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How to Sell?

CARFAX Review 2024: Is Selling Your Car to CARFAX Worth it?

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Written by: Michael Becker
Last Updated:

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Carfax Review

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If you’re looking to get a good price for your car, Carfax, indeed, is worth it. Its free history-based value tool can already tell you how much you can get for your vehicle. This way, you can adjust your preferred price if you choose to sell it privately. There is also an option for you to sell your car hassle-free. With the Sell My Car tool on their website, you can provide information about your car and sell it to a dealership. Or, you can simply choose dealerships from their recommendation list and contact those.

Legit & Safe

Offers Value

Turnaround Time

Payment Process

Pros

  • You can choose several dealerships and pick the best offer
  • It has a free Vehicle Reports tool to help you decide on your car pricing
  • The platform offers a history-based value tool to give you an idea of how much you can sell your car
  • Carfax connects you directly with dealerships, providing you with more room for negotiation

Cons

  • Selling your car can take some time, depending on the dealership’s offers
  • You can only connect with Carfax support team via email

Jump to: Full Review

Best for Older & Damaged Cars

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Buys used, damaged or junk cars

Free tow and no hidden fees

Pays by ACH trasfer or check

Top Pick for Junk Cars

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Free, no-obligation cash offers

Offers free paperwork service

Pays on the spot upon pick up

Highly Rated by Customers

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Excellent customer service ratings

Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days

Can pick up a car within 48 hours

Great for Low-Mileage Cars

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Gives a real offer in 2 minutes

100% hassle-free online process

Free car’s Value Tracker available

How Does Carfax Work?


Established in 1984 and headquartered in Virginia, Carfax is a platform known for providing vehicle history reports to buyers and sellers about used cars. It has a solid reputation as one of the best platforms with comprehensive and detailed vehicle history in North America. 

Carfax allows you to; 

  • Access vehicle history reports.
  • Connect with potential buyers on the platform. 
  • Prepare your car for a visit to complete the sale. 
  • Receive accurate offers within 3 days. 

How Much Can You Get for Your Car With Carfax?


Vehicles are bought at different prices and do not have a predetermined amount for every car. The amount you will get for your car mainly depends on car type, make, condition, model, and year of manufacture.  For example, the amount of money Carfax paid for a used 2017 Mitsubishi i-Miev was $6,787.

Who is Carfax Best for?


Carfax is best for individuals or car owners who want to sell their cars to earn money. It is also best for individuals looking for a platform with detailed car history to help them make the best decision as they embark on their car-buying journey. 

What Types of Vehicles Does Carfax Purchase?


Carfax is picky and only purchases vehicles that meet their standards. For instance, they don’t purchase broken or damaged cars from sellers or dealers. 

History-Based Value

The History-Based Value tool helps you determine your car’s current value so you can sell it for the best price. 

To use this, make sure to provide the following information:

  • VIN or license plate
  • State where you registered your car
  • Zip Code

You’ll also need to confirm that you own the car by ticking the checkbox next to “I own this car.” After that, the tool will show you how much your car’s actual value is. From there, you can decide on your selling price. 

How Fast Can You Sell Your Car With Carfax?


Selling your old car to Carfax is quick, simple, and easy. After accepting the offer, Carfax will pick up your certified car within 3 days. 

Carfax Fees: How Much Does it Cost to Use Carfax?


Carfax Sell Your Car tool is free and you don’t have to pay for anything when selling your car to a dealership. You also get a free appraisal as well. The History-Based Value is free to use, so you know how much your car is worth. 

However, you might also be considering selling your car privately, outside the Carfax platform. In that case, you can purchase a Vehicle History Report at;

1 report3 reports6 reports
Price$39.99$59.99$99.99

At the same time, presenting your car’s Vehicle History Report to the buyer shows your confidence in your car’s condition. Your buyers might also appreciate it by paying for this report themselves, as this costs around $40 each.

This can help you determine previously unknown issues about your car and disclose them to your buyer. 

Carfax Payment Options


Carfax pays you via check or direct bank deposit 3 days after picking up your car. Direct bank deposit might take 3 to 4 business days to reflect on your account. Moreover, it doesn’t have any hidden fees. All fees are indicated on the website. 

Carfax Reviews: is Carfax Legit?


Carfax is a legitimate platform that connects sellers to buyers. It has a rating of 4.8 on App Store, 4.3 rating on Google Play Store, 2.0 rating on Trustpilot, and an A+ rating on Better Business Bureau

Most sellers highlighted that the Carfax app is easy to use and navigate. Other sellers also liked the platform because it enables them to get the best offer from several dealerships. 

As for complaints, some sellers complained that customer support could only be contacted using email. With that said, Carfax is a safe and legitimate site providing useful information to sellers. 

WebsiteRating
App Store4.8
Google Play Store4.3
Trustpilot2.0
Better Business BureauA+

What Are the Carfax Pros & Cons?


Carfax Pros

  • You can choose several dealerships and pick the best offer.
  • It has a free Vehicle Reports tool to help you decide on your car pricing.
  • It offers a history-based value tool to give you an idea of how much you can sell your car.
  • Carfax connects you directly with dealerships, providing you with more room for negotiation.

Carfax Cons

  • Selling your car can take some time, depending on the dealership’s offers.
  • You can only connect with the Carfax support team via email.

How Good is Carfax Support?


Carfax has frequently asked question sections and help pages with answered questions, articles, and guides. You can also contact the support team via social media handles like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Carfax Review Verdict: is It Worth Selling Car With Carfax?


Carfax is a legitimate and reliable site that provides vehicle history and connects you to buyers. While Carfax sell tool is free, you will be required to pay $39.99 to $99.99 if you purchase vehicle reports outside the Carfax platform. 

Additionally, Carfax pays you via check or direct bank deposits 3 days after picking up your car. After receiving an offer within 5 minutes, you have up to 3 days to accept or decline the offer. Overall, Carfax is a recommended platform that provides accurate information about vehicles. 

Of course, it makes sense to bring your car to the dealership for appraisal. But, you also get to choose your most convenient time to do this. And once there, the price is negotiable on post-appraisal conditions. 

How to Sell Your Car With Carfax?


Step 1: Describe Your Car

You’ll need to enter the same information you used on the History-Based Value tool. From there, you’ll need to describe the condition of your car, whether it is excellent, good, or fair. 

Besides the general condition, provide the specific mileage and choose the color that best describes your car. Click on the Next button after confirming your car information.

Finally, you’ll need to enter your contact information, including your full name, email, and phone number. Carfax will use this information to reach out to you for the offer. You can even add information about when you prefer them to contact you. 

Step 2: Receive Offers

Once you submit your information, you’ll receive an offer from one of their dealerships. Additionally, you can also contact the dealerships listed on their website to schedule to have your car appraised.

Whichever option you choose, Carfax guarantees that:

  • The appraisal is free.
  • Cash offers are good for three days.
  • You don’t need to purchase anything. 

Step 3: Bring Your Car

One of the amazing features of Carfax is that you can choose when to bring your car to the dealership. You can even choose several dealerships and schedule your car appraisal with them. This provides you with better chances of receiving the best offer. 

Before bringing your car to the dealership, make sure to prepare the following: 

  • A state-issued valid ID
  • Payoff details or your car’s title
  • Car keys, remotes, or fobs

By preparing these, you can complete the sale within your visit and avoid several trips to the dealership. Make sure to clean your car, too, and remove any personal belongings there. 

Carfax FAQs


What is Carfax?

Carfax’s main mission is to provide consumers with accurate information about vehicle history. The company has successfully provided vehicle history of many cars sold by private owners and dealerships. Apart from providing vehicle history, it also connects sellers to buyers or dealerships.

Carfax also offers you the option to sell your car to their partner dealerships. You can minimize the work typically required in the private car selling through this option, such as posting car ads and talking to potential buyers.

Can I check Carfax for free?

A free Carfax report is available through many dealer websites. 

What is Carfax best for?

Carfax is best for providing preliminary information about cars and trucks. 

What’s the Carfax mode of payment?

Carfax pays you via check or direct bank deposit. 

Can I use Carfax on mobile?

You can download the Carfax app from Google Play Store or App Store for your mobile device. 

Does Carfax offer a buyback guarantee?

Carfax offers buyers a buyback guarantee. 

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Michael Becker

Dollarbreak

About the author:

Michael Becker is a car enthusiast and expert who has been working in the automotive industry for over 15 years. He started his career as a salesperson at a local dealership, where he learned the ins and outs of the car market. Then he moved on to flipping cars for a profit.

Michael has also helped many of his relatives and friends to sell their cars, using his knowledge and skills to get them the best deals. He will guide you through the process and help you avoid the common pitfalls.

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