CarGurus Reviews: All Things To Know Before You Buy or Sell

CarGurus is one of the most visited automotive shopping websites in the United States. You can use it to find used and new cars, research car values or list your own car for sale.

But is CarGurus the right website for you? Team Clark has explored the process of shopping for and selling vehicles using CarGurus to find out.

In this article, I’ll look at how CarGurus works and detail its process for shopping for and selling cars. I’ll also look at the pros and cons of using CarGurus compared to similar resources.

What is CarGurus?

CarGurus is a widespread online car market platform that connects private car sellers and car dealers with vehicle buyers in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The car-shopping platform was founded in 2006 and boasted more than five million unique car listings by 2020.

With CarGurus, you can browse thousands of cars in just a few clicks. You can also easily compare vehicles based on the CarGurus car value and other factors.

Our CarGurus app review

Listing and selling a car on CarGurus is quicker than most if not all, other car-shopping websites. No more typing “sell my car online” into your favorite search engine and hoping for a good result. Within five minutes, you can add your vehicle to the deep inventory of CarGurus used cars. All you have to do is upload a few photos of your car, provide some essential information about it, and that’s it! Even more remarkable, it costs nothing to list a car and only $99 when your car sells on CarGurus!

And for those looking to buy used cars in 2023, you can easily spot Cargurus’ best deals thanks to the Car Gurus rating system that tells you whether a vehicle is overpriced or priced just right. Sellers can view the CarGuru car value immediately thanks to the site’s revolutionary Instant Market Value tool, adjusting the car listing price as they see fit.

Cargurus Google reviews vary from customer to customer, yet there’s a reason why the website is as popular as it is. It makes the vehicle buying and selling processes efficient and straightforward, cutting out the middleman and giving you a direct line to interested parties worldwide.

Pros (Based on 1000s of CarGurus reviews)

• You pay nothing to list a car on CarGurus and just $99 when it sells!
• The CarGurus rating system helps buyers find the right deal at the right price.
• The CarGurus Instant Market Value tool assesses the value of your used car within two minutes, allowing a buyer to adjust their asking price accordingly.
• Enjoy unparalleled peace of mind when you sell a car on the CarGuru app. Receive up to $75,000 in protection, ensuring you get paid when the vehicle is shipped.
• It’s as quick as saying, “Car Guru, sell my car!” You can list quickly, find buyers quickly, and get paid within three business days.

Cons (Based on 1000s of CarGurus reviews)

• A few of the Cargurus website review comments we’ve read talk about how hard it can be to get your car noticed on the site — unless you pay for promotion.
• On Cargurus, cars for sale are everywhere. It can be overwhelming for some customers.

Is CarGurus Legit?

CarGurus is a fully-vetted, legitimate car-shopping marketplace. The average score of CarGurus reviews hovers around 2.5 to 2.7 out of five. CarGurus Google reviews for the CarGuru app on Google Play sit at 4.7 out of five.

Positive reviews focus on how easy CarGurus is to use compared to other online car auctions. Most CarGurus selling review entries laud how the site uses critical data like a car’s Blue Book car value to assess an Instant Market Value for the vehicle. CarGurus also recently unveiled a CarOffer app that provides instant cash offers for used cars.

Most negative CarGurus reviews talk about how hard it is to get a car noticed on the site or how hard it is to communicate with the site’s support staff.

So, is CarGurus legit? Rest assured, all of the CarGurus reviews we’ve read show how legitimate it is — whether the customers dug the service or not.

Reasons to Choose CarGurus

Most CarGurus “sell my car” reviews rave about how quick it is to list a car on the app. Other CarGurus selling review entries laud how the site connects you to applicable buyers in their area and across the globe. And if you’re not looking to sell your car and wait for a buyer match, you can secure a fair CarGuru trade-in value via the site’s data-driven Instant Market Value calculator. You can use that value to trade your car with participating, applicable dealerships on the site.

Speaking of the Instant Market Value calculator, it takes just two minutes for a seller to find out the CarGurus car value of their sedan, SUV, truck, or applicable vehicle. Regarding selling a car on CarGurus, review respondents love how easy it is to assess a value, list a vehicle, and get the car-selling process rolling.

5-star CarGurus reviews continue beyond sellers. Whether buying a used car out of state or locally, thousands of CarGurus reviews praise the app’s selection, pricing, and efficiency. In addition, the CarGurus financing reviews we’ve read have been mostly positive — praising the instant nature of financing decisions and the 30-day window to purchase a car through participating dealers.

How Does CarGurus Work?

CarGurus is an easy-to-use site that offers complete transparency to buyers and sellers alike. Car dealerships and private sellers list cars on the site, using the site’s Instant Market Value calculator to adjust prices accordingly. You can also trade your car in to interested dealers through the site.

When selling your car on CarGurus, review the condition of your vehicle and be honest about all essential information. The more transparent you are, the better pictures you take, and the more information you provide, the easier it will be to sell your car.

Before the transaction process, the site’s data algorithms match listings (complete with condition information, mileage, location, and other pertinent info) to buyers who search for cars through the site.

From there, buyers can inquire about a car and make an offer. CarGurus offers in-house financing to buyers, but you can also buy the car outright or seek private financing. All deals are subject to an inspection, and most car transport arrangements must be made between the seller and buyer.

Key Facts About CarGurus

• CarGurus’ Instant Market Value tool assesses values to all listed used and new cars based on a constantly updated set of algorithms.
• In-house CarGurus financing is available through Capital One and Westlake Financial. You can also seek private vehicle financing.
• It costs nothing to buy or search for cars on CarGurus. Sellers pay just $99 when a car is sold on the site.
• Annual CarGurus revenue eclipsed $1 billion in 2022.
• When selling your car on CarGurus, review respondents say that paying for ad boosting helps to sell the car quicker.
• When you go to CarGurus to sell a car, review respondents advise that higher-quality, high-resolution photos sell cars quicker.
• All CarGurus transactions hinge upon the completion of an inspection that ensures the car is in its listed condition.
• There are only returns on CarGurus if stipulated in the dealer/buyer contract.
• CarGurus is available in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
• Private auto transport services are required unless otherwise stipulated.

Does Cargurus Buy Used Cars?

While the official CarGurus site does not buy used cars, it does assess a CarGurus car value to help sellers list their vehicles for fair, marketable prices.

In 2022, CarGurus launched CarGurus CarOffer — an offshoot site that offers cash payouts for used cars in 36 US states and Washington DC. A CarGuru used car value is assessed to the car using the site’s data-driven algorithm, allowing the site to calculate a fair offer for both the company and the seller.

How Does Car Buying Work on CarGurus?

Does Cargurus Sell New Cars?

Yes. You can check CarGurus dealer pricing for new cars from thousands of car dealerships and sellers around North America and Western Europe. Easily filter new cars by location, model, pricing, or anything else you can think of. Within seconds, the CarGurus algorithm will determine the best new car that fits your wants, needs, and budget.

How to Sell/Trade a Car on CarGurus

What is the CarGurus Financing Process?

The CarGurus financing process is quite simple. The site has partnered with Westlake Financial and Capital One to provide customers with instant loan decisions via the CarGurus app. Just enter all pertinent personal and financial information and the amount you want to finance, and you’ll receive a quick decision via a soft-pull credit check.

(Soft-pull credit checks do not affect your credit score.)

One of the positives we’ve heard from most CarGurus financing reviews is that participating car dealerships will honor the financing arrangement for thirty days after a decision is made. In the eyes of many happy CarGurus financing customers, the service is the easiest and best way to buy a car today.

You can also seek private financing for your CarGurus order, using that to purchase the car from a dealer or private seller.

Our Final Verdict on CarGurus

In short — Car Gurus, sell my car! Reviews of a mixed variety are common for all online car marketplaces, and CarGurus tends to overdeliver regardless. The site is easy to use and navigate. It’s also highly efficient on both ends throughout the car shopping process.

We recommend CarGurus to buyers and sellers for its simplicity, efficiency, and transparent transaction process.

Why is CarGurus successful?

CarGurus is at the forefront of an online car shopping revolution. The site is more efficient and comprehensive and offers a broader reach than any other U.S. car-buying website. CarGurus is the most visited online car-purchasing site in the country.

CarGurus, along with its cash-offer imprint CarOffer, paces the industry regarding ease of use and transaction transparency. You pay nothing to list a car and only $99 once the vehicle sells. All transactions are vetted for complete security, and deals are often much quicker to close than any other car-shopping website.

Does CarGurus impact your credit score?

CarGurus does not impact your credit score. Listing and purchasing a car will not affect your credit, and neither will pre-qualifying for the company’s in-house vehicle financing. All financing inquiries use a soft credit check that doesn’t ding your overall credit health.

Does CarGurus buy leased vehicles?

CarGurus does not buy or sell cars. You cannot sell a leased car on CarGurus since you are renting the vehicle from the leasing company. Contact your leasing provider about a potential lease buyout. Once you own the vehicle, you can list it for sale on CarGurus!

How do you get paid on CarGurus?

You can choose a bank deposit or check to receive payment through CarGurus. Electronic and check payments will be delivered at the time of vehicle pick-up. You will receive a physical check at pick-up or a same-day bank deposit. All CarGurus financial transactions are double-checked and fully secure.