I want to take the guesswork out of selling your car. I analyze market data, decode DMV title laws, and test out online car buyers to give you a straight answer on whether it's worth holding out for a higher price or if you're better off taking the most convenient offer and moving on.
Published:Jul 10, 2025
Last Updated:Oct 7, 2026
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The bottom line: Cars & Bids beats Carvana for a car enthusiasts want, such as a sports car, a modified build, a rare model or a classic. Buyers bid against each other, which can push the price up.
It turns most cars away, though, and you need to be patient.
Carvana is the better fit for an everyday commuter car you want sold within a week. You get a fixed offer online and skip the listing work.
Neither is built for junk cars or cars with a salvage title.
Compare offers from several buyers with Sell Car Advisor before you decide.
Key Takeaways
Enthusiast cars: Cars & Bids auctions enthusiast cars, where competing bids can push the price up, but it turns away cars that are too ordinary.
Everyday cars: Carvana gives you a fixed offer and finishes the sale in about 3 to 10 days on average (the same day in some locations), against 2 to 3 weeks for a Cars & Bids auction.
Same day in some places, about 3 to 10 days on average
2 to 3 weeks total
Seller Fees
Pickup fee by location, shown when you book ($0 to $600 in our test offers); free drop-off
No listing fee for sellers (buyers pay 5%); optional photo shoot $199 to $329
Payment Method
Check at pickup or bank transfer (2 to 5 days)
SafePay escrow system ($198 fee, buyer pays unless you split it)
Acceptance Rate
Accepts most running vehicles
Selective, enthusiast cars only
Cars with Loans
Yes, handles payoff directly
Yes, SafePay handles loan payoffs
Won’t Buy
Non-running cars; built for good-condition cars under 10 years old, not flood or frame damage
Ordinary commuter cars, non-enthusiast vehicles
Trustpilot Rating
4.1/5 stars (16,239 reviews)
4.2/5 stars (459 reviews)
Google Rating
Varies by location
4.4/5 stars (1,022 reviews)
BBB Status
A+ rating (not accredited)
Not BBB accredited
Main Drawback
A pickup fee in some areas, and offers may change after inspection
Strict approval, winning bidders can back out
Carvana vs. Cars & Bids: Detailed Comparison
Carvana gives you an instant quote that lasts 7 days. You enter your car’s details online, get a number in about 2 minutes, and schedule a pickup or drop-off at a vending machine. Carvana puts the whole sale at about 3 to 10 days on average, and in some locations it can buy the car the same day.
Cars & Bids works completely differently. You submit your car for approval, and Cars & Bids aims to answer within one business day. If accepted, you work with their team on photos and a listing, then run a 7-day auction starting at $0. The total process runs 2 to 3 weeks.
The payment methods also differ. Carvana handles everything at pickup with a check or bank transfer that arrives in 2 to 5 days. Cars & Bids uses SafePay, an escrow system that protects both buyer and seller during the transaction. SafePay costs the buyer $198 unless you agree to split it, plus $99 if there’s a loan, but handles title transfer and even loan payoffs.
One big difference is who decides the price. Carvana’s algorithm sets a fixed offer. Cars & Bids lets buyers compete, which can push prices higher for desirable cars. However, a winning bidder can still fail to pay, and you have no right to the fee that bidder forfeits.
Cars & Bids lists enthusiast cars, with a focus on the 1980s and newer. Carvana takes any car newer than 1992 that it can drive safely, so a classic from 1992 or earlier is outside its rules.
Alternatives to Sell a Car
4.8
Scored against junk car buyers only
CategoryScore
Offer amount30%5/5
Quote speed20%5/5
Pickup speed20%4/5
Vehicle acceptance15%5/5
Process ease15%5/5
Scores compare companies within one segment, never across. How we score
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Frequently Asked Questions
What fees do Carvana and Cars & Bids charge sellers?
Cars & Bids charges sellers no listing fee, though its optional photo shoot costs $199 to $329. You keep 100% of the winning bid. Buyers pay a 5% fee ranging from $250 to $7,500.
Carvana charges for pickup by location, and you see the fee when you book; our test offers ranged from $0 to $600. You can avoid the fee by dropping off at a vending machine near you instead.
How long does each selling process take?
Carvana averages about 3 to 10 days from offer to sale, and in some locations it buys the car on the day of the offer. Cars & Bids takes 2 to 3 weeks total. That includes Cars & Bids’ answer on your submission, which it aims to give within one business day, time to prepare photos and the listing, then a 7-day auction.
Which service offers more money for cars?
It depends on your car. Cars & Bids can get you more for enthusiast vehicles because buyers compete in auctions.
For regular commuter cars, Carvana offers market-rate pricing with the trade-off being convenience over maximum dollars. Average sale prices on Cars & Bids run around $22,000 to $27,000.
What if my car doesn’t sell on Cars & Bids?
If bidding doesn’t meet your reserve price, the car doesn’t sell. The catch is you must wait one full year before listing that same car on Cars & Bids again.
About 80% of accepted cars do sell, but remember that not every car is accepted.
Can Carvana change their offer after giving a quote?
Yes. Their online quote is good for 7 days, but the final offer may change after inspecting your car. If they find issues you didn’t mention online, they’ll adjust the price.
You can walk away if you don’t like the new number.
What cars does each service accept?
Cars & Bids wants enthusiast vehicles from the 1980s and newer, including sports cars, modified builds, rare trucks and special editions.
They turn down cars that are too ordinary. Carvana accepts a car newer than 1992 with a working odometer, as long as it can be driven safely.
How do Carvana and Cars & Bids handle cars with loans?
Both services handle loan payoffs. Carvana works directly with your lender at pickup. Cars & Bids uses their SafePay system to manage the payoff during the title transfer.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to cover the difference.
Which has better customer reviews?
Carvana has 4.1 stars on Trustpilot from 16,239 reviews.
Cars & Bids has 4.2 stars on Trustpilot from 459 reviews and 4.4 stars on Google from 1,022 reviews.
With Carvana, book the appointment inside the 7-day offer window: sellers’ complaints describe offers that came back lower once it ran out, and pickups that were moved.
Sellers’ complaints about Cars & Bids include being asked to lower or drop their reserve, paying for a photo shoot, and a winning bidder who never paid.
Article Update History
Updated
Ratings from Trustpilot and Google and BBB status checked, and Cars & Bids' move into older classic cars added.
Everyday cars: Carvana gives you a fixed offer and finishes the sale in about 3 to 10 days on average (the same day in some locations), against 2 to 3 weeks for a Cars & Bids auction.
