Compare Your Options
What is the best way to sell your car? Compare Cash For Cars with private sales, dealership trade-ins, and online car buyers like CarMax and Carvana.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Cash For Cars | Private Sale | Dealership Trade-In | CarMax / Carvana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to seller | Free | Free (plus ad costs) | Free | Free |
| Time to get an offer | ~1 business day | Days to weeks | Same day (in person) | Same day (online/in person) |
| Effort required | Fill out one form | Post ads, meet buyers, haggle | Drive to dealer, wait for appraisal | Online appraisal or visit store |
| Accepts non-running vehicles | Harder to sell | Rarely | ||
| Obligation to sell | None | None | Pressure to trade in | None |
| Haggling required | ||||
| Strangers coming to your home | ||||
| Paperwork assistance | Dealer handles it | You handle it | Dealer handles it | They handle it |
Detailed Comparison
Cash For Cars vs. Private Sale
Selling your car privately can get you the highest price, but it comes with significant effort. You need to take photos, write a listing, post it on multiple platforms, respond to inquiries, meet strangers for test drives, haggle on price, and handle all the paperwork yourself.
With Cash For Cars, you fill out one form and a dealer contacts you. No ads, no strangers at your home, no back-and-forth negotiation. You may get a slightly lower price than a private sale, but the convenience and speed make it worthwhile for most sellers.
Cash For Cars vs. Dealership Trade-In
Trading in at a dealership is convenient if you're already buying another car. But if you just want to sell, you'll face pressure to purchase from the dealer. You also have to drive to the lot, wait for an appraisal, and potentially visit multiple dealerships to compare offers.
Cash For Cars brings the dealer to you. There's no pressure to buy anything and no driving around. You get a focused cash offer for your vehicle.
Cash For Cars vs. CarMax / Carvana
CarMax and Carvana offer online appraisals and a streamlined selling process. However, they typically only accept vehicles in reasonable condition. If your car doesn't run, has a salvage title, or has significant issues, they may decline to make an offer.
Cash For Cars works with local dealers who buy vehicles in any condition, including non-running vehicles, high-mileage cars, and vehicles with damage. If the big corporate buyers won't take your car, Cash For Cars likely can still connect you with a buyer.
Which Option Is Best for Me?
Choose Cash For Cars if you want the easiest, fastest way to sell your vehicle — especially if your car is older, has high mileage, doesn't run, or you just don't want to deal with the hassle of a private sale.
Choose a private sale if you have a desirable vehicle in good condition, are willing to invest time in the process, and want to maximize your sale price.
Choose a dealership trade-in if you're already buying another car from that dealer and want the convenience of a single transaction.
Choose CarMax or Carvana if you have a newer vehicle in good condition and want a quick, corporate-backed offer.
Try Cash For Cars — It's Free
Fill out the form and see what a local dealer will offer for your vehicle. No cost, no obligation.
Get Your Offer