Best Place to Sell Cars Online: Top Platforms and Expert Guide

More Americans are opting to sell their cars online, and for good reason. The digital marketplace offers unparalleled convenience and flexibility, allowing you to navigate the entire selling process from your home. Whether you’re looking for a quick sale or aiming to maximize your car’s value, understanding the Best Place To Sell Cars Online is crucial. Many platforms even offer home pickup and instant payment, making it an attractive alternative to traditional dealerships or private sales.

» MORE: Determine Your Car’s Worth

Top Online Car-Selling Platforms: Finding Your Best Place

Navigating the online car selling landscape can be overwhelming. To simplify your search for the best place to sell cars online, we’ve compiled a list of leading 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 reliable option when seeking the best place to sell cars online, regardless of your vehicle’s age. Operating in over 40 states, CarMax offers a straightforward process for direct car purchases. To initiate an online appraisal, simply input your car’s 17-digit VIN or license plate number, along with registration details, mileage, features, and any existing loan information. You’ll also need to provide your ZIP code and email, and complete a brief condition questionnaire.

A significant advantage of CarMax is its willingness to buy vehicles of any age. They recondition purchased cars for retail or sell them to wholesalers at auction. After your online appraisal, you’ll need to visit a CarMax store within seven days for a vehicle inspection. Assuming no undisclosed significant damage, you’ll receive a bank draft for the quoted amount on the spot. CarMax also accommodates vehicles with outstanding loans and leased vehicles (subject to leasing company policies).

» Read our in-depth review of CarMax


Key facts – Offers valid for 7 days and non-negotiable. – Accepts cars with existing loans or negative equity. – Purchases salvage title or damaged cars. – Requires vehicle inspections at CarMax stores. Get your CarMax offer via NerdWallet’s Sell Your Car platform

Peddle

Best Place to Sell Older, Used or Damaged Cars Quickly

For those wondering about the best place to sell cars online that are older, used, or even damaged, Peddle emerges as a strong contender. Operating nationwide across all 50 states, Peddle provides online offers and complimentary vehicle pickup. While trade-ins are not an option, Peddle specializes in purchasing older, damaged, and non-operational vehicles, setting it apart from many platforms.

Selling to Peddle involves entering your vehicle’s year, make, model, trim, and mileage, along with title information (clean, salvage, or rebuilt). You’ll also answer questions about the car’s condition and damage history. Peddle aims to deliver an offer via email within minutes, valid for seven days. Upon accepting, Peddle schedules a vehicle pickup. Professional tow truck drivers contracted by Peddle conduct a brief inspection to verify your online description. The driver then provides a check or cash payment before towing the vehicle. Note that if the car’s condition significantly deviates from your description, Peddle may recalculate the offer.

» Explore our review of Peddle


Key facts – Specializes in older used or damaged vehicles, making it a best place to sell cars online in this condition. – Offers valid for 7 days and non-negotiable. – Free vehicle pickup service. – Accepts salvage titles or scrap cars. – Does not purchase vehicles with active loans. Find your Peddle offer through NerdWallet’s Sell Your Car platform

Carvana

Best for Trade-Ins and Outright Car Sales with Convenience

Carvana is frequently cited as a top contender for the best place to sell cars online, especially if you’re considering trade-ins or a straightforward sale. Carvana prides itself on providing its best offer upfront, with a no-negotiation policy.

To receive an offer, you’ll provide your car’s VIN or license plate number, mileage, features, and condition details on the Carvana website. Information about any existing loan or lease will also be required. You’ll need to upload photos of the odometer reading and driver’s licenses of all titleholders. For owned vehicles, a photo of the front and back of the paper title is needed. If you have a loan, you’ll provide a photo of your registration and a 10-day payoff statement from your lender.

Carvana offers pickup or drop-off options in its local service areas. You can arrange for home vehicle pickup or drop-off at a Carvana hub or vending machine. Home pickup may incur a fee. If you’re outside a local Carvana market, vehicle pickup is not available, and you’ll need to transport the car to a Carvana location or vending machine.

» See our review of Carvana


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

GivemetheVIN

Best for Motorcycles, RVs, ATVs, and a Wide Range of Vehicles

GivemetheVIN (GMTV) distinguishes itself as a best place to sell cars online for a broader spectrum of vehicle types, including motorcycles, RVs, and ATVs. GMTV purchases vehicles directly from individuals for resale in the wholesale market. Unlike some online buyers, GMTV doesn’t sell directly to consumers, so trade-ins aren’t an option.

Selling to GMTV requires entering your vehicle’s VIN or license plate number, mileage, features, and loan details online. You’ll also provide your ZIP code and email and complete a brief vehicle condition questionnaire. GMTV emails an offer range within minutes. If you’re interested, a buyer will call for more car condition details. You’ll be asked to upload photos of the car’s exterior, interior, under the hood, and any damage. The buyer then provides a firm, negotiable offer, valid for 24 hours.

Once you agree on a price, GMTV sends a sales contract. GMTV arranges vehicle pickup within 10 days, or you can drop it off at a GMTV office or a Manheim auction lot. Payment is provided via check on the spot.

» Read our review of GivemetheVIN


Key facts – Offers valid for 24 hours and negotiable. – Free vehicle pickup. – Accepts cars with existing loans or negative equity. – Purchases salvage titles or damaged cars. Learn more at GivemetheVIN

CarGurus

Best Place to Compare Offers from Multiple Dealers

CarGurus stands out as a best place to sell cars online if your priority is to compare offers from multiple dealers. Operating in 36 states and Washington D.C., CarGurus utilizes instant price bids from a nationwide dealer network. Similar to GMTV, CarGurus doesn’t sell directly to consumers, so trade-ins are not facilitated.

To sell your car, you’ll enter your VIN or license plate number, mileage, features, and loan information online. You’ll also provide your ZIP code and email and complete a questionnaire about vehicle damage and condition. CarGurus CarOffer typically emails a cash offer within minutes.

Upon accepting the offer, a CarGurus agent contacts you to finalize sale details. You’ll describe any vehicle damage and upload photos of your driver’s license, odometer, and title. Once agreed, you schedule a vehicle pickup, usually within three to ten days. CarGurus mails the sales contract, which you sign at pickup. The driver inspects the vehicle to ensure it matches your description and provides a check.

» Explore our review of CarGurus


Key facts – Offers valid for 7 days or 250 additional miles. – Free vehicle pickup. – Accepts cars with existing loans or negative equity. – Does not accept salvage titles or leased vehicles.

Algo

Best for Avoiding Trade-Ins and Selling Small Commercial Vehicles

Algo is a notable best place to sell cars online if you prefer to avoid trade-ins, particularly for small commercial vehicles. To sell to Algo, you’ll enter your VIN or license plate number, mileage, features, and loan information. You’ll also provide your ZIP code, email, phone number, and complete a condition questionnaire for an estimated value.

An Algo representative contacts you within hours to arrange a virtual inspection via video call (10-20 minutes). Alternatively, you can answer questions over the phone and upload photos. Algo provides a decision via email or call within a couple of hours. Offers are valid for 24 hours and non-negotiable.

Upon accepting, you mail the vehicle title to Algo for verification. After title receipt, Algo schedules vehicle pickup from your home or chosen location. Payment is provided via check upon pickup.

» Read our review of Algo


Key facts – Offers valid for 24 hours and non-negotiable. – Free vehicle pickup. – Accepts cars with existing loans or negative equity. – Purchases salvage titles or damaged cars.

» MORE: Learn How to Sell Your Car Yourself

Alternative Online Car Selling Options

Beyond these platforms, consider exploring options like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for direct sales to consumers if online retailer offers don’t meet your expectations.

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How to Choose the Best Place to Sell Your Car Online

Selling your car online involves a few key steps to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. Understanding these steps will help you identify the best place to sell cars online for your specific situation.

1. Determine Your Car’s Value: Most online platforms require your VIN or license plate number to start. Confirm your car’s make, model, mileage, color, and condition. You’ll also answer detailed questions about its history, accidents, modifications, and cosmetic issues. Remember that online offers reflect what these buyers are willing to pay at that moment, which might differ from your car’s absolute market value, especially for older, high-mileage, or damaged cars, or those with salvage titles.

2. Decide Between Trade-In or Outright Sale: Most online car buyers also sell cars directly to consumers. Their trade-in prices are generally consistent with their purchase prices, meaning they aren’t significantly marking up trade-in values. Consider your needs – are you replacing your vehicle, or simply selling an extra one? This will influence whether a trade-in focused platform is the best place to sell cars online for you.

3. Disclose Loans or Leases: Many online car-buying companies will purchase vehicles with existing loans, and some will buy out leases if permitted by the manufacturer. Use an auto lease buyout calculator to assess offer fairness. Be prepared to cover any difference if your loan balance exceeds the offer.

4. Provide Vehicle Photos: Some companies require photos to assess condition, while others inspect in person or at pickup. Be accurate in your descriptions, as discrepancies can lead to offer changes. Some buyers may request photos only after you accept an initial offer.

What to Expect After Choosing the Best Place to Sell Cars Online

Once you accept an offer from your chosen best place to sell cars online, a representative will contact you to arrange vehicle pickup or drop-off. Fees are typically minimal, though some companies may have administrative charges deducted from the offer or cancellation fees if you breach the sales agreement.

Expect to upload copies of your registration, title, and driver’s license. Sales contracts, odometer statements, and power of attorney documents may be sent electronically or via mail for signature. Payment is usually provided upon vehicle pickup, often via check or bank draft, which may take a few days to clear. Some offer direct deposit or even cash. Before handing over your car, remove license plates and personal items, leaving only original car accessories like manuals and mats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sell my car online and find the best place?

You can sell your car online through platforms like Carvana or CarMax. These platforms require vehicle information like license plate number, make, model, mileage, condition, and history. Some offer home pickup and instant payment, making them a convenient best place to sell cars online.

Is CarMax or Carvana the best place for selling a car online?

Both CarMax and Carvana offer convenient online selling experiences and competitive offers. Both accept cars with negative equity and offers are valid for seven days. CarMax requires in-person inspection, while Carvana allows remote sales finalization and pickup options, potentially making Carvana the best place to sell cars online for ultimate convenience.

What is generally considered the best site to sell my car online?

Platforms like Carvana, CarMax, Peddle, and others are generally considered the best places to sell cars online. The ideal platform depends on your car’s condition, trade-in needs, vehicle type, and personal preferences. Carvana suits trade-ins and general sales, while Peddle is better for older or damaged cars, highlighting the importance of choosing the best place to sell cars online tailored to your specific needs.

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.