CarGurus Reviews 2025
When selling a car in 2025, you'll inevitably come across CarGurus. The CarGurus app is one of the world's largest online car-selling marketplaces, with over 44.3 million average monthly visitors and just under 16 million unique visitors per month. If you're searching for quantity and quality of online car buyers, it's hard to beat CarGurus's reach. However, is selling on CarGurus all it's cracked up to be? We've compiled information from thousands of CarGurus reviews and our experiences to create this in-depth guide on the popular vehicle-selling marketplace.
What is CarGurus?
CarGurus is a popular online car market platform that connects private car sellers and car dealers with vehicle buyers in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The online car shopping platform was founded in 2006 and boasts over five million unique car listings as of 2025.
With CarGurus, you can easily browse thousands of cars with a few clicks. You can compare vehicles in a wide variety of categories, allowing you to sell your car with good information at your fingertips. However, there are also some drawbacks to selling cars with CarGurus.
Our CarGurus App Review
The speed of listing a car on CarGurus is one of the biggest conveniences of the site. Compared to other car shopping websites, CarGurus is a breeze. No more typing "sell my car online" into your favorite search engine and hoping for a good result. Within five minutes, you can add your vehicle to the deep inventory of CarGurus used cars. All you have to do is upload photos of your vehicle and provide some essential information about it. That's it! Even more remarkable, it costsnothing to list a car and only $99 when your car sells on CarGurus! For an extra $29.95, you can use CarGurus' Autopay service, which offers the following services:
- A dedicated customer service agent who handles your transaction.
- Full verification of payment before the car ownership change.
- A secure direct deposit into your checking account.
- An automatically generated bill of sale.
If you're looking to buy used cars in 2025, you can easily spot Cargurus' best deals thanks to the CarGurus rating system that tells you whether a vehicle is overpriced or priced just right. Sellers can immediately view the CarGurus car value with the site's Instant Market Value tool, adjustingthe car listing price as they see fit.
Cargurus Google reviews vary from customer to customer, and there are some drawbacks. The site's CarOffer function provides instant cash offers, yet the returns are non-negotiable and usually lower than you'd receive when selling your car.
Pros
You pay nothing to list a car on CarGurus and just $99 when it sells!
The CarGurus rating system helps buyers find the right deal at the right price.
The CarGurus Instant Market Value tool assesses the value of your used car within two minutes, allowing a buyer to adjust their asking price accordingly.
Receive up to $75,000 in protection when you sell a car on the CarGurus app, ensuring you get paid when the vehicle is shipped.
It's as quick as saying, "Car Guru, sell my car!" You can list quickly, find buyers quickly, and get paid within three business days.
Cons
A few of the CarGurus website review comments we've read mention how hard it can be to get your car noticed on the site—unless you pay for a promotion.
On CarGurus, cars for sale are everywhere. It can be overwhelming for some customers.
You need to do a lot of maneuvering to find the right interested buyer at the right price.
The CarOffer cash offer system offers low returns with no negotiations.
The site's sheer size makes building legitimate relationships with buyers and sellers hard.
Is CarGurus Legit?
CarGurus is a legitimate car-shopping marketplace with average reviews between 2.5 and 2.7 out of five. The CarGurus app is rated 4.7 out of five on Google Play.
Positive CarGurus reviews focus on the ease of use compared to other online car auctions. Most CarGurus selling review entries laud how the site uses critical data, like a car's Blue Book value, to assess an Instant Market Value for the vehicle.
Negative CarGurus reviews detail how hard it is to get a car noticed on the site or the lack of communication options with the CarGurus support staff. The inflexibility of the CarOffer system is also criticized.
CarGurus is legit, but it's not always the best option. Alternatives like our Nexus Portal offer instant access to buyers and sellers without advertising and promotion.
Reasons to Choose CarGurus
Here are some good reasons to consider CarGurus for selling or buying your next car:
CarGurus “sell my car" reviews rave about the speed of listing a car on the app.
You can filter through car buyers and sellers in your area or around the globe.
You can receive an Instant Market Value for your car quickly and get an instant trade-in if desired.
The app offers a wide selection of cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, and other types of vehicles.
Auto financing decisions are instant; you have 30 days to find a participating dealer.
How Does CarGurus Work?
Selling
Gather all applicable vehicle information, including VIN.
Take high-quality photos of your car for posting.
Car dealerships and private sellers list free on CarGurus.
Field buyer inquiries and begin negotiations.
Set up inspections and test drives if necessary.
Finalize the sale and paperwork to receive secure payment.
Buying
Search for a car by make, model, location, and more.
Review potential deals with designations like “Fair Deal" and “Great Deal."
Research vehicle and seller information.
Contact the seller for test drives, inspections, and negotiations.
Arrange on-site or off-site financing.
Review all paperwork and finalize your purchase.
Key Facts About CarGurus
CarGurus' Instant Market Value tool assesses values to all listed used and new cars based on a constantly updated set of algorithms.
In-house CarGurus financing is available through Capital One and Westlake Financial. You can also seek private vehicle financing.
It costs nothing to buy or search for cars on CarGurus. Sellers pay just $99 when a car is sold on the site, plus $29.95 for Autopay protection.
Annual CarGurus revenue dropped from $1.65 billion in 2022 to $890 million in 2024, likely due to increased competition.
Review respondents say that paying for ad boosting helps them sell their cars quicker on CarGurus.
When selling a car on CarGurus, review respondents advise that higher-quality, high-resolution photos sell cars quicker.
All CarGurus transactions hinge upon the completion of an inspection that ensures the car is in its listed condition.
There are only returns on CarGurus if stipulated in the dealer/buyer contract.
CarGurus is available in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Private auto transport services are required unless otherwise stipulated.
Does CarGurus Buy Used Cars?
While the official CarGurus site does not buy used cars, it does assess a CarGurus car value to help sellers list their vehicles for fair, marketable prices.In 2022, CarGurus launched CarGurus CarOffer -- an offshoot site that offers cash payouts for used cars in 36 US states and Washington DC. A CarGurus used car value is assessed to the car using the site’s data-driven algorithm, allowing the site to calculate an offer for both the company and the seller.
How Does Car Buying Work on CarGurus?
Search For a Car
CarGurus receives over 44 million monthly visits. That means there are tons of CarGurus used cars to choose from. With the help of easy-to-use filters and a strong data analysis engine, you can find used vehicles from various US and Canadian sellers that fit your needs and select Western European countries.
View Detailed Information and Photos
The CarGurus algorithm matches you up with listings that match your stated needs. You can view photos and info about cars you are interested in before contacting a seller.
Get Financing
You have three options for purchasing a car on CarGurus -- buying a car outright, using the in-house CarGurus financing service, or financing a car privately. No matter which option you choose, you'll need to arrange financing before making an offer and buying a car.
Purchase the Car
Once you press "start a secure transaction," the buyer and seller will fill out forms with important, applicable information. Once the forms are filled out, a CarGurus team member will contact you via phone to facilitate the funds transfer from buyer to seller. The service will verify the funds electronically and deposit them into the seller's bank account.
Ship the Car
Select cars can be shipped from a dealership using the CarGurus delivery service. However, most car sales require privately arranged transport through a reputable provider like Nexus Auto Transport.
Does CarGurus Sell New Cars?
Yes. You can check CarGurus dealer pricing for new cars from thousands of car dealerships and sellers around North America and Western Europe. Filter new cars by location, model, pricing, or anything else you can think of. Within seconds, the CarGurus algorithm will determine the best new car that fits your wants, needs, and budget.
How to Sell/Trade a Car on CarGurus
Get a Quote
Just say, "Car Guru, sell my car!" Enter key information about your vehicle (make, model, condition, etc.) into the site's Instant Market Value calculator. The calculator will assess a CarGurus car value to your vehicle, telling you what the site's data-driven algorithm feels your car is worth. You can adjust your pricing or use another Car Value Calculator like ours to refine your asking price.
Schedule an Inspection
When selling your car on CarGurus, review its condition inside and out. Clean the carpets, check all operating systems, and replace broken lights. If you sell your car to a car dealer, they will require a full inspection to ensure it is in the condition you say it is. Private buyers are also urged to conduct a proper inspection before finalizing a sale. Schedule an inspection with the prospective buyer and ensure your car is ready for it!
Sell or Trade
Rather than typing “sell my car to a dealer" and crossing your fingers, you can easily list your used car for dealerships and private buyers to consider (with attractive photographs showing off your vehicle for the world to see.) You can also trade your car to a dealer using the CarGurus Trade-in calculator.
Delivery or Pickup
CarGurus Delivery promises dealership-to-customer car shipping for select vehicles. However, most CarGurus sales require you to contract out your auto transport. Whether you need cross-country car shipping, international car transport, or something else, use a reputable car shipping calculator to start the shipping process.
What is the CarGurus Financing Process?
The CarGurus financing process is quite simple. The site has partnered with Westlake Financial and Capital One to provide customers with instant loan decisions via the CarGurus app. Enter all pertinent personal and financial information and the amount you want to finance, and you'll receive a quick decision via a soft-pull credit check.(Soft-pull credit checks do not affect your credit score.)One of the positives we've heard from most CarGurus financing reviews is that participating car dealerships will honor the financing arrangement thirty days after a decision is made. In the eyes of many happy CarGurus financing customers, this service is the easiest and best way to buy a car today.You can also seek private financing for your CarGurus order and use it to purchase the car from a dealer or private seller
Our Final CarGurus Grade
In short – Hundreds of thousands of users have said, "CarGurus, sell my car," with mixed results.
- The site is easy to navigate, and you can list cars in minutes. With the right advertisement, you can reach car buyers and sellers worldwide.
- However, CarGurus is a massive site with an algorithm that tends to get gummed up. It's hard to stand out on CarGurus, and the alternative cash and trade-in offers are often a pittance compared to what you can get via a private car sale.
- CarGurus is a fine option. However, you can often get better cash and trade-in values when working with a network of verified, interested car buyers. Get your free car valuation and sell your car.
Learn More About CarGurus
CarGurus is one of the biggest names in the online car shopping revolution. The site is efficient and comprehensive and offers a broader reach than any other US car-buying website. It is also the most visited online car-purchasing site in the country.
CarGurus also has a huge marketing machine behind it. In 2021, the site spent $315 million on advertising alone. While it's not always the best option to sell a car online, CarGurus is one of the easiest to remember.
CarGurus does not impact your credit score. Listing and purchasing a car will not affect your credit, and neither will pre-qualifying for the company’s in-house vehicle financing. All financing inquiries use a soft credit check that doesn’t ding your overall credit health.
You cannot sell a leased car on CarGurus since you are renting the vehicle from the leasing company. Also, CarGurus does not buy or sell cars. Rather, they partner with dealerships and other parties.
You can choose a bank deposit or check to receive payment through CarGurus. Electronic and check payments will be delivered at the time of vehicle pick-up. You will receive a physical check at pick-up or a same-day bank deposit. All CarGurus financial transactions are double-checked and fully secure.
CarGurus is the most trafficked online car shopping site in the United States. However, they have plenty of competition for the country's vehicle-selling market share. Here's a list of CarGurus' eight biggest online vehicle-shopping competitors.
8 Alternative Companies to CarGurus
- AutoTrader
- CarMax
- Carvana
- Cars.com
- CARFAX
- Kelley Blue Book
- TrueCar
- Vroom
It is free to list a car on CarGurus. You pay nothing to CarGurus until you sell your vehicle. Once your car sells, you pay a one-time fee of $99 to facilitate the transaction.
CarGurus customer support has a rating of 2.3 out of 5 stars from TrustPilot and 1.5 out of 5 from the Better Business Bureau. Most complaints about CarGurus' customer support team involve a lack of communication and slow response times. Positive reviews underline the platform's efficiency and payment speed.
To reach a CarGurus customer support member directly, call (800) 227-4478. CarGurus' customer service center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
CarGurus does not purchase or sell vehicles. However, in just five minutes, you can list your car, truck, van, SUV, luxury vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial vehicle on the website. The company's Instant Market Value calculator will assess the value of your car based on condition, mileage, accident history, and other factors. You can then list your vehicle on the nation's most-visited online auto-buying site.
