Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Where are you located?
Our offices are located in northern and southern California, but we deliver anywhere in CA.

When are agents available to help me?

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

What makes and models do you carry?
We offer a wide selection of pre-owned vehicles with a large variety of makes and models. We select late-model cars with favorable mileage that are budget-friendly.

How do you ensure the quality of your vehicles?
Most of our cars and trucks are inspected by Manheim and include a limited 3 month/3,000 warranty*. An extended service contract is available through instamotor and can be included in your monthly payment.

How will I know the condition of the vehicle prior to purchase?
Before we list a car on instamotor, it undergoes our 153 point inspection and is reconditioned if needed. We only sell quality vehicles.

Peace of Mind

Can I test drive the car before buying?
You have 7 days or up to 250 miles to get to know your new car. Much better than a stressful drive around the block at a dealer, right?

What warranty protection does instamotor offer?
Instamotor provides a 3 month/3,000 miles limited warranty*. Extended coverage is available through instamotor and can be included in your monthly payment.

When does the 7-day return period begin?
The 7-day return policy begins the day your vehicle is delivered to you.

How does instamotor 24/7 Roadside Assistance compare to AAA?
Instamotor includes comprehensive roadside assistance through our partner AUL when you purchase an extended service contract to protect your investment. Learn more about the roadside assistance program here.

Are instamotor cars reliable, dependable and high-quality?
We here at instamotor are committed to providing high-quality pre-owned vehicles. We have partnered with Manheim for a 153 point inspection, and when necessary, reconditioning.

What is GAP Protection?
GAP protection covers the gap between what your insurance provider will pay in the event you vehicle is totaled or stolen, and what your car’s market value is at the time. It is common for your auto loan to initially exceed the car's market value with the addition of sales tax and license fees.

If you are working to establish or re-establish your credit by making car payments on time, you don't want to risk a bad outcome if your insurance company can't cover the full balance of your auto loan in the event of an accident or theft. The money you would be expected to pay out of pocket would be covered by GAP insurance.

Should I get extended service contract protection?
Buying a used vehicle is a great option because it’s more affordable than a new vehicle, and vehicles today are lasting longer than ever.

However, vehicles are machines and sometimes parts of the machine need repair, and not always when you can afford it. An extended service contract, or extended warranty, can save the day. Depending on the coverage, your warranty can pay for all (or most) of the repair.

Extended service contracts are also great because you can include them in the cost of your auto loan. Lenders will finance 100% of the cost because it protects the car should and reduces their risk.

What is the minimum insurance coverage required in California?
There are two uses of insurance, one is to cover the vehicle, or “physical damage,” and the other is “liability” which covers bodily injury or property damage resulting from an accident. California requires minimum bodily insurance of $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 in property damage. Lenders are primarily concerned with physical damage insurance to make sure the vehicle is protected.

Financing

Will applying at instamotor impact my credit score?
No. The initial step is pre-approval, which does not impact your score or add a credit inquiry to your file.

Does instamotor provide financing if I don't have great credit or any credit at all?
Instamotor specializes in providing credit to buyers that don't have great or any credit.

Can I use instamotor financing at other dealers?
No. Instamotor credit approval is only available for vehicles on instamotor.

What sort of items do I need to provide for verification?
Income
For consumers without great credit or without a credit history, lenders will be placing a lot of their decision and importance on your job stability and income. As a result, providing proof of income is important. Most often a copy of your most recent pay stub will be required. A new, easier option is to provide the lender access to your checking account through a trusted third-party income verification system.

Insurance
Having insurance is a requirement and the lender, as well as the dealer, will want to verify that you have insurance in place before delivering the vehicle. Some insurance companies have an automated verification system that lenders can call, but you should have a copy of your insurance card in any case. If you have moved recently, or other information obtained by the lender has a different address than you listed on your application, the lender will require “proof of residence,” which is usually satisfied with a copy of a recent utility bill with your name and address.

Buying a Car

Can I finance my car with instamotor?
Yes! We are auto finance experts and specialize in providing credit to buyers that don't have great or any credit

How can I buy a used car with no credit?
A car loan or lease is a great way to build your credit by making your payments on time and staying in your budget. If you haven't established credit, instamotor looks at your employment stability and income. Additionally, we will likely require a higher down payment.

Apply with instamotor for a quick loan decision and no ding to your credit.

What forms of payment does instamotor accept?
We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, or an ACH cash transfer from your checking account.

Does instamotor take trade-ins?
We do. You can start the process by listing your vehicle here. An agent will be in touch with you to determine the value. The offer amount will be deducted from the cost of your loan.

Make sure you are logged into the same account you have created to purchase your car on instamotor.

Do I need to finance through instamotor?
Our process is designed to offer an integrated experience with financing seamlessly integrated into the process. However, we do accept financing from most banks. Let us know if you are planning to use outside financing for your purchase to make sure it's a bank we work with.

Does instamotor lease cars?
Not at this time, but we are working on a program we hope to launch soon.

What do you charge for delivery?
It depends on the transportation mileage. We only charge you our cost of shipping.

Can I pick the vehicle up myself?
Yes. You can pick up your vehicle from the independent service shop where the inspection and reconditioning were completed.

If I decide to return the car, do you charge a pickup fee?
No, but we do retain a $500 restocking fee.

How do you schedule my delivery?
We schedule your delivery with professional and insured transportation companies.

I have a car in mind, but you don't have it in stock.
Used cars are hard to come by in this market. Our inventory is limited because we are committed to selling quality used vehicles, at prices you can afford. In many cases, the more desirable vehicles such as Accords and Camrys, are marked up to prices that we don’t think benefit our customers.

If you can't find what you're looking for, give us a call at (888) 909-3608 or send us an email. We can see what we can do to help you out.

Selling a Car

How do I sell my car to instamotor?
Get your VIN and start here. Once you’ve uploaded your vehicle information, an instamotor agent will be in touch with you to determine the price.

We manage all the DMV paperwork and payments for you.

Does my car qualify to be sold on instamotor?
In order to list your car it must meet the following requirements:

• No more than 100,000 miles
• No more than 10 years old
• Must be registered in CA
• Vehicle sales price must be higher than any outstanding loan on the car

Will instamotor pick up my car?
Yes, or you can drive it to the inspection service location.

When do I get paid?
Payment is within 3-5 business days of the inspection.

How will I get proof that my ownership has been transferred?
We can send you a copy of the changed registration.

Can I sell my car without buying a car from instamotor?
Definitely.

If I return the car I purchased on instamotor, can I get my trade-in back, too?
Unfortunately, no.

Titles & Registration

How do I get my title?
You will receive your registration or temporary registration when your vehicle is delivered. The final will be sent to you directly when it is available.

How and when do I get my car registered?
We handle all of that for you.

What do I do if my temp tags are nearing their expiration date?
Give us a call at (888) 909-3608 or send us an email.

COVID 19

Does instamotor offer contact-free delivery?
Your new vehicle is delivered to you after it has been detailed and sanitized. We only use professional, insured commercial carriers that have handled thousands of deliveries.

Will my vehicle registration be affected at this time?
Instamotor will verify that there are no issues registering your new vehicle

Will my delivery date be affected at this time?
Delivery times may be affected by scheduling logistics. We will let you know when you make your deposit the estimated time of delivery.

What is instamotor doing to keep its customers and employees safe?
Instamotor 100% online buying experience is the best way to be safe buying your next car. Our employees are working remotely whenever possible.

NOTES
*The included limited warranty is not applicable to vehicles purchased for business use, or vehicles still covered by the original manufacturer warranty.