AutoTrader vs Car Gurus for February 2023

Item: AutoTrader vs Car Gurus
Rating: 3.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Sunday, February 5th

2023 Car Selling Site Reviews

AutoTrader

$49 to list your car for sale or get a KBB Instant Cash Offer
Include up to 30 photos at no extra charge
No-cost ad renewals every 30 days for up to a year
Free vehicle history report included in your ad
"A+" rated and accredited by the BBB

Autotrader lets you approach selling your car in two ways: an Instant Cash Offer through a participating dealer or listing it as a private seller. Millions of people visit this site every month, so you might be inclined to sell it yourself. But, most sellers report getting blasted with spammy inquiries (or outright scams), so it might be smarter to get your cash offer first. Autotrader has a good reputation overall; just watch out for some of its less scrupulous users.

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Car Gurus

"A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
Can sell your car privately ($4.95) or get a cash offer (in 22 states)
Offers valid for 7 days or 250 additional miles
Cash offer vehicles will be picked up at your preferred location
Payment through bank transfer or check

CarGurus provides two ways to sell cars: through an instant cash offer (in 20+ states) and private listings. The site is easy to use either way, and the BBB gives this company its highest rating. Consumer feedback isn't as enthusiastic, though: with both cash offers and DIY listings, some people have had a not-great experience. You may want to check out CarGurus' higher-ranked rivals and then compare with what you can get here.

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The 10 Best Car Selling Sites

What's the Best Way to Sell Your Car?

Gone are the days of newspaper classifieds and putting a "for sale" sign in the dashboard window: most people today sell their cars online. It's usually easy, often fast, and there are lots of tools to help you set a competitive asking price. Generally speaking, you'll choose between two different methods of selling your car: getting a cash offer from a dealership (either online-only or one with a brick-and-mortar location near you) or creating a listing to sell it privately - like those newspaper ads but digital.

Which one is right for you? That depends. Cash offers often eliminate a lot of hassle: you don't have to screen prospective buyers, set up multiple appointments with interested customers, or verify the authenticity of their payment method. Many of the online-only services will pick up the vehicle at no charge, from any address you specify.

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Car Selling Site FAQ

Can I really sell my car online?

Yes! The days of taking out an ad in the classifieds are gone - most private sellers sell their cars by listing them online. The process is simple and makes it possible for thousands of prospective buyers to see your vehicle.

How much does it cost to sell my car online?

Nothing! There are several sites that allow you to list your car for free. Of course, most of these sites offer upgraded listings for a fee, if you'd like to put up more photos, have your ad up for longer than 30 days, or include your vehicle's CARFAX report.

How can I get the most money for my vehicle?

Start by determining a fair market value for your car: most people use Kelley Blue Book to do that. Then, make sure your vehicle is reasonably clean - you don't have to spend a lot of money for a professional detailing, but at least make sure to wash it well and do a thorough job of cleaning out the inside (no crumbs, fast food wrappers, or unpleasant odors!). Finally, set up your online listing for maximum visibility: the more information you provide, including photos, the more prospective buyers you'll get.

What paperwork do I need to sell my car?

At the very least, you'll need to have the vehicle's title in hand (or available for electronic transfer at your DMV). If you still owe money on your car, contact your lender to find out their process for getting the title. Other paperwork that can help you sell your car includes documentation of the service history (e.g. oil changes, tire rotations), initial purchase documents if you bought the car new, and a vehicle history report from a service like CARFAX.

Someone wants to see the car. What do I do now?

For safety reasons, you may want to arrange to meet at a neutral public location like a parking lot or even outside of the police station. If the buyer wants to take a test drive - as they should! - you should get a photo of their driver's license and be sure to ride along with them.

Can I sell my car directly to a dealer?

Absolutely! While you may not get as much money for your vehicle this way, it eliminates a lot of the hassle you'll experience when selling to a private buyer. There are online services that specialize in advertising your car only to dealerships. You could get an instant cash offer, or a dealer might ask to do an in-person appraisal first.

Should I pay for an inspection before I sell my car?

That's up to you, but a smart buyer will probably request one from a mechanic they trust instead of taking yours at face value. It might be better to wait until you have a buyer and let them choose if and where to have an inspection done.

I've sold my car. When can I cancel my car insurance?

Call your insurer! If you're planning on getting a new car, you may have to keep your policy in place so that there's no lapse in coverage.

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Of course, that convenience may cost you. Not every service with cash offers will take cars in any condition, and you may get more money for your car with a private buyer. After all, they're trying to avoid the markup that always happens after a dealership buys a used car and puts it on their lot, so you might be able to meet in the middle and start at a higher asking price. Many people selling cars try both at the same time: shopping around for the best cash offer while testing the waters with a private listing. It's up to you.

What will you need to sell your car? Either route you choose, you'll almost always need current, valid registration papers; any available key fobs/remotes and manuals; valid state-issued photo ID; and, typically, anyone named as an owner on the title needs to be present at the time of sale. Are you required to have a paper title in hand? That depends on the state where you live and the terms of the car-selling service you select.

There are quite a few sites out there for selling cars. Which one is the best for you? Keep these criteria in mind to help you decide:

Cash offer or DIY? Some services give you both options, while others specialize in just one pathway. If you go the offer route, it's a good idea to compare quotes among several platforms to help you get top dollar for your vehicle.
Tools. Does the service help you price your car appropriately or show you an estimate from an objective source like Kelley Blue Book?
Payment methods. How will you get the money for your car? Will you walk away with cash in hand, a cashier's check, or find yourself waiting for a bank transfer or a check in the mail?
Reputation. What do other sellers say about their experience with the service? Was it transparent and fair, or did they feel ripped off in the end? Has the Better Business Bureau rated the company?

To help you choose the right platform for selling your car, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the most popular services currently available online. We hope this information makes it possible for you to sell your car quickly and get the most possible cash out of the deal!