SellCarAdvisor is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. How We Work.
The bottom line: Algo is a car buying service that lets you sell your vehicle without leaving your home. They do everything remotely, from a quick video call to check your car’s condition to free pickup at your door.
The whole thing usually takes 3 to 5 business days. You’ll get a company check from PNC Bank when they pick up your car. Keep in mind there’s a $125 fee taken from your payment, plus another $25 if you have a loan or lease on the vehicle.
Algo works in all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska. One thing that makes people nervous is that you have to mail your title before they schedule pickup.
Their online quotes are just estimates that can change after inspection. Some people report getting less than expected, while others say Algo beat offers from local dealerships.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
What We Like
- Everything happens at your home, so you never have to drive anywhere
- Virtual inspections only take 10 to 20 minutes over video call
- They handle all the loan payoff paperwork for you
- Available in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii
- They sometimes match competitor offers if you ask
- If you have equity in a leased car, they’ll cut you a check for the difference
- You can do the inspection by phone or chat if you don’t want video
- Pickup drivers are usually on time and professional according to reviews
- They provide a prepaid shipping label for mailing your title
What You Should Know
- The online estimate can change after they inspect your car
- You have to mail your title before they’ll schedule pickup, which feels risky to some sellers
- They charge a $125 admin fee plus $25 extra if you have a loan or lease
- Payment is by check only, so you’ll wait 1 to 5 days for it to clear your bank
- Offers expire after just 24 hours, giving you less time to decide than Carvana or CarMax
- No direct deposit or instant payment option available
- Some customers report drops between the online estimate and final offer
Compare Instant Offers
How to Sell a Car to Algo?
1. Get Your Online Estimate
Go to Algo’s website and enter your car’s VIN or license plate number. You’ll also need to put in your mileage and answer some questions about your car’s condition.
This takes just a few minutes and you’ll get an estimate right away. Remember, this number is just an estimate and it’s only good for 24 hours.
Step1
Step2
Step3
Enter VIN and mileage or plate and mileage
Provide contact information
Get estimated value
2. Do the Virtual Inspection
Algo will contact you to check your car’s condition. You can do this a few ways: a video call where you walk around your car, a regular phone call, or sometimes just a chat.
The video call usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. You’ll show them different parts of your car so they can see what shape it’s really in.
3. Get Your Final Offer
After the inspection, Algo gives you their real offer. This amount might be different from your online estimate based on what they saw during the video call.
Algo says their offers are take it or leave it. But some customers say they’ve gotten Algo to match offers from places like Carvana when they asked.
Tip: Get quotes from Carvana and CarMax first. If their offers are higher, mention it to Algo during your call. Some sellers have gotten Algo to match or beat competitor prices.
4. Sign Paperwork and Mail Your Title
If you accept the offer, you sign the sales documents online. Then comes the part that makes some people uncomfortable: you have to mail your title to Algo before they’ll schedule pickup.
They send you a prepaid shipping label so mailing is free. This is different from most competitors who take the title when they pick up your car.
Heads up: Mailing your title first can feel risky. Algo has a good track record, but if this makes you too nervous, you might prefer a service that takes the title at pickup instead.
5. Get Pickup and Payment
Once Algo gets your title, they schedule a pickup at a time that works for you. The whole process from start to finish usually takes 3 to 5 business days, though some people finish faster.
At pickup, you get a company check from PNC Bank for the agreed amount minus the fees. The pickup itself takes less than 30 minutes.
How Much Money Can You Get?
What Algo pays depends on your car’s condition, history, and the current market. Many sellers say Algo offered more than local dealerships, though some report the final offer was lower than the online estimate.
One thing to know: Algo takes a $125 admin fee from your payment. If your car has a loan or lease, that’s another $25. So if they offer $10,000, you’d actually get $9,875 (or $9,850 with a loan).
Recent Algo Offers
Here are the quotes we received in 2026:
2026
2025
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 77k miles: $12,100 – $14,200
2022 Ford F-150 with 77k miles: $19,200 – $23,200
2021 Toyota RAV4 with 61k miles: $22,000 – $24,700
2023 Ford F-150 with 37k mileage and clean title: $37,500 to $43,700 offer
2022 Chevrolet Bolt with 36k mileage and clean title: $18,800 to $21,500 offer
2015 Kia Optima with 100k mileage and salvage title: $3,200 to $5,800 offer
ALGO Reviews – What Other Sellers Say?
| Platform | Algo Rating | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars (2,764 total reviews) | Smooth process, competitive prices, pickup drivers are on time and professional | Some sellers got lower final offers than the online estimate |
| Trustpilot | 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,910 total reviews) | Fast process often done in 24 to 48 hours, helpful customer service | A few complaints about offers dropping right before signing |
| Mostly Positive | Staff knows what they’re talking about, offers often beat dealerships | Can be pushy with texts and calls after getting a quote |
Trustpilot
Reviews
Reviews
Reviews
Expand to see reviews from 2025:
Trustpilot
Reviews
Reviews
Reviews
How Algo Compares to Carvana and CarMax
We got quotes from all three services for the same vehicles to see how they stack up. Here’s what we found:
| Car | Miles | Carvana | CarMax | Algo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 73,000 | $14,200 | $11,400 | $12,100 – $14,200 |
| 2022 Ford F-150 XL | 72,500 | $22,000 | $18,400 | $19,200 – $23,200 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE | 61,505 | $24,600 | $22,400 | $22,000 – $24,700 |
For the Tesla Model 3, Carvana offered $14,200 and was the clear winner with a fixed price. CarMax came in lowest at $11,400. Algo’s range of $12,100 to $14,200 means the top end could match Carvana, but the final offer might end up closer to CarMax.
For the Ford F-150 XL, Algo’s high end of $23,200 actually beat Carvana’s $22,000. CarMax was again the lowest at $18,400. The truck shows Algo’s potential to pay more, but their bottom range of $19,200 is still better than CarMax.
For the Toyota RAV4 Prime SE, Algo’s range topped out at $24,700, which beat Carvana’s $24,600 by $100. But Algo’s low end of $22,000 was actually less than CarMax’s $22,400.
The pattern is clear: Algo can pay more than the others, but you won’t know your final number until after the inspection. If you want a guaranteed price upfront, Carvana gives you that. If you’re willing to go through Algo’s process, you might come out ahead.
Best for Newer Cars
Buys newer, low-mileage cars
Offers pickup or free drop-off
Competitive trade-in value
Best for Used Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
Instant offer and free pickup
Get paid on the spot
Best for Junk Cars
Sell your car in 30 minutes
Easy-to-use
Buys non-running cars
Want to see how your car stacks up across multiple buyers? Use our tool below to compare offers side by side.
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Alternatives: Sites Like ALGO (Algonation)
Common Questions About Selling to Algo
How long does the whole process take?
Usually 3 to 5 business days from getting your quote to having your car picked up. Some people finish in as little as two days. It depends on how fast you mail your title and when pickup is available in your area.
Are Algo’s online quotes guaranteed?
No. The first number you see is just an estimate. It can change after they verify your car’s condition and history.
Once they finish the virtual inspection and give you a firm offer, that price is usually honored if your car matches what they saw.
How will I get paid?
Algo pays by company check from PNC Bank. You get the check when they pick up your car. Depending on your bank, it may take 1 to 5 business days to clear. For very large checks, it could take up to 10 days.
Do I need to clean my car before inspection?
A quick cleanup can help make a good impression during the video call. But you don’t need to detail it. Algo buys cars in any condition.
Can I sell a car that I still owe money on?
Yes. Algo handles cars with loans and will manage the payoff for you. There’s a $25 processing fee for this.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
If the car is worth more than you owe, Algo pays off the loan and gives you the rest.
Do I need to clean my car before inspection?
A quick cleanup can help make a good impression during the video call. But you don’t need to detail it. Algo buys cars in any condition.
Can I sell a car that I still owe money on?
Yes. Algo handles cars with loans and will manage the payoff for you. There’s a $25 processing fee for this.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
If the car is worth more than you owe, Algo pays off the loan and gives you the rest.
What happens during the virtual inspection?
It’s a 10 to 20 minute video call. An Algo rep asks you to show them different parts of your car. They’ll want to see the outside, inside, odometer, and may ask you to start the engine.
What paperwork do I need?
You’ll need your car’s title, a valid ID, and any loan or lease paperwork. Algo handles most documents online.
Can I negotiate with Algo?
Algo says their offers are final. But some customers have gotten them to match or beat competitor offers. It doesn’t hurt to mention quotes you’ve gotten from Carvana or CarMax during your call.
How long is my quote good for?
Just 24 hours. That’s a lot less time than the 7 days you get from CarMax and Carvana. If you need more time to decide, get quotes from those places first.
What fees does Algo charge?
There’s a $125 admin fee taken from your payment. If your car has a loan or lease, add another $25. These come out of what they pay you, so nothing is due upfront.
Why do I have to mail my title before pickup?
Algo wants to check that your title is clear and properly signed before sending someone to get your car. They send you a prepaid shipping label so mailing is free.
This makes some sellers nervous, but Algo has a solid track record of handling transactions properly.
How quickly can I get my money?
You get a check at pickup, but you’ll wait for it to clear. That’s usually 1 to 5 business days at most banks. Algo says very large checks might take up to 10 days.
Where does Algo operate?
All 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Is Algo legitimate?
Yes. Algo is run by Auto Lenders, a large pre-owned dealership group that’s been buying cars since 1990. They have thousands of reviews across Google and Trustpilot, and most are positive
Algo Review
Algo handles the full sale from your home with a quick video inspection and works in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii. Pickup and drop-off is what pulls the score down the most, as you have to mail your title before they schedule pickup, which some sellers find uncomfortable. Offers also expire after just 24 hours.
Product Brand: Algo
3.4
Pros
- Everything happens at home with no driving anywhere
- Virtual inspection takes just 10 to 20 minutes
- Available in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii
- Handles loan and lease payoffs directly
Cons
- You must mail your title before they will schedule pickup
- Charges a $125 admin fee plus $25 extra for loans or leases
- Offers expire after just 24 hours
Article Update History
We got new quotes from Algo for three different cars and compared them to Carvana and CarMax. We also checked the latest reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and Reddit to see what people are saying now. The fees ($125 admin, $25 for loans) and 24-hour quote window are still the same. You still have to mail your title before pickup.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"Algo Reviews" Accessed Jan. 24, 2026
"Algo Reviews" Accessed Jan. 24, 2026
"Algo Sell Car" Accessed Jan. 24, 2026