisons between vehicles easier.
  • No haggling: detailed pricing that breaks down the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), dealer fees and charges, manufacturer- and dealer-added options, and manufacturer’s warranty coverage.
  • Only Amazon Auto’s approved dealers are permitted to list and sell cars. All dealership information is provided, adding an additional level of trust.
  • Amazon’s familiar, easy-to-navigate interface includes filters, categories, and a layout that make it feel like a normal Amazon shopping experience.
  • You can estimate payments and secure financing using Amazon Auto’s built-in financing options.

Cons of Buying a Car on Amazon

  • Limited manufacturer’s selection (Hyundai). The planned expansion will continue, but it is not widespread at the moment.
  • Transparent pricing means fixed pricing and no negotiating. While nice for someone who isn’t into haggling, there are those who enjoy protracted back-and-forth wrangling with their salesperson.
  • Transparent pricing does not mean you are getting the best price.
  • Pricing does not include any state or local taxes.
  • It is necessary to visit the dealership to inspect and test-drive the vehicle, and to finalize all required paperwork.
  • Be prepared for the salesperson to “upsell” dealer-added options and extended mechanical, tire/wheel and paint protection warranties.
  • Nationwide availability for all vehicle types at Amazon Autos varies by location.
  • Amazon Autos does not offer auto insurance.

Ben Shoolin, an award-winning new, used and leasing vehicle salesperson, said, “Before buying any car online, always check the deposit refund policy, vehicle return policy, fees, financing costs, dealer reputation, warranty, trade‑in estimate, delivery plan, paperwork, and insurance.” If the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Other Places to Buy Cars Online

Buying cars online is for educated buyers who are wary of old-school dealer tactics, tricks and methods. There are several reputable online platforms (companies) selling new and used cars, including (alphabetically):

  • AutoTrader has an extensive list of new and used cars from dealerships as well as private sellers
  • CarMax has a large inventory of quality used cars, offering no-haggle pricing and 24-hour test drives.
  • Cars.com, TrueCar, and CarGurus are online automotive marketplaces that help shoppers find, compare, and evaluate used, new, and certified pre-owned vehicles from dealerships and private sellers.
  • Carvana offers only buying online but has a seven-day return policy as well as pickup and delivery.
  • DriveTime also has a large inventory of used cars and is geared toward buyers with a less-than-perfect credit history.
  • Edmunds offers expert reviews and has a nationwide used car inventory database.

FAQ

Can I trade in my current vehicle if I buy a car online?

Amazon Autos willingly supports trade‑ins. They will supply an offer through a third‑party valuator, which can be applied toward your purchase or taken as cash. Beware, you will need to supply the VIN, mileage, service history and other information. Any trustworthy valuator (for example, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, or NADA Guides—National Automobile Dealers Association) will run your car through CARFAX or other databases to determine a trade-in estimate. While the estimate gives a solid starting point, “the amount can be lower, or higher, when the valuator actually sees your trade-in,” said Shoolin.

Who is online car buying best for?

Buying a car sight unseen isn’t for the faint of heart. “Online car buying works best for buyers who know what they want, value transparency in pricing, and would rather avoid dealership pressure,” said Carlson. It’s especially useful for those who are comfortable making large purchases, or who want to compare inventories without spending hours or days visiting multiple dealerships or used car lots.

What happens if I change my mind?

“Nothing is final,” said Shoolin. If you get to the dealership and decide the car, or deal, for whatever reason, isn’t right for you, you can walk away. Amazon Autos doesn’t force the sale or lock you into purchasing the car even if you finance through Amazon Autos. In other words, you’re not obligated to buy any car until the paperwork is signed.

Experts

  • Jack Carlson is Co-Founder of Carvia, a U.S. automotive data and consumer insights platform.
  • Ryan Salata is the Marketing Director of Specialty Auto Parts USA, Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance automotive aftermarket components for DIY mechanics, professional builders, and grassroots racers.
  • Ben Shoolin has been a professional new vehicle General Motors salesperson for over 45 years and is a Buick/GMC Mark of Excellence Sales and Leasing Specialist at O’Neil GMC in Warminster, PA., a multiyear award-winning, General Motors Customer Satisfaction dealership.

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Amazon Sells Cars Now!?! Here’s the Fine Print Before You Click “Buy Now”

With online car sales exploding, it was only a matter of time before retail giant Amazon got into the car-selling business. Amazon’s goal is...