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The bottom line: Carvana buys your car directly with an instant online quote and home pickup. They work best for newer vehicles under 10 years old with lower miles. The whole process takes 1 to 3 days, but pickup fees can run up to $600 depending on your location.
Cars & Bids runs 7-day online auctions where enthusiast buyers compete for your car. They accept sports cars, modified vehicles, rare models, and now even pre-1981 classics. Sellers pay zero fees, but the process takes 2 to 3 weeks and they reject about 60% of submissions.
These two services are built for completely different cars. Cars & Bids is for cool cars that collectors want. Carvana is for everyday cars where convenience matters more than getting top dollar.
Choose Cars & Bids if you have a special car and can wait for the auction process. Choose Carvana if you have a regular commuter car and want cash within a week. Neither service works well for junk cars, salvage titles, or vehicles with major mechanical problems.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
Cool Car? Cars and Bids. Daily Driver? Carvana.
Cars and Bids charges no seller fees and competitive bidding can push prices higher, but they reject 60% of submissions and take 2 to 3 weeks.
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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. The whole sale usually takes 1 to 3 days from start to finish.
Cars & Bids works completely differently. You submit your car for approval, which takes 1 to 3 business days. 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 $99 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, winning bidders can back out, which is a known issue on the platform.
Cars & Bids now accepts pre-1981 vehicles after expanding their policy in May 2025. This puts them in direct competition with Bring a Trailer for classic car auctions. Carvana still focuses on newer vehicles and prefers cars under 10 years old with lower mileage.
Carvana vs. Cars & Bids: Feature Comparison
Where to Sell Your Car
Cars & Bids makes sense if you have a car that enthusiasts actually want. Think performance models, rare options, tasteful modifications, or special editions. The auction format can push prices 15 to 25% higher than instant buyers for the right vehicles.
Carvana works better for regular commuter cars where convenience matters more than maximum price. You skip the photo sessions, listing work, and waiting for bidders. Just get a quote, schedule pickup, and move on.
If your car doesn’t fit either service, check other online car buyers for more options. For junk or damaged vehicles, services like Peddle or Wheelzy specialize in cars these platforms won’t accept.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Have a rare or modified car |
|
Enthusiast buyers compete and pay premium prices |
| Need money fast (under 1 week) |
|
1 to 3 day process vs 2 to 3 weeks for Cars & Bids |
| Want zero selling fees |
|
No seller fees vs up to $600 pickup fee from Carvana |
| Have a regular commuter car |
|
Cars & Bids rejects 60% of ordinary vehicles |
| Want minimum effort |
|
Basic photos vs 150+ photos and active comment participation |
| Want maximum selling price |
|
Auction competition can push prices higher for special cars |
| Have a classic pre-1981 car |
|
Now accepts classics after May 2025 policy change |
| Junk car, salvage title, or major damage | Neither | Both reject these vehicles. Try Peddle or Wheelzy 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:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What fees do Carvana and Cars & Bids charge sellers?
Cars & Bids charges sellers $0 in fees. You keep 100% of the winning bid. Buyers pay a 5% fee ranging from $250 to $7,500. Carvana charges pickup fees from $0 to $600 depending on your location. You can avoid the fee by dropping off at a vending machine near you instead.
How long does each selling process take?
Carvana completes everything in 1 to 3 days from quote to pickup. Cars & Bids takes 2 to 3 weeks total. That includes 1 to 3 business days for approval, time to prepare photos and 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 they reject 60% of submissions upfront.
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 including sports cars, modified builds, rare trucks, special editions, and now pre-1981 classics. They reject about 60% of submissions because they’re too ordinary. Carvana accepts most running vehicles but prefers newer cars under 10 years old with lower mileage.
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.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car
Which has better customer reviews?
Carvana has 4 stars on Trustpilot from 13,976 reviews. Cars & Bids has 4.4 stars on Trustpilot from 358 reviews and 4.4 stars on Google from 1,001 reviews. Common Carvana complaints mention pickup scheduling issues and offer changes at inspection. Common Cars & Bids complaints mention winning bidders backing out of deals.
Article Update History
We checked customer ratings on Trustpilot and Google, confirmed BBB status, and looked into recent company changes. Cars & Bids started accepting pre-1981 classic vehicles in May 2025, which means they now compete with Bring a Trailer for older cars. Carvana's selling process hasn't changed, and pickup fees still range from $0 to $600 depending on where you live.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.