Key Takeaways
- Carvana offers a unique car vending machine experience. It allows you to sell your used car or trade it in for a new one entirely online. By providing basic information about your vehicle, you can get an instant quote.
- The selling process is simple: fill out an online form, accept the offer if you’re satisfied, and schedule a free pickup. Carvana will inspect your car upon arrival and hand you a check on the spot.
- While Carvana’s offers may be slightly lower than what you could get by selling privately, the convenience, speed, and lack of haggling make it an attractive option for those prioritizing a smooth transaction over maximizing profit.
Carvana Review
Carvana is one of the most reliable used car dealerships that you can sell your used car to for cash or trade it in for a new one. The company is one of the fastest growing car dealerships in the US and is known for its unique car vending machine system. The company also offers instant online quotes and free pickups and drop offs so you can sell your car to them from the comfort of your own home.
Pros
- Instant online quote – using the calculator on the platform, you can get a quote within 2 minutes by filling in some basic information about your car.
- Free pickup – Carvana will collect your car from you if it is within 100 miles of one of their hubs. If not, you will have to pay for the pick up.
- No obligation offer – you have up to 7 days or an addition 250 miles to decide whether or not you want to accept Carvana’s instant online offer.
- Haggle-free car selling – you do not need to negotiate as they give you their best offer upfront, which can be 10% to 20% higher than other dealers.
Cons
- Does not buy all cars – for Carvana to buy your car, it must be at least 1992 or newer and it must have a working odometer.
Jump to: Full Review
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 Carvana Work?
Carvana simply does the work a physical dealer would do such as buying and selling cars. Here is what Carvana allows you to do:
- Enjoy lower prices Carvana promises to offer lower prices on well-maintained used vehicles by cutting dealerships out of the car-buying process.
- Sell from the comfort of your home; With Carvana, you can buy or sell a used vehicle from the comfort of your home on your computer or smartphone with no haggling involved.
- Get a firm offer online; Carvana will give you a firm offer online in as little as two minutes.
How Much Can You Get for Your Car with Carvana?
The amount you earn from selling your car varies and depends on its make, model and condition.
Who is Carvana Best For?
Carvana is for individuals looking to sell their cars fast and get paid instantly.
How To Sell Your Car To Carvana?
Step 1: Provide Car Details & Get an Instant Offer
The very first step to selling your car to Carvana is to provide essential details about your vehicle. You can do it by filling out an online form.
Simply enter your license plate number or a VIN code and answer a few questions so the Carvana techno-wizard will calculate your offer. In just a few seconds, Carvana will show you how much it will pay you for your car based on the information you’ve provided.
The details you’ll need to provide about your car include:
- Make and model
- Year of manufacturing
- VIN code
- Mileage
- Color
- Zipcode
- Loan status
- Mechanical issues
- Accident history
- Premium features
- General condition
The offer is good for 7 days, and you can either accept it or decline.
Step 2: Sell or Trade-in
Carvana lets you either get cash for your older car or trade it in for a new one. Either way, the Carvana agent will come to your driveway to pick up your older vehicle for free.
If you’re trading in your car with Carvana, they’ll drop off your new car at your driveway for free as well.
Step 3: Get Paid
The Carvana agent will take a quick on-site review of the vehicle. And if everything checks, they’ll hand you a check.
And if you’ve opted in for a trade-in, the Carvana rep will deliver your new car to your driveway as well.
What Types of Vehicles Does Carvana Purchase?
- Vehicles with salvage and rebuilt titles
- Cars in running order
- Vehicles that are newer than 1992
How Fast Can You Sell Your Car with Carvana?
Selling a car to Carvana takes less than an hour. Filling out the online form is also quick and easy and dropping the vehicle off at Carvana takes no more than 20 minutes.
Carvana Fees: How Much Does it Cost to Use Carvana?
Carvana doesn’t charge you any fees for selling your car to them.
In addition, to make the car selling process as convenient as possible, Carvana provides free pick-ups. If you trade in your car, they’ll also deliver your new car to your doorstep.
Carvana Payment Options
Carvana usually pays on the spot. Once you share a few vehicle details the company will send an offer in 2 minutes. After a quick, on-site review of the vehicle, Carvana will either write you a check or give you cash.
Carvana Reviews: Is Carvana Legit?
Carvana reviews score 4.3 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot based on more than 10,000 customer reviews. 64% of reviewers rate the platform as ‘excellent’, 7% – ‘great’, and 4% – ‘average’. The remaining 25% of reviewers aren’t satisfied with the Carvana experience.
Most Carvana complaints state that the car-selling process isn’t as hassle-free as advertised. A few car sellers have experienced having their pick-up dates pushed back, which elongated the overall process.
On a positive note, many more people stated that they’re happy they could sell their car quickly and easily at great deals.
What are the Carvana Pros & Cons?
Carvana Pros
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Provides a complete digital experience – no need to visit any Carvana outlets
- No-haggle and pressure-free environment
- Free car pick-ups and deliveries
Carvana Cons
- You might get a lower deal than you would from a private buyer
How Good Is Carvana Support?
Carvana has a detailed help and support page where you can find most of the information you need. For more inquiries, you can also visit Carvana or call 800 333-4554.
Carvana Review Verdict: Is it Worth Selling Car with Carvana?
Selling your car to Carvana is simple and quick. You get an online price and they pick up your car. Their prices are good, but you might get more money if you sell it yourself.
It’s a good idea to check prices from Peddle, Wheelzy, and CarBrain too, and see how they compare to Carvana’s price. If you need to sell fast, Carvana is a great choice. But if you want the most money, selling it yourself might be better, even though it takes more work.
Carvana FAQ
What is Carvana?
With over 2.5 million monthly visitors, Carvana is one of the largest online car dealerships enabling you to sell, trade-in, or buy a car.
To simplify the selling process of your vehicle, Carvana actually purchases your used car directly. This way, you don’t need to wait for the potential buyer to show up and contact you with an offer.
Carvana was recently named to the 2021 Fortune 500 List. In November 2013, Carvana opened its first iteration of a car vending machine and in 2015, a fully automated, coin-operated version of the signature car vending machine opened in Nashville, Tennessee.
How long does it take to sell to Carvana?
Depending on how well you have submitted your vehicle’s details, selling a car to Carvana takes less than an hour. Once you have accepted their offer, they will immediately send someone to inspect the car and confirm the deal.
Does Carvana inspect the car?
Carvana does inspect the car, but not really. The Carvana agent reviews your car before picking it up. However, the inspection isn’t thorough. It’s just there to confirm the car’s actual condition and see if everything checks your initial description.
Can you negotiate with Carvana?
You can’t negotiate with this car-selling service. They offer a haggle-free deal that you can decline if you’re not satisfied with it.
What makes Carvana unique?
Carvana online listings make the process straightforward and quick. The company also offers delivery, pickup and financing options for nearly anyone.
Where is Carvana’s main office located?
Carvana’s main office is located in Tempe, Arizona, United States.
As the best free car listing site, Carvana also offers in-house financing that allows you to pre-qualify on the site. You can also compare any offer you get from Carvana with other financing options, especially those from credit unions.