The Best Used Car Websites to Purchase Your Next Used Car

boat sailing after used cars have been buyed and shipped to Florida

Purchasing a car is a significant investment for many individuals. If you don’t want the hassle of a dealership, you may study your new ride, browse for a vehicle, and apply for an auto loan online. But which are the best secondhand automobile websites, and which should you avoid?

If you’re seeking the greatest used automobile website, you’ve come to the correct spot. We’ve done all of the difficult work for you and are creating this post to save you time. Whether you want to buy a vehicle online, conduct research, or compare dealerships, this guide on the best websites to buy used cars is everything you need.

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Ten of the Best Used Car Websites

When seeking to buy a used automobile, the first step should always be research. There are several wonderful websites where you may locate the ideal new-to-you ride, but which is the best?

If you’re thinking about buying a used automobile online but aren’t sure how you’ll get it home, Ship A Car Hawaii provides auto shipping services across the country. Buy your automobile online, and we’ll make certain it arrives safely.

It’s difficult to choose just one, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 used vehicle websites. It is entirely up to you to decide which one to employ. 

 

1. Car Max

CarMax has a long history of selling secondhand automobiles. It has been in business for nearly six decades and has over two hundred locations in forty-one states. CarMax is a user-friendly website to assist you in finding the ideal vehicle.

You may restrict your search and filter results by car type, make, or price range. You may also utilize the search tool, entering your chosen make and model, as well as additional keywords like blind spot detection or AWD.

The site finds your location automatically, but you may select a different store if you want. After entering your search criteria, you’ll be led to a list of results that you may further refine.

Features that make this a strong contender for the best-used car website include:

  • No-haggle pricing: The price you see is the price you pay, whether you’re trading in a vehicle or using CarMax financing.
  • “Love Your Car Guarantee”: You get a 30-day money-back guarantee, up to 1,500 miles.
  • Used cars are thoroughly inspected: A detailed 125-point checklist is used for every inspection, and anything that isn’t up to standard is repaired or replaced.
  • Extended warranty coverage available: The cost of the extended warranty depends on the vehicle price and various other factors, but customers report that it’s a worthwhile investment.

2. CarGurus

The creator of CarGurus is a TripAdvisor co-founder. The website was founded in 2006 and is now one of the most popular car marketplaces in the United States. The rating that this used automobile website assigns to each listed vehicle is a popular feature. They are ranked from “overpriced” to “excellent deal.”

You have two alternatives while shopping at CarGurus. You may shop by body type or input particular information like make and model, price range, zip code, and search radius.

Following that, you may utilize the filters to narrow down your options. For example, you could prefer listings that are new to the market or automobiles that are available for home delivery.

Additional filters include deal ratings, features, and engine. One filter you should seriously consider is the NHTSA Overall Safety Rating.

A feature that makes CarGurus another contender for the best website to buy a used car is the full disclosure of each vehicle’s location. CarGurus also has accreditation and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

One thing to be aware of is that CarGurus is a referral service. There’s no guarantee a dealer will honor the price quoted on the CarGurus website. The vehicle might also be unavailable by the time you reach the lot.

 

3. Cars.com

Cars.com is a BBB-accredited company with an A+ rating. Millions of automobiles are listed from over 20,000 dealers. The company’s headquarters are in Chicago, and the site was founded in 1998 to link vehicle buyers with sellers, mostly dealers. 

automobiles.com is the best-used vehicle website in terms of volume, with over 50,000 new automobiles listed on the site every day. 

It’s simple to find your ideal automobile on our website. To begin your search, select either Make or Body Style. Other dropdown options include maximum pricing, ideal distance, and location.

Alternatively, use the “advanced search” link to be more specific in your search. Options include mileage, deal rating, transmission, drivetrain, and interior/exterior colors. 

From there, you can sort your results based on price, mileage, and so on. There are also filters to narrow down your list even further. For example, if you’re looking for specific entertainment features or third-row seats you can specify these options. 

A fun tool to use is the “Matchmaker” feature. It’s perfect if you don’t know what you need but have an idea of what matters most. 

The information provided on this site is very comprehensive, plus you get a link to the free CARFAX report, the rating of the dealership, and quick-access buttons for calling or checking the car’s availability. 

 

4. Autotrader

Autotrader is well-liked by millions of people and is an excellent method to cover a lot of ground quickly. With a single search, you may access hundreds of ads from a range of sources, such as local used vehicle lots, large dealerships, online-only businesses, and individual sellers.

Don’t be misled into believing that you must input a make and model to begin searching. You may also explore by make, style, and price, or use the advanced search option to be more specific.

Once you get your initial results page, you may filter and organize it to exclude any automobiles that are not a suitable fit for you. 

A great tool to use is the “My Wallet” feature. It adjusts your search results according to your approximate credit score range, down payment, monthly budget, and any trade-in details. 

You’ll find some used cars have an “Accelerate My Deal” option. This allows you to start the buying process online, saving time at the dealership.

 

5. Hemmings

Hemmings.com is a prominent website for vintage and rare automobile enthusiasts from all over the country. There are ads for rare auto components in addition to the excellent assortment of unusual vehicles and antique cars. This is the greatest used automobile website for car aficionados looking for a one-stop shop for all their vintage needs.

Another feature that distinguishes this website is its dedication to building a community of classic automobile enthusiasts around its brand. For many years, it has published print publications and newsletters. If you want to get new listings in physical copy every month or week, simply subscribe to the service.  

 

6. KBB

Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has always been a reliable source for used automobile information, and the advent of its used car platform was a welcome addition for consumers. You may immediately get market values and other relevant information about the vehicle in addition to locating the best-used automobiles in your neighborhood.

There are other useful options as well, such as the ability to calculate your auto payment and check your credit score. You’ll also get top ten lists to help you select the car that’s right for you. Expert reviews are also available to assist you in evaluating different automobiles, and you can receive a trade-in value for your vehicle as well. 

 

7. Carvana

Carvana, which was created in 2012, provides a virtual showroom that includes extensive pictures and 360-degree views of the inside and exterior. Close-ups of any flaws or blemishes are displayed, and you may zoom in from any angle. 

If you buy a car and want it delivered, you may have it delivered to a nearby Carvana facility, your house, or your business. You have seven days after it is delivered to determine if it is the appropriate automobile for you. If it isn’t, you may return it for free.

You may search for automobiles on Carvana by vehicle type, make and model, price, or payment range. With each car, there is a 150-point inspection, a CARFAX history, and a 100-day limited warranty. It’s also possible to finance your car through Carvana.

 

8. Cars Direct 

From the convenience of your own home, CarsDirect allows you to compare multiple used vehicle listings from nearby dealerships. The website is straightforward and uncluttered, allowing you to focus on what you’re looking at. There are helpful car-buying guidelines available to assist you in making your decision.

CarsDirect is yet another veteran on our list of the greatest used vehicle websites. It has been assisting automobile purchasers since 1998. Once you’ve decided on a vehicle, you may apply for low-credit or no-credit loans. This is significantly less stressful for many individuals than sitting in front of a loan manager at a local dealership. 

CarsDirect has no private sellers. All the listings are from dealers but might not necessarily help you find low-dollar third-party vehicles. Another issue with this site is that dealerships are known for changing prices for sales and promotions. Bear this in mind and reach out to a dealership to confirm details and prices. 

 

9. Craigslist

Craigslist began as a free community website in San Francisco, but it has evolved into much more. It now has a global footprint, with over 20 billion page visits every month. Unfortunately, the website still appears like a digital bulletin board from the 1990s, but don’t let that deter you since there are some fantastic deals to be discovered. 

You may use Craigslist to do a broad search or to hunt for a specific make and model. The searches default to a radius around your current location, but you may adjust this and search in different areas. You may filter advertising by price, location, and posting date on the site. It is also feasible to distinguish between dealer adverts and individual vendors. 

You can use Craigslist as a good point of reference for the type of vehicles in your area and their asking prices. You might even be lucky enough to find a deal if you can be patient. 

People selling on Craigslist are generally honest and reasonable, but you can never be too careful. There are a lot of scammers on Craigslist. Look out for dealers posing as individuals, title jumpers, people selling stolen cars, and more. 

To keep yourself safe, let people know where you’re going if you’re meeting with an unknown buyer or seller. Take a friend with you if you can and always meet in a public

place.  

10. eBay Motors

eBay Motors is the undisputed king of online automobile auction platforms. If anything has wheels, you can probably find it for sale on eBay. The website provides numerous choices for purchasing and selling automobiles. 

The auction style is the most common, but you may also buy products by making an offer or clicking the “buy it now” button. The layout should be simple to use. You may browse by category or use the search area to discover exactly what you’re searching for.

The security provided by eBay is a significant advantage. Buyers and sellers both have reviews, which allow you to learn about prior transactions. Up to $100,000 in vehicle purchase protection is offered. 

It’s also possible to order an AutoCheck report with the vehicle’s history. 

If you’re buying outside your local area, you can hire a third party to inspect the vehicle. The inspection can include an appraisal, a review of cosmetic and mechanical conditions, detailed photos, or a video of the vehicle.  

When you’ve finished doing your research and have found your dream car, use our instant online quote calculator to find out the cost of shipping your new car to your home. 

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