The bottom line: Carvana is the better pick for a car under 10 years old in good condition: it offered more than Peddle for the newer car we quoted at both.
Peddle is the buyer for an older car, one that doesn’t run, or one with a salvage title, because it buys cars in any condition and tows them away for free.
Carvana’s pickup can cost a fee depending on where you live, but dropping the car off at a Carvana hub or one of its car vending machines is always free.
Whichever one fits your car, see what other buyers would offer before you accept its offer.
Key Takeaways
- What our tests found: Carvana offered $9,220 more than Peddle for a 2018 Tesla Model 3, and only Peddle made an offer for a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer that doesn’t run.
- Still owe money on it: Carvana pays off your loan out of its offer, while Peddle buys only once the loan is paid off and the lien released.
- Without a title: If you’ve lost the title, your state’s rules say how to get a replacement and whether you can sell without one, so look up what your state allows before you ask for offers.
- How long the offer lasts: Carvana’s offer lasts 7 days, so book its handover within that week, and Peddle gives you up to seven days to accept its offer.
- Watch out for: File your state’s release of liability the day the car leaves, since Carvana says it can’t file it for you and sellers of both found cars still in their name months later.
- Ratings: BBB grades Carvana and Peddle A+, and on Trustpilot Carvana rates 4.1 from 16,239 reviews and Peddle 4.7 from 214,087.
- What Carvana sellers report: Some sellers saw their loan paid off within a week, but keep paying yours until the lender shows zero, since others waited more than a month.
- What Peddle sellers report: Answer Peddle’s starts-and-drives question exactly, and charge the battery so the driver can read the mileage: its sellers most often blame a lower price at pickup on a car described as running that wouldn’t start, or a mileage the driver couldn’t read.
- How you’re paid: Peddle pays by company check at pickup, and Carvana by a check at the handover or a direct deposit that takes up to five business days.
- How fast you can sell: Peddle usually collects 24 to 48 hours after booking, and Carvana’s sale averages 3 to 10 days from your offer, same day in some locations.
Compare Instant Offers
Where to Sell Your Car?
Better option when you- Driveable car under 10 years oldOffered $14,200 vs $4,980 for Tesla in our tests
- Need to sell a financed carCarvana handles loan payoffs; Peddle needs the loan paid off first
Better option when you- Car that doesn’t run (any age)Carvana won’t buy non-drivable vehicles
- Salvage title vehicleA salvage title falls outside Carvana’s market of cars under 10 years old in good condition
- Want to avoid pickup feesPeddle always offers free pickup; Carvana’s pickup fee varies by location
Neither, if you want maximum money. Private sale gets more money but takes weeks.
Peddle buys junk, salvage, and non-running cars
- Free towing
- Fast payment
- Buys non running cars
- Pays by check at pickup
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
Carvana buys newer running cars, with pickup in some areas
- Accepts cars with active loans
- Trade-in can save on sales tax
- License plate starts the quote
- Direct deposit option available
-
Offer amount 35% 5/5
-
Process ease 20% 5/5
-
Offer validity 15% 4/5
-
Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
-
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.
Carvana vs. Peddle: Detailed Comparison
| Category |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Driveable cars under 10 years old | Non-running cars, junk cars, any condition |
| Quote Speed | About 2 minutes online | About 2 minutes online or by phone |
| Offer Validity | 7 days | Up to 7 days to accept |
| Time to Complete | About 3 to 10 days on average, same day in some areas | Pickup typically within 24 to 48 hours of scheduling |
| Payment Method | Check at pickup or ACH transfer (2 to 5 days) | Company check at pickup; cash only if the carrier offers it |
| Pickup Fee | Set by location, shown when you book (free at vending machine) | Always free |
| Inspection Type | 15-minute in-person inspection | Tow driver inspection at pickup |
| Cars with Loans | Yes, they handle loan payoff | No, the loan must be paid off first |
| Won’t Buy | Non-running cars; it’s built for cars under 10 years old in good shape | Cars with active loans |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.1/5 stars (16,239 reviews) | 4.7/5 stars (214,087 reviews) |
| BBB Rating | A+ rating | A+ rating |
| Main Drawback | Won’t buy non-drivable cars, pickup fees | Lower offers for newer cars |
Carvana vs. Peddle Offers
We requested quotes from both companies in January 2026. Here’s what each one offered:
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 73k miles and clean title Carvana +$9,220
$14,200$4,980See both offer screenshots
2007 Chevy Trailblazer with 257k miles (doesn’t run) Peddle
No offer$355See both offer screenshots
How each offer can change
- Carvana: it asks detailed questions about condition and checks your answers against CarFax and AutoCheck. Its own employee does a 15-minute inspection at pickup, and the price can change if the car doesn’t match what you described.
- Peddle: it asks basic questions about year, make, model, and condition. A third-party tow company inspects and transports the car in one trip, and the price can change if the car doesn’t match what you described.
Best Alternatives
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 5/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 4/5
- Buys damaged cars, even ones that can't be driven
- The engine and transmission must still be in
- Free towing, included with every offer
- Picks up within 48 hours, sometimes the same day
-
Offer amount 30% 3/5
-
Quote speed 20% 4/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 3/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
- Buys wrecked, totaled and non-running cars
- A quote online in under 90 seconds
- Free towing, usually 24 to 48 hours after you accept
- Pays by check before your car is towed
-
Offer amount 30% 4.5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
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
Which company offers more money: Carvana or Peddle?
Carvana offers more for driveable cars. They offered $14,200 for 2018 Tesla versus Peddle’s $4,980. But Carvana won’t buy cars that don’t run. For non-drivable vehicles, Peddle is often your only option.
Can I get quotes from both Carvana and Peddle?
Yes, both offer free quotes with no obligation. Getting quotes from both takes about 5 minutes total.
What if my car doesn’t run?
Use Peddle. Carvana told us directly: “We can’t buy non-drivable vehicles.” Peddle will buy cars that won’t start and includes free towing.
How firm are Carvana and Peddle’s online quotes?
Both may adjust offers after inspecting your car. Be honest about damage and mechanical issues to avoid surprise price drops.
Which service is faster: Carvana or Peddle?
Peddle is typically faster. They typically pick up within 24 to 48 hours of scheduling and pay on the spot. Carvana puts its sales at about 3 to 10 days on average, from the same day in some locations to longer in others, and ACH transfers add another 2 to 5 business days.
Can I sell a financed car to Carvana or Peddle?
Only Carvana handles loan payoffs. Peddle needs the loan paid off before it will buy.
Article Update History
New quotes from both, with ratings from Trustpilot and BBB.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Found this useful? Show Sell Car Advisor first when you search on Google.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
