The bottom line: CarGurus doesn’t buy cars directly: it sends you to a dealer that does, while Wheelzy takes cars in any condition, as long as the engine and transmission are in them, and tows them away for free.
In our latest test, a CarGurus dealer estimated $24,500 for a 2022 Ford F-150 XL, a figure the dealer can lower once it sees the truck, while Wheelzy didn’t provide an online offer.
For a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer that doesn’t run, Wheelzy offered $362, while CarGurus didn’t provide an online offer. Neither provided one for a 2018 Tesla Model 3.
So a newer car in good condition goes to a CarGurus dealer first, and a high-mileage, damaged or non-running one to Wheelzy.
If neither gives you a figure, or you want more offers to compare, Sell Car Advisor’s comparison form gets you several instant offers at once. Show Wheelzy any higher offer you get: some sellers say it matched theirs, though it publishes no match policy.
Key Takeaways
- Still owe money on it: A CarGurus dealer guides you through settling the loan as part of its purchase, while Wheelzy buys only once the lien is released, so for Wheelzy, pay the loan off and have the release in hand before pickup, or sell to one of the buyers that pay off the loan for you.
- Without a title: You can replace a lost title through your state, and the state also decides whether the car can be sold without it, so check the rule where you live before you accept Wheelzy’s offer or drive to a dealer.
- Watch out for: Tell Wheelzy if the catalytic converter is missing or replaced, and describe the car exactly to CarGurus, since Wheelzy’s driver and the dealer both check the car before paying.
- Ratings: BBB grades CarGurus A+ and Wheelzy A-; on Trustpilot, CarGurus rates 3.3 from 1,191 reviews, mostly by car buyers, and Wheelzy, which invites its sellers to review it, 4.7 from 85,842 reviews; on Google, CarGurus rates 2.8 from 108 reviews, recent ones mostly by dealers and car buyers, and Wheelzy 4.8 from 28,155 reviews.
- What CarGurus sellers report: Some sellers liked getting several CarGurus dealer estimates at once, but were offered less on arrival, so compare the dealer’s final figure, not the estimate, with any other offer you have.
- What Wheelzy sellers report: Some sellers were paid exactly Wheelzy’s quote, but if its driver offers less, you can say no before the car is loaded, as its terms allow.
- How you’re paid: Wheelzy’s driver pays by cash or check at pickup, and you can ask for cash, while a CarGurus dealer pays by check or electronic transfer, with each dealer’s timeline varying.
- How fast you can sell: Wheelzy picks up the car within 48 hours after you accept, sometimes the same day, while a CarGurus sale takes one trip to the dealer you choose.
Compare Instant Offers
Where to Sell Your Car?
- Newer car in good condition with clean titleCarGurus offered $24,500 for a 2022 Ford F-150. Multiple dealers compete on price for qualifying vehicles.
- Want to compare multiple dealer offers at onceCarGurus pulls from thousands of dealers. You see multiple offers and choose the best one if your car qualifies.
- Still owe money on the carThe dealer you sell to through CarGurus settles the loan. With Wheelzy, you need to coordinate with your lender yourself.
Better option when you- Car doesn’t run or has major mechanical problemsA car that doesn’t drive may get no CarGurus offer. Wheelzy buys cars with blown engines and bad transmissions.
- Need to sell within 24 hoursWheelzy picks up within 48 hours after you accept, sometimes the same day, with payment on the spot. CarGurus has no pickup; you’d drive the car to a dealer.
- Have a salvage or branded titleCarGurus doesn’t buy cars itself, and a branded title can stop its dealers’ offers. Wheelzy accepts them as long as the engine and transmission are present.
Neither, for a pre-1981 vehicle or if you want top dollar through a private sale. Wheelzy won’t buy pre-1981 cars, and CarGurus may make no offer on an old one. Both offer less than private sales. Selling on your own gets the most money but takes more time and effort. For a pre-1981 car, see the best places to sell an old car.
Wheelzy buys cars in any condition, running or not
- Buys cars without keys
- Buys cars missing parts, engine and transmission in
- Pays cash or check at pickup
- Quote often needs a phone call
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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% 5/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 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
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Process ease 20% 3/5
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Offer validity 15% 3/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
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Payment speed 15% 4/5
Automated assistant: general info, not legal advice
Answers come from our state paperwork data and published guides. Confirm anything binding with your state DMV.
CarGurus vs. Wheelzy: Detailed Comparison
Note: CarGurus stopped allowing private party listings in June 2024.
CarGurus vs. Wheelzy Offers
We requested quotes from both companies for two vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
2022 Ford F-150 XL with 72k miles and clean title CarGurus
Call requiredSee both offer screenshots
2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS with 257k miles, doesn’t drive, exterior damage Wheelzy
$362See both offer screenshots
How each offer can change
- CarGurus: there’s no self-inspection or online sale: the dealer checks the car in person when you bring it in, and the dealer sets the final price at the dealership.
- Wheelzy: its tow driver does a quick check on arrival. If the catalytic converter is missing or aftermarket, or the car differs from what you described, Wheelzy can lower the offer, and you can say no.
Alternatives to Sell a Car
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Offer amount 35% 5/5
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Process ease 20% 5/5
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Offer validity 15% 4/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
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Payment speed 15% 4/5
- Get a real offer in 2 minutes, with no listing
- No haggling: its best offer comes upfront
- Suits a car under 10 years old in good condition
- Pays off your loan when it buys the 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
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
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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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Offer amount 30% 4.5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 15% 2/5
- Owned by Copart, the salvage auction company
- Buys almost any vehicle with a motor, running or not
- Free towing, and it handles the title transfer
- Hands you a check at pickup, or mails it
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
Does CarGurus or Wheelzy offer more money?
It depends on your car. In our 2026 tests, CarGurus offered $24,500 for a clean-title 2022 Ford F-150 XL. Wheelzy didn’t give an instant quote for the same truck and asked for a phone call instead.
For a non-running 2007 Trailblazer with 257,000 miles, Wheelzy offered $362 while CarGurus had no offers at all.
CarGurus offers more when your car qualifies, but Wheelzy will make offers on vehicles CarGurus won’t even look at.
How fast can I sell through CarGurus or Wheelzy?
Wheelzy can be faster. It picks up within 48 hours after you accept, sometimes the same day, and you get cash or a check right there when the tow driver arrives.
With CarGurus, you’ll need to drive the car to the dealer, and each dealer’s payment timeline varies.
What if CarGurus doesn’t make an offer on my car?
This happened with the Trailblazer in our tests. If CarGurus shows “no offers found,” try Wheelzy or another junk car buyer. Wheelzy offered $362 on the same vehicle CarGurus rejected.
CarGurus is more likely to reject your car if it has high mileage, a salvage title, major damage, or if it doesn’t run. If any of those apply, start with Wheelzy instead to save time.
Can I negotiate with CarGurus or Wheelzy?
Wheelzy is open to negotiation. If you have a quote from another buyer, share it with Wheelzy: it has no published match policy, but in our test it matched a higher quote. Their team expects some back and forth.
Every CarGurus offer comes from a local dealer, so any room to negotiate depends on that dealer.
Do CarGurus or Wheelzy change the offer at pickup?
CarGurus offers come from local dealers, and the dealer can change the price after an in-person look, or for market changes, even inside the 7 days or 250 extra miles.
Some sellers report the final price dropping at the dealer.
Wheelzy calls its offer guaranteed, but its terms make it subject to the tow driver’s check when they arrive. If the catalytic converter is missing or aftermarket, the price can drop, and you can turn it down before the car is loaded.
What documents do I need to sell to CarGurus or Wheelzy?
Both services need your car title signed over at the time of sale. CarGurus also requires a valid ID and may ask for additional paperwork depending on your state.
Wheelzy helps with paperwork and in some cases can work with you if you have title issues.
What if I still owe money on my car?
On CarGurus, the buying dealer handles the paperwork with your lender as part of the sale. This is one area where CarGurus is clearly easier.
Wheelzy needs you to coordinate with your lender before the sale. You’ll need to figure out the payoff process yourself, which takes extra time and effort.
Which service has better customer reviews, CarGurus or Wheelzy?
CarGurus has 3.3 stars on Trustpilot from 1,191 reviews and 2.8 stars on Google from 108 reviews.
Their BBB rating is A+. Sellers’ most common complaint is that dealer offers end up lower than the online estimate.
Wheelzy has 4.7 stars on Trustpilot from 85,842 reviews and 4.8 stars on Google from 28,155 reviews.
Their BBB rating is A- with accreditation. Some sellers mention low initial offers and wide pickup windows as downsides.
Should I use CarGurus or Wheelzy to sell my car?
Start with CarGurus if your car is newer, has a clean title, and runs well. They offered $24,500 for a 2022 Ford F-150 in our tests. Their dealer network can get strong prices for popular vehicles.
Start with Wheelzy if your car has any problems: high mileage, damage, salvage title, or mechanical issues.
They offered $362 for a non-running Trailblazer that CarGurus rejected. And if you don’t like the first offer, you can negotiate.
Article Update History
New quotes from both, with ratings from Trustpilot and Google and each company's BBB status.
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