Who's better?

True Car vs Autotrader

We've analyzed the best Used Car Sites to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2025 Used Car Site Reviews

Here you can see how True Car and Autotrader match up head-to-head in a battle for the Best Used Car Sites in 2025.

Winner

True Car

  • Prices from $2,500 to $84,785
  • Includes CarFax and KBB ratings
  • Cars from dealerships

True Car is an online marketplace that makes it easy to find your next used car, with potentially 12,000+ listings available within 50 miles of your location. The site offers a helpful quiz to narrow down your search, as well as tools like reviews, rankings, and loan calculators to aid in your decision-making process. While True Car's inventory may be smaller than some competitors, its research tools and user-friendly interface make it a great starting point for your car-buying journey, even if you ultimately decide to purchase elsewhere.

Autotrader

  • Prices from $500 to $3,250,000
  • Includes KBB ratings and CarFax
  • Cars from dealerships and private owners

Autotrader is a popular online marketplace for buying and selling cars, featuring over 3 million listings from dealers and private sellers. With its user-friendly search features, you can filter by make, model, price, and more to find your dream car, and even get detailed research and comparison tools to help you make an informed decision. However, despite its convenient features, Autotrader's reputation has taken a hit in recent years, with many customers expressing frustration with the buying process and reporting issues with additional fees and delayed delivery.

Buying a car can be one of the most exciting moments in your life. Whether you're picking up your first set of wheels with Mom and Dad, or replacing your old reliable with something new-to-you, buying a car is exciting. But it's also expensive. That's why many people decide to start by looking at used cars rather than something fresh off the lot.

The options open up significantly when you start looking at used cars (and some of them are even better than new ones). Looking for something low-cost but with modern safety features? Finding a low-mileage used car is a perfect way to score a deal. Looking for a classic car that isn't manufactured anymore? The used car market is where you want to start. No matter what you're looking for, you can find millions of used cars out there that fit the bill, and they'll come out much cheaper than buying something new from the dealership.

Used car shopping can be as frustrating as new car shopping if you have to go in person. Haggling for prices and trying to talk with dealership salespeople can easily turn your excitement into frustration. But with online auto sales, you can dodge all the unpleasantness of dealership sales tactics and shop for used cars from the comfort of your own home. Plus, you won't lose out on opportunities to try out the vehicle, as most places allow a test drive period when you select something. You can fully research your vehicle online, and most retailers allow you to have the car delivered directly to your home. Today's used car buying process is completely different from what it was even ten years ago.

Getting your next used car through online services is a breeze. You can browse through different makes, models, colors, and years. Like the look of the Ford Mustang before the 2020 update? Check out used vehicles online. Online auto sale platforms give detailed information about each car, such as safety ratings, features, detailed photos of the interior and exterior, and prices (with monthly payment or lease calculator tools). For safety and mechanical features, you can see details and trim levels with advanced driver assistance systems, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane assist. By browsing the inventory of many dealerships and sellers, finding a top-level model is much easier than shopping locally.

One of the biggest advantages of buying a used car online is access to a wider array of options than shopping in person. Most online auto trading sites have a larger inventory from dealerships across the country, allowing you to find the exact model and color you want, depending on how far you want to go to get your dream car.

With so many places to buy used cars, it might be hard to know where to start. Don't worry - we've put together this list of factors to consider when looking for a used car online, to make sure you get the best deal and experience:

To help you find your next used car, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best online car shopping options available today. Whether you need a new family car, a vehicle for towing, a first-time car for a college student, or the dream classic car you've been saving for, we hope our research will help you save time in the car-buying process and connect you with a vehicle you'll love to drive.

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Used Car Site FAQ

Why would I buy a used car instead of a new one?
They say that a new car depreciates, or loses value, the second you drive it off the lot. That's true! When you buy a used car, you're getting a better value: not everyone can afford a brand-new car, but there are plenty of affordable "pre-owned" vehicles within most budgets.
Is it better to buy a used car from a dealership or a private seller?
There are pros and cons to each one. When you buy from a dealership, you usually get certain assurances: that the car has been inspected from top to bottom, maybe some fixes for minor items or even bigger ones like new tires or brakes, and the ability to return it within a certain timeframe if you don't like it or something malfunctions. However, you're paying for those perks: comparing apples-to-apples, a private sale will almost always be cheaper than getting the same car through a dealership.
Is it really possible to buy a used car online?
Absolutely! There are many services that make it easy to find the car you want, and some of them will even bring the vehicle to you for a test drive and/or let you buy it online and have it delivered to your home. It's a great idea to do your research before you buy a used car, even if you're planning on going to a dealership.
Should I pay for an inspection when I'm buying or selling a used car?
As a buyer, you absolutely want an inspection before buying a used car from a private seller. Most private sale contracts are "as-is", so unless you have a lot of automotive expertise, we don't recommend you try to determine for yourself if a car is road-worthy. A professional inspection can save you a lot of time and hassle if things aren't as they appear - or give you the peace of mind that you've found a great vehicle. If you're selling a used car, it may not be worth it to provide an inspection: your buyer(s) will probably want to have one done by a mechanic they trust, rather than taking your (mechanic's) word for it.
Can I sell my used car online?
Yes! Selling your car online is a fantastic way to reach more potential buyers. You can add photos, provide a detailed description and contact information, and voila: you should have no shortage of interested customers, without having to put a "for sale" sign in the car window.
How much does it cost to sell my car online?
That depends on the site. You can often list your car for free, with premium "upgrades" if you want to add pictures, a car history report, or have your vehicle featured above others in your category.
Are there any guarantees when I use an online service to buy or sell my car?
Most sites serve as a go-between and don't guarantee that the car will sell - or that the car you buy will be problem-free. Be sure to read customer reviews of any used car service you're considering, and see if the Better Business Bureau has anything to say too.
Which site is best for buying a used car?
There are almost too many to list! Any used car site that offers easy navigation with useful filters, tools that help you accurately gauge a vehicle's fair market value, and simple (and non-intrusive!) ways to connect with the vehicle sellers is a good choice. For extra reassurance, you can see if the BBB has given the used car service high marks for excellence.

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