Whether you’re looking to part with your old vehicle or upgrade to a new ride, numerous online platforms offer the convenience of selling your car from the comfort of your home and even have it delivered right to your...

Whether you’re looking to part with your old vehicle or upgrade to a new ride, numerous online platforms offer the convenience of selling your car from the comfort of your home and even have it delivered right to your door by using car shipping companies. These platforms vary in terms of user-friendliness and the financial value they offer for your vehicle.

Our review, courtesy of the A4 Auto Transport Guides team, provides an in-depth look at the top online car buyers.

We’ve evaluated the best car-buying sites, both established and up-and-coming, to help you decide which one is right for you. We’ll explain the pros and cons of each site so you can navigate the digital car-buying experience with more confidence and find the best option for you.

Best Online Car Buying Sites

Our top picks for the best car buying sites are Cars.com, Carvana, and CarMax. Below we’ve broken down our ratings for these online car buyers, along with other great options:

WebsitesBest ForOur Rating

Carmax.com	Plenty of service offers	9.0
Cars.com	Certified pre-owned cars	8.8
CarMax.com	Great value	8.5
Vroom.com	Choice for older vehicles	8.3
Autotrader.com	Advanced search functions	8.2
Edmunds.com	Customers services	8.1
CarGurus.com	Cheap cars	8.0
eBay.com	Vast selection of vehicles	7.9
KBB.com	Negotiated price for existing car.	7.7
Consumer Reports	Guidance to local buyers	7.5

Carvana

Carvana is a car-buying site that lets you pick the car you want from its selection of used vehicles. You can also apply for prequalification for a car loan through the site and have the vehicle delivered, depending on where you live. In certain markets, you can pick up your purchase from a futuristic-looking car vending machine. Many of Carvana’s customers were happy as evidenced by the more than 8,600 reviews that give it an average of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot.

Pros

You can apply for auto loan prequalification on the site All vehicles include a 150-point inspection Seven-day return window Limited warranty of 100 days or 4,189 miles, whichever comes first Trade-ins may be accepted

Cons

No flexibility on pricing May have to pay a shipping fee Delivery is not available in all markets Co-signers not accepted through Carvana financing (though outside financing is allowed)

Cars.com

For over two decades, Cars.com has been facilitating connections between sellers and buyers of new, used, and certified pre-owned cars via its website. The site functions as a matchmaking service, with vehicle sales occurring offline.

Pros

Offers new, used, and certified pre-owned cars Provides options to sell your current car Includes a “deal ranking” to assess pricing as great, good, or fair

Cons

Not every vehicle comes with a free vehicle history report Doesn’t guarantee vehicles Requires you to manage financing and title transfer independently Purchases are not conducted on the site; communication with the seller is necessary

CarMax

CarMax takes pride in the thorough inspections conducted on its vehicles. Much like its competitors, CarMax offers several purchase safeguards, including a seven-day return option, a limited warranty covering all cars, and the choice to purchase an extensive service plan.

Pros

Option for test driving at your location (additional fees may apply) Online financing applications available on the website Provides complimentary vehicle history reports Offers a seven-day return policy Includes a 90-day or 4,000-mile (whichever comes first) limited warranty Nationwide presence with physical stores for those who prefer an in-person experience

Cons

Non-negotiable prices Lack of pricing guidance to assess deal competitiveness Potential requirement to pay a shipping fee for viewing a car

Vroom

Vroom, a direct competitor to Carvana, offers the convenience of having a used vehicle delivered directly to your doorstep. Their website allows you to browse a variety of cars and even apply for financing online.

Pros

Home delivery of vehicles Complimentary vehicle history report provided for all cars Online applications for financing are available Acceptance of trade-ins, including pick-up service Includes a 90-day limited warranty Offers a seven-day or 250-mile return window

Cons

There is a $499 shipping fee Delivery typically takes seven to ten days after purchase

Autotrader

Autotrader is another research-focused website that provides a user-friendly used-vehicle search engine to help you discover a car that aligns with your budget and preferences. You have the flexibility to filter your search by vehicle type and the maximum distance you’re willing to travel to acquire the car you desire. Autotrader accommodates listings from both dealerships and private individuals.

Pros

Offers listings for new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles Provides options for cash offers or trade-ins on eligible cars Allows for comparisons between dealer and private party listings

Cons

Not all cars come with free history reports Direct purchasing through the site is not supported Transactions facilitated through the site are not guaranteed

Edmunds

Edmunds stands as one of the leading platforms that provides expert reviews and valuable pricing insights to assist you in your car-buying journey. Its car comparison tool evaluates vehicles based on various factors, including consumer ratings, fuel economy, and ownership costs.

However, Edmunds goes beyond just research. It also operates as a vehicle marketplace where you can discover new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles available in your local area. Edmunds employs a deal-rating score to assess vehicle listings on its site, helping you determine if the price is reasonable.

Pros

Expert reviews available Some cars purchased through Edmunds may qualify for a 30-day or 1,000-mile warranty Offers 12-month roadside assistance for select vehicles

Cons

Direct purchasing through the site is not possible No listings for private-party sellers

CarGurus

CarGurus boasts its status as the largest car-shopping website in the U.S. The site offers an impressive search interface, ranking vehicles using a proprietary deal score and prioritizing the best deals.

Pros

CarGurus assists with paperwork, including title transfers Utilizes the Instant Market Value pricing metric to estimate fair vehicle values Offers prequalification for loans in select private party sales through AutoPay, CarGurus financing partner Provides a 30-day or 1,000-mile warranty for select private-party sales

Cons

Not all vehicles come with a limited warranty Communication with sellers is your responsibility

eBay Motors

Looking to purchase a vehicle from a private seller? eBay Motors offers a platform where you can bid on vehicles, potentially landing the car you desire. The website provides a vast selection of vehicles from across the nation, and it includes free vehicle purchase protection for eligible car transactions completed on the platform.

This protection means that if your car meets the criteria, you’ll receive reimbursement for costs in case you never receive the purchased vehicle or if there are undisclosed title issues. It also covers eligible damage to the transmission, engine, or vehicle body.

However, it’s essential to note that these protections may not cover every possible issue that could arise during your purchase. Beyond the covered components, you may need to handle any other consequences.

Pros

Nationwide access to vehicles from private sellers Certain protections for specific situations Option to apply for financing through RoadLoans.com A wide range of both new and used vehicles is available Winning a bid doesn’t automatically obligate you to buy

Cons

No return policy Limited protection against certain undisclosed problems No guarantee of winning auctions

Kelley Blue Book (KBB)

Looking to sell or trade in your current vehicle before buying? Kelley Blue Book, which is owned by Autotrader, has been giving people visibility into car prices since 1926. You can use Kelley Blue Book values to understand what may be a fair price for your existing car. Then you can use Kelley Blue Book’s pricing estimates for new and used vehicles to negotiate a price for your next car.

Pros

Vehicle marketplace where you can find new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles Option for cash off or trade-in credit on eligible cars

Cons

Not all cars have free history reports

Consumer Reports

If you’re in search of impartial evaluations for both new and used vehicles, Consumer Reports is a nonprofit entity renowned for its reviews spanning various product categories, including automobiles. The website equips you with guidance and resources for each phase of the car-buying and selling process.

For those interested in new cars, Consumer Reports offers a car-buying service, enabling members to access information about the prices paid by local buyers for comparable new vehicles.

Pros

Nonprofit organization Features a used-car marketplace powered by Cars.com Provides a car-buying service in collaboration with TrueCar Offers a car repair estimator tool

Cons

Membership fee required to access full reviews

Shift

Shift assures thorough inspections for all its sold vehicles. For residents within the company’s service regions, test drives are available before purchase. Shift determines vehicle pricing through an algorithm, rendering it non-negotiable. However, Shift’s warranty policy may not be as comprehensive as those offered by some competitors.

Pros

Fixed, non-negotiable pricing Accepts trade-ins Online financing application is available on the website Provides a five-day or 200-mile return option

Cons

Limited service areas, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego Firm, non-negotiable pricing

Craigslist

Despite its somewhat outdated user interface, Craigslist remains a popular choice for private-party vehicle sales.

Pros

Easily find private sellers in your vicinity Browse listings to discover vehicles within your budget Refine your search by criteria like price, make, model year, and mileage

Cons

Sellers aren’t vetted by a third-party Financing arrangements must be made independently or paid in cash No third-party guarantees for purchases

Facebook Marketplace

If you’re looking to purchase a used car from an unfamiliar seller, Facebook Marketplace provides the option for individuals to list their cars for sale, alongside dealerships.

Pros

As a Facebook member, you can view a person’s profile before meeting Browse listings to find a vehicle within your budget

Cons

Sellers aren’t vetted by a third-party In private-party transactions, financing must be arranged independently or paid in cash No third-party guarantees for purchases

AutoTempest

AutoTempest simplifies the process of searching for deals by aggregating search results from various peer-to-peer sales websites like Craigslist, eBay, CarSoup.com, Autotrader, and more.

Pros

List your car for sale or receive instant offers from AutoTempest’s partner site, Cars.com Access new and used vehicle listings Read car reviews before making a purchase

Cons

No pricing analysis is available

CarsDirect

Seeking to gauge dealership pricing and inventory in your area? CarsDirect simplifies the process of searching for both new and used cars. When you find a car that captures your interest, you can directly contact the dealer. Additionally, you have the option to apply for financing through the site.

Pros

Offers financing applications through the site Provides pricing details for new vehicles Allows initial price-based search filters

Cons

Requires direct communication with dealers, with sales finalized offline Offers no guidance on used-car pricing Not all vehicles include free vehicle history reports

Tips for Online Car Shopping

Do your research. Before you even start shopping for a car online, it’s important to do your research and know what you’re looking for. This includes knowing your budget, what type of car you want, and what features are important to you. You can use online resources like car review websites and comparison tools to help you narrow down your options. Shop around. Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to start shopping around. There are several different websites where you can buy a car online, so it’s important to compare prices and find the best deal. Be sure to read reviews of different dealerships and sellers before you make a purchase. Get a pre-approved loan. If you’re planning on financing your car purchase, it’s a good idea to get pre-approved for a loan before you start shopping. This will give you an idea of how much you can afford to spend and will make the buying process go more smoothly. Inspect the car carefully. If you’re buying a used car, it’s important to have it inspected by a mechanic before you make a purchase. This will help you identify any potential problems with the car. You can also ask the seller for a vehicle history report, which will provide you with information about the car’s past accidents and repairs. Be prepared to negotiate. Even if you’re buying a car online, you may still be able to negotiate the price. Be prepared to walk away from a deal if you’re not happy with the price. Read the fine print. Before you sign any paperwork, be sure to read the fine print carefully. This includes the sales contract, warranty information, and financing agreement. Make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions before you agree to anything. Be aware of scams. Unfortunately, there are several scams associated with online car buying. Be wary of sellers who ask for upfront payments or who pressure you to make a quick decision. If you’re unsure about a seller, do some research to see if there are any complaints against them.

Best Car Buying Sites: Our Methodology

We evaluated more than a dozen websites for buying used cars. We chose websites that are well-known for selling cars for a long time or those that offer a safe and personalized experience, especially for people looking for unique cars.

Buying a used car can be scary and confusing, so we picked websites that have advanced search tools. These tools help you compare the features you want in a car. We also liked websites that provide helpful guides for buyers and the latest car reviews. These resources make it easier for people to make smart decisions when buying a car.

FAQ’s

---

View Entire Post