SellCarAdvisor is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. How We Work.
The bottom line: OfferUp is a mobile marketplace where you can list your car for free and sell it to local buyers.
It works best for people who want to handle the sale themselves and meet buyers face to face. You get one free car listing per month, and there are no fees when you sell locally for cash.
The platform has over 50 million downloads, so lots of potential buyers will see your listing.
But selling cars on OfferUp has some real problems. Buyer funds aren’t checked before they contact you, so you’ll waste time with people who can’t actually pay.
There’s no built-in way to accept payment, which means you’re on your own to figure that out. Scams are also common, including fake titles and stolen car photos.
If you use OfferUp, only accept cash for local sales and always meet in public places. Never ship your car or accept wire transfers, gift cards, or other unusual payment methods.
This platform works better for experienced sellers who know how to spot scams and don’t mind doing all the work themselves. Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
What We Like
- You can list one car per month for free without paying anything
- Over 50 million app downloads means lots of potential buyers will see your listing
- About 7 million people search for cars on OfferUp each year
- Creating a listing from your phone takes just a few minutes
- No fees or commissions when you sell locally for cash
- The app has a built-in messaging system so buyers can reach you easily
- You can add your VIN so buyers can check accident history
What You Should Know
- Paid promotion features like Bump and Promote Plus cost extra, starting at $1.99
- Dealer listings are mixed in with private sellers, and there’s no filter to separate them
- There’s no built-in payment system, so you have to figure out payment on your own
- Car scams are common, including fake titles and stolen vehicle photos
- Many users report unhelpful customer service when problems come up
- Scammers may send counterfeit cashier’s checks or request wire transfers
- You’ll deal with tire kickers and people who never show up
Compare Instant Offers
How to Sell a Car on OfferUp?
| No | Steps |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Create Your Listing |
| Step 2 | Add Photos and Details |
| Step 3 | Set Your Price |
| Step 4 | Communicate with Buyers |
| Step 5 | Meet and Complete Sale |
1. Create Your Listing
Open the app and pick “Vehicles” from the list of categories. Then choose the type of car you’re selling. You’ll need to enter basic info like the make, model, year, mileage, and condition.
2. Add Photos and Details
Take clear photos from multiple angles and write a detailed description. Be honest about any damage or issues. Include the VIN so buyers can check the car’s history.
The more details you add, the fewer questions you’ll get from buyers. Mention any special features or recent repairs.
3. Set Your Price
Look at similar cars in your area to see what they’re selling for. You can negotiate with buyers through the app’s messaging system, so leave a little room in your price if you want.
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
4. Communicate with Buyers
Interested buyers will reach out through OfferUp’s messaging system. Keep all conversations inside the app. If someone asks you to email or text them directly, be careful. That’s a common sign of a scam.
Heads up: Watch out for buyers who tell sad stories, claim to be deployed overseas, or want to pay with gift cards or wire transfers. These are almost always scams.
5. Meet and Complete Sale
Set up a time to meet the buyer in person at a public place with good lighting and security cameras. Only accept cash for local sales. Don’t hand over the keys until you have the cash in hand.
You’ll need to sign the title over to the buyer and handle any DMV paperwork yourself. OfferUp doesn’t help with this part.
Tip: If you want extra protection on the payment, you can use a third-party service like KeySavvy ($99) to verify funds and protect the title transfer.
OfferUp Fees for Sellers
OfferUp is free for local cash sales. You keep 100% of whatever the buyer pays you. But if you want more eyes on your listing, you can pay for extra promotion.
Here’s what the paid features cost:
- Bump: $2 to $8 depending on how long you want the boost to last
- Promote: Starting at $1.99 per listing
- Promote Plus: A subscription that lets you promote multiple listings per month or year
Keep in mind that dealer listings compete with yours on the platform. This can push prices down since dealers often list more cars and have bigger advertising budgets.
OfferUp Reviews – What Other Sellers Say?
| Platform | OfferUp Rating | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 1.2 out of 5 stars (total 1,614 reviews) | Large user base, easy to post listings | Lots of scammers, poor support when reporting issues |
| Google Play | 4.4 out of 5 stars | Fast to set up, good app design | App removes useful features, threatens sellers over pricing |
| App Store | 4.8 out of 5 stars | Simple interface, quick listing process | Poor customer service, expensive promotional fees, app bugs |
We couldn’t find many recent posts on Reddit or Trustpilot specifically about selling cars on OfferUp. Most complaints are about scams and customer support issues.
Expand to see reviews from 2025:
Trustpilot
Reviews
Reviews
Add your content for tab 2 here. You can edit this text or add more blocks.
Reviews
Who Should Use OfferUp?
OfferUp works best for sellers who:
- Want to sell locally for cash only
- Have experience spotting scams and fake buyers
- Don’t mind dealing with unverified buyers and no-shows
- Are comfortable handling all payment and paperwork without help
- Want access to a large pool of potential buyers
Skip OfferUp if you:
- Need buyer verification or payment protection
- Want help with the transaction
- Are selling an expensive vehicle
- Prefer shipping or long-distance sales
- Need responsive customer service if something goes wrong
Market Comparison & 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 see how much different buyers will pay for your car? Use the comparison tool below to get quotes from multiple services at once.
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Common Questions About Selling on OfferUp
Is OfferUp safe for selling cars?
OfferUp has basic safety features, but car scams are common. Scammers often post fake titles and use stolen photos. Always meet buyers in a public place with good lighting, verify who they are, and only accept cash for local sales.
How much does it cost to sell a car on OfferUp?
You get one free car listing per month. If you want to promote your listing to get more views, that costs extra. Basic promotion starts at $1.99 and the Bump feature runs $2 to $8.
What payment should I accept when selling my car?
For local sales, only accept cash. Don’t agree to wire transfers, gift cards, or other unusual payment methods. These are almost always scams. If you need to accept something other than cash, use a service like KeySavvy that verifies the payment for you.
How do I protect myself from scams on OfferUp?
Meet buyers in public places with security cameras. Only accept cash. Check the buyer’s profile for reviews before meeting. Never give the keys until you have cash in hand.
Be suspicious of buyers who tell emotional stories, claim to be in the military, or want to move the conversation off the app. These are common scam tactics.
What should I do if someone wants to pay with a cashier’s check?
Be very careful. Cashier’s checks can be faked and may take days to bounce. If you must accept one, call the issuing bank directly to verify it before handing over your car. Cash is always safer for local deals.
Learn more: The Safest Ways to Accept Payment When Selling Car Privately
Why do I see so many dealer cars on OfferUp?
OfferUp has a Verified Dealer Program that lets car dealers list vehicles on the platform. There’s no easy way to filter these out, so dealer listings get mixed in with private sellers. This can make it harder for your car to stand out.
What should I do if I get scammed?
Report the scam to OfferUp first. If you’re in danger or something illegal happened, call the police right away. Many users say OfferUp’s response to scam reports is slow, so don’t expect quick help. You should also report the fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Can I ship my car through OfferUp?
OfferUp is designed for local, in-person sales. Shipping a car through the platform is risky and opens you up to scams. If someone asks you to ship a car and offers to pay extra for it, that’s a major red flag.
How long does it take to sell a car on OfferUp?
According to OfferUp, about half of all cars on the platform sell within the first week. Around 30% sell within two days or less. Your results will depend on your price, photos, and how competitive your listing is compared to others in your area.
Does OfferUp verify buyer funds?
No. OfferUp does not check if buyers can actually afford what they’re messaging you about. This means you’ll spend time talking to people who may never follow through. It’s one of the platform’s biggest weaknesses for car sellers.
Is OfferUp legitimate?
Yes, OfferUp is a legit company with over 50 million app downloads. It’s the largest mobile marketplace in the U.S. for local buying and selling.
The platform itself is legit, but it does attract scammers because it focuses on cash transactions between strangers.
OfferUp Review
OfferUp gives you one free car listing per month and over 50 million app downloads give you solid local reach. Safety features and time to sell pull the score down as buyer funds are not verified before they contact you, there is no built-in payment system, and car scams are common on the platform.
Product Brand: OfferUp
3.4
Pros
- One free car listing per month with no upfront cost
- Over 50 million app downloads means lots of potential buyers
- Creating a listing from your phone takes just a few minutes
- No fees or commissions when you sell locally for cash
Cons
- No built-in payment system and you figure out payment on your own
- Car scams are common including fake titles and stolen vehicle photos
- Dealer listings are mixed in with private sellers with no filter to separate them
Article Update History
We checked that OfferUp is still the largest mobile marketplace in the U.S. and confirmed their current fees for Bump and Promote features with no major changes to buyer verification or payment protection.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"OfferUp Reviews" Accessed Jan. 24, 2026