Looking for the Best Website to Sell Your Used Car? Read Our Guide
Whether you want to upgrade your ride to the latest model or have an old junker to sell, there are lots of websites you can use to sell your used car from the comfort of your home. That being said, some are better than others in terms of the platform and ease of use. You’re also likely to get higher cash offers on some than others.
The best website to sell a used car is one that is user-friendly and takes care of the paperwork for you.
In this guide, we’ll give you a look at the top car-selling websites. These are a good option for anyone interested in selling their car or working out a value as a trade-in. It’s possible to complete the entire selling process, or at the very least part of it, from the comfort of your armchair.
There are even online car-buying sites that will come and pick up your car and hand over a check in exchange for the keys. Failing that, organizing auto transport is a simple process when selling a car online and having it delivered.
Top Online Car-Selling Platforms
Gone are the days of listing your car in a local newspaper’s classified section. For more than a decade now, people have been selling their cars online, and it’s much less hassle.
With the price of used cars at an all-time high, there’s no time like the present to list your car online using one or more of the following online marketplaces.
1. Carvana
Carvana is a company that buys and sells used cars, but it first became famous for its used car-buying vending machines. You have the option of using the website or app to sell your car or trade in your vehicle directly with Carvana.
To get the ball rolling, you first must share your car details, such as license plate number or VIN. Once you’ve entered that information, the company promises to extend an offer within a couple of minutes.
If you’re selling your vehicle to Carvana, the company will schedule a vehicle pick-up from wherever you choose. At the time of the pick-up, the sale or trade-in price is finalized. If payment is required, Carvana will hand over the funds when your vehicle is collected.
There are no aggressive sales pitches with Carvana. You get seven days of breathing room to research and look at other options.
2. Cars.com
Cars.com is one site that remains the gold standard when it comes to selling cars online. The reason is that the listings are widely syndicated, their inventory is massive, and it’s possible to list your car for free. If you want to expand your reach, there is a paid option.
Cars.com also has syndicated websites such as Auto.com, PickupTrucks.com, and NewCars.com. There are also affiliate sites where your car would be listed.
If selling your car is more important than the price you get, there is the option to sell your car quickly to a dealer.
A downside of this platform is that such a large inventory means there’s a huge amount of competition, making it even harder to stand out from the crowd.
You may struggle to sell your car unless your model is in high demand or you’re adding high-quality photos to the listing.
3. Peddle
Peddle is not your usual car-selling site because its focus is junk cars, and older used and damaged vehicles. The company promises an easy way to sell your beater and get a quick paycheck to boot. The process couldn’t be easier. You answer a few questions and get an online offer back. From there, you have seven days to decide if the offer suits you. What Peddle does with your car depends on its condition. It might be resold or scrapped and recycled.
If you like the offer Peddle gives you, your next step is to create an account on the site. Next, you set up a date, time, and place for your junker to be picked up. The only thing you need to worry about is that the pick-up location can be easily accessed by a tow truck.
When the tow truck arrives to collect the car, the driver verifies the condition of the car as you described it. They’ll collect the title and any other documentation you have and give you a check. Next, your car is towed away at no cost to you.
4. Copart
Copart is a good option if you want to sell an older car that may or may not run. The company holds auctions for the auto industry and buys older cars directly from owners across the US. It’s particularly useful if you want to scrap a car for cash. Copart also owns CashForCars.com, which is another option if you want to sell your car.
Complete Copart’s online form, and you’ll get an instant cash offer. The VIN or the year, make, and model of your vehicle are required, and the online calculator works for most vehicles. If your vehicle doesn’t appear, you’ll need to contact a representative directly.
If you accept CoPart’s offer, a tow truck is sent to pick up your car from your home. The driver will quickly inspect your vehicle to make sure it matches your description. If something doesn’t quite match, you’ll get less money.
5. CarGurus
There is no charge to list your vehicle on CarGurus, however, when you sell it on the site, there is a flat rate of $99 to pay. Whether you sell your car for $5,000 or $500, you’ll be down $100 on the deal.
CarGurus boasts more than twenty million buyers every month and one feature that makes it so popular is that every listing is assigned a “deal rating.” This means that the listing states whether the deal is a great one or the vehicle is overpriced. Once you’ve provided your car details such as the VIN, mileage, and condition, CarGurus gives you an estimate of the car’s market value.
While this is a good feature for buyers, some sellers might find it off-putting. You might find it frustrating to know how much your car is worth, especially if you don’t want to budge from your sale price.
6. Vroom
If you’re looking for the best website to sell used cars, you might want to consider Vroom. To get the ball rolling you must fill out basic information about your vehicle before getting an instant cash offer. You should receive an offer quite quickly, sometimes within an hour.
Vroom takes care of everything online, so you might not have to leave your home to sell your car. When you sell your car, a Vroom employee picks up your vehicle and delivers it to the buyer.
Keep in mind that Vroom will not buy every vehicle. If your vehicle is an old model or in poor condition, you might not get an offer. When you sell your car to Vroom, you can expect the quote to be more in line with a dealership than a private party sale.
On a more positive note, you’ll get a direct deposit into your account from a reliable company and not have to worry about dealing with checks or cash,
7. CarMax
CarMax can offer a more traditional car-selling experience because it has physical dealerships and will provide a quick offer for your car.
To get an offer from CarMax you must provide a license plate number or VIN as well as the location of the vehicle. Once you’ve received an offer, you’ll have time in which you can compare offers and decide whether to accept the one from CarMax.
You finalize the deal when you take your vehicle to a CarMax location. The dealer ensures the appraisal is accurate and you receive payment. The CarMax service is similar to trading in your vehicle at a dealership. You might not get as much money as you would by selling it privately, but it is a very convenient option.
8. GiveMeTheVin.com
GiveMeTheVIN is a platform that buys used cars, salvage titles, or damaged cars. Even cars with a current loan or negative equity are accepted. GMTV buys vehicles directly from individuals for resale on the wholesale market.
A price is negotiated online or over the phone and the vehicle is picked up at no cost to you. GMTV is different from other used car platforms in that it doesn’t sell cars directly to consumers. Therefore, trading in your vehicle is not an option.
To sell your vehicle to GiveMeTheVIN, you’ll need to enter your vehicle’s VIN or license plate number along with the mileage, vehicle options, and any loan information. In addition, you must provide your ZIP code, and email address, and complete a brief vehicle condition questionnaire.
Within minutes you’ll receive an offer via email. If you’re interested, a buyer calls for details about the condition of the car. The buyer will also walk you through the rest of the process. If you agree on a price, arrangements will be made to pick up the vehicle within ten days. Alternatively, you can drop it off at a GMTV office or a Manheim auction lot.
9. Shift
Shift is a digitally driven company that offers vehicle buying and selling services. The company is based in San Francisco and buys and sells cars directly.
Selling your car is relatively easy. All you need to provide is vehicle details, vehicle title, registration, and a legal form of ID. Once you’ve provided the necessary information, you’ll receive an estimate in around two minutes.
You can save the estimate if you want to think about it or book your evaluation appointment right away. During the evaluation, a Shift Concierge will evaluate the condition of the vehicle and compare it with the information you provided. The evaluation can take place at your home or a Shift location.
Following the inspection, you should receive a final offer and it’s valid for seven days. However, if you decide to sell the vehicle during the evaluation appointment, the Concierge will handle the paperwork and take your car away.
Payment is via ACH transfer or a physical check. It will be processed within 24 hours but be aware that it may take up to seven business days to appear in your account.
10. Facebook Marketplace
While Facebook Marketplace might not be the best website to sell used cars, it does have its advantages. For Facebook fans, it’s often the first platform that springs to mind. If you’re planning to sell your vehicle locally, it’s a good place to start.
One great thing about Facebook Marketplace is that almost everyone in your community already uses the platform. According to a 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center, roughly 69% of US adults say they use Facebook. Hopefully, one of them will want to buy your car.
Another advantage of using Facebook Marketplace is that it’s super easy to use. If you’ve already got a Facebook account you’re already halfway there.
Listing vehicles for sale is free and you get the chance to check out the profile of any potential buyers to get a sense of whether they’re legitimate or not. It’ll also give you an indication as to whether you’d be comfortable going for a test drive with them.
11. Bring a Trailer (BaT)
Bring a Trailer is the last on our list of online car sites for selling your used car. It’s a great platform to consider and they offer three different listing categories: Classic, Plus, and While Glove. The Classic service costs $99 and the Plus service costs $349. If you’re interested in the White Glove service, you’ll have to contact the company for pricing information.
To sell your car on Bring a Trailer, you must submit your vehicle on their website. The details you provide include the make, model, year, location, and photos of your vehicle. Once you’ve submitted your vehicle, the Bring a Trailer’s auction team will evaluate your submission and work with you as needed.
If your submission is accepted, your vehicle will be listed for auction on their website. You’ll need to monitor the auction and complete the sale if your vehicle sells.
We hope we’ve answered the question, “What is the best website to sell a used car” succinctly. Armed with the information above you can better decide which option is better for you. When it comes to the best website to sell your used car, there’s no definitive answer. It’s all down to personal preferences and what you’re expecting.
If you’re selling your car and need to get it delivered to another location, don’t forget that SGT Auto Transport ships cars across the United States at a very reasonable price.
Use our instant online quote calculator to find out how much it costs. Alternatively, speak with our professional shipping advisors at (864) 546-5038 or via Live Chat.
Get a free, instant quote today!
FAQs
Where is the best place to sell cars online?
Many online platforms allow you to sell your car. Some of the most popular ones include eBay Motors, Craigslist, Cars.com, and Autotrader.
Which is the best online portal to sell used cars?
You have several online portals to choose from if you want to sell a used car. Portals such as Peddle, CarMax, Copart, CarGurus, Vroom, and many others each have their unique features and benefits. It’s down to you to do your research and decide which is best for you.
Who is the largest online used car retailer?
According to a report by Consumer Affairs, the top online car-buying sites in 2023 are Carvana, CarMax, and Autotrader. However, the largest automotive retail and services company in the United States is AutoNation.
Where should I sell my used car?
There are several options if you want to sell a used car:
- Place an ad on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace
- Sell it to a company that deals in used cars
- Get an online offer from a car-selling platform such as CarGurus, Carvana, CarMax, or Cars.com
- Sell it to a private-party buyer
- Use a paid listing such as those on CarGurus or Autotrader
- Post a “For Sale” sign on the car’s window
What’s the best place to sell a used car?
The best place to sell a used car depends on its condition and your preferences. We’ve already looked at the top ten options, now it’s down to you to decide which best suits your needs.
