10 Best Places for Online Car Financing: No Dealer Visit Needed

Discover 10 online financing options that allow you to secure a car loan without visiting a dealership. Apply and sign from home today.

Finance

10 Best Places for Online Car Financing: No Dealer Visit Needed

Looking to finance a car without setting foot in a dealership? These 10 options let you apply and sign online—and either buy from a true online retailer that delivers or fund a private-party/dealer purchase remotely.

Note: Availability and terms vary by location and credit profile. Always verify details before you commit.

1) Carvana — End-to-end online buying with built-in financing

  • Why it works fully online: Shop, apply, e-sign, and have the car delivered. Carvana is the dealer, so no dealer visit is required.
  • Highlights:
    • Pre-qualify without impacting your credit, then see personalized terms source.
    • Nationwide delivery/pickup in many areas source.
    • 7-day return policy for peace of mind source.
  • Good to know: Sales tax, registration, and doc fees are handled during checkout; timelines vary by state.

2) CarMax — Online financing plus home delivery in many markets

  • Why it works fully online: Complete most (or all) steps online; many areas offer home delivery, so you can avoid the store.
  • Highlights:
    • Get pre-qualified with no impact to your credit score source.
    • Home delivery and Express Pickup available in select markets source.
    • 30-day/1500-mile money-back guarantee (where available) source.
  • Good to know: In some states, final signatures may require in-person or hybrid delivery—confirm during checkout.

3) Tesla — Factory-direct ordering and financing

  • Why it works fully online: Order, apply for Tesla financing or lease, and schedule delivery directly with Tesla—no franchised dealers.
  • Highlights:
    • Apply for financing at checkout in your Tesla Account source.
    • Home or local delivery options vary by location source.
  • Good to know: Financing applies to Tesla vehicles only; trade-ins can be handled online.

4) Driveway — Buy, finance, and get delivery to your door

  • Why it works fully online: Digital retailer (part of Lithia Motors) offering online purchase, financing options, and delivery.
  • Highlights:
    • Browse, finance, and complete paperwork online source.
    • Delivery to your home available in many areas source.
  • Good to know: Return policies and delivery timelines vary—review terms before purchase.

5) Vroom — Online retail with lending partners and delivery

  • Why it works fully online: Shop, finance through Vroom’s partners, and get the vehicle delivered.
  • Highlights:
    • Financing during checkout through multiple lenders source.
    • 7-day or 250-mile return window (whichever comes first) source.
    • Delivery to your door in many locations source.
  • Good to know: Delivery timing and title processing can vary—review current terms before ordering.

6) LightStream (by Truist) — Fast, fully digital funds for private-party or dealer purchases

  • Why it works fully online: Unsecured auto loan funds are deposited to your account; pay a private seller or dealer remotely and arrange delivery/shipping.
  • Highlights:
    • Entire process online; same-day funding possible once approved and conditions met source.
    • Use your funds to buy from a dealer, private party, or online retailer source.
  • Good to know: No prequalification; application involves a hard credit inquiry. Rates vary by credit and loan terms source.

7) AUTOPAY — Marketplace for purchase and private-party auto loans

  • Why it works fully online: Pre-qualify, compare offers, e-sign, and receive funding solutions that work with remote dealer or private-party purchases.
  • Highlights:
    • Check your rate without impacting your credit score (soft inquiry) source.
    • Private-party auto loans available source.
  • Good to know: Final lender terms depend on your credit and the vehicle; read each lender’s fees and payoff policy.

8) myAutoloan — Compare multiple lenders for dealer or private-party purchases

  • Why it works fully online: Get multiple offers, choose the best fit, and fund a remote purchase without visiting a dealership.
  • Highlights:
    • Submit one online form and compare offers, often in minutes source.
    • Private-party financing option available source.
  • Good to know: Each lender sets its own requirements; carefully review documents and funding method (e.g., draft, EFT, or check).

9) Navy Federal Credit Union — Member-friendly rates and online closing (including private-party)

  • Why it works fully online: Apply in minutes, e-sign most documents, and have funds sent to a dealer or private seller; arrange delivery or transport.
  • Highlights:
    • Online application with fast decisions for new, used, and private-party loans source.
    • Membership required; eligibility includes military, veterans, and family/household members source.
  • Good to know: For private-party transactions, Navy Federal pays the seller directly; verify title and lien requirements in your state source.

10) DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) — Competitive credit union financing with e-sign

  • Why it works fully online: Apply and close online; DCU supports dealer and private-party purchases—coordinate pickup or shipping to avoid a dealer visit.
  • Highlights:
    • Online applications and eSign available for auto loans source.
    • Finances dealer and private-party purchases (subject to DCU guidelines) source.
  • Good to know: Membership is required; DCU offers multiple paths to join (e.g., participating organizations) source.

How to choose the right online car financing (and skip the dealership)

  • Start with prequalification where available: Many lenders/marketplaces let you check estimated rates with a soft credit inquiry (no score impact). Always verify on the lender’s site.
  • Compare total cost, not just APR: Look at fees, taxes, title/registration, and shipping. The CFPB recommends comparing multiple offers within a short window when rate shopping source.
  • Confirm digital closing and delivery: Ensure the seller or platform supports e-signing and home delivery or third-party transport so you don’t have to visit a lot.
  • Verify return and inspection options: Online retailers often offer return windows (e.g., 7–30 days). Consider a pre-purchase inspection for private-party sales.
  • Check payoff and prepayment terms: Avoid lenders that penalize early payoff or add surprise fees; confirm title transfer timelines.

Picking one of the options above can make buying and financing a car fully online straightforward—no dealer visit required.