Buying a used car is now really easy, thanks to the internet and apps that help you buy cars. Some new services let you buy cars and have them delivered to your home. This makes buying a car much simpler. Car dealerships have also improved their online platforms to make buying a car a better experience, including home delivery.
These websites include familiar names like Autotrader, Edmunds, and KBB.com (Kelley Blue Book). These platforms cater to the needs of nearly 40 million consumers who engage in the search for used cars in a typical year.
Our aim is to guide you towards the best websites for your research and shopping needs. Below, you’ll find information about the top 10 used car websites that ranked highest in our survey:
Summary of The Best Used Car Websites
| Websites | Why We Choose | Prominent Features |
|---|---|---|
| CarGurus.com | Best for Cheap Cars | Your Vehicle Matchmaker |
| Cars.com | Best for Guidance to local buyers | Find Your Perfect Match |
| KBB.com | Negotiated price for existing car | The Valuation Experts |
| eBay.com | Best for Vast selection of vehicles | Quick listings and low fees |
| Autotrader.com | Best Advanced Search Functions | The One-Stop Shop |
| CarMax.com | Best for Great value | Unlocking Price Transparency |
| Vroom.com | Best for older vehicles | Marketplace for classic car parts |
| Edmunds.com | Best for Customers services | The Insider's Guide |
| Carvana | Best for Unique Offers | The Online Dealership |
| Autolist.com | Best for Cheap Cars | Simplifying Your Search |
CarGurus - Best for Cheap Cars
CarGurus is a platform for automotive shopping and research, allowing shoppers to compare local car listings. The site analyzes millions of vehicle listings daily to determine each car’s Instant Market Value and ranks search results based on pricing categories such as great deal, good deal, fair deal, high price, and overpriced. CarGurus offers car valuation tools and enables users to advertise their cars for sale. It also provides new car reviews.
Why We Choose It
CarGurus is the best place to find affordable used cars because it blends an online car marketplace with powerful research tools that can accurately tell you how much a car is really worth.
For More Details Visit: CarGurus Reviews 2023
Pros
- CarGurus rates deals with a unique algorithm.
- Offers a wide selection with millions of listings.
- Provides data-driven pricing information.
Cons
- Limited advanced search options compared to some competitors.
- Fewer listings in rural areas.
Cars.com - Best for Guidance to Local Buyers
Car shoppers have a lot of choices when they visit this website. You can read detailed reviews, see how cars are rated, do in-depth research, and even compare different cars side by side. And when you find a car you want to buy, the website helps you get in touch with the dealer.
Why We Choose It
Cars.com is the best place to find affordable used cars because it blends an online car marketplace with powerful research tools that can accurately tell you how much a car is really worth.
Pros
- Cars.com has a variety of new and used vehicles.
- It offers useful tools for selling your current car and getting financing.
- Access reviews to make informed decisions.
Cons
- The website's interface can be cluttered for some users.
- Contacting dealers might lead to more sales calls and emails.
Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) - The Valuation Experts
Kelley Blue Book is one of the most renowned auto research websites, offering valuable resources for consumers researching, pricing, and shopping for vehicles. In addition to an extensive search function for new and used vehicles, the site provides the Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor, which suggests fair prices based on local market trends. It highlights great and good prices, offers expert and consumer reviews, 5-Year Cost to Own data, a vehicle comparison tool, and an easy payment calculator.
Why We Choose It
Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has long been the go-to place for finding out a car’s value. They provide expert reviews, customer feedback, and model comparisons. Their 5-Year Cost to Own tool helps you understand long-term expenses. KBB has thousands of used cars from dealers and private sellers, and you can filter your search by various criteria on their website or mobile app. When you find a car you like, you can contact the seller through KBB’s site.
Pros
- KBB is well-known for providing fair vehicle valuations.
- It's a widely trusted source for car pricing information.
- Offers a range of helpful resources for car buyers.
Cons
- KBB isn't primarily a car listings site; it's more about valuation and information.
- The main focus is educating consumers rather than enabling direct transactions.
eBay Motors - Best for Vast Selection of Vehicles
eBay Motors functions as an online classified ad listing for cars and trucks. The search engine offers detailed search criteria, such as make, model, price, location, and delivery options. It provides a Market Price Analysis to compare asking prices with the prices of vehicles sold on the site. eBay Motors also offers seller ratings to aid shoppers in their decision-making process.
Why We Choose It
When you’re looking for a car, you can search based on factors like the price, the brand, the model, and where it’s located. You can further refine your options by selecting vehicles that you can negotiate the price on or participate in an auction. Alternatively, you can limit your choices to vehicles offered by dealers or sellers with eBay stores. eBay Motors provides seller ratings and vehicle history reports to assist buyers in making informed decisions.
Pros
- Certain protections for specific situations
- Option to apply for financing through RoadLoans.com
- Wide range of both new and used vehicles available
Cons
- No return policy
- Limited protection against certain undisclosed problems
- No guarantee of winning auctions.
Autotrader - Best Advanced Search Functions
Autotrader is an extensive automotive marketplace featuring millions of cars for sale from numerous auto dealers and private sellers. Shoppers can search for cars based on various criteria, including new, used, certified preowned, make, model, body style, color, price, location, and more. The site also identifies great and good prices based on Kelley Blue Book and provides car valuation tools, as well as a dealer locator. Additionally, Autotrader offers new car reviews.
Why We Choose It
Autotrader stands out as one of the top choices for buying and selling used cars. It’s well-known and widely recognized in the online car market. With a vast number of listings and advanced search tools, it’s the go-to destination for car transactions.
Pros
- AutoTrader offers a wide range of new and used vehicles.
- Provides expert and consumer reviews for informed choices.
- Tools for comparing prices and car features.
Cons
- May be more dealer-focused than individual seller-friendly.
- Some users find the interface less user-friendly than other sites.
- No direct purchasing on the site.
- Transactions on the site are not guaranteed.
CarMax - Best for Great Value
CarMax offers a selection of CarMax-certified used vehicles available through 225 stores nationwide. Shoppers can filter by vehicle price, category, brand, model year, popularity, and lifestyle (commuter, eco-friendly, family, and outdoor). While the website’s navigation could be more intuitive, users should find car-buying tips and an easy-to-use car payment calculator
Why We Choose It
When buying a car, it’s crucial to know its history, and CARFAX reports help with that. Carmax.com sells only certified pre-owned cars, ensuring they’re in great condition. They offer limited warranties and upfront, no-haggle prices, making it a top choice for hassle-free, reliable car purchases.
For More Details Visit: CarMax Reviews 2023
Pros
- Test drive at your location with possible extra fees
- Online financing applications on the website
- Free vehicle history reports
- Seven-day return policy
- 90-day or 4,000-mile limited warranty
- Nationwide presence with physical stores
Cons
- Prices are non-negotiable
- Limited guidance on assessing deal competitiveness
- Possible shipping fee to view a car
Vroom - Best for Older Vehicles
Vroom lets you buy used cars from home, with a big selection in 47 states. They check each car and provide a CarFax report. You can complete the purchase online, and they offer a return policy if the car isn’t right for you.
Why We Choose It
Vroom is an online car-buying website that eliminates the need to spend weekends at car dealerships. Like Carvana, Vroom sells cars through its website and delivers them anywhere in the United States. They are also a good option for people who want to sell their cars quickly. You provide information about your car or truck, and they give you an offer within 30 minutes. If you accept the offer, they’ll come to pick up your vehicle and pay you through direct deposit.
Pros
- Vroom sells high-quality, reconditioned used cars.
- Entirely online buying process, from selection to delivery.
- Offers a seven-day return policy like Carvana.
Cons
- Focuses mainly on used cars; limited new car options.
- Service area may not include all locations.
Edmunds - Best for Customers Services
Edmunds boasts a nationwide database that empowers customers to search through a vast inventory of new, used, and certified preowned vehicles in their vicinity. The site offers comprehensive used-vehicle search capabilities, vehicle rankings, new car pricing reports, highly-rated used cars, and indicators for great, good, and fair prices. It also features affordability and loan calculators, along with True Market Value and True Cost to Own data for both new and used cars. While extensive, the website is worth exploring for its wealth of information.
Why We Choose It
With more than 50 years of experience in the car industry, Edmunds has become a reliable place to help you when you want to buy a used car. Their website has lots of used cars for sale all across the country. You can easily pick the car you want by using filters like price, brand, how many miles it’s driven, and the history of the vehicle. When you find a car you like, you can purchase it online and have it delivered to your home.
Pros
- Expert reviews and detailed car guides.
- Tools to assess your car's value and get a fair deal.
- A reputable company with extensive automotive knowledge.
Cons
- Limited listings compared to dedicated classified websites.
- More focused on dealers than some other platforms.
Carvana - Best for Unique Offers
Carvana, known for its car vending machines, provides a 100 percent online buying experience. Its user-friendly website features a “Car Finder” tool for browsing their high-quality, used-vehicle inventory. Shoppers can explore makes, models, trims, styles, locations, and more. The site also facilitates selling or trading vehicles, calculating payments with an easy loan calculator, applying for financing, and arranging for delivery or pickup at the nearest vending machine.
Why We Choose It
Carvana is a good choice. You just need to answer a few questions about what kind of car you want, and they will find one that suits your needs. You can also search through more than 25,000 cars on their website using filters like price, features, year, and how many miles it’s been driven.
For More Details Visit : Carvana Reviews 2023
Pros
- Buy cars online, with home delivery.
- Offers a risk-free return policy.
- Specializes in high-quality used cars.
Cons
- No test drives before purchase.
- Limited service area coverage.
Autolist.com - Best for Cheap Cars
Autolist is a special website that brings together car listings from many other used car apps and websites. They have a simple and easy-to-use app that lots of people have downloaded (over seven million times). In 2019, it was even ranked in CNET’s top 10 car apps, making it a great choice for folks who want to find used cars using their mobile phones.
Why We Choose It
Car shoppers have a lot of choices when they visit this website. You can read detailed reviews, see how cars are rated, do in-depth research, and even compare different cars side by side. And when you find a car you want to buy, the website helps you get in touch with the dealer.
Pros
- Aggregates listings from multiple sources for a wide inventory.
- User-friendly interface for filtering and searching.
- Simplifies the car search.
Cons
- Limited details on listings.
- Contacting dealers may lead to sales calls and emails.
In a Nutshell
In the world of used car websites, there are plenty to choose from, but a few really shine. If you’re all about getting the best deal,
- CarGurus stands out with its special deal ratings.
- Autotrader is perfect when you have specific needs and want advanced search options.
For those who want a simple shopping experience,
- Cars.com is great for comparing local dealer listings without feeling overwhelmed.
- Autolist is the go-to for top-notch search features and mobile shopping.
- Classic car enthusiasts will find Vroom a treasure trove of classic cars, parts, shows, and discussions.
- If you're into unique cars from the 80s to today, check out Carvana with its quick car auctions, free listings, and reasonable fees.
Our Methodology
Our Experts Team, examined more than a dozen used car websites. We handpicked sites that have earned trust over time for selling cars or those that provide secure and personalized experiences for shoppers seeking special vehicles.
We considered the anxiety and stress that can come with purchasing a used car. Therefore, we prioritized websites that offer robust search tools to allow shoppers to compare the features they desire. Websites with thorough buyer guides and up-to-date car reviews ranked high on our list because these resources empower shoppers to make well-informed purchase choices.
Tips for Safe Online Car Buying: Protect Yourself
When buying a used car online, there are risks to be aware of. Here are some steps to avoid scams.
- To safeguard yourself, thoroughly check the car's history before purchasing. Obtain the vehicle's VIN and request a history report to learn about its maintenance history and accident involvement.
- Be cautious about sharing personal or financial information to prevent identity theft.
- Be cautious about sharinResearch the seller's reputation by reading online reviews. If the seller avoids direct communication, it's a potential warning sign.g personal or financial information to prevent identity theft.
- Avoid wiring money to the seller, as it can be challenging to recover in case of a scam.
- Remember that online photos may not reveal the full condition of a used car. Always have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before making a purchase.
Criteria to Determine the Best Used-Car Website
We evaluated the top used-car websites based on the following criteria to determine the best ones:
- Ease of use, information provided, and the ability to customize searches for vehicle details and location.
- No physical dealerships where consumers can visit and test-drive cars should be offered.
- Operations should not be limited to just one state.
- The primary focus should be on selling regular consumer vehicles, not limited to company fleet vehicles or classic cars.
- Basic vehicle details like price should not require users to provide personal information.
What the Best Online Used Car-buying Sites Offer to Shoppers?
Before investing your valuable time in any of these third-party resources, even the finest online car-buying platforms, it’s beneficial to understand why it’s a worthwhile endeavor for serious car buyers.
Unsurprisingly, third-party websites are eager to highlight the value they bring to shoppers. Julie Blackley, a spokesperson for iSeeCars.com, stated, “Third-party websites enable shoppers to explore cars from various dealerships and compare listings across different makes, models, and vehicle types. They go beyond what’s available on dealer websites, equipping users with the essential data needed to make informed vehicle purchases.”
“In today’s digital era, shoppers desire the ability to compare and streamline their car search by visiting as few websites as possible,” she added. “Ideally, shoppers should be able to both compare and narrow down their car choices by visiting just one website.”
Representatives from Cox Automotive, including Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, expressed similar sentiments.
What Consumers Prioritize Most on Third-Party Websites?
Mark E. Roszkowski, the Chief Revenue Officer at Vroom, suggests that when it comes to third-party websites, consumers place the highest value on selection and convenience.
Roszkowski stated, “Used cars come in a variety of forms, and buyers appreciate having a wide range of makes and models at their disposal, each with different mileage, options, and features. When consumers have access to thousands of vehicles to choose from, they don’t have to compromise on getting precisely what they want.”
FAQ's
AutoTrader, in operation since 1997, is the largest and most trusted car website in the USA, reaching millions of potential buyers nationwide.
Listings on AutoTrader reach millions of potential buyers and are listed on Kelley Blue Book, making them trustworthy and wide-reaching.
To buy used cars under $5,000, explore local listings on Craigslist and eBay Motors, as private markets often offer more affordable options.
The popularity of used car websites varies depending on your needs. AutoTrader, Carvana, and Vroom offer different advantages, while Craigslist and eBay Motors are popular for local transactions.
Costs for using a used car website vary. Some may have free listings, while others charge one-time or recurring fees. Review each site’s terms and conditions for pricing details.
To assess a used car website’s trustworthiness, read customer reviews and consider the number of reviews available. Additionally, check for a Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating to gauge the company’s reputation.
