The bottom line: CarGurus is the place to start if you have a newer truck or SUV in good shape. It offered more than Carvana and CarMax for every car it made an offer on, but there’s no pickup: you drive the car to the dealer that made the offer. Its prices are estimates, though, so you may get less at the dealership.
Carvana is the better pick if CarGurus makes no offer or you want the simplest sale, since it runs everything online and its quote usually holds at pickup. CarMax is the better pick if you’d rather sell in person and leave with a bank draft the same day.
None of the three is the right buyer for a junk car, a car that doesn’t run or a salvage title. Get quotes from all three before you accept one.
Key Takeaways
- What our tests found: CarGurus dealers’ estimates led on the two latest test cars they quoted, and Carvana’s offers beat CarMax’s on all three.
- Watch out for: Carvana’s and CarMax’s home pickup may cost a fee where you live, and a CarGurus estimate runs out after seven days or 250 miles.
- How fast you can sell: Carvana can buy the same day in some locations, CarMax pays the day you sell at a store, and CarGurus takes one booked dealer visit.
- What Carvana sellers report: If you take Carvana’s check rather than a transfer, deposit it with a bank teller instead of an app, as Carvana’s own support tells sellers.
- What CarGurus sellers report: CarGurus dealers offered some sellers thousands less than the estimate once they saw the car, so weigh that final figure, not the estimate, against Carvana’s and CarMax’s offers.
- Which car goes where: Carvana and CarGurus dealers want newer cars in good shape and CarMax nearly any car, so an older car goes to CarMax.
Compare Instant Offers
Where to Sell Your Car?
Better option when you- Want a fully online processCarvana handles everything from quote to pickup online. CarGurus has you drive the car to the dealer, and CarMax needs in-person visits
- CarGurus didn’t make an offer on your carCarvana accepted the Tesla Model 3 that CarGurus rejected. They accept most vehicles, even ones with lower values
- Still owe money on your carCarvana’s loan payoff is typically faster. Some CarMax payoffs took 3 to 7 weeks, and with CarGurus the dealer that buys your car guides you through the payoff
- Need cash the same dayCarMax gives you a bank draft the same day at their stores. Carvana hands you a check at the appointment or takes 2 to 5 days for bank transfers, and a CarGurus dealer pays by check or transfer on its own timeline
- Have a newer truck or SUV in good shapeCarGurus offered $2,500 more than Carvana on the F-150 and $1,100 more on the RAV4 in our tests
- Want to compare multiple offers in one placeCarGurus lists bids from several nearby dealers side by side. Carvana and CarMax each give you only one offer
Neither, if you have a car with branded title, major damage, or very high mileage. CarGurus may make no offer on these cars, Carvana offers very little, and CarMax won’t buy salvage or flood titles. Try junk car buyers instead.
Carvana buys newer running cars, with pickup in some areas
- Accepts cars with active loans
- Trade-in can save on sales tax
- License plate starts the quote
- Direct deposit option available
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Offer amount 35% 5/5
-
Process ease 20% 5/5
-
Offer validity 15% 4/5
-
Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
-
Payment speed 15% 4/5
CarGurus compares instant offers from local dealers side by side
- Offers compared side by side
- Star ratings for each dealer
- Handles your outstanding loans
- Dealer pays by check or transfer
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Offer amount 35% 4/5
-
Process ease 20% 3/5
-
Offer validity 15% 3/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
-
Payment speed 15% 4/5
CarMax inspects and buys your car at 250+ stores
- Buys your car even if you don't buy one there
- Offer holds seven days and is not negotiable
- At-home pickup, though not everywhere and a fee may apply
- Quote in about 2 minutes online
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Offer amount 35% 3/5
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Process ease 20% 3/5
-
Offer validity 15% 4/5
-
Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
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Payment speed 15% 2/5
Automated assistant: general info, not legal advice
Answers come from our state paperwork data and published guides. Confirm anything binding with your state DMV.
Carvana vs. CarMax vs. CarGurus: Detailed Comparison
| Category |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Newer cars under 10 years old, fully online process | In-person transactions, same-day payment, mainstream cars under 10 years old | Comparing several local dealer offers in one place |
| Quote Speed | About 2 minutes online | Real offer online in minutes, checked in person before payment | Under 2 minutes, shows offers from several local dealers |
| Offer Validity | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days or 250 additional miles, whichever comes first |
| Time to Complete | About 3 to 10 days on average, same day in some areas | Same day at location, paid by bank draft | One visit to the dealer you choose, at a time you book |
| Payment Method | Check at pickup or bank transfer (2 to 5 business days) | Bank draft only (deposit it, can’t be cashed) | Check or electronic transfer from the dealer, timing set by each dealer |
| Pickup Fee | May apply where pickup is offered, varies by location (free at vending machines) | Fees may apply depending on location; no fees at stores | No pickup; you drive the car to the dealer |
| Inspection Type | At home during pickup (about 15 minutes) | In-person at store (30 to 45 minutes) | In person at the dealer |
| Cars with Loans | Yes, works directly with lender | Yes, but some payoffs took 3 to 7 weeks to land | Yes, the dealer handles the paperwork with your lender |
| Won’t Buy | Cars that don’t run or can’t be driven safely; built for cars under 10 years old in good condition | Salvage titles; frame or flood damage brings lower offers | May get no offer: branded titles, major damage, high mileage, older or exotic cars, cars that don’t run |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.1/5 stars (16,239 reviews) | 4.5/5 stars (3,519 reviews) | 3.3/5 stars (1,191 reviews) |
| Google Rating | Varies by location | Varies by location, usually 4+ stars | 2.8/5 stars (108 reviews) |
| Negotiation | No | No, offers are firm | Possible with the dealer, but the dealer can also lower the offer |
| Coverage | Most major U.S. metro areas | 250+ stores in 42 states, plus home pickup | All 50 states through local dealers, but not in every area |
| Main Drawback | Pickup may carry a location-based fee and isn’t offered everywhere, low offers for older cars | In-person offer can come in under the online one | The dealer can offer less than shown, and not all cars get offers |
Note: At CarMax, the total visit can stretch to 4 hours on busy days. CarMax also offers express drop-off if you already accepted an online quote, which cuts the time to under 30 minutes.
Carvana vs. CarMax vs. CarGurus Offers
We requested quotes from all three companies for several vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 73k miles and a clean title Carvana +$2,800
$14,200
See all three offer screenshots
2022 Ford F-150 XL with 72.5k miles and a clean title CarGurus +$2,500
$22,000
See all three offer screenshots
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE with 61.5k miles and a clean title CarGurus +$1,100
$24,600
See all three offer screenshots
How each offer can change
- Carvana: the online quote holds at the appointment if the car matches your answers and the 7 days haven’t run out. Carvana checks the car against CarFax and AutoCheck reports, and if something doesn’t match what you described, the offer can change.
- CarMax: it can cut its online offer once it sees the car in person, after a 30 to 45 minute inspection.
- CarGurus: dealer offers are estimates, not guaranteed prices, and many sellers report lower amounts at the dealership.
Alternatives to Sell a Car
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
- Buys any car in any condition, running or not
- An offer in seconds, with no listing to write
- Free towing, with no fees taken off the offer
- Pays by check on the spot at pickup
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Buyer reach 25% 5/5
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Safety features 25% 3/5
-
Listing cost 20% 5/5
-
Time to sell 15% 4/5
-
Ease of listing 15% 5/5
- Free to list, with no fee on a local sale paid in person
- Sell directly to buyers near you
- Post to a local buy and sell group at the same time
- Buyers see your profile and seller ratings
- You handle the payment and paperwork yourself
-
Offer amount 35% 5/5
-
Process ease 20% 3/5
-
Offer validity 15% 4/5
-
Pickup / drop-off 15% 5/5
-
Payment speed 15% 5/5
- Instant offer online, valid for 7 days
- Photo inspection on your phone, no download
- Free pickup from anywhere in the U.S.
- Pays by bank transfer after pickup, or by check
- Buys cars with a loan or lease, in most cases
To see what different buyers offer for your car, get quotes from several at once:
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Frequently Asked Questions
Which offers the most, Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus?
It depends on your car. In our 2026 tests, CarGurus offered the most on both vehicles where they made an offer: $24,500 for a 2022 Ford F-150 and $25,700 for a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime.
But CarGurus gave no offer on the 2018 Tesla Model 3, where Carvana offered $14,200. CarMax offered the least on all three vehicles. Get quotes from all three to see which values your specific car the highest.
How long does each selling process take?
Carvana completes sales in about 3 to 10 days on average, sometimes the same day. The pickup appointment takes about 15 minutes. CarMax can do same-day at their stores, paying by bank draft that you then deposit at your bank.
CarGurus sales finish in one visit to the local dealer you pick, though each dealer sets when it pays you.
Can I sell a financed car to Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus?
Yes, all three handle financed vehicles. Carvana works directly with your lender. CarMax also handles loans, but some of its sellers waited three weeks or longer for the lender to be paid off.
With CarGurus, the local dealer that buys your car guides you through the loan payoff. Keep making your payments until the loan shows as fully paid off.
Will the online quote match the final offer?
Not always. Carvana’s quote holds unless they find condition issues you didn’t mention online or the 7-day offer runs out first. They check against CarFax and AutoCheck reports at pickup.
CarMax can lower its online offer at the store when the car’s condition, use or history differs from what you entered. A CarGurus figure is an estimate, and the dealer can change it after the inspection or when the market moves.
Many sellers report the final amount drops once the dealer inspects the car in person.
Which has better customer reviews, Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus?
Carvana has 4.1 stars on Trustpilot from 16,239 reviews.
CarMax has 4.5 stars from 3,519 reviews. CarGurus has 3.3 stars from 1,191 reviews.
Common Carvana complaints are about late pickup drivers and hard-to-reach customer service. CarMax sellers’ complaints focus on slow or short loan payoffs and offers cut after the in-person check.
CarGurus complaints mention dealer offers coming in lower than what the platform displayed.
Do Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus charge fees?
Carvana’s home pickup fee depends on your area and local demand, and you see it before you book. Dropping off at a vending machine is free.
CarMax may charge pickup fees depending on your area but has no fees if you visit a store.
CarGurus charges nothing for its offers, and there’s no pickup to pay for because you drive the car to the dealer.
What if my car doesn’t qualify for an offer?
This mainly affects CarGurus. Its dealers may make no offer for a car with a branded title, major damage, high mileage or exotic specs, or when no dealer nearby wants it. In our tests, they didn’t offer anything for the 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Carvana and CarMax will still make offers on most vehicles, though amounts may be much lower for older or damaged cars.
Can I negotiate the offer from Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus?
Carvana’s offers are take-it-or-leave-it. CarMax doesn’t negotiate, and its sellers report no rise from showing a competing quote.
CarGurus offers come from local dealers, so you might have room to negotiate at the dealership, though the dealer can also go lower.
How do I choose between Carvana, CarMax, and CarGurus?
Start by getting quotes from all three. Choose CarGurus if a nearby dealer makes the highest offer and you can drive the car there.
Go with Carvana if you want a simple online process or if CarGurus doesn’t accept your car.
Pick CarMax if you need same-day payment or prefer handling everything in person at a store.
Article Update History
New quotes from all three, ratings from Trustpilot and Google, and CarMax's home pickup added.
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