CarGurus Reviews 2023

When selling a car in 2023, you will come across CarGurus as you look for vehicle listing options. That makes sense, considering the CarGuru app is one of the world's largest online car-selling marketplaces. With over 30 million unique visitors a month, CarGurus is a treasure trove of potential online car buyers.

Is selling on CarGurus all it's cracked up to be? We've compiled information from thousands of CarGurus reviews and our experience to create this in-depth guide on the popular vehicle-selling marketplace.

What is CarGurus?

CarGurus is a widespread 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 car-shopping platform was founded in 2006 and boasted more than five million unique car listings by 2020.

With CarGurus, you can browse thousands of cars in just a few clicks. You can also easily compare vehicles based on the CarGurus car value and other factors.

Our CarGurus app review

Listing and selling a car on CarGurus is quicker than most if not all, other car-shopping websites. 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 a few photos of your car, provide some essential information about it, and that's it! Even more remarkable, it costs nothing to list a car and only $99 when your car sells on CarGurus!

And for those looking to buy used cars in 2023, you can easily spot Cargurus' best deals thanks to the Car Gurus rating system that tells you whether a vehicle is overpriced or priced just right. Sellers can view the CarGuru car value immediately thanks to the site's revolutionary Instant Market Value tool, adjusting the car listing price as they see fit.

Cargurus Google reviews vary from customer to customer, yet there's a reason why the website is as popular as it is. It makes the vehicle buying and selling processes efficient and straightforward, cutting out the middleman and giving you a direct line to interested parties worldwide.

Pros (Based on 1000s of CarGurus reviews)

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.
Enjoy unparalleled peace of mind when you sell a car on the CarGuru app. Receive up to $75,000 in protection, 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 (Based on 1000s of CarGurus reviews)

A few of the Cargurus website review comments we’ve read talk about how hard it can be to get your car noticed on the site -- unless you pay for promotion.
On Cargurus, cars for sale are everywhere. It can be overwhelming for some customers.

Is CarGurus Legit?

CarGurus is a fully-vetted, legitimate car-shopping marketplace. The average score of CarGurus reviews hovers around 2.5 to 2.7 out of five. CarGurus Google reviews for the CarGuru app on Google Play sit at 4.7 out of five.

Positive reviews focus on how easy CarGurus is to 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 car value to assess an Instant Market Value for the vehicle. CarGurus also recently unveiled a CarOffer app that provides instant cash offers for used cars.

Most negative CarGurus reviews talk about how hard it is to get a car noticed on the site or how hard it is to communicate with the site’s support staff.

So, is CarGurus legit? Rest assured, all of the CarGurus reviews we've read show how legitimate it is -- whether the customers dug the service or not.

Reasons to Choose CarGurus

Most CarGurus "sell my car" reviews rave about how quick it is to list a car on the app. Other CarGurus selling review entries laud how the site connects you to applicable buyers in their area and across the globe. And if you're not looking to sell your car and wait for a buyer match, you can secure a fair CarGuru trade-in value via the site's data-driven Instant Market Value calculator. You can use that value to trade your car with participating, applicable dealerships on the site.

Speaking of the Instant Market Value calculator, it takes just two minutes for a seller to find out the CarGurus car value of their sedan, SUV, truck, or applicable vehicle. Regarding selling a car on CarGurus, review respondents love how easy it is to assess a value, list a vehicle, and get the car-selling process rolling.

5-star CarGurus reviews continue beyond sellers. Whether buying a used car out of state or locally, thousands of CarGurus reviews praise the app's selection, pricing, and efficiency. In addition, the CarGurus financing reviews we've read have been mostly positive -- praising the instant nature of financing decisions and the 30-day window to purchase a car through participating dealers.

How Does CarGurus Work?

CarGurus is an easy-to-use site that offers complete transparency to buyers and sellers alike. Car dealerships and private sellers list cars on the site, using the site's Instant Market Value calculator to adjust prices accordingly. You can also trade your car in to interested dealers through the site.

When selling your car on CarGurus, review the condition of your vehicle and be honest about all essential information. The more transparent you are, the better pictures you take, and the more information you provide, the easier it will be to sell your car.

Before the transaction process, the site's data algorithms match listings (complete with condition information, mileage, location, and other pertinent info) to buyers who search for cars through the site.

From there, buyers can inquire about a car and make an offer. CarGurus offers in-house financing to buyers, but you can also buy the car outright or seek private financing. All deals are subject to an inspection, and most car transport arrangements must be made between the seller and buyer.

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.
Annual CarGurus revenue eclipsed $1 billion in 2022.
When selling your car on CarGurus, review respondents say that paying for ad boosting helps to sell the car quicker.
When you go to CarGurus to sell a car, 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 CarGuru used car value is assessed to the car using the site’s data-driven algorithm, allowing the site to calculate a fair offer for both the company and the seller.

How Does Car Buying Work on CarGurus?

Step 1: Search For a Car

CarGurus boasts just under 32 million unique monthly users. That means there are literally tons of CarGurus used cars to choose from. With the help of easy-to-use filters and a cutting-edge data analysis process, you can find used cars that fit your needs from various sellers in the US, Canada, and select Western European countries.

Step 2: View Detailed Information and Photos

The cutting-edge CarGurus algorithm matches you up with listings that match your needs. You can view photos and info about cars you are interested in before contacting a seller.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: Purchase the Car

Once you press "start a secure transaction," the buyer and seller will fill out forms with important, applicable info. Once the forms are filled out, a CarGurus team member will contact you via phone to facilitate the funds transfer from buyer to seller. Funds will be verified by the service electronically and deposited into the seller's bank account.

Step 5: Ship the Car

Select cars can be shipped from a dealership using the CarGurus delivery service. Most car sales require privately arranged car 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. Easily 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

Step 1: Get a Quote

The quote process is as simple as saying, "Car Guru, sell my car!" Enter necessary 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 with a good idea of your car's market value.

Step 2: Schedule an Inspection

When selling your car on CarGurus, review the condition of your car inside and out. Clean the carpets, check all operating systems, and replace broken lights. A car dealer who purchases your car will require an inspection of the vehicle 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!

Step 3: 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 in to dealers using the CarGurus Trade-in calculator.

Step 4: 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. Just 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 for thirty days after a decision is made. In the eyes of many happy CarGurus financing customers, the service is the easiest and best way to buy a car today.

You can also seek private financing for your CarGurus order, using that to purchase the car from a dealer or private seller.

Our Final Verdict on CarGurus

In short -- Car Gurus, sell my car! Reviews of a mixed variety are common for all online car marketplaces, and CarGurus tends to overdeliver regardless. The site is easy to use and navigate. It's also highly efficient on both ends throughout the car shopping process.

We recommend CarGurus to buyers and sellers for its simplicity, efficiency, and transparent transaction process.

Why is CarGurus successful?

CarGurus is at the forefront of an online car shopping revolution. The site is more efficient and comprehensive and offers a broader reach than any other U.S. car-buying website. CarGurus is the most visited online car-purchasing site in the country.

CarGurus, along with its cash-offer imprint CarOffer, paces the industry regarding ease of use and transaction transparency. You pay nothing to list a car and only $99 once the vehicle sells. All transactions are vetted for complete security, and deals are often much quicker to close than any other car-shopping website.

Does CarGurus impact your credit score?

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.

Does CarGurus buy leased vehicles?

CarGurus does not buy or sell cars. You cannot sell a leased car on CarGurus since you are renting the vehicle from the leasing company. Contact your leasing provider about a potential lease buyout. Once you own the vehicle, you can list it for sale on CarGurus!

How do you get paid on CarGurus?

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.

Alternative Websites to CarGurus

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

How much does it cost to list a vehicle on CarGurus?

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 CarGurus for facilitating the transaction. It's one of the most transparent and fair fees in the online car-shopping marketplace, with no catches or hidden charges!

How good is CarGurus' customer support?

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 are about a lack of communication and slow response times. Positive reviews underline the efficiency of the platform and the speed of payments.

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.

What types of vehicles does CarGurus purchase?

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.

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