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
1. Peddle
Peddle Summary
- Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwide
- Free towing within 48 hours after offer
- Receive payment upon car collection
- Get free online quote – offer valid 7 days
- Instant quote available on (855) 925 4302
- No obligation to accept the offer
Peddle purchases vehicles in any condition directly from the owners, provides free towing, and makes payments via check at the time of pickup. This stands in contrast to Autotrader, which facilitates connections between sellers and potential buyers without purchasing the vehicles directly.
However, Autotrader partners with Kelley Blue Book and can send you an instant cash offer immediately.
Peddle and Autotrader similarities:
- Payment: Payment is made upon pickup/sale for both companies.
- Offer Validity: Offers from both Peddle and Autotrader are valid for 7 days.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
Peddle and Autotrader differences:
- Turnaround Time: Peddle processes sales within 24-48 hours. Selling time varies when selling privately via Autotrader.
- Online Offer: Peddle provides instant online quotes, while Autotrader’s online offer is linked to Kelley Blue Book’s offer.
- Ways to Sell a Car: Peddle buys directly from the sellers, while Autotrader connects sellers with buyers through their platform.
- Car Type: Peddle buys any condition vehicles, including damaged and non-running cars, whereas Autotrader requires cars to be in good condition with minimal damage.
- Car Type Restrictions: Peddle has no restrictions, while Autotrader does not accept broken or severely damaged vehicles.
- Fees: Peddle provides its service for free, whereas Autotrader charges fees ranging from $25 to $100.
- Towing: Peddle offers free nationwide towing, but Autotrader does not provide towing services.
- Payment Type: Peddle only pays by check, while Autotrader payment methods vary by buyer.
- BBB Rating: Peddle has an A+ rating, while Autotrader is not BBB accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: Peddle has a 4.6 rating (over 125,000 reviews), while Autotrader has a 1.6 rating (over 300 reviews).
2. Wheelzy
Wheelzy Summary
- Service is completely free – no hidden fees
- Get offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108
- Free towing of your car from your location
- Instant payment via cash or check
Wheelzy buys used, junk, and damaged vehicles of any condition through its website, provides instant online quotes and offers free nationwide towing. Unlike Autotrader, which connects sellers with buyers, Wheelzy purchases vehicles directly from owners.
Wheelzy and Autotrader similarities:
- Turnaround Time: Both Wheelzy and Autotrader can process a sale within 24-48 hours.
- Online Offer: You can get instant online quotes from both companies, but Autotrader’s offer is linked to Kelley Blue Book.
- Payment: Payment is made on the spot by the buyer in both cases.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
- BBB Rating: Neither company has BBB accreditation.
Wheelzy and Autotrader differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: Wheelzy focuses on online selling, whereas Autotrader connects sellers with buyers either peer-to-peer or direct to a dealer.
- Car Types: Wheelzy accepts any condition, including damaged and non-running, while Autotrader requires cars to be in good condition with minimal damage.
- Fees: Wheelzy does not charge any fees, but Autotrader charges $25-$100 depending on car value and ad duration.
- Towing: Wheelzy provides free towing, but Autotrader does not offer towing services.
- Car Type Restrictions: Wheelzy accepts 1981 or newer vehicles, whereas Autotrader does not take broken or damaged vehicles.
- Payment Type: Wheelzy pays by check or cash, while payment methods vary with Autotrader.
- Offer Validity: Autotrader offers are valid for 7 days.
- Trustpilot Ratings: Wheelzy has a 4.7 rating (over 44,000 reviews) compared to Autotrader’s 1.6 rating (over 300 reviews).
3. CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
- Call for a free quote – (844) 407-2200
- Get cash for your car in under 48 hours
- CarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditions
- Up to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
CarBrain offers an easy way to sell any car online, providing instant quotes, free nationwide towing, and hassle-free pickup. With its A+ BBB rating and free services, CarBrain provides a convenient alternative to Autotrader for those looking to sell a car quickly.
CarBrain and Autotrader similarities:
- Turnaround Time: Both platforms can process a sale within 2-4 days.
- Online Offer: Instant online quotes are provided by both companies.
- Payment: Payment is made at the time of pickup.
- Offer Validity: Offers from both companies are valid for 7 days.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
CarBrain and Autotrader differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: CarBrain directly buys from sellers, while Autotrader connects sellers with buyers.
- Car Type: CarBrain accepts vehicles in any condition, while Autotrader requires cars to be in good shape.
- Car Type Restrictions: CarBrain has no restrictions. Autotrader doesn’t accept broken/damaged cars.
- Fees: CarBrain has no fees. Autotrader charges $25-$100.
- Towing: CarBrain provides free nationwide towing, while Autotrader does not offer towing.
- Payment Type: CarBrain pays by check. Autotrader payment depends on the buyer.
- BBB Rating: CarBrain has an A+ rating. Autotrader is not BBB accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: CarBrain has 4.8 out of 5 (over 5,500 reviews). Autotrader has a 1.6 rating (over 300 reviews).
4. CarGurus
CarGurus Summary
- Receive payment within 3 working days
- Find out the market value of your car
- List your car for sale in under 5 minutes
- Up to $75,000 in protection for your sale
CarGurus is an online marketplace that connects car buyers and sellers through various platforms. Unlike Autotrader, CarGurus offers more flexibility by allowing private-party sales, dealer sales, and online sales of used and damaged vehicles.
CarGurus and Autotrader similarities:
- Online Offer: Both provide instant online offers.
- Payment: For both, payment is made at pickup by the buyer.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
- Offer Validity: Offers from both are valid for 7 days.
CarGurus and Autotrader differences:
- Ways to Sell: CarGurus allows private, dealer, or online sales; Autotrader connects sellers with buyers peer-to-peer or direct-to-dealer.
- Car Type: CarGurus accepts used and damaged cars. Autotrader wants used cars that are in good condition with little damage.
- Fees: Listing a car on CarGurus costs $4.95. Autotrader charges $25-$100 depending on car value and ad duration.
- Turnaround Time: CarGurus processes sales in 1-7 days, while Autotrader takes 2-4 days.
- Car Type Restrictions: CarGurus has no restrictions. Autotrader doesn’t accept broken/damaged cars.
- Towing: CarGurus provides free towing. Autotrader does not offer towing.
- Payment Type: CarGurus offers checks or bank transfers, while Autotrader’s payment method depends on the buyer.
- BBB Rating: CarGurus has an A+ rating. Autotrader is not BBB accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: CarGurus has 4.2 out of 5 stars (over 1,200 reviews). Autotrader has a 1.6 rating (over 300 reviews).
5. Carvana
Carvana Summary
- Get an online quote within 2 minutes
- Free pickup wtihin 100 miles of a hub
- Offer valid for 7 days or 250 more miles
- Haggle-free process to sell your car
Carvana is an online retailer that buys, sells, and delivers used cars directly to customers. Unlike Autotrader, Carvana owns vehicle inventory and handles transactions end-to-end rather than connecting private sellers with buyers. Carvana focuses on a seamless online car buying experience.
Carvana and Autotrader similarities:
- Car Type: Both accept used cars in good condition.
- Turnaround Time: Both platforms can process a sale in 2-4 days.
- Online Offer: Instant online quotes are provided.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
- Payment: Payment is made by the buyer at the time of sale.
- BBB Rating: Neither company is BBB accredited.
Carvana and Autotrader differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: Carvana focuses on online sales and trade-ins, while Autotrader connects sellers with buyers peer-to-peer or direct-to-dealer.
- Fees: Carvana does not charge fees, but Autotrader charges a fee of $25-$100.
- Payment Type: Carvana pays by check, but Autotrader payment methods vary by buyer.
- Offer Validity: Carvana’s offer is valid for 7 days or 250 miles, while Autotrader’s offer stands for 7 days.
- Towing: Carvana provides free towing within 100 miles, but Autotrader does not offer towing.
- Car Type Restrictions: Carvana targets 1992 or newer cars in good shape, but Autotrader does not accept broken or damaged vehicles.
- Trustpilot Ratings: Carvana has a 4.3 rating based on 9,000+ reviews. Autotrader has a 4.7 rating with 88,000+ reviews.
6. CarMax
CarMax Summary
- Instant online offer in under 2 minutes
- Online offer is valid for up to 7 days
- 2 options for selling – online or in-store
- Get paid within 30 minutes on the spot
CarMax is a used car retailer that allows customers to buy, sell, or trade in vehicles online or at one of their nationwide locations. Unlike Autotrader, which just connects buyers and sellers, CarMax purchases used vehicles directly from consumers and resell them on their lot.
CarMax and Autotrader similarities:
- Online Offer: Both provide instant online quotes.
- Payment: Payment is made on the spot.
- Towing: Neither offers free towing services.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
- BBB Rating: Neither company is BBB accredited.
- Offer Validity: Offers are valid for 7 days from both companies.
- BBB Rating: Neither company is BBB accredited.
CarMax and Autotrader differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: CarMax offers in-store or online selling while Autotrader connects sellers with buyers.
- Cars Type: CarMax accepts used and damaged vehicles. Autotrader requires vehicles in good condition.
- Turnaround Time: CarMax has a turnaround time of 1-7 days while Autotrader processes sales in 2-4 days.
- Car Type Restrictions: CarMax has no restrictions. Autotrader doesn’t accept broken/damaged cars.
- Fees: CarMax charges a dealer fee; Autotrader charges $25-$100 in advertising fees.
- Payment Type: CarMax pays by check. Autotrader’s payment methods vary.
- Trustpilot Ratings: CarMax has a 1.8 rating out of 5 (over 300 reviews). Autotrader has a 4.7 out of 5 rating (over 88,000 reviews).
7. TrueCar
TrueCar Summary
- Enter VIN to instantly get a car estimate
- Offer is good for three days
- TrueCar pays through check
- Offer comes from one of Certified Dealers
TrueCar is an online automotive marketplace that provides pricing data and connects sellers with local dealers interested in purchasing their cars. Sellers can get real-time price quotes, sell directly to a TrueCar certified dealer online, or trade in towards a new car purchase.
TrueCar and Autotrader similarities:
- Ways to Sell: Connects sellers to buyers.
- Online Offer: Both provide instant online offers.
- Payment: Payment is made on the spot when finalizing the sale for both.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
- BBB Rating: Neither company is BBB accredited.
- Turnaround Time: The turnaround time is typically 2-3 days for both.
- Payment Type: Depends on the dealer.
TrueCar and Autotrader differences:
- Car Type: TrueCar accepts used and damaged cars. Autotrader wants used cars in good condition with little damage.
- Fees: TrueCar does not charge fees while Autotrader charges $25-$100 depending on car value and ad duration.
- Offer Validity: TrueCar offers are valid for 3 days, while AutoTrader offers are valid for 7 days.
- Towing: TrueCar’s towing depends on the dealer. Autotrader does not provide towing.
- Car Restrictions: TrueCar’s restrictions vary by dealer. Autotrader does not accept broken or damaged cars.
- BBB Rating: TrueCar has an A+ rating. Autotrader is not BBB accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: TrueCar has 3 out of 5 stars (over 1,700 reviews). Autotrader has a 1.6 rating (over 300 reviews).
8. AutoNation
AutoNation Summary
- Over 300 locations in the US available
- Get an online offer within 30 minutes
- Online offer valid for up to 7 days
- Get paid within 24 hours for your car
AutoNation operates dealerships that allow customers to sell and trade in vehicles in their stores. AutoNation buys used cars in good condition directly from sellers. In contrast, Autotrader does not buy cars directly. They connect private sellers with buyers through an online marketplace.
AutoNation and Autotrader similarities:
- Online Offer: Instant online quotes are provided by both companies.
- Car Type: Both accept used and new cars in good condition.
- Car Restrictions: Neither accepts badly damaged cars.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
- BBB Rating: Neither company is BBB accredited.
- Towing: Neither provides free towing service.
- Offer Validity: Offers are valid for 7 days with both platforms.
- Payment: Payment is made on the spot.
AutoNation and Autotrader differences:
- Turnaround Time: AutoNation can process in as little as 24 hours, while Autotrader takes 2-4 days.
- Ways to Sell a Car: AutoNation allows trade-ins, private sales, and online offers, while Autotrader connects sellers with buyers peer-to-peer or direct-to-dealer.
- Payment Type: Check payment is standard for AutoNation, while it depends on the dealer in the case of Autotrader.
- Fees: AutoNation charges $500-599, Autotrader charges $25-$100.
- BBB Rating: AutoNation C-, Autotrader not accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: AutoNation has a rating of 1.6 out of 5 based on 150+ reviews. Autotrader has a 1.6 rating (over 300 reviews).
9. Driveway
Driveway Summary
- Quick and simple car selling process
- Transparent breakdown car’s evaluation
- Competitive cash offers
- Trade-in option is available
Driveway is an online used car buying service that purchases vehicles directly from sellers. It offers instant online quotes, free towing, and payment in 24-48 hours. Similar to Autotrader, Driveway focuses on buying used cars in good condition through an online process.
Driveway and Autotrader similarities:
- Car Types: Both accept used cars but in good condition.
- Car Restrictions: Neither company buys damaged or leased cars.
- Turnaround Time: Both process sales in 2-4 days.
- Location: Both operate nationwide.
- Online Offers: Both provide instant online quotes.
- Offer Validity: 7 days for both companies.
- BBB Rating: Neither Driveway nor Autotrader is BBB accredited.
Driveway and Autotrader differences:
- Ways to Sell: Driveway allows selling or trading in while Autotrader connects sellers with buyers.
- Fees: Driveway charges no fees. Autotrader charges $25-$100 in fees.
- Towing: Driveway provides free towing. Autotrader does not offer towing.
- Payment Type: Driveway offers payment by check or bank transfer. With Autotrader, payment methods vary by buyer.
- Payment Time: Driveway pays in 24-48 hours. With Autotrader, payment is made instantly by the buyer.
- Trustpilot Ratings: Driveway has a 3.3 rating (over 1400 reviews). Autotrader has a 1.6 rating (over 300 reviews).