Pros
- Receive an immediate online offer for your vehicle
- Accept trade-ins when purchasing a vehicle
- Choose between having your vehicle picked up or dropping it off at a Carvana lot
Cons
- Limited pickup availability in certain areas
- Mixed customer reviews
Carvana operates as an online marketplace for both buying and selling used cars. They offer non-negotiable prices and purchase offers, eliminating the need for haggling. Selling your car to Carvana involves receiving an offer online in less than two minutes. While Carvana provides pickup services in certain markets, out-of-market vehicles must be delivered to a Carvana lot. Payment is provided upon pickup or drop-off of the vehicle.
Pricing
Carvana employs an algorithm to calculate the price it offers for your vehicle, much like other online marketplaces. You can receive an offer online in under two minutes. All offers are final and not open to negotiation, and Carvana does not price match competitors.
When trading in a vehicle with Carvana for a purchase, the trade-in value is subtracted from your total, which lowers the sales tax owed. Upon vehicle drop-off, a Carvana representative will conduct a brief inspection and may adjust the sale price if the condition differs from expectations.
Exclusions
- Vehicles must be from 1993 or newer.
- The odometer must be functional.
- Vehicles must be safe for test driving.
- Carvana does not buy vehicles with a history of theft, accidents, or frame damage.
- This service is unavailable in Alaska or Hawaii.
Unique Features
Carvana provides unique features for selling your vehicle. Firstly, it offers rapid online appraisals requiring only basic vehicle condition details to generate an offer. Once you receive an offer, you have seven days to review and compare it with others before deciding whether to proceed with the sale.
Another distinctive feature of Carvana is its home pickup service available in most areas. Upon scheduling a pickup appointment, you’ll know exactly when your car will be collected, eliminating uncertainty. For areas outside Carvana’s coverage, you can drop off your vehicle, and they assist in selecting a convenient meeting spot for you.
Selling Your Car with Carvana
You have the option to sell a car to Carvana independently or use it as a trade-in while purchasing another vehicle from them. To obtain an offer for your vehicle, simply enter its VIN or license plate number on Carvana’s website. You’ll need to provide details about mileage, trim options, and condition, after which Carvana will instantly provide an offer. This offer remains valid for seven days, and there’s no obligation to sell once you receive it. Please note, all offers are non-negotiable.
If you choose to sell your vehicle to Carvana, they offer home pickup in markets they serve. If you’re outside their service area, you can deliver your vehicle to the nearest Carvana market or arrange a meetup location. If selling independently (not as a trade-in), payment is provided by check at the time of pickup or drop-off.
Carvana offers a free mobile app for both iOS and Android. Through the app, you can receive an instant offer for your vehicle, schedule a pickup or drop-off appointment, purchase a vehicle, and trade in your current car.
Legitimacy & Credibility
Carvana is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CVNA. It was recognized on the Fortune 500 list in 2021. The company operates physical car vending machines in various cities across the United States and sells over 200,000 vehicles annually nationwide.
Carvana lacks a Better Business Bureau rating but maintains a 4.2-star rating on Trustpilot. Criticisms typically center around the car buying process, with some sellers mentioning subpar customer service or less competitive offers compared to other companies.
Customer Support
Carvana provides customer support through phone, live chat, and text message. Live chat and text support are accessible daily from 9am to 8pm ET, while phone support operates daily from 8am to 10pm ET. During a recent interaction via live chat, we connected with a representative in under one minute. Carvana also updates the current wait times for each support channel on its website, ensuring transparency and efficiency for customers seeking assistance.
Carvana’s website includes a comprehensive FAQs page that provides detailed information about both the car buying and selling processes. Additionally, there are short videos available that explain how Carvana operates step-by-step.
Conclusion
Carvana is an online marketplace designed for easy buying and selling of used vehicles. You can either sell your car independently or trade it in when purchasing another car through Carvana. By providing basic details about your vehicle, you can receive an offer online in less than two minutes. All offers from Carvana are non-negotiable, and the company does not match competitors’ offers.
Carvana offers home pickup for your vehicle in many areas. If this service isn’t available locally, you can drop off your vehicle at a nearby Carvana location. Payment for your car is issued via check upon pickup or drop-off.
Carvana provides customer support through phone, live chat, and text message. While customer reviews are mixed, negative feedback primarily concerns purchasing vehicles rather than the selling process itself.
