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: CarGurus gives you two offers at once and lets you sell 100% online with free home pickup. However, dealer offers often come in lower than the initial estimate, and not all cars get offers.
CarMax has over 250 stores nationwide and now offers at-home pickup in most areas. However, they only pay by check, and your bank may hold it for 5 to 10 business days.
We tested both with three vehicles in January 2026. CarGurus offered $6,100 more for the Ford F-150 and $3,300 more for the RAV4. But CarGurus gave no offers for the Tesla Model 3, while CarMax offered $11,400.
The choice comes down to your car. CarGurus tends to offer more for trucks and SUVs when it accepts your vehicle. CarMax accepts a wider range of cars but typically offers less.
Neither service works well for high-mileage vehicles, branded titles, or cars with major damage.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
Compare Instant Offers
CarGurus vs. CarMax Offers
We requested quotes from both companies for several vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
| Vehicle |
|
|
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | No offers | $11,400 | CarMax |
| 2022 Ford F-150 XL | $24,500 | $18,400 | CarGurus +$6,100 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE | $25,700 | $22,400 | CarGurus +$3,300 |
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 73k miles and clean title:
2022 Ford F-150 XL with 72.5k miles and clean title:
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE with 61.5k miles and clean title:
CarGurus vs. CarMax: Detailed Comparison
Both services give you 7 days to accept their offer. CarGurus adds a 250-mile cap, so if you drive more than 250 miles before accepting, you’ll need a new quote. CarMax’s offer is based on their in-person inspection, so the 7-day clock starts after you visit a store. Make sure you have your paperwork ready before getting quotes from either service.
CarGurus lets you choose between selling 100% online with home pickup or driving to a local dealer. CarMax used to require in-store visits, but they launched at-home pickup in most markets starting November 2025. CarMax also has an express drop-off option that can finish in under 30 minutes.
In our tests, CarGurus offered $6,100 more for the Ford F-150 ($24,500 versus $18,400) and $3,300 more for the RAV4 ($25,700 versus $22,400). But CarGurus gave no offers at all for the Tesla Model 3, while CarMax offered $11,400. The pattern: CarGurus offered more when it accepted a vehicle, but CarMax accepted a wider range of cars.
Here are the key process differences between the two services:
- CarGurus shows two offers at once (one from CarGurus, one from a local dealer). CarMax gives you one offer after inspection.
- CarGurus pays by bank transfer (1 to 3 days) or check at pickup. CarMax only pays by check with 5 to 10 day bank holds.
- CarGurus dealers have star ratings on the platform. CarMax service quality varies by location.
- CarMax gives a free Lyft ride home within 60 miles. CarGurus picks up from your home, so no ride is needed.
CarGurus does a self-inspection for online sales, where you answer questions about your car’s condition. CarMax runs a full 30 to 45 minute inspection at the store. Both inspections can result in the final offer changing from the online quote.
Neither service charges fees to get a quote or sell your car. Both handle loan payoffs, though CarMax can take up to 18 days to process them. If your car has mechanical problems or damage, check other online car buyers that work with those vehicles.
CarGurus vs. CarMax: Feature Comparison
Where to Sell Your Car
If you’re selling a truck or SUV in good condition, CarGurus offered more in our tests. They offered $6,100 more for the Ford F-150 and $3,300 more for the RAV4. The bank transfer option also gets your money faster than CarMax’s check.
CarMax makes more sense for EVs, newer sedans, or if you prefer doing everything in person. They accepted the Tesla Model 3 at $11,400 when CarGurus had no offers. Their new Offer Watch tool also lets you track your car’s value over time to pick the best moment to sell.
Your car’s condition matters here. Both services turn down vehicles with branded titles or major damage. If your car has serious problems, specialized buyers focus on those vehicles. Check how to sell a car with mechanical problems for more options.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Selling a truck or SUV in good condition |
|
Offered $6,100 more for F-150 and $3,300 more for RAV4 in our tests |
| Want to sell from home without visiting a store |
|
100% online option with free home pickup |
| Need your money within 1 to 3 days |
|
Bank transfer clears in 1 to 3 days versus 5 to 10 day check holds |
| Selling an electric vehicle |
|
Offered $11,400 for Tesla Model 3 when CarGurus had no offers |
| Prefer handling everything in person |
|
Over 250 stores with same-day check and free Lyft ride home |
| Want to track your car’s value before selling |
|
Offer Watch tool sends monthly value updates |
| Want to compare multiple offers in one place |
|
Shows two offers at once: CarGurus and a local dealer |
| Car has branded title, major damage, or very high mileage | Neither | Both services turn down these vehicles. Try specialized junk car buyers instead. |
Best Alternatives
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 compare more options? Use our free tool to see who offers the most for your car:
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Which offers more, CarGurus or CarMax?
In our January 2026 tests, CarGurus offered more for the Ford F-150 ($24,500 versus $18,400) and the RAV4 ($25,700 versus $22,400). That’s $6,100 and $3,300 more than CarMax.
But CarGurus doesn’t make offers for every car. The Tesla Model 3 got no offers from CarGurus, while CarMax offered $11,400. If your car is a truck or SUV in good shape, CarGurus will likely offer more.
For EVs or vehicles CarGurus rejects, CarMax may be your better option.
How long do CarGurus and CarMax quotes last?
Both offers last 7 days. CarGurus also has a 250-mile limit, so your offer expires if you drive more than 250 miles before accepting.
CarMax’s 7-day window starts after their in-person inspection. You can use that time to get quotes from other buyers before deciding.
Which has better reviews, CarGurus or CarMax?
CarGurus has 2.8 stars on Google from 107 reviews, and 3.6 stars on Trustpilot from 1,163 reviews.
The most common complaint is that dealer offers come in lower than the online estimate.
CarMax has 1.9 stars on Trustpilot from 559 reviews. Google ratings vary by location, usually 4+ stars.
Reviewers mention payment delays from check holds and in-store offers that differ from online quotes.
Do CarGurus and CarMax change offers after inspection?
Both services may adjust the final offer based on inspection. CarGurus’ online quotes are recommendations, not locked-in prices. When dealers inspect your car in person, the offer may change.
CarMax runs a 30 to 45 minute inspection at the store. Reviewers on Trustpilot mention that in-store offers sometimes differ from the online quote.
Be honest about your car’s condition when getting quotes to keep surprises to a minimum.
Which is faster, CarGurus or CarMax?
It depends on what “faster” means to you. CarMax can complete the sale in one visit, sometimes in under 30 minutes with express drop-off.
But you won’t have full access to the money for 5 to 10 business days because of check holds.
CarGurus’ bank transfer option gives you usable money in 1 to 3 business days. If you need access to your funds quickly, CarGurus is the faster choice.
How do CarGurus and CarMax pay you?
CarGurus offers bank transfers that clear in 1 to 3 business days for online sales. If you sell through a dealer on their platform, payment depends on the dealer.
CarMax pays by company check only. You’ll need to deposit it at your bank. Most banks hold CarMax checks for 5 to 10 business days before you can use the full amount.
What if I still owe money on my car?
Both companies buy financed cars. CarGurus pays off your lender directly and sends you the difference if the offer is higher than the loan balance.
CarMax handles loan payoffs too, but the process can take up to 18 days. Keep making payments until the loan shows as paid off to protect your credit.
If you owe more than the offer, you’ll need to cover the difference yourself.
Learn more: Selling a Car to Online Buyers: The Paperwork Checklist
Article Update History
We tested three vehicles: a 2018 Tesla Model 3, a 2022 Ford F-150 XL, and a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE. Customer ratings were pulled from Trustpilot, Google, and BBB. A few things have changed since our last update: CarMax rolled out at-home pickup in most markets back in November 2025 and added a new Offer Watch tool that lets you track your car's value over time.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.