Q: Is instamotion a marketplace, or do you sell the vehicles yourselves?

instamotion is a digital platform with a large partner network . We act as a digital partner that curates and accompanies the entire process. The vehicles come from vetted partners but are pre-selected according to strict quality criteria. We are your central contractual partner for the online purchase and offer you a "worry-free package" from a single source.

Q: Why is there no location in the vehicle listings?

We are an online car dealership . The location is irrelevant for you, as we take care of the entire logistics process. Your “favourite car” goes from its current parking spot directly to us for preparation/logistics and is then delivered, fully registered, right to your doorstep. This saves you the laborious search in your area and long journeys.

Q: Can I view the car in person or take a test drive before buying?

No , there is no traditional viewing beforehand. But: we offer you something better than a 20-minute test drive around the block. With our 14-day right of return, you can test the car in your real everyday life (up to 200 km). If it doesn't suit you, we will collect it again. That is the safest form of “test drive” you could wish for.

Question 1

What is meant by buying a car online?

Accepted Answer

Buying a car online means the complete digitalisation of the purchase process. Instead of visiting several dealers in person, with instamotion you take care of everything comfortably from home – from choosing a vehicle from over 30,000 immediately available used cars to the digital completion of the purchase. This also includes the digital handling of financing and additional products such as winter tyres.

Question 2

Is instamotion a marketplace, or do you sell the vehicles yourselves?

Accepted Answer

instamotion is a digital platform with a large partner network. We act as a digital partner that curates and accompanies the entire process. The vehicles come from vetted partners but are pre-selected according to strict quality criteria. We are your central contractual partner for the online purchase and offer you a "worry-free package" from a single source.

Question 3

Is there a risk for me as a buyer?

Accepted Answer

No, the risk is minimised by our security guarantees, which go far beyond the standard of traditional dealerships:

14-day right of return: Instead of a short test drive at the dealer, you can test the car in your real everyday life for 14 days (up to 200 km).

Quality-checked: Every car has been checked by experts.

Warranty included: You automatically receive at least 1 year of warranty with a free choice of workshop near your place of residence.

Freedom from maintenance: We guarantee that no service will be due in the first 6 months.

Question 4

What are the advantages and disadvantages of online car retail?

Accepted Answer

Buying a car online offers maximum convenience and security, but also brings a different buying experience. A major advantage is the huge time saving: instead of visiting numerous dealers, with instamotion you choose your favourite car from over 30,000 quality-checked vehicles and have it delivered, fully registered, right to your doorstep. Transparent fixed prices also spare you stressful price negotiations. The 14-day right of return offers an additional level of security, replacing a short test drive at the dealer with a genuine 14-day everyday test.

A disadvantage often perceived is that the vehicle cannot be physically viewed or "sat in" before purchase. There is also a certain waiting time due to logistics and registration, so you cannot take the car with you immediately, as you would at a local dealer. However, anyone who values a stress-free process, checked quality with a warranty and a worry-free package will find online retail the more modern and safer alternative to the classic used car purchase.

Question 5

What are the best strategies for buying a car online?

Accepted Answer

To get the most out of your online purchase at instamotion, I recommend the following steps:

1. Use the expert advice: Our advisers are not mere salespeople but approachable car experts. Use the phone call after your enquiry to clarify specific details about the equipment.

2. Check the condition report: Before the final purchase, you will receive an official condition report. Take a close look at it so that you know exactly where you stand.

3. Plan your financing wisely: Use our online calculators to adjust instalments and down payments (e.g. through a trade-in) so that they fit perfectly into your budget.

4. Prepare your documents: If you use financing or the registration service, have proof of income and your eVB number ready to speed up the process.

Question 6

How does instamotion ensure that the car is in good condition? What does “inspected used cars” mean, and do the vehicles have a valid TÜV certificate?

Accepted Answer

At instamotion we leave nothing to chance. Every car in our inventory is strictly checked:

Certified partners: The vehicles come from large, professional fleet operators and brand dealers. These partners carry out the technical check to strict standards before the car is even listed with us.

Cosmetic preparation: Defects that go beyond normal age-related signs of use are documented or rectified.

Maintenance-free: We guarantee that no service or maintenance appointment is due in the first 6 months or 5,000 km.

TÜV guarantee: All our vehicles have a valid HU/AU (periodic technical inspection and emissions test) of at least 12 months at the time of delivery. So you don't have to go to the testing station straight after buying.

Question 7

How can I find out more about the detailed condition or the equipment, or get further pictures?

Accepted Answer

Transparency is our top priority. As a purely online dealer, we prepare all information digitally for you:

Detailed listings: On our website you will find all equipment features and high-resolution photos.

Expert advice: After your non-binding enquiry, one of our personal car experts will contact you. He can tell you details about the condition of the vehicle and explain the assessor's condition report to you. Further pictures can also be provided to you by your advisor if necessary.

Condition report: Before completing the purchase, you will be given access to the official condition report, in which all defects are transparently recorded.

Question 8

Where do the vehicles come from?

Accepted Answer

Our vehicles come from reputable sources: they are predominantly young used cars from company fleets or stock from large franchised dealers within Germany.

Question 9

Why is there no location in the vehicle listings?

Accepted Answer

We are an online car dealership. The location is irrelevant for you, as we take care of the entire logistics process. Your “favourite car” goes from its current parking spot directly to us for preparation/logistics and is then delivered, fully registered, right to your doorstep. This saves you the laborious search in your area and long journeys.

Question 10

Can I view the car in person or take a test drive before buying?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no traditional viewing beforehand. But: we offer you something better than a 20-minute test drive around the block.

With our 14-day right of return, you can test the car in your real everyday life (up to 200 km). If it doesn't suit you, we will collect it again. That is the safest form of “test drive” you could wish for.

Question 11

How does buying a car at instamotion work?

Accepted Answer

Buying a car at instamotion works in five simple steps:

1. Choose online: You pick your “favourite car” from over 30,000 inspected vehicles on our platform.

2. Non-binding enquiry: You click “Start enquiry”. A personal expert gets in touch with you to discuss details such as condition, financing or trade-in.

3. Digital completion: If everything fits, you sign the contract digitally.

4. Registration & delivery: We handle all the paperwork for you. The car is registered and delivered ready to drive right to your doorstep.

5. Test for 14 days: You check the car in your real everyday life for 14 days. If it doesn't fit, we will collect it again.

Question 12

What exactly does the process look like after the enquiry? Is clicking “Start enquiry” already a binding purchase contract or just a reservation?

Accepted Answer

Don't worry, by clicking “Start enquiry” you are not entering into a binding purchase contract. It is neither a purchase nor a rigid reservation, but the starting point for your personal consultation.

The process: After you have submitted the enquiry, a personal car expert will contact you by phone.

Consultation: Together you discuss all the details about the vehicle (equipment, condition according to the condition report) and your wishes (financing, trade-in, registration).

Offer: Only once all questions have been clarified will you receive a contract.

Commitment: The purchase only becomes binding once you agree to this contract digitally and receive an invoice. Until then, everything remains completely non-binding.

Question 13

Can I clarify urgent questions about the vehicle before I start an official enquiry?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that is possible. You do not necessarily have to use the form for a specific car to reach us.

Hotline, WhatsApp & chat: You can contact us via the general service hotline (+49 30 4669 0646), WhatsApp (+49 30 4669 0661) or the chat on the website.

Recommendation: However, we can help you fastest and in the most detail if you start the enquiry for your “favourite car”. This signals your specific interest to us, and the responsible expert will have all the vehicle data to hand straight away to answer your questions precisely.

Question 14

Do you also offer leasing or car subscriptions?

Accepted Answer

Currently, instamotion focuses on the sale and financing of quality-checked used cars. A classic car subscription or private leasing for used cars is not currently our standard model. Our focus is on you becoming the owner of your vehicle and benefiting from long-term security (warranty & freedom from maintenance).

Question 15

How can I redeem my voucher code?

Accepted Answer

You can easily redeem your voucher code during the process: during our enquiry process, you will find a field for the voucher code on the page where you also enter your address. If you forgot to enter the voucher code there, you can simply give it to your personal car expert on the phone. They will then take the discount directly into account in your individual offer before you finally sign the purchase contract.

Retroactively: Make sure to enter the code before you finalise the purchase contract, as applying it retroactively after the invoice has been issued is often difficult.

Question 16

Which additional services can I add when buying a car?

Accepted Answer

When buying a car from instamotion, you can add various additional services to complete your "worry-free package":

Warranty extension: You can extend the free 1-year basic warranty to up to 4 years to protect yourself against repair costs for defects for longer.

Purchase price insurance (GAP cover): In the event of a total loss or theft, this insurance closes the financial gap between the current value paid out by the comprehensive car insurance and your original purchase price.

Car insurance: instamotion arranges suitable third-party liability, partially comprehensive or fully comprehensive insurance via comparison partners.

Complete winter wheels: You can order winter tyres on steel or alloy wheels directly with your car. On request, these can be fitted before delivery.

Trade-in: You can sell your old car via specialised partners. Your old vehicle will be collected from you.

Question 17

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

You have two main options: the classic bank transfer of the full purchase price, or financing.

Question 18

What costs are payable in addition to the purchase price?

Accepted Answer

In addition to the vehicle price, there are costs for the service:

Registration service: A flat fee of €150 (includes fees, number plates and the trip to the authorities). A personalised number plate costs an optional extra €25.

Delivery: Delivery right to your front door costs from €499. For electric cars delivered on a trailer, the cost is €799.

You can also book optional additional services such as warranty extension, winter tyres or insurance.

Question 19

Which partner banks do you work with? What are the interest rates, and are instalments/terms flexible?

Accepted Answer

Our partner bank is Openbank by Santander. We are currently offering an effective interest rate of 7.79 per cent - regardless of your income.

The instalments and terms are very flexibel: You can choose the down payment (possible from €0), the monthly instalment and the term so that they fit your budget perfectly.

Question 20

Is there a mileage limit if I finance a car at instamotion?

Accepted Answer

No, with our standard financing there is no mileage limit during the term.

Question 21

Which documents are required for financing (also for trainees, self-employed people or cross-border commuters)?

Accepted Answer

For financing, we work closely with our partner bank Santander. The basic requirements for approval are existing employment and a positive Schufa entry.

Depending on your personal situation, we need the following proof:

• Employees: As a rule, a copy of your latest proof of salary as proof of income is sufficient.

• Self-employed people & small business owners: Financing is generally possible, provided you have been self-employed for at least 2 years .

• Cross-border commuters: Yes, that is possible! What is important here is that you have a German bank account . As we deliver exclusively within Germany, we also need a German delivery address for your new favourite car.

• Trainees (apprentices): Whether financing works out depends on the amount of your income. As a rule, a second guarantor is also required here.

Tip: As every case is individual, it is best to discuss the details directly with our sales advisers. You can reach us by phone on +49 30 4669 0646 to quickly and easily clarify what is possible in your case.

Question 22

When does the credit check take place during financing?

Accepted Answer

The credit check by the bank takes place after we have received all the data from your self-disclosure. You can submit it online right away during the enquiry or submit it afterwards, following your conversation with one of our advisers.

Question 23

Is the price negotiable?

Accepted Answer

No. At instamotion, a fixed-price guarantee applies. This spares you stressful price negotiations, as the prices shown are already final prices.

Question 24

How do the top offers come about?

Accepted Answer

So that you always have the opportunity to find the best price for your new car, we mark every top offer on instamotion with a corresponding price reduction.

A top offer is a reduced vehicle price. It is compared with the original selling price – without taking other promotional prices into account.

The original selling price always refers to the highest selling price at the time of listing on our platform.

Question 25

How is the price rating for a vehicle determined?

Accepted Answer

We compare the vehicle with similar vehicles on the German market and categorise it accordingly. At the bottom of each vehicle detail page, you will find an overview of how many similar vehicles your favourite car was compared with. We calculate the price advantage on the basis of a comparison of up to 70 parameters.

Question 26

Can I trade in my old car with you? If so, how?

Accepted Answer

At instamotion, the trade-in is handled via our specialised partners so that you get the best market value for your old vehicle: for the purchase, we work with Carsale24 (for combustion-engine cars) and Aampere (specifically for electric vehicles). You enter the details of your old car online. Our partners then determine an offer for your vehicle. If you accept it, your car will be collected from you and you will receive the selling price.

Question 27

Do I have to deliver the old car myself, or will it be collected?

Accepted Answer

You do not have to drive to the dealer yourself. Carsale24 and Aampere make it as easy as possible for you: your old vehicle is conveniently collected from your home.

Requirement: The vehicle must match the details you gave in the online valuation.

Question 28

What do registration and delivery cost me?

Accepted Answer

Registration costs a flat fee of €150, a personalised number plate €25, and delivery across Germany starts at €499. Delivery costs for electric cars may be higher.

Registration: We register your new used car in your name. We charge €150 for this.

Delivery: We deliver your vehicle conveniently and stress-free right to your front door. We agree an appointment with you so that you can personally receive your new car of choice. Delivery under its own power costs €499. If trailer delivery is requested or necessary (e.g. for electric cars), the delivery costs are higher.

Personalised number plate: We are happy to register your used car with your personalised number plate. We charge you €25 for this service.

Question 29

How is the car delivered (lorry/trailer or under its own power)?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the vehicle and the option chosen:

Standard: As a rule, the transfer is carried out under its own power by a professional driver.

Electric cars: These are generally delivered on a trailer to protect the battery and ensure range logistics (cost: €799).

Trailer delivery for combustion-engine cars can be booked for an additional charge.

Question 30

How long is the delivery time for my car?

Accepted Answer

Delivery usually takes between 2 and 6 weeks. This depends on how quickly the documents for registration are available, in which district the car is registered and how our partners' logistics routes are planned. You can speed up delivery by getting your documents to us as quickly as possible and transferring the amounts due as quickly as possible. Your sales advisor can usually give you an estimate of the delivery time for your chosen car.

Question 31

Do you also deliver to Austria or Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

No. instamotion currently delivers exclusively within Germany. As we are a German company and have optimised the registration service for the German system, we currently do not offer export or direct delivery to Austria or Switzerland.

Question 32

Can I collect the car myself?

Accepted Answer

No, self-collection is not possible. Our concept is based on delivery right to your doorstep. As the cars are located at various logistics sites, the process is designed entirely around transport to your home.

Question 33

What happens if winter tyres are required and the car is driven to you under its own power but only has summer tyres?

Accepted Answer

Safety first: If driving the car to you under its own power with summer tyres is not legally permitted or is too dangerous because of the weather (snow, ice), delivery will be postponed until road conditions allow it. Alternatively, you can buy winter or all-season tyres from us right away, or the vehicle would have to be transported on a trailer for an additional charge.

Question 34

Which documents are needed for registration and how do I submit them?

Accepted Answer

We need the following from you:

• A completed and signed SEPA mandate (for the vehicle tax).

• A registration power of attorney.

• Your eVB number (confirmation of insurance cover).

• A copy of your valid ID card or passport (with proof of residence registration).

You can send these via DHL. We will provide you with a DHL label for this.

Question 35

Is a personalised number plate or transferring my existing number plate possible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is possible for an additional charge of €25. Simply tell us your preferred combination and we will check availability with your registration office.

Transferring your existing number plate is possible, but very complicated, as you would have to deregister your old car early, before you get your new one. We therefore usually recommend a new number plate.

Question 36

What does the 1-year warranty cover?

Accepted Answer

When you buy, you automatically receive a 12-month warranty. It covers the most important and most cost-intensive components of your car (e.g. engine, gearbox, electrics). As we value flexibility, in the event of a warranty claim you are free to choose a garage near where you live.

You can find more details about the warranty coverage hier.

Question 37

What if the car still has a manufacturer's warranty?

Accepted Answer

If the vehicle still has a manufacturer's warranty in force, it naturally remains valid. Our instamotion warranty then follows on when the warranty cover has less than one year remaining.

Question 38

Can I extend the warranty and how much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you have the option to extend the cover to up to 3 years. The exact costs depend on the respective vehicle model and its age/mileage. Your personal advisor will be happy to prepare an offer for you.

You can find more about extending the warranty and the costs hier.

Question 39

How do I make a warranty claim in the event of damage?

Accepted Answer

Very straightforward: if a defect occurs, simply report the damage directly to the warranty provider (you will find the contact details in your documents). Once approved, you can have the car repaired at the garage of your choice. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

Question 40

Is the right of return unconditional?

Accepted Answer

You can return the car within 14 days without giving any reason. However, there are two small conditions for a full refund:

1. You may have driven a maximum of 200 km during this time.

2. The vehicle must be in the same condition as at delivery (no new damage).

Question 41

Is the return free of charge?

Accepted Answer

Here we have to distinguish between two scenarios:

1. Return because you don't like it (withdrawal): If you simply don't like the car, you can return it within 14 days. In this case, as the buyer you bear the costs of the return delivery. In addition, the fees for the delivery to you that has already been carried out and for the registration service are not refunded.

2. Return because of damage/a defect: If the vehicle has significant damage that was not disclosed, the reversal of the purchase is completely free of charge for you. In this case we refund all costs and you pay nothing for the return shipment.

Our goal is to make you happy. Please contact us in the event of damage that is not due to normal use and we will try to find a suitable solution.

Please note: If you have to drive more than 200 kilometres during the 14-day trial period, we have to charge you a fee per kilometre driven.

Question 42

I want to return the car, what do I need to do?

Accepted Answer

If you realise that it is not your "favourite car" after all, simply contact us in writing (by email) or by phone within the 14-day period. We will then arrange the collection of the vehicle together with you and initiate the refund of the purchase price.

Question 43

When is a used car considered accident-free?

Accepted Answer

What counts as minor damage: according to the latest ruling of the Higher Regional Court (OLG), age and the amount of repair costs play a decisive role in defining accident vehicles. In principle, any damage caused by external impact is referred to as an accident. If this damage is also above the minor damage threshold of 750 euros, the car is, according to this ruling, no longer labelled as accident-free.

Question 44

Where do I find my service book?

Accepted Answer

Today your service book is in most cases digital and no longer found as a physical book in the glove compartment. The switch to the digital service book began with the first manufacturers as early as around 2005 and became the standard for most major car brands from 2016. You have various options for viewing your vehicle's service history:

Online customer portal or app of the manufacturer: Many brands offer an online platform or an app where you can log in with your vehicle identification number (VIN) to view the maintenance details.

Authorised franchised garage: The easiest way is to visit a franchised garage. There, the data can be retrieved directly from the manufacturer's central database and a detailed printout of the history can be handed to you. This printout serves as official proof.

If your vehicle was manufactured before the changeover, it still has a classic paper service book, which is usually kept together with the owner's manual in the glove compartment.

Question 45

How high is the vehicle tax in Germany?

Accepted Answer

That depends on your vehicle, for example whether you have a diesel or petrol car, but the level of CO2 emissions also plays a major role. On the internet you will find several calculation tools with which you can calculate your vehicle tax.

FAQ – Questions and answers

Buying a car online at instamotion