Ribbon Car releases guide for buying used cars online without visiting a store

Amid a growing trend of buying used cars without visiting a store, Ribbon Car, a contactless certified used-car platform, released a "contactless purchase safety guide" on Friday detailing what consumers should check when buying a used car online.

The guide advises buyers to review photos showing mileage and vehicle condition alongside the vehicle's performance and condition inspection report. Consumers should check the dashboard photo to confirm the odometer reading and look for images covering wear-prone areas such as the driver's seat and steering wheel.

In the engine compartment, buyers should look for signs of oil or coolant leaks and check the undercarriage for corrosion damage. Close-up photos showing tire tread wear are also worth verifying. However, the guide notes that photos alone are not enough to accurately assess leaks or corrosion, and recommends cross-referencing inspection results for any areas of concern.

Official inspection documents must also be reviewed. Sellers are legally required to provide buyers with a performance and condition inspection report before a contract is signed; the document covers accident history, major parts replacements and repairs, and mileage. Through this report, consumers can check whether key structural components have been panel-beaten, welded or replaced, and review the condition of major systems such as the engine and transmission.

Buyers should also verify that the mileage recorded in the inspection report is consistent with the dashboard photo and service history, and confirm that the vehicle identification number matches what appears on the vehicle and in the contract.

Because photos alone make it difficult to assess a vehicle's true condition when buying online, the guide recommends seeking additional information. Engine startup sounds, vibration, the operation of convenience features and minor scratches are all details that photos cannot convey. For purchases made without seeing the vehicle in person, the guide recommends relying on objective documents such as the inspection report rather than photos alone, and using video calls or live consultations to get a closer look at the vehicle's condition.

In addition, while many used-car dealers now offer refund programs, the specific terms — including the application window, mileage limits and any associated fees — vary by company, Ribbon Car said. It urged buyers to confirm refund eligibility periods, mileage restrictions and potential extra charges before completing a purchase.

Ribbon Car said it operates a structured direct-management system designed to help consumers verify vehicle condition in detail and make purchases with confidence, even in a contactless environment.

The company inspects vehicles at its in-house reconditioning center, the RTC (RebornCar Trust Center), using its proprietary RQI (RebornCar Quality Inspection) standard. The RTC has received used-car workshop process certification from TÜV SÜD for seven consecutive years, recognizing the systematic management of vehicles from intake to delivery. Inspection results are published on each vehicle's detail page in an RQI research note that includes engine compartment and undercarriage photos as well as interior condition information.

Meanwhile, Ribbon Car — which in 2020 became the first in the industry to launch a real-time automotive live-stream program — has continued to expand customer touchpoints through various marketing activities, including a live shopping program hosted jointly by a shopping host and a specialist sales manager that has been running since 2021.