Best Way to Sell a Car Online in 2024: Maximize Value and Convenience

More and more Americans are turning to the internet to buy their vehicles, which naturally makes selling a car online an increasingly attractive and viable option. Whether you’re considering selling outright or exploring trade-in values, online platforms offer a compelling alternative to traditional methods. Selling your car online provides unparalleled convenience and flexibility, allowing you to navigate the entire process, or significant portions of it, from the comfort of your home, all at your own pace. Many online car-buying services even streamline the final steps by offering home pickup and immediate payment upon inspection.

» MORE: Understanding Your Car’s Worth

Top Online Car-Selling Platforms: Detailed Reviews

Navigating the landscape of online car buyers can be overwhelming. To simplify your decision, we’ve compiled a review of some of the top platforms, each with unique strengths to cater to different seller needs.

CarMax

Best for Selling Cars of Any Age and Condition

CarMax stands out as a reputable option for sellers looking to offload vehicles of almost any age and condition. Operating in over 40 states, CarMax provides an initial online appraisal after you input your car’s 17-digit VIN or license plate number, registration details, mileage, features, and any existing loan information. You’ll also be prompted for your ZIP code, email address, and a brief questionnaire about your vehicle’s condition.

CarMax’s business model involves purchasing vehicles of all ages, reconditioning many for retail sale, and auctioning others to wholesalers. After receiving your online estimate, you’ll need to schedule an in-person inspection at a CarMax store within a seven-day window. Assuming the inspection confirms the condition you described online and reveals no significant undisclosed damage, you’ll receive a bank draft for the initially quoted amount right there.

A notable advantage of CarMax is their willingness to purchase vehicles that are not fully paid off and even leased vehicles (subject to lease company policies).

» Explore CarMax Reviews

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| Key Facts: Offers valid for 7 days and non-negotiable. Accepts vehicles with existing loans or negative equity. Purchases salvage title or damaged cars. Requires in-person vehicle inspections at CarMax locations. Get Your CarMax Offer via NerdWallet’s Platform |

Peddle

Best for Selling Older, Used or Damaged Cars Quickly

Peddle distinguishes itself by specializing in purchasing older, higher-mileage, or even damaged vehicles across all 50 states. Unlike some platforms, trade-ins are not an option with Peddle, their focus is on direct purchase and quick removal. The process begins with entering your vehicle’s year, make, model, trim, and mileage, along with details about the title type (clean, salvage, or rebuilt). You’ll also answer questions regarding the vehicle’s condition and any damage history. Peddle aims to provide an online offer via email within minutes.

Offers from Peddle are valid for seven days. Upon accepting an offer, Peddle will coordinate a convenient time to pick up your vehicle at no cost to you. They utilize a network of professional tow truck operators who conduct a brief on-site inspection to verify the vehicle’s condition matches your online description. Payment, typically in the form of a check or cash, is provided by the tow operator before they remove the vehicle. Keep in mind that significant discrepancies between your description and the actual condition may lead to a revised offer amount.

» Read Peddle Reviews

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| Key Facts: Specializes in older, used, and damaged vehicles. Offers are valid for 7 days and non-negotiable. Free vehicle pickup service. Accepts salvage titles and scrap cars. Does not purchase vehicles with active loans. Find Your Peddle Offer on NerdWallet’s Platform |

Carvana

Best for Trade-Ins and Streamlined Selling Process

Carvana has gained popularity for its user-friendly platform and distinctive car vending machines. They are active buyers of vehicles for both direct purchase and trade-ins. Carvana emphasizes providing their best offer upfront, stating they do not engage in price matching or negotiations.

To initiate an offer from Carvana, you’ll need to provide your car’s VIN or license plate number, mileage, options, and condition details through their website. Information regarding any existing loan or lease will also be required. You’ll be asked to upload photos of your odometer reading, driver’s licenses of titleholders, and, depending on ownership status, photos of your paper title or loan payoff statement and registration.

For sellers within Carvana’s local service areas, you can schedule either home pickup or drop-off at a Carvana hub or vending machine. Note that home pickup may incur a fee, and vehicle pickup is not available outside of these local markets. Sellers outside of local markets are responsible for transporting the vehicle to a Carvana location.

» Explore Carvana Reviews

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| Key Facts: Offers valid for 7 days. Accepts leased cars and vehicles with negative equity. No price negotiations for sales or trade-ins. Pickup not free outside of local Carvana markets. |

GivemetheVIN

Best for Selling Motorcycles, RVs, and Specialty Vehicles

GivemetheVIN (GMTV) operates as a direct buyer, acquiring vehicles from individuals for resale within the wholesale marketplace. A key difference from some online buyers is that GMTV does not sell directly to consumers, meaning trade-ins are not applicable. They are particularly well-suited for sellers of not just cars, but also motorcycles, RVs, ATVs, and other specialty vehicles.

The selling process begins with entering your vehicle’s VIN or license plate number on their website, along with mileage, options, and any loan information. You’ll also provide your ZIP code and email address and complete a brief condition questionnaire.

GMTV initially provides an offer range via email within minutes. If you remain interested, a buyer will contact you to gather more detailed information about your car’s condition. This includes uploading photos of the exterior, interior, under the hood, and any damage. Based on this detailed information, the buyer will present a firm offer, which is negotiable but only valid for 24 hours.

Upon agreeing to a price, GMTV will send a sales contract for your signature. Vehicle pickup is typically scheduled within 10 days, or you can opt for self-drop-off at a GMTV office or a Manheim auction location. Payment is issued via check upon vehicle pickup or drop-off.

» Read GivemetheVIN Reviews

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| Key Facts: Negotiable offers valid for 24 hours. Free vehicle pickup. Accepts vehicles with existing loans or negative equity. Purchases salvage title or damaged cars. Learn More at GivemetheVIN |

CarGurus

Best for Comparing Multiple Dealer Offers Simultaneously

CarGurus offers a platform that aggregates instant price bids from a network of dealerships nationwide, directly buying used vehicles from consumers in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Similar to GivemetheVIN, CarGurus focuses solely on purchasing from consumers and does not facilitate trade-ins as they don’t sell directly to retail buyers.

To initiate the process, you’ll enter your vehicle’s VIN or license plate number, mileage, options, and loan information on the CarGurus website. You’ll also provide your ZIP code, email address, and complete a questionnaire detailing vehicle damage and overall condition. CarGurus CarOffer typically emails a cash offer within minutes.

If you accept the initial offer, a CarGurus agent will contact you to finalize the sale details. You’ll be asked to describe any vehicle damage and upload photos of your driver’s license, odometer, and title. Once all details are confirmed, you can schedule a vehicle pickup, usually within 3 to 10 days. CarGurus will mail you a sales contract for signature, which can be signed upon vehicle pickup. At pickup, the driver will conduct a visual inspection to ensure the car matches your online description before issuing payment via check.

» Read CarGurus Reviews

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| Key Facts: Offers valid for 7 days or 250 additional miles driven. Free vehicle pickup. Accepts vehicles with existing loans or negative equity. Does not accept salvage titles or leased vehicles. |

Algo

Best for Sellers Seeking Quick Virtual Inspection and Selling Small Commercial Vehicles

Algo offers a slightly different approach, incorporating a virtual inspection into their car selling process. To start, you’ll input your vehicle’s VIN or license plate number, mileage, options, and loan information, along with your ZIP code, email, and phone number. A brief vehicle condition questionnaire is also required for an initial estimated value.

An Algo representative will contact you within a few hours to arrange a virtual inspection via video call, typically lasting 10 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can opt to answer questions over the phone and upload photos. Algo aims to provide a decision via email or phone within a couple of hours after the inspection. Offers are valid for 24 hours.

Upon accepting an offer, you’ll need to mail your vehicle’s title to Algo for verification. Once the title is received, a pickup will be scheduled from your home or a location of your choice. Payment is provided via check at the time of pickup. Algo is also noted for purchasing small commercial vehicles in addition to standard passenger cars.

» Read Algo Reviews

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| Key Facts: Non-negotiable offers valid for 24 hours. Free vehicle pickup. Accepts vehicles with existing loans or negative equity. Purchases salvage titles or damaged cars. |

» MORE: Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Your Car Privately

Exploring Alternative Online Selling Avenues

While online car buying platforms offer convenience, you might also consider selling your car directly to other consumers online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. These platforms can potentially yield higher returns as you’re selling directly to the end buyer, but they also require more effort on your part in terms of listing creation, communication with potential buyers, negotiations, and handling the transaction process.

How to Sell Your Car Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

Selling your car online involves a straightforward process. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:

1. Determine Your Car’s Value: The first crucial step is understanding your car’s market value. Most online car-buying platforms require you to input your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate number to begin this process. You’ll also need to confirm details like make, model, mileage, color, and overall operating condition.

Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your car’s history and condition, such as accident history, flood damage, aftermarket modifications, and any existing scratches or dents. It’s important to remember that offers from online retailers represent what they are willing to pay at that specific time, which may not always align perfectly with your car’s theoretical market value. Factors like vehicle age, high mileage, mechanical issues, or a salvage title can result in lower offers due to resale and financing challenges for these types of vehicles. Utilize online valuation tools from reputable sources like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to get a baseline understanding of your car’s worth before seeking online offers.

2. Decide on Your Selling Approach: Trade-in or Outright Sale? Consider whether you are solely selling your car or planning to trade it in towards a new vehicle. While many online car buyers also operate as retailers selling directly to consumers, it’s essential to clarify if their trade-in offers differ from their outright purchase offers. Reputable platforms typically maintain price consistency between trade-in and direct sale scenarios.

3. Disclose Existing Loans or Leases: Transparency regarding any current loans or leases on your vehicle is critical. Many, though not all, online car-buying companies are equipped to handle vehicles that are still being financed. Some may even facilitate lease buyouts if permitted by the leasing company. Utilize an auto lease buyout calculator to assess the fairness of a lease buyout offer. Be prepared to cover any difference if your outstanding loan balance exceeds the offered amount.

4. Provide Comprehensive Photos (If Required): Some platforms may require you to upload photos of your vehicle to assess its condition. Alternatively, some companies may schedule an in-person inspection or conduct a vehicle inspection upon pickup or drop-off. Be aware that discrepancies between your initial description and the vehicle’s actual condition could lead to a revised offer. Note that photo requests may occur at different stages of the process, sometimes after an initial offer acceptance.

What to Expect When Selling Your Car Online

Once you accept an online offer, expect a representative to contact you via email or phone to arrange vehicle pickup or drop-off. In most cases, fees are minimal. Some companies may levy a small administrative fee, which is typically deducted from the final offer price. Cancellation fees might apply if you back out of a signed sales agreement.

Regarding paperwork, each company has its specific procedures for title and registration transfer. Generally, you’ll need to upload copies of your registration, title, and driver’s license to initiate the process. Sales contracts, odometer disclosure statements, and power of attorney forms might be sent electronically for digital signature or via overnight mail.

Payment is usually issued when the vehicle is collected, often in the form of a check or bank draft, which may require several business days to fully clear. Some platforms offer payment via direct deposit or even cash in certain situations. Before handing over your car, remember to remove your license plates and all personal belongings. Leave only items that originally came with the car, such as the owner’s manual, keys, and floor mats.

If online offers don’t meet your expectations, remember that private online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist remain viable alternatives for reaching potential buyers directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sell my car online effectively?

Selling your car online is effectively done through reputable platforms like Carvana or CarMax. These online car-selling platforms require detailed information about your vehicle, including license plate number, make, model, mileage, condition, and history. Many of these platforms also offer the convenience of home vehicle pickup and immediate payment upon successful inspection.

Is CarMax or Carvana generally considered better for selling a car online?

Both CarMax and Carvana provide convenient and flexible online car selling experiences and often present competitive offers. Both platforms also accommodate cars with negative equity, and their offers are typically valid for seven days. A key difference lies in the inspection process: CarMax requires sellers to bring their vehicles to a physical location for inspection, whereas Carvana offers options for remote sale finalization and vehicle pickup after the sale is agreed upon, providing added convenience for some sellers.

What is widely regarded as the best site to sell my car online for the most value?

Identifying the absolute “best” site is subjective and depends on your specific vehicle and selling priorities. However, utilizing car-selling platforms like Carvana, CarMax, Peddle, and others is generally considered the best way to sell online due to their ease of use and broad reach. The optimal platform for you will depend on factors such as your car’s condition, whether you intend to trade-in, and the type of vehicle you are selling. For instance, Carvana is often favored for trade-ins and general car sales, while Peddle might be a more suitable choice for selling older or damaged vehicles. Comparing offers from multiple platforms is always recommended to ensure you are getting the most competitive price for your car.

About the authors

Funto Omojola

Funto Omojola is a former credit cards writer for NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance and Nasdaq, among others. Funto earned a bachelor’s degree in global and international studies from Bard College.