Best Used Car Websites (2024 Guide) (2024)

Key Takeaways

  • Cars.com is our top pick for selling a used car online. The company sets itself apart from other sites by offering a private sale option.
  • Edmunds leads the way for buying a used car online since it makes it easy for consumers to research, buy, sell and appraise used cars.
  • Whether buying or selling a used car, we recommend getting quotes from several car sales platforms to find the best deal.

In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team cover our top picks for used car websites. Our team evaluated sites based on industry standing, platform quality, cost, support and customer experience. Whether you want to buy or sell a used car online, these websites should be the first stops on your journey.

The MarketWatch Guides Team is committed to providing reliable information to help you make the best possible decision about financing for your vehicle. Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best auto loan companies. We collected data on dozens of loan providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. After 300 hours of research, the end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.

Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.

Our Top Picks for Used Car Websites

Cars.com, Carvana, Edmunds, CarMax and TrueCar are our top recommendations for used car websites. Whether you want to find your ideal pre-owned vehicle or find the right buyer for a car you’re selling, these sites are easy to use and offer excellent customer support. The sections below outline our ratings for these sites when selling and buying a used car.

Best Used Car Websites: Selling a Car

Here’s a look at how we rated our top used car websites for those selling a vehicle:

WebsiteOur AwardOverall Rating
Cars.comEditor’s Choice9
CarvanaMost Seamless Process8.9
TrueCarGood for Quick, Fixed-Price Offers8.7
CarMaxGreat Value8.6
EdmundsN/A8.3

*Ratings are out of 10 points each.

Best Used Car Websites: Buying a Car

Here’s how our top used car websites measure up when you’re looking to buy a quality used car:

WebsiteOur AwardOverall Rating
EdmundsEditor’s Choice9
Cars.comBest Value8.9
CarMaxMost Reputable8.9
CarvanaBest for Transparent Pricing8.8
TrueCarSeamless Financing Process8.8

Our Best Used Car Websites in Detail

Let’s take a closer look at our top picks for used car websites, breaking down the benefits they offer to those selling and buying pre-owned vehicles. We’ll examine each site’s industry reputation, including Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, as well as some cost and customer experience details.

Best Used Car Websites (2024 Guide) (4)

#1 Cars.com

Year founded: 1998
BBB rating: A+

Pros

Extensive tools for car shopping Instant online offers when selling a carExcellent industry reputation

Cons

Some customers found the dealership added hidden fees

Cars.com is our Editor’s Choice for selling a used car online. We also recognize the site as the Best Value option for buying a used car online. Cars.com has been in business since 1998 and carries an A+ rating from the BBB. The site advertises vehicles from thousands of car dealers and private sellers across the country.

When the time is right to buy, Cars.com makes it easy to research used vehicles, filter specific features you’re looking for and schedule a test drive with a dealer. When selling through Cars.com, you can get an instant offer that’s good for three days, plus the option to trade in your car to a dealership.

Cars.com Car Selling Ratings

Here’s how our team rated Cars.com in five key categories for selling a car:

Rating CategoryCars.com Selling Score
Industry standing9.8
Platform9
Cost9.3
Support8.6
Customer experience8.8

Cars.com Car Buying Ratings

Our team gave Cars.com the following ratings as a used car buying option:

Rating CategoryCars.com Buying Score
Industry standing9.4
Platform8.7
Pricing and financing9.5
Support8.6
Customer experience8.3

Read more in our full Cars.com review.

#2 Carvana

Year founded: 2012
BBB rating: NR

Pros

Easy instant quote processLets you sell your car from homePays by either direct deposit or certified check

Cons

May not be the highest offer aroundDoesn’t provide a private sale optionIsn’t great for scrap or junk cars

Carvana serves 48 states and is known for its car vending machines scattered across the country. We recognized Carvana for having the Most Seamless Process for selling a car online and for being the Best for Transparent Pricing when buying a used vehicle online.

The company is known for its hassle-free buying experience, at-home inspections and on-the-spot offers that are good for seven days. When you buy through Carvana, you also get the added peace of mind of a seven-day money-back guarantee.

Carvana isn’t currently rated by the BBB, but it carries a strong customer review rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on more than 9,100 Trustpilot reviews. The Carvana mobile app receives high marks from customers on both the App Store and Google Play.

Carvana Car Selling Ratings

The table below shows how we rated Carvana for selling a used car:

Rating CategoryCarvana Selling Score
Industry standing7.2
Platform9
Cost8.5
Support9.8
Customer experience9.4

Carvana Car Buying Ratings

Here’s how our team rated Carvana as a car buying website:

Rating CategoryCarvana Buying Score
Industry standing8.1
Platform8.4
Pricing and financing8.5
Support9.7
Customer experience9.4

Read more in our full Carvana review.

#3 Edmunds

Year founded: 1966
BBB rating: A+

Pros

Instant offers available for most vehiclesSelection of tools and calculators for car buying and sellingStrong industry reputationWide variety of cars available for purchase

Cons

No instant offers for selling cars with significant damageLow consumer ratingsLimited availability for car drop-off and pickup servicesOffers from other buyers may be better

Edmunds has a history in the automotive industry that’s tough to match, with nearly 60 years as a trusted source. Now a subsidiary of CarMax, the Edmunds website makes it easy to research, buy, sell and appraise used cars. You can browse used cars at dealerships across the country, research prices to make sure you’re getting a good deal and finance your purchase all in one place.

We gave Edmunds a perfect 10 for industry standing for its long history and A+ rating from the BBB. Edmunds also takes our Editor’s Choice award for buying a used car online, as its car research tools simplify the process of finding your perfect pre-owned vehicle.

Edmunds Car Selling Ratings

Here’s how Edmunds fared in five key categories as a car selling website:

Rating CategoryEdmunds Selling Score
Industry standing10
Platform9.3
Cost8
Support7.9
Customer experience7.5

Edmunds Car Buying Ratings

Below you’ll find our team’s ratings for buying a used car through Edmunds:

Rating CategoryEdmunds Buying Score
Industry standing10
Platform9
Pricing and financing8.7
Support8.9
Customer experience8.8

Read more in our full Edmunds review.

#4 CarMax

Year founded: 1993
BBB rating: A

Pros

Easy instant online cash offerPays by check on the day of the saleHigh offer values compared to other options

Cons

Requires visiting a CarMax locationNot the best option for junk cars

CarMax is another used car retailer and selling platform with an excellent reputation. Our team gave CarMax our Great Value designation on the selling side, and it has an easy process for obtaining an instant cash offer and even getting paid on the day of the sale.

CarMax lets car buyers browse a huge inventory from its 246 U.S. locations. Locked-in prices mean you don’t have to worry about haggling. Our team considers CarMax the Most Reputable used car buying website due to its strong industry reputation and sales volume. We also like the fact that CarMax bests many other car buying sites with a 10-day money-back guarantee.

CarMax Car Selling Ratings

Here’s a look at our team’s ratings for CarMax as a used car seller:

Rating CategoryCarMax Selling Score
Industry standing10
Platform9
Cost9.1
Support8.3
Customer experience6.8

CarMax Car Buying Ratings

Our team gave CarMax the following ratings for buying a used car through its platform:

Rating CategoryCarMax Buying Score
Industry standing9.5
Platform9.2
Pricing and financing8
Support9.7
Customer experience8.5

Read more in our full CarMax review.

#5 TrueCar

Year founded: 2005
BBB rating: A+

Pros

Fast, transparent price offersA+ rating from BBBMany filtering options and support toolsStrong online customer reviews

Cons

No private sale optionContact information necessary to access offerDeals need to be closed with a dealership sales rep

In our 2024 review of used car websites, we recognized TrueCar for its quick fixed-price offers. On the used car buying side, we gave the company our Seamless Financing Process award and noted its advanced search functions and support tools (like a car loan calculator and car comparison tool). TrueCar receives solid feedback from customers on sites like Trustpilot, where it has 3.4 stars out of 5 based on nearly 1,800 reviews.

TrueCar works with more than 13,000 dealerships across the U.S. That means you can browse a huge inventory of used vehicles when you’re buying and compare offers from dealers when you’re selling. You do have to visit a dealership to close a purchase or sale, which might be a negative for some customers.

TrueCar Car Selling Ratings

Here are the ratings our team gave TrueCar as a platform for selling a used car:

Rating CategoryTrueCar Selling Score
Industry standing9.4
Platform8.3
Cost8.8
Support8.2
Customer experience9.3

TrueCar Car Buying Ratings

Below are the ratings our team gave TrueCar for its car buying services:

Rating CategoryTrueCar Buying Score
Industry standing9.1
Platform8.7
Pricing and financing8.9
Support8.4
Customer experience9.2

Read more in our full TrueCar review.

Best Used Car Websites: Pricing Comparison

Our team reached out to each of the companies in this guide for used car selling and buying pricing information. As you examine these offers and price quotes, remember that CarMax and Carvana use no-haggle pricing models that leave no room for negotiation. Also, note that Cars.com is the only site in this guide that features a private sale option.

Best Used Car Websites (2024 Guide) (5)

Used Car Selling Offers

Here are some offers from a few of our top used car websites and how they compare to the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) market value:

VehicleCars.comTrueCarCarvanaKBB Trade Value
2015 Ford F-150 SuperCab$14,075 to $16,175$14,525$18,576$15,120
2015 Toyota Camry$9,925 to $12,025$11,984$11,860$11,768

Used Car Buying Prices

Here’s how used car pricing compares among some of our top-rated websites:

VehicleCars.comTrueCarCarvana
2017 Ford F-150 XL$28,988$25,977$29,590
2017 Toyota Camry SE$18,967$19,998$19,590
2020 Honda CR-V EX$25,900$27,700$27,990

Other Recommended Used Car Websites

You’ll notice that a few popular used car websites aren’t featured in this guide. We rate companies like Autotrader, CarGurus, Vroom and Peddle as reputable sites worth checking out as well.

You can also find good used car deals on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and eBay Motors, but the selling and buying process may not be quite as smooth. It can also be difficult to access a Carfax report (or any vehicle history report) when you deal with local car listings or auction sites. Financing options may be limited as well.

Best Used Car Websites: The Bottom Line

All the websites in this review offer easy-to-use platforms that simplify car shopping. Cars.com is our top pick for selling a used car, while Edmunds tops our rankings for buying a used car online. We recommend doing plenty of research on the used car market and comparing offers and quotes from multiple sites before making your decision.

Best Used Car Websites: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about the best used car sites:

Edmunds earned our Editor’s Choice award as the best site to buy a used car. The company’s competitive pricing, expansive car reviews, wide dealer network and long history in the automotive industry make it an ideal place for car shoppers to begin their search.

Yes, Carvana is a legitimate car marketplace with a solid industry reputation. Although it isn’t accredited or currently rated by the BBB, online customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot are mostly positive. The Carvana app also receives high marks from customers.

Yes, CarMax can be trusted as one of the best used car platforms on the market. We gave the company our Most Reputable award for buying a used car online, as it boasts an A+ rating from the BBB and has been in business since 1956.

Our Methodology

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best platforms to sell your car. We collected data on several providers to grade each company in five key areas. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the car selling platforms that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

  • Industry standing: Our research team considers ratings from industry experts and years in business when determining this score.
  • Platform: Platforms that offer a variety of features, including instant offers and multiple sales options, are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
  • Cost: To compare providers’ average offer prices, our team conducted a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicle types. We also considered the fees companies charge to use their platforms.
  • Support: Car selling companies that offer strong transaction support received the highest scores in this category. This includes offerings like free pickup service as well as how quickly you receive your payment.
  • Customer experience: This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot as well as our team’s experience reaching out to each platform.

*Data accurate at time of publication

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.com.

Best Used Car Websites (2024 Guide) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best website to find used cars? ›

Best Used Car Websites for September 2024
  • Best for Cheap Cars: CarGurus.
  • Best Advanced Search Functions: Autotrader.
  • Best Basic Option: CarsDirect.
  • Best for Classic Cars: Hemmings.
  • Best for Mobile: Autolist.
  • Best for Comparing Options: AutoTempest.
  • Best Auction Site: Cars & Bids.

Which is the best site for second-hand cars? ›

  • Motorpoint. Everything about a car should make your life simpler. ...
  • Motors. Second to Autotrader, the best used car website, is Motors. ...
  • Autotrader. If there's one company that dominates the used car space, it's Autotrader. ...
  • CarGurus. Bargain-hunters delight – CarGurus is the place to go! ...
  • 8. Facebook Marketplace.

What is the most popular website for used cars? ›

Autotrader.com: Best Site for Selling Used Cars

Autotrader.com is one of the most popular websites for buying and selling new and used cars in the US. It boasts over 3 million listings and 1.5 million unique visitors per month, making it one of the largest car marketplaces in the country.

What is the most reliable used car value site? ›

Both Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book are reputable sites that offer pricing information. The accuracy of an appraisal has a lot to do with the information the owner provides. If you overstate the vehicle condition or don't check off the correct trim level and options, your value is less likely to be accurate.

What is better, Carvana or CarMax? ›

Both Carvana and CarMax advertise no-haggle pricing, but Carvana offers a seamless selling process that helps it come out ahead in our rankings. We give Carvana the edge over CarMax as a car selling website. Our team rates CarMax just slightly ahead of Carvana for its car buying services.

What is the most visited car website? ›

Top websites in the United States (Automotive Industry)
DomainVisitsDesktop share
a autotrader.com30.56M42.6%13.02M
j justanswer.com26.23M25.51%6.69M
c carmax.com24.8M31.98%7.93M
k kbb.com23.38M32.87%7.69M
16 more rows

How many miles is too many for a used car? ›

There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.

What is the best brand for second hand car? ›

Toyota is considered to be the go-to vehicle for reliability, while brands like Honda, Mazda, Subaru and Hyundai are also highly ranked for their quality and cheap maintenance costs. Brand recognition isn't the only factor for choosing what's a reliable vehicle.

What is the best small car to buy second hand? ›

  1. Ford Fiesta (Mk7) - best used supermini. Ford pulled the plug on the Fiesta in 2023, ending more than four decades of new-car sales success. ...
  2. Volkswagen up! (Mk1) - best used city car. ...
  3. Hyundai i10 (Mk2) ...
  4. Vauxhall Corsa (Mk4) ...
  5. Renault Zoe (Mk1) ...
  6. Renault Twingo (Mk3) ...
  7. Toyota Yaris (Mk3) ...
  8. SEAT Ibiza (Mk5)

What is the best selling car website in the US? ›

The best websites to sell your car online for the most money include Cars.com, Carvana, CarBrain, Peddle, TrueCar, Copart, CarMax and CarGurus. Daniel Robinson is a writer based in Greenville, N.C. with expertise in auto insurance, loans, warranty options and more.

What website has the largest inventory of used cars? ›

AutoTrader: Best for comparing options

If you're looking for a site with extensive inventory, this is it — AutoTrader has millions of listings for you to search and filter. Plus, you can choose a car financing option and submit it directly on their site.

Can I negotiate at CarMax? ›

You cannot negotiate with CarMax. The company's offers are good for seven days. That gives you time to compare offers from other companies and see which one is best. CarMax has a no-haggle policy, which means you can't negotiate the price.

What is the best website to buy second hand cars? ›

Cars.com is our top pick for selling a used car, while Edmunds tops our rankings for buying a used car online.

What is the most reliable brand of used car? ›

Lexus and Toyota top the list of 26 brands, with Mazda coming in third. All three brands have consistent average or better reliability ratings over the years. Acura and Honda rounded up the top five brands. At the bottom of the list are Tesla, Dodge, and Chrysler.

Which is better, KBB or Nada? ›

KBB factors in the condition of the vehicle, local market conditions, and popularity of the vehicle, so their prices tend to be a lower than NADA. NADA values tend to lean higher because they assume cars are in good conditions. Insights can be gained from both values, but KBB looks at more factors.

What is the best site to check vehicle history? ›

Get the Vehicle's History
  • AutoCheck.com.
  • Carfax.com.
  • Vinaudit.com.

Are CARFAX reports free? ›

A free CARFAX report is also available through many dealer websites. As you browse a dealer's used car inventory, look for links to free CARFAX Reports. If a link is unavailable, contact the dealer and ask them for the CARFAX Report. Free CARFAX Reports are available at many car dealerships in your area.

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