AutoTrader Review
At a glance, AutoTrader seems like an excellent platform through which you can sell your used car. However, if we get into details, we’ll discover that AutoTrader has quite a lot of flaws. For ones, how much money you’ll pay for your car advertisement depends on how many photos you want to upload. And the pricing ranges from $25 to $100. What’s more, the platform doesn’t have any post priority system, such as VIP and non-VIP ad postings. In addition, AutoTrader is just a platform to connect you with potential buyers. Your contact information is public to AutoTrader buyers while you’re not protected from being scammed.
Pros
- You can sell or buy a wide variety of vehicles through AutoTrader
- A reputable platform to sell and buy used cars
- You can get fair deals for your second-hand car
- Efficient customer service
Cons
- High risk of getting scam offers
- The platform doesn’t protect your privacy and safety
Best for Older & Damaged Cars
Buys used, damaged or junk cars
Free tow and no hidden fees
Pays by ACH trasfer or check
Top Pick for Junk Cars
Free, no-obligation cash offers
Offers free paperwork service
Pays on the spot upon pick up
Highly Rated by Customers
Excellent customer service ratings
Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days
Can pick up a car within 48 hours
Great for Low-Mileage Cars
Gives a real offer in 2 minutes
100% hassle-free online process
Free car’s Value Tracker available
How Does AutoTrader Work?
Established in 1997 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, AutoTrader is a popular online marketplace connecting car sellers and buyers. The company provides shopping advice, auto reviews, insurance details, and comparison tools for car financing. Auto Trader is owned by Cox Automotive of Cox Enterprises.
Auto Trader allows you to;
- Enlist your car details.
- Describe the condition of your car.
- Price your car accordingly.
- Browse the site and choose the best cars based on your preferences.
- Communicate with buyers.
- Acquire loan and car insurance.
Auto Trader’s primary purpose is to provide the best online solution for selling and buying cars online. The platform currently features more than 2 million listings; 572,000+ new car listings and over 1.5 million used car listings. Apart from its head office in the US, Auto Trader also operates in Australia.
How Much Can You Get for Your Car With AutoTrader?
The amount you get from selling your cars depends on the car’s make, model, year of manufacture, and current condition. For example, the certified 2019 BMW 230i eDrive Coupe price was sold at $39,497.
Who is AutoTrader Best for?
Auto Trader is best for individuals who want to sell their cars and earn extra cash. It is also best for individuals looking for a safe and legit platform to connect with sellers.
What Types of Vehicles Does AutoTrader Purchase?
Auto Trader assimilates certified, used and new cars from private sellers and dealers.
AutoTrader Follow-up Steps
Once you have posted your ad on AutoTrader, we advise you to take the following steps:
- Organize all necessary and relevant paperwork related to your vehicle. This includes maintenance records, history report, odometers disclosure, bill of sale, as-is documentation, and a potential transferable warranty.
- Clean your car properly and ensure there are no dents or glitches on its exterior or interior.
- Determine your car’s actual value and price. You can utilize AutoTrader’s “Value a Car” tool powered by Kelley Blue Book (KBB) to find out the optimal price for your car.
- Be prepared to take calls from potential buyers anytime. Keep all relevant answers ready and tactically organize test drives.
- Once a buyer puts forth their interests, come to an agreement that will protect your legal and financial interests and finalize the deal.
- Finally, transfer ownership and title.
How to Trade-in Your Car With AutoTrader?
Your vehicle can also be eligible for an instant cash offer. If AutoTrader accepts your car for a trade-in, you’ll have to bring it to the participating dealer. You have up to 7 days to accept or decline the offer from Auto Trader.
How Fast Can You Sell Your Car With AutoTrader?
Selling your car on Auto Trader is simple, quick, and easy. The company reviews your application and instantly sends you quotes based on the information you have provided.
AutoTrader Fees: How Much Does it Cost to Use AutoTrader?
AutoTrader offers four different packages for sellers. Each package is defined by its varying features and increasing price tags. Let’s review each of them using the table below:
| Standard | Enhanced | Deluxe | Premier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What’s Included | Upload 3 photos | Upload up to 9 photos | Upload up to 18 photos | Upload up to 20 photos |
| Run ads | For 1 month | For 2 months | Until the car sells | Until the car sells |
| Price | $25 | $50 | $75 | 100 |
AutoTrader Payment Options
Auto Trader connects you to potential buyers. Therefore the payment method used will depend on the seller or dealer. As a seller, you are at liberty to choose the best payment method that works for you.
AutoTrader Reviews: is AutoTrader Legit?
Auto Trader is a reliable car listing site. Having a rating of 3.7 on Consumer Affairs, 1.7 rating on Trustpilot, A+ rating on Better Business Bureau, 2.9 rating on Google Play Store, and 4.7 rating on App Store, the site has attracted positive and negative reviews from sellers.
Most sellers liked the platform’s large customer base and research tool that allowed them to search for the best car deals. Other sellers also praised the company since it allows them to sell and trade-in cars.
As for complaints, some sellers reported there’s a high risk of getting scammed and harassed by buyers. Others also indicated that the platform does not have a strict privacy policy to protect sellers. Overall, Auto Trade is safe and legit.
| Website | Rating |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 1.7 |
| Consumer Affairs | 3.7 |
| App Store | 4.7 |
| Google Play Store | 2.9 |
| Better Business Bureau | A+ |
What Are the AutoTrader Pros & Cons?
AutoTrader Pros
- You can sell or buy a wide variety of vehicles through AutoTrader.
- A reputable platform to sell and buy used cars.
- You can get fair deals for your second-hand car.
- Efficient customer service.
AutoTrader Cons
- High risk of getting scam offers.
- The platform doesn’t protect your privacy and safety.
How Good is AutoTrader Support?
Auto Trader has great customer support that can be contacted via email or phone. It has a comprehensive FAQ and help pages with answered questions, articles, and tutorials. You also reach customer support via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to make inquiries.
AutoTrader Review Verdict: is It Worth Selling Cars with AutoTrader”?
Auto Trader is a safe and trustworthy platform that connects buyers and sellers. The platform is easy to use and charges $25 to $100 if you want to advertise or promote your car selling business on the site. It also connects you with potential buyers.
Additionally, after filling out the online application form, you will get an instant offer within 3 minutes and have up to 7 days to decide whether to accept or decline the offer. Even though there are mixed reviews and opinions from traders about the site, Auto Trader is a legitimate and trustworthy car-selling website worth trying.
How to Sell Your Car With AutoTrader?
Step 1: Post Your Ad
First, you need to put up your ad on AutoTrader’s website. Click on the “Sell your car” tab and then “Place an ad.”
AutoTrader will ask you for a few details, including the zip code for the place you want your vehicle to be sold. In addition, you’ll need to provide the following details regarding your vehicle:
- Make and model of your car
- Year of manufacturing
- Body style
- Mileage
- Sale price
- Its current condition
You can also add comments up to a limit of 2,000 characters where you might want to mention maintenance records and modification details. You can also input information regarding the warranty in this space.
Keep in mind that the more details you provide, the higher your chances of potential buyers contacting you.
Step 2: Enter Contact Details
Once you’ve entered all the details about your vehicle, it’s time to provide personal contact details. Potential buyers would want to have a detailed conversation with you and might need your contact details. So you’ll need to provide an active email address and phone number.
Step 3: Upload Photos
Photos make the first impression. You can upload as many photos as your AutoTrader package allows you to. Ensure that the photos are high quality, visually appealing, and informative.
Step 4: Publish Your Ad
Finally, review your ad, and if everything checks, hit the publish button to get your ad live.
AutoTrader FAQs
Is Auto Trader free?
Auto Trader offers free research tools. However, if you want to post an advert on the platform, you must pay.
Does Auto Trader offer car leasing services?
Auto Trader does not offer car leasing services.
Where is Auto Trader Available?
Auto Trader is available in the US and Australia.
Does Auto Trader offer protection plans?
Auto Trader does not offer protection plans. Nonetheless, if you buy your vehicle from a dealer through the platform, you might get a free or paid protection plan.
Does Auto Trader have a return policy?
Auto Trader does not have a return policy.