Published: March 5, 2025
Last Updated: June 17, 2025
The bottom line: CarBrain buys damaged and broken-down cars that other buyers might not want.
They’ve been in business since 2007 and have bought nearly a million cars. If your car is wrecked, doesn’t run well, or has other problems, CarBrain makes it easy to sell it quickly and get money fast.
What We Like
- Fast online quotes
- Free towing nationwide
- Easy to reach by text, email, or phone
- No sales pressure
- Payment before they take your car
What You Should Know
- You must have a title in your name
- They might not buy cars missing engines or transmissions
- Some paperwork is required (ID, title)
- Offers depend on your car’s condition and value
- Photos help you get a better offer
Ready to Sell Your Car?
Skip the hassle of selling your car. CarBrain gives you a fast online offer and picks it up for free.
How CarBrain Works?
1. Fill the Quote
Fill out a simple form on their website with your car’s details. They ask for the year, make, model, condition, and your car’s VIN (the long number on your dashboard or door).
For many cars, you’ll get a price right away. If not, they’ll call you shortly with an offer.
If you don’t have all your car’s information handy, you can enter what you know and come back later to finish – they save your information, so you don’t have to start over.
| No | Steps |
|---|---|
| Step1 | Click “get an offer” |
| Step2 | Enter zip code |
| Step3 | Select to enter VIN or make and model |
| Step4 | Enter car details |
| Step5 | Enter title details |
| Step6 | Enter mileage |
| Step7 | Enter vehicle condition |
| Step8 | Get an offer |
| Step9 | Offer your price |
Click to see a step-by-step quote process with screenshots
Step1: Click “get an offer“
Step2: Enter zip code
Step3: Select to enter VIN or make and model
Step4: Enter car details
Step5: Enter title details
Step6: Enter mileage
Step7: Enter vehicle condition
Step8: Get an offer
Step9: Offer your price
2. Send Some Pictures
Taking pictures of your car helps you get the best price. You can upload them during the offer process. Take clear photos of the front, sides, back, inside, the VIN, and any damage.
Better pictures mean a more accurate offer, since CarBrain can see exactly what condition your car is in.
Tip: Having good lighting when taking pictures can significantly affect how well CarBrain can assess your car.
3. Accept Their Offer
When you’re happy with their offer, you can accept it. CarBrain will then verify that you own the car by asking for a copy of your title and driver’s license (you can cross out your license number and birth date for privacy).
They’ll send you a purchase agreement that spells out the terms of the sale, protecting both sides.
4. Get Your Car Picked Up and Get Paid
The final step is remarkably hassle-free. CarBrain arranges to pick up your car, typically within 24-48 hours of accepting their offer.
When the tow truck arrives, you’ll hand over the signed title and keys, and they’ll give you your payment right then and there – before your car leaves your property.
The driver will do a quick check to confirm the car matches what you described, and that’s it. You’ve successfully sold your car without the typical headaches.
How Much Can You Get?
One of the most common questions sellers have is about CarBrain offers. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, CarBrain looks at several key factors when making an offer.
They consider your car’s make, model, year, mileage, location, and the extent of any damage or mechanical issues. They also factor in current market demand for your vehicle and its parts.
It makes sense that a newer car with minor issues will fetch more than an older vehicle that doesn’t run at all. Unlike standard cars, there are no established “book values” for damaged vehicles.
This is where CarBrain’s almost two decades of experience becomes valuable – they’ve developed a custom pricing engine that uses current market data to calculate fair offers for cars that other buyers might not want.
Here are some quotes we received from CarBrain:
2014 Nissan Sentra with 96k milage and salvage title: $270
2003 Buick Regal LS with 214k mileage and clean title: $190
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 40k mileage and a clean title: up to $8875
Most recent CarBrain offers:
| Vehicle | Mileage | Condition | Offer Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Lexus RX 330 | 316,000 | Mechanical Damage: Engine – It starts, but is NOT good for daily use | $1,135.00 |
| 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport | 122,000 | Mechanical Damage: Transmission – It starts, but is NOT good for daily use | $1,125.00 |
| 2014 Toyota Camry | 197,000 | Mechanical Damage: Other, Collision Damage: Driver Side | $1,850.00 |
| 2008 Ford Econoline | 175,000 | Mechanical Damage: Engine – It starts, but is NOT good for daily use | $1,305.00 |
| 2008 BMW X5 | 200,000 | Mechanical Damage: Engine – It does NOT start | $1,375.00 |
| 2004 Toyota RAV4 | 160,000 | Collision Damage: Passenger Side – It starts and drives | $950.00 |
| 2008 Lincoln MKX | 58,000 | Mechanical Damage: Engine – It does NOT start | $1,500.00 |
| 2001 Toyota Highlander | 152,000 | It starts and drives | $850.00 |
What Other Sellers Say?
| Platform | CarBrain Rating | Main Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.8 out of 5 stars | Great customer service |
| Google Reviews | 4.9 out of 5 stars | Professional and on time car pickup |
| Reddit Reviews | Mixed | Some sellers received less than promised after the inspection |
| BBB | A+ | Very fast process |
Trustpilot
Google Reviews
BBB
What CarBrain Does Best?
CarBrain really stands out when it comes to buying cars that aren’t in perfect shape. They’ve been doing this since 2007, so they know what they’re doing.
What makes them different is they handle everything for you – from giving you a quick quote to picking up your car for free.
They pay you before they take your car, so you never have to worry about not getting your money. CarBrain works everywhere in the continental US, so you can use their service anywhere you live.
Their custom pricing engine helps ensure you get a competitive offer based on your car’s actual condition. Unlike some buyers who only want perfect cars,
CarBrain specializes in vehicles with problems, making them a good option when other buyers say no.
What Could Be Better?
No service is perfect, and CarBrain has a few areas to improve. Some customers have reported issues with the photo upload system, mainly when using certain browsers like Firefox.
The paperwork requirements could be explained more clearly upfront, avoiding surprises later in the process. Their emails tend to be wordy, which some customers find hard to follow.
Website terminology like what constitutes “driveable” could be defined more precisely to help customers understand exactly what information CarBrain needs.
It’s also worth noting that CarBrain generally won’t buy cars that are missing major components like engines or transmissions.
This limitation makes sense from their perspective but might disappoint some potential sellers with heavily stripped vehicles.
Who Should Use CarBrain?
CarBrain is an excellent option for several types of car sellers. If your vehicle was damaged in an accident, has persistent mechanical or electrical problems, or simply doesn’t run reliably anymore,
CarBrain offers a straightforward solution. They’re particularly valuable for people who’ve received an insurance payout for damages and don’t want to invest in repairs.
Busy professionals will appreciate the time-saving convenience of CarBrain’s free pickup service, eliminating the need for multiple meetings with potential buyers or dealership trips.
Those with non-running vehicles also benefit from not having to figure out how to transport their car to a buyer.
In short, car owners facing repair bills that exceed their vehicle’s value find particular value in CarBrain’s service.
How CarBrain Compares to Others?
| Company | What’s Good | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| CarBrain | Buys damaged cars, free towing | Lower offers for newer cars |
| Regular Car Dealers | Might take your car as trade-in | Usually offer less for damaged cars |
| Junk Yards | Will take very old or damaged cars | Usually pay very little |
| Private Sale | Might get more money | Hard to find buyers for damaged cars |
Here are CarBrain’s top competitors in the car buying industry:
Best for Older Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
Free pickup as soon as today
Get paid on the spot
Best for Junk Cars
Sell your car in 30 minutes
Easy-to-use
Buys non-running cars
Best for Damaged Cars
Copart company
Nationwide service
Pays Cash
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I get an offer for my car?
Most cars get an instant offer online. If not, CarBrain will call you very soon after you submit your information. Their team works quickly to evaluate vehicles and provide quotes, often within the same day.
If you prefer, you can also call them directly for an immediate offer over the phone.
How quickly can they pick up my car?
Usually, within 24-48 hours of accepting their offer, CarBrain works with a nationwide network of partners to provide quick pickup service. Their scheduling system is flexible enough to accommodate your availability in most cases.
Does CarBrain charge any fees?
No. Their service is entirely free, and they pay for towing. There are no hidden charges or surprise deductions from your payment amount. What they offer is what you get, with no additional costs.
What paperwork do I need to sell my car?
You need the title in your name and a valid ID. CarBrain can help you through the process if your car still has a loan. Each state has different requirements for signing titles, but CarBrain’s website provides specific guidance for your state.
Can I sell a car that doesn’t run?
Yes. CarBrain specializes in buying cars with mechanical problems, including ones that don’t run. They have the equipment and expertise to transport non-running vehicles safely, saving you the hassle and expense of trying to fix them or finding a specialized buyer.
What if my car was in an accident?
CarBrain is perfect for this situation. They buy cars “as-is” with damage from accidents. Often, selling to them is better than paying for expensive repairs.
Even after repairs, previously damaged cars can lose up to 30% of their value when you try to sell them later.
Does CarBrain work with insurance companies?
Yes. If you’ve had an accident, you can get your insurance payout for damages and then sell the car to CarBrain. This way, you get two payments – one from insurance and one from CarBrain.
Many customers find that combining these payments gives them more money toward a replacement vehicle than fixing their damaged car would. CarBrain recommends contacting them before starting any repairs.
How am I paid for my car?
CarBrain mostly pays by cash when they pick up your car, or they can mail payment if you prefer. The payment is made before they take possession of your vehicle, so you’re never left wondering when you’ll get paid.
Their process ensures that the financial transaction is completed securely and on the spot.
Can I sell a car without a title?
No. CarBrain requires a title in your name to buy your car. If you’ve lost your title, you’ll need to get a replacement from your state’s DMV before selling to CarBrain.
The title is essential legal proof that you own the vehicle and have the right to sell it.
Does CarBrain buy leased cars?
If your car is leased or has a loan, you’ll need to pay it off or transfer it. CarBrain can help guide you through this process.
They have experience working with various lenders and can advise you on the best approach for your specific situation. Getting the lien removed is a necessary step before completing the sale.
Do I need to clean my car before selling it?
No, just remove your personal belongings. CarBrain buys cars “as-is,” so there’s no need to spend time or money cleaning it.
This is another convenience factor that saves you effort compared to preparing a car for private sale or trade-in.
Does CarBrain buy cars with missing parts?
They won’t buy most cars that are missing major parts like engines or transmissions. However, they do accept cars missing non-essential parts like bumpers, headlights, or radios.
If you’re unsure whether your car qualifies, it’s worth asking them. Many customers are surprised that their cars still have value despite missing some components.
How do I know I’m getting a fair price?
CarBrain has over 15 years of experience buying damaged cars. They look at your car’s condition, make, model, age, and current market value to offer a fair price.
Their pricing technology uses up-to-date market data to create competitive offers. You can always get offers from multiple buyers to compare, but CarBrain prides itself on making strong initial offers.
Where does CarBrain operate?
They buy cars throughout the continental United States. Their headquarters are in Miami Lakes, Florida, but they have an extensive network of partners nationwide.
