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 specializes in buying any car, regardless of condition, offering instant quotes and free towing, paying via check at pickup. Peddle, like CarMax, makes selling cars straightforward, but it focuses more on damaged or junk cars.
Peddle and CarMax similarities:
- Cars Type: Peddle buys all types of cars, including used and damaged.
- Payment Type: both pay by check.
- Online Offer: both companies provide online offers.
Peddle and CarMax differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: CarMax allows selling a car online or in-person at their outlets, while Peddle only allows selling cars online.
- Car Type Restrictions: CarMax does not accept cars with salvage titles and frame or flood damage, while Peddle has no such restrictions.
- Turnaround Time: The CarMax selling process can take 1 day in-person or up to 7 days online, whereas Peddle usually completes the process in 24-48 hours.
- Location: CarMax has over 200 store locations in 41 states but does not operate fully nationwide. Peddle buys cars in all US.
- Offer Validity: CarMax’s offer is valid for 7 days or an additional 250 miles, whereas Peddle’s offer is valid for 7 days with no mileage restrictions.
- Payment: Both companies offer prompt payment, with CarMax paying on the spot at their outlets.
- Fees: some CarMax outlets charge a processing fee of $100-$400, while Peddle has no fees.
- Towing: CarMax does not provide free towing services, requiring sellers to bring their car to an outlet. Peddle offers free towing nationwide.
- BBB Rating: CarMax is not BBB accredited, while Peddle has an A+ rating.
- Trustpilot Ratings: CarMax has a 1.7 rating (over 300 reviews), while Peddle has a 4.6 rating (over 125,000 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 provides quick car evaluations and same-day cash payments, offering free pick-up for cars in any condition. It’s similar to CarMax in its hassle-free approach but buys a broader range of car conditions.
Wheelzy and CarMax similarities:
- Cars Type: both companies accept used and damaged vehicles.
- Online Offer: both companies provide instant online cash offers.
- Offer Validity: both offers are valid for 7 days.
- Payment: both companies pay on the same day after inspection.
- BBB Rating: neither company is BBB accredited.
Wheelzy and CarMax differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: CarMax allows selling a car online or in-person at one of their outlets, while Wheelzy only offers online selling.
- Car Type Restrictions: CarMax does not accept cars with salvage titles and frame or flood damage, while Wheelzy has no condition restrictions.
- Turnaround Time: The CarMax selling process can take 1 day in-person or up to 7 days online, while Wheelzy usually completes the process in 24-48 hours.
- Location: CarMax operates in 41 states, whereas Wheelzy is nationwide.
- Payment Type: both pay by check, but Wheelzy can also pay by cash.
- Fees: some CarMax outlets charge $100-$400 processing fees, while Wheelzy has no fees.
- Towing: CarMax does not provide free towing; sellers need to bring their car to an outlet. In contrast, Wheelzy offers free towing nationwide.
- Trustpilot Ratings: CarMax has a 1.7 rating (over 300 reviews), while Wheelzy has a 4.7 rating (over 42,000 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 purchases damaged and used vehicles directly from sellers and provides instant online offers, free towing, and payment typically within 24-48 hours. Similar to CarMax, it buys used cars directly.
CarBrain and CarMax similarities:
- Payment: CarMax and CarBrain pay on the spot after inspection and car pickup/delivery.
- Payment Type: both companies pay by check.
CarBrain and CarMax differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: CarMax allows selling a car online or in-person at their outlets, while CarBrain offers a fully online process for selling cars.
- Cars Type: CarMax only buys used cars in good condition, whereas CarBrain buys all types of cars, including damaged and non-running.
- Car Type Restrictions: CarMax does not accept cars with salvage titles and frame or flood damage, while CarBrain purchases cars in any condition, including with excessive mileage.
- Turnaround Time: CarMax’s selling process can take up to 7 days, whereas CarBrain typically completes the process within 24 to 48 hours.
- Online Offer: CarMax provides an offer after inspection at their outlet, while CarBrain provides an online cash offer based on the details provided by the seller.
- Location: CarMax has outlets in 41 states, whereas CarBrain operates online nationwide.
- Offer Validity: CarMax offers are valid for 7 days or an additional 250 miles. CarBrain also gives seven days to accept the offer but has no mileage restrictions.
- Fees: CarMax may charge fees around $100-400 for processing, while CarBrain offers its services free of charge without any hidden fees.
- Towing: CarMax requires you to bring your car to their outlet, while CarBrain offers free towing from your specified location nationwide.
- BBB Rating: CarMax is not BBB accredited and CarBrain has an A+ rating.
- Trustpilot Ratings: CarMax has a 1.7 rating (over 300 reviews). CarBrain has a 4.8 rating (over 5,000 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 car marketplace where sellers can list vehicles, sell to dealers, or get instant cash offers for purchase by CarGurus. Like CarMax, it facilitates used car sales both online and in-person.
CarGurus and CarMax similarities:
- Cars Type: both CarGurus and CarMax buy used and damaged cars.
- Online Offer: both CarGurus and CarMax provide instant cash offers based on the information you provide about your vehicle.
- Offer Validity: offers from both CarGurus and CarMax are valid for 7 days.
- Payment: both companies pay at pickup.
- Payment Type: CarGurus and CarMax pay by check or bank transfer.
CarGurus and CarMax differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: CarGurus offers three ways to sell a car: privately, to a local dealer, or online. In contrast, CarMax allows selling online or in-person at one of their outlets.
- Car Type Restrictions: CarGurus has no restrictions on the types of cars it purchases, but CarMax typically does not accept cars with significant issues like salvage titles, frame damage, or flood damage.
- Turnaround Time: CarGurus’ sale time varies from 1 to 7 days, depending on the type of sale. CarMax typically processes sales quickly but may take up to 7 days if selling online.
- Location: CarGurus offers nationwide service, and CarMax, while extensive, only operates in 41 states.
- Fees: CarGurus does not charge any fees if selling directly to the company. However, CarMax might charge a processing fee at some outlets.
- Towing: CarGurus offers free towing services when selling online. CarMax does not provide free towing; you need to bring your car to their outlet.
- BBB Rating: CarGurus has an A+ rating. CarMax is not BBB accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: Trustpilot Ratings: CarGurus has a 4.3 rating (over 1,000 reviews), and CarMax has a 1.7 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 used car dealership purchasing good-conditioned vehicles through instant online offers, home pickup and delivery, and on-the-spot payment. Like CarMax, Carvana buys pre-owned cars directly after at-home inspections.
Carvana and CarMax similarities:
- Ways to Sell a Car: both companies offer a fully online platform for selling or trading in cars.
- Turnaround Time: both Carvana and CarMax typically operate within 24-48 hours, offering a quick and efficient process for selling cars.
- Online Offer: Carvana and CarMax provide instant online quotes.
- Payment: both pay at the time of pickup.
Carvana and CarMax differences:
- Cars Type: Carvana purchases used cars that are in good condition, while CarMax buys a wide range of used and damaged vehicles.
- Car Type Restrictions: Carvana has a policy of buying cars that are from 1992 or newer and in good condition. In contrast, CarMax does not buy cars with salvage titles, frame damage, or flood damage, but it does buy a wide variety of other used and damaged cars.
- Location: Carvana offers nationwide service in the U.S., and CarMax operates in 41 states.
- Offer Validity: Carvana’s offer is valid for 7 days or an additional 250 miles, while CarMax’s offer is valid for up to 7 days.
- Payment Type: Carvana exclusively pays by check, whereas CarMax’s payment methods may vary but commonly include checks or bank drafts.
- Fees: typically, neither Carvana nor CarMax charges fees for selling cars directly to them. However, some CarMax outlets might charge a processing fee.
- Towing: Carvana offers free towing within 100 miles of their hubs, while CarMax does not provide free towing, requiring sellers to bring their car to an outlet.
- BBB Rating: Carvana and CarMax are not BBB accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: Carvana has a Trustpilot rating of 4.4 (over 9,000 reviews). CarMax has a Trustpilot rating of 1.7 (over 300 reviews).
6. 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 connects car sellers with certified local car dealers to facilitate sales and trade-ins. Like Carmax, it provides an online platform to help facilitate used auto sales through quotes and dealer connections.
TrueCar and CarMax similarities:
- Online Offer: TrueCar and CarBrain provide instant online offers.
- Payment: both pay at the time of the car’s pickup/delivery.
- Fees: both companies might charge fees. If selling to TrueCar, additional dealer fees might apply. And some CarMax outlets might charge a processing fee, typically ranging from $100-$400.
TrueCar and CarMax differences:
- Ways to Sell a Car: TrueCar operates as an online marketplace connecting sellers to its network of certified dealers for quotes, sales, or trade-ins, whereas CarMax allows for selling either online or in-person at their outlets directly to them.
- Cars Type: both TrueCar and CarMax purchase a wide variety of used and damaged vehicles.
- Car Type Restrictions: TrueCar’s restrictions are largely dependent on the dealer’s criteria, whereas CarMax does not purchase cars with salvage titles, frame damage, or flood damage but is generally open to various other conditions.
- Turnaround Time: the selling process through TrueCar can take 2-3 days from getting a quote to finalizing the sale, whereas CarMax’s selling process can range from 1 day in-person to up to 7 days online.
- Location: both TrueCar and CarMax provide services nationwide in the U.S., though CarMax has physical outlets in 41 states.
- Offer Validity: offers through TrueCar are typically valid for 3 days, depending on the dealer, while CarMax’s offers are valid for up to 7 days.
- Payment Type: due to the varied nature of TrueCar’s dealer network, the payment type can vary. Meanwhile, CarMax primarily pays by check or bank draft.
- Towing: The availability of towing services through TrueCar will depend on the dealer. CarMax does not provide free towing, and sellers need to bring their cars to one of their outlets.
- BBB Rating: TrueCar has an A+ rating. CarMax is not BBB accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: TrueCar has a 3.3 rating (over 1,500 reviews). CarMax has a Trustpilot rating of 1.7 (over 300 reviews).
7. 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 is a large chain of used car dealerships with 360 locations that purchase vehicles through online offers, trade-ins, or in-person appraisals. Similar to Carmax, it buys used cars both online and at physical dealership outlets.
AutoNation and CarMax similarities:
- Cars type: both companies accept new and used cars in good condition.
- Car type restrictions: both AutoNation and CarMax impose various conditions based on the car’s state. For example, they do not accept cars with salvage titles and those with frame or flood damage.
- Online offer: both provide instant online quotes.
- Location: both AutoNation and CarMax operate nationwide, with AutoNation having over 300 locations and CarMax over 200 in 41 states.
- Offer validity: AutoNation’s offer is valid for 7 days or 500 miles, while CarMax’s offer remains valid for 7 days or an additional 250 miles.
- Payment: both companies provide payment on the day of sale post-inspection.
- Payment type: both AutoNation and CarMax pay by check.
- Fees: Both companies might charge fees. AutoNation charges $500-599 delivery/handling fees, whereas some CarMax outlets might charge a processing fee of $100-$400.
- Towing: neither AutoNation nor CarMax offers free towing; the vehicle needs to be brought to their locations.
AutoNation and CarMax differences:
- Ways to sell a car: AutoNation offers trade-ins, private selling, and online offers, while CarMax allows selling both online and in-person at their locations.
- Turnaround time: AutoNation typically completes transactions as soon as 24 hours, while CarMax takes 1 day for in-person sales or up to 7 days for online sales.
- BBB rating: AutoNation has a C- rating, while CarMax is not BBB accredited.
- Trustpilot Ratings: AutoNation has a 1.6 rating (over 150 reviews), and CarMax has a 1.7 rating (over 300 reviews).
8. 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 car retailer that buys used vehicles meeting its criteria directly from sellers and provides instant online offers, free home pickup, on-the-spot or 24-48 hour payment. Like Carmax, it purchases pre-owned cars directly after online quotes and at-home inspections.
Driveway and CarMax similarities:
- Online offer: DriveWay and CarMax provide instant cash offers online.
- Location: both DriveWay and CarMax operate nationwide, offering services across various states.
- Offer validity: offers from both DriveWay and CarMax are valid for 7 days.
- BBB rating: neither DriveWay nor CarMax is accredited by the BBB.
- Trustpilot Ratings: DriveWay has a Trustpilot rating of 3.1 (over 1,200 reviews), whereas CarMax has a 1.7 rating (over 300 reviews).
Driveway and CarMax differences:
- Ways to sell a car: DriveWay allows for selling, trading in, or financing, whereas CarMax offers the same selling options both online and in-store.
- Cars type: DriveWay is selective, not buying damaged vehicles, while CarMax accepts both used and damaged vehicles.
- Car type restrictions: DriveWay does not accept damaged, broken, or leased vehicles; CarMax excludes cars with salvage titles and those with frame or flood damage.
- Turnaround time: DriveWay typically completes sales within 24-48 hours, while CarMax takes 1 day for in-person sales or up to 7 days online.
- Payment: DriveWay pays within 24-48 hours after pickup, whereas CarMax provides payment on the same day of sale after inspection.
- Payment type: DriveWay pays via check or bank transfer, while CarMax solely pays by check.
- Fees: DriveWay does not charge any fees, but some CarMax outlets might charge a processing fee of $100-$400.
- Towing: CarMax does not provide free towing services. Driveway offers free towing.