How to Buy a Used Car Online and Have It Shipped Home

A few years ago, buying a used car from a dealership 2,000 miles away and having it shipped to your driveway felt risky. Today, it's just... how some people buy cars. We do it regularly at MB Motors, and our out-of-state customers — from Texas to Florida to New York — consistently tell us the process was easier than expected.

This guide walks you through every step of buying a used car online and shipping it home, so you know exactly what to expect before you reach out to any dealer.

Step 1: Find the Right Vehicle Online

Start your search on sites like AutoTrader, Cars.com, or a dealer's own website inventory page. When shopping remotely, filter by:

• Certified pre-owned or clean title only — avoid salvage or rebuilt titles for a first remote purchase
• Dealer listings over private party — dealers can provide Carfax reports, handle financing, and have a reputation to protect
• Under 80,000 miles — gives you more confidence about remaining life without an in-person inspection

Look for listings with extensive photos (not just 3 exterior shots), a detailed description, and a phone number where a real person answers. If a dealer is hard to reach before the sale, they'll be harder to reach after.

Step 2: Request a Virtual Walkaround

Before you commit to anything, ask for a live video call walkaround. Any dealer worth working with will do this without hesitation. During the call, ask them to:

• Show every exterior panel in direct light (looking for paint fade, dents, repainted sections)
• Open all four doors and the trunk and show the door jambs
• Start the engine and let you listen
• Show the Carfax and go through it with you verbally
• Check under the hood — look for leaks, corrosion, and fluid levels

At MB Motors, our sales team does video walkarounds regularly for out-of-state buyers. We're used to it, and we don't rush you.

Step 3: Get Financing Sorted Before You Fly

You have two options for financing a remote purchase:

1. Dealer financing — We work with 50+ lenders, so we can often find competitive rates for buyers across all credit profiles. All credit types are welcome.
2. Your own bank or credit union — Get pre-approved before you start shopping. It gives you leverage and speeds up the paperwork on delivery day.

Either way, you'll complete a credit application online, e-sign documents, and receive all paperwork digitally. No need to be present to get financed.

Step 4: Arrange Transport

There are two ways to get your car home:

Auto transport (door-to-door shipping)
A transport broker coordinates an enclosed or open-air carrier to pick the car up from the dealer and deliver it to your address. Typical transit time is 3–10 business days from the day of pickup, depending on distance. Enclosed transport costs more but protects the vehicle from road debris. We'll quote exact shipping for your distance and transport type when you call — (360) 312-3004.

• Typical transit time: 3–10 business days from pickup
• We work with several trusted transport brokers and can make recommendations

Fly-and-Drive
Fly to Bellingham International Airport (BLI), we pick you up, you complete the paperwork, and you drive home. For buyers within 1,000 miles, this is often faster than shipping and more satisfying — you're driving your new car, not waiting for a truck.

Step 5: Delivery and What to Do When It Arrives

If you chose transport, here's what to do when the carrier shows up:

• Inspect the vehicle before signing the Bill of Lading — walk around the entire car and compare it to delivery photos taken at pickup
• Look for any new scratches, dings, or damage that occurred during transport
• If you find damage, note it on the Bill of Lading before the driver leaves — this is your leverage for a transport claim
• Start the car, check the fluids, and give it a short test drive before the driver pulls away

If everything looks good, you're done. Keys in hand, car in driveway.

Why Buy From MB Motors — The Largest Independent Dealer in Washington State

Big used-car companies like Carvana are direct-to-consumer operations with limited negotiation, limited inspection depth, and a call-center experience rather than a human one. Other large used-car chains operate the same way — same playbook, different sign. We're not that.

MB Motors is the largest independent dealer in Washington State, and we've been family-owned in Bellingham since 2009. You'll deal with the same person from first inquiry to delivery. We don't list cars we wouldn't sell to our own family members. And if something comes up after the sale, you have a real phone number and a real name to call — not a support ticket.

We ship vehicles nationwide and have helped buyers in all 50 states. The process works.

Ready to find your next vehicle from the comfort of your couch? Browse our nationwide inventory at mbmotorsllc.com and call us at (360) 312-3004 to set up a virtual walkaround.