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The bottom line: Carvana buys cars online and picks them up from your home. They work best for newer vehicles and accept more cars than the other two, including ones with accident history, though those get very low offers. The downside is pickup fees that run up to $600, and older cars get very low offers too.
CarMax gives you same-day payment at over 250 stores and now offers home pickup in most areas. However, their offers were the lowest of all three in our tests, and the check they give you can take 5 to 10 business days to clear.
CarGurus shows you multiple dealer offers in one place and provides free home pickup. But they don’t buy every car. The prices shown are recommendations for dealers, not locked-in quotes. Many sellers report getting lower prices at the dealership than what the platform first showed.
We tested all three with three vehicles in January 2026. CarGurus offered the most on both cars they accepted, beating Carvana by $1,100 to $2,500. But CarGurus gave no offer on the 2018 Tesla Model 3, where Carvana offered $14,200 and CarMax offered $11,400.
Your best choice depends on your car. If you have a newer truck or SUV that CarGurus accepts, start there for the highest offer. If CarGurus doesn’t make an offer or you want a simpler process, go with Carvana. Pick CarMax if you need same-day payment or prefer handling everything in person.
None of these services work well for junk cars, non-running vehicles, or cars with salvage titles.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
CarGurus Offered More, But Not for Every Car
CarGurus beat Carvana by $1,100 to $2,500 on cars they accepted, but gave no offer on the Tesla where Carvana came in at $14,200.
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Carvana vs. CarMax vs. CarGurus Offers
We requested quotes from all three companies for several vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 73k miles and a clean title:
2022 Ford F-150 XL with 72.5k miles and a clean title:
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE with 61.5k miles and a clean title:
Carvana vs. CarMax vs. CarGurus: Detailed Comparison
All three give you quotes valid for 7 days. CarGurus adds an extra rule: your offer also expires after 250 additional miles, whichever comes first. If you drive a lot while deciding, that can catch you off guard.
Carvana runs everything online. You get a quote in about 2 minutes, schedule a pickup, and the driver handles paperwork at your door. The whole appointment takes about 20 minutes. They check the car against CarFax and AutoCheck reports, and if something doesn’t match what you described, the offer can change.
CarMax wants you in person at one of their 250+ stores, though they now offer home pickup in most markets. Their inspection takes 30 to 45 minutes. On busy days, the total visit can stretch to 4 hours. They also offer express drop-off if you already accepted an online quote, which cuts the time to under 30 minutes.
CarGurus takes a different approach. They pull offers from thousands of dealers, so you see multiple options at once. You can sell online with free home pickup or drive to a local dealer. The online path requires a self-inspection before pickup.
The dealer path means visiting the dealership and getting paid immediately if you accept. Unlike Carvana’s standardized process with convenient home pickup or vending machine drop-off, the dealer experience varies a lot depending on which dealership you visit.
In our tests, CarGurus offered $24,500 for the Ford F-150 and $25,700 for the RAV4 Prime, beating both Carvana and CarMax on those vehicles. But they gave no offer at all on the 2018 Tesla Model 3, a car Carvana valued at $14,200.
- Quote accuracy: Carvana’s online quotes usually stay close to the final offer. CarMax’s in-person offers frequently come in lower than the online estimate. CarGurus dealer offers are recommendations, not guaranteed prices, and many sellers report lower amounts at the dealership.
- Pickup fees: CarGurus offers free home pickup for online sales. Carvana charges $0 to $600 depending on location, with free drop-off at vending machines. CarMax may charge pickup fees depending on your area.
- Payment speed: CarMax hands you a check the same day, but banks hold it 5 to 10 days. Carvana pays by check at pickup or bank transfer in 2 to 5 days. CarGurus pays via bank transfer in 1 to 3 days for online sales, or same-day at dealers.
- Vehicle restrictions: CarGurus won’t buy cars with branded titles, major damage, very high mileage, or exotic specs. Carvana accepts most vehicles but offers very little for older or damaged ones. CarMax buys most cars but won’t take salvage or flood titles.
Carvana vs. CarMax vs. CarGurus: Feature Comparison
| Category |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Newer cars under 10 years old, fully online process | In-person transactions, same-day payment, older vehicles | Comparing multiple dealer offers, free home pickup |
| Quote Speed | About 2 minutes online | Online estimate in minutes, real offer after in-person inspection | About 2 minutes, shows both online and dealer offers |
| Offer Validity | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days or 250 additional miles, whichever comes first |
| Time to Complete | 1 to 3 days from acceptance | Same day at location, but check clears in 5 to 10 days | 1 to 3 days (online) or same day (dealer) |
| Payment Method | Check at pickup or bank transfer (2 to 5 business days) | Check only (bank holds 5 to 10 business days) | Bank transfer (1 to 3 days) or check at pickup for online; immediate at dealer |
| Pickup Fee | $0 to $600 depending on location (free at vending machines) | Fees may apply depending on location; no fees at stores | Free for online selling option |
| Inspection Type | At home during pickup (about 20 minutes) | In-person at store (30 to 45 minutes) | Self-inspection for online, or in-person at dealer |
| Cars with Loans | Yes, works directly with lender | Yes, payoff can take up to 18 days | Yes, handling varies by online vs dealer option |
| Won’t Buy | Non-running cars get very low offers; accepts most titles | Salvage titles, frame damage, flood damage | Branded titles, major damage, very high mileage, older vehicles, exotic specs |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4/5 stars (13,976 reviews) | 2/5 stars (553 reviews) | 3.6/5 stars (1,161 reviews) |
| Google Rating | Varies by location, usually 4+ stars | Varies by location, usually 4+ stars | 2.8/5 stars (107 reviews) |
| Negotiation | No | Officially no, but some sellers succeed with competing quotes | No for online option, possible with dealer option |
| Coverage | Most major U.S. metro areas | 250+ stores in 42 states, plus home pickup | Nationwide through dealer network |
| Main Drawback | Pickup fees up to $600, low offers for older cars | In-person offers often lower than online estimate, check holds 5 to 10 days | Dealer offers often lower than shown, not all cars get offers |
Where to Sell Your Car
CarGurus offered the most in our tests when they accepted the vehicle. They beat Carvana by $2,500 on the Ford F-150 and $1,100 on the RAV4 Prime. If you have a newer car in good shape, start with CarGurus to see if they make an offer.
Carvana is the safer bet if CarGurus doesn’t accept your car or if you want a simpler process. They offered $14,200 for the Tesla Model 3 that CarGurus rejected entirely. Their pickup takes about 20 minutes and the online quote usually holds.
CarMax makes sense when you need same-day payment or prefer handling things in person. Their offers came in lowest in all three tests, but they accept vehicles the other two might not.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Have a newer truck or SUV in good shape |
|
CarGurus offered $2,500 more than Carvana on the F-150 and $1,100 more on the RAV4 in our tests |
| Want a fully online process with no hassle |
|
Carvana handles everything from quote to pickup online. CarGurus requires a self-inspection, and CarMax needs in-person visits |
| Want to compare multiple offers in one place |
|
CarGurus shows both their online offer and local dealer offers at once. Carvana and CarMax each give you only one offer |
| Need cash the same day |
|
CarMax gives you a check the same day at their stores. Carvana takes 2 to 5 days for bank transfers, and CarGurus takes 1 to 3 days |
| CarGurus didn’t make an offer on your car |
|
Carvana accepted the Tesla Model 3 that CarGurus rejected. They accept most vehicles, even ones with lower values |
| Still owe money on your car |
|
Carvana’s loan payoff is typically faster. CarMax’s payoff can take up to 18 days, and CarGurus handling varies between online and dealer options |
| Have a car with branded title, major damage, or very high mileage | Neither | CarGurus won’t make offers on these cars, Carvana offers very little, and CarMax won’t buy salvage or flood titles. Try junk car buyers instead |
Best Alternatives
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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
Which offers the most, Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus?
It depends on your car. In our 2026 tests, CarGurus offered the most on both vehicles where they made an offer: $24,500 for a 2022 Ford F-150 and $25,700 for a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime.
But CarGurus gave no offer on the 2018 Tesla Model 3, where Carvana offered $14,200. CarMax offered the least on all three vehicles. Get quotes from all three to see which values your specific car the highest.
How long does each selling process take?
Carvana completes sales in 1 to 3 days from acceptance. The pickup appointment takes about 20 minutes. CarMax can do same-day at their stores, but the check takes 5 to 10 business days to clear at your bank.
CarGurus takes 1 to 3 days for their online option with bank transfer, or same-day if you sell to a local dealer.
Can I sell a financed car to Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus?
Yes, all three handle financed vehicles. Carvana works directly with your lender. CarMax also handles loans but their payoff process can take up to 18 days.
CarGurus handles it differently depending on whether you choose the online or dealer option. Keep making your payments until the loan shows as fully paid off.
Learn more: Car Buying Companies That Will Pay Off Your Auto Loan
Will the online quote match the final offer?
Not always. Carvana’s quotes usually stay close unless they find condition issues you didn’t mention online. They check against CarFax and AutoCheck reports at pickup.
CarMax’s in-person offers frequently come in lower than the online estimate. CarGurus dealer offers are recommendations, not guaranteed prices. Many sellers report the final amount drops once the dealer inspects the car in person.
Which has better customer reviews, Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus?
Carvana has 4 stars on Trustpilot from 13,976 reviews. CarMax has 2 stars from 553 reviews. CarGurus has 3.6 stars from 1,161 reviews.
Common Carvana complaints are about late pickup drivers and hard-to-reach customer service. CarMax complaints focus on offers dropping after in-person inspections and long wait times at busy stores. CarGurus complaints mention dealer offers coming in lower than what the platform displayed.
Do Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus charge fees?
Carvana charges $0 to $600 for home pickup depending on your distance from their locations. Dropping off at a vending machine is free. CarMax may charge pickup fees depending on your area but has no fees if you visit a store.
CarGurus charges nothing for quotes and offers free home pickup for their online selling option.
What if my car doesn’t qualify for an offer?
This mainly affects CarGurus. They don’t provide offers for cars with branded titles, major damage, very high mileage, or exotic specs. In our tests, they didn’t offer anything for the 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Carvana and CarMax will still make offers on most vehicles, though amounts may be much lower for older or damaged cars.
Can I negotiate the offer from Carvana, CarMax, or CarGurus?
Carvana’s offers are take-it-or-leave-it. CarMax officially doesn’t negotiate, though some sellers report getting a few hundred more by showing competing quotes. CarGurus’ online offer is fixed, but you might have room to negotiate with a local dealer.
How do I choose between Carvana, CarMax, and CarGurus?
Start by getting quotes from all three. Choose CarGurus if they make an offer and it’s the highest, since their online pickup is free. Go with Carvana if you want a simple online process or if CarGurus doesn’t accept your car.
Pick CarMax if you need same-day payment or prefer handling everything in person at a store.
Learn more: Car Selling Options Compared
Article Update History
We got new quotes from all three services for three vehicles, verified customer ratings on Trustpilot and Google, and confirmed how each service buys cars. CarMax now offers home pickup in most markets. CarGurus' online selling option continues with free home pickup. Carvana's process is unchanged.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.