The market for online spending on new and used cars has seen remarkable growth, with sales hitting between $256 billion and $261.9 billion in 2021, according to market research firms Straits and Report Ocean. This surge is driven by the convenience, diverse choices, and competitive pricing available on digital platforms, steering more consumers away from traditional dealerships.
As more people familiarize themselves with online car shopping, choosing trustworthy websites becomes increasingly important. Finding the best sites for used cars ensures a safer and more satisfying purchasing experience. These platforms provide extensive listings and detailed information, helping buyers make well-informed decisions.
Once you’ve found the perfect car, uShip is here to help you get it home. Our service simplifies the process of shipping your vehicle, whether you’re moving across the country or just across town. In this blog, we’ll guide you through selecting the best sites for used cars and offer tips for securely transporting your vehicle after purchase, making your car-buying journey smooth and stress-free.
CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING THE BEST SITES FOR USED CAR
When you’re looking to buy a car online, choosing the right site is essential. Good sites can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. Below are the top things that matter most when you make your decision.
#1. Reputation and Reliability
One of the first things to look at is if they have a great reputation as a site. The big-name, well-known sites with excellent customer reviews and high ratings will be your best bet. Think of places like Autotraders, Car Gurus, or Cars.com (or, if you want to take it up a notch, eBay motors.) These large-scale vehicle listing services have been around long enough to establish themselves.
Customer Reviews: Check what other users are saying. High ratings and positive feedback are good indicators of reliability.
Third-Party Endorsements: Look for endorsements from auto industry experts and consumer protection agencies.
#2. Extensive Vehicle Listings
A good used car site will have a large and diverse inventory. This means you’ll have more options to choose from, whether you’re looking for a budget car or a luxury vehicle.
Wide Range of Makes and Models: The more variety, the better your chances of finding the perfect car.
Different Price Ranges: From affordable to high-end, a wide price range caters to all budgets.
#3. Pricing Transparency
Transparent pricing is key. You want to know exactly how much you’re paying without any hidden fees sneaking up on you.
Clear Pricing: The price should be visible upfront.
No Hidden Fees: Make sure the site breaks down any additional costs, like taxes or processing fees.
#4. User-Friendly Interface
A user-friendly website can make your car shopping experience a breeze. An intuitive interface lets you find what you’re looking for quickly. Good customer service can make a huge difference, especially if you run into any issues.
Easy Navigation: The site should be easy to navigate, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
Intuitive Search Functions: Features like filters for make, model, year, and price range can help you zero in on your ideal car.
Clear Listings: Every listing should have detailed descriptions and high-quality photos.
#5. Customer Service and Support
Good customer service can make a huge difference, especially if you run into any issues.
Accessible Support: Look for sites that offer multiple ways to get in touch, such as phone, email, or live chat.
Responsive Service: Fast and helpful responses indicate good customer service.
#6. Vehicle History Reports
Knowing a car’s history can prevent future headaches. The site must provide detailed vehicle history reports.
Comprehensive Reports: These should include previous ownership, accident history, and maintenance records.
Trusted Sources: Reports from reputable sources like CARFAX or AutoCheck add more credibility.
#7. Financing Options
Financing can make buying a used car more accessible. Look for sites that offer financing options to help you manage your purchase.
Flexible Financing: Options for different credit scores and financial situations.
Clear Terms: Easy-to-understand terms and conditions are essential.
#8. Return Policies and Warranties
Clear return policies and warranties can give you peace of mind, knowing you have options if the car doesn’t meet your expectations.
Return Policies: Understand how returns are handled and any associated fees.
Warranties: Look for at least a short-term warranty to cover any immediate issues.
Choosing the right used car site involves looking at multiple factors, and each criterion plays a role in making an informed decision. Keep these points in mind to find a site that meets your needs and helps you drive away with confidence.
BEST SITES FOR BUYING USED CARS
When you’re searching for a used car online, it’s important to choose a site that meets all your needs. Here are the top five best sites for used cars, along with their various strengths.
#1. Autotrader
Autotrader is one of the most well-known names in the used car shopping space. The website is known for its excellent reputation, user-friendly experience, and extensive inventory.
Founded in 1997, Autotrader is an online automotive marketplace connecting buyers, sellers, and dealerships. Its functionality relates to transactions for new or used vehicles (including certified pre-owned vehicles) through its site.
Key Features and Benefits of Autotrader
Wide Selection: With more than 430,000 car listings from thousands of dealerships and individual sellers across the United States, Autotrader boasts an extensive inventory covering all major brands, body styles, price ranges, and age categories. This broad assortment enables consumers to discover and evaluate various vehicles easily according to personal preferences.
Advanced Search Functionality: Each advertisement is accompanied by full details on the specific vehicle—detailed descriptions, standard and optional features, high-resolution images, maintenance records, and safety ratings. Autotrader ensures that a person has plenty of information to decide whether to contact the seller or visit a dealership.
Detailed Vehicle Information: Each listing contains comprehensive data regarding the respective vehicle, including detailed descriptions, standard and optional feature lists, high-resolution images, maintenance records, and safety ratings. Such thoroughness ensures informed decision-making before contacting sellers or visiting showrooms.
Transparent Pricing Tools: Autotrader includes multiple valuation methods based upon sources from Kelley Blue Book and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Guides. These valuations give potential buyers an idea of what a fair market value should be and maintain some leverage during negotiations. In addition, built-in payment calculators allow you to calculate monthly payments, taking into account interest rates offered on the website and terms and down payment amounts.
Secure Financing Options: Autotrader eases the loan process by offering pre-approval applications via its platform in partnerships with financial institutions. By comparing multiple lender quotes at once, borrowers can better their opportunities at securing favorable terms and rates.
Trade-in Estimator: Those who plan on trading in an existing vehicle upon purchase can use Autotrader’s tool to get a rough estimate of a used car’s worth based on condition, brand make, model year, and mileage to start factoring that into buying decisions.
Why Autotrader stands out:
Reputation: With years in the business, Autotrader is trusted by millions of users.
User Experience: The interface is intuitive, making it easy to filter and find the perfect car.
Inventory Variety: It offers a wide range, from budget picks to luxury cars.
Autotrader’s overall score for car selling is 7.7 out of 10, and car buying is 8.7 out of 10. The score is based on industry standing, platform, pricing and financing, support, and customer experience.
Customers love the range of choices that Autotrader provides, with great options for new or used vehicles through its private seller market and dealer partnerships.
Types of Cars Autotrader Offer
Autotrader offers the following types of used cars:
Used Sedans
Used Trucks
Used SUV/Crossovers
Used Coupes
Used Hatchbacks
Used Van/Minivans
Used Convertibles
Used Wagons
Used AWD/4WDs
Used Hybrids
Used Electrics
That pretty much covers the spectrum of vehicle options available to consumers. Whether you need a car that’s practical, luxurious, fast or fuel-efficient, capable of heading off-road, or environmentally friendly, there are probably some things listed for you in each category on Autotrader.
#2. Cars.com
Cars.com was founded by Gannett Company, Tribune Company, Graham Holdings, and The Washington Post Company on June 1, 1998. In September of that year, Cars.com began operating as a stand-alone company. In 2014, the website announced it would be owned by TEGNA digital media company. Initially considered a classified ad service for new and used vehicles (which included auctions for buying cars), the search engine has evolved to help with direct price comparisons between nearby dealerships using its abundant information on new and used car pricing.
Cars.com offers more than 5 million new and used cars, with more than 40,000 dealers sending their inventory to the site. You can shop for every make and model there.
Key Features and Benefits of Cars.com
When shopping for a used car, it’s hard to beat the selection at Cars.com. The inventory is massive, with about 5 million listings from tens of thousands of dealership partners. You can easily find what you’re looking for by searching their listings by year, make, model, price range, and body style or by clicking on a map to search locally.
Powerful Filters: The site has advanced filters specially made to streamline searches effectively so people can find the perfect choice that meets all their needs. People can search cars based on fuel economy, drive train, color, transmission type, and more.
Accurate Price Comparison: Providing real-time market data from a multitude of sources, this helps shoppers get a good view of whether they are paying the right price according to the market or not. This allows them to save money by not spending too much unnecessary money.
Dealer Reviews and Ratings: Customers will benefit from actual shoppers’ candid ratings regarding specific participating dealers. By reviewing feedback on things like sales practices, after-sale support, and overall reputation, users can confidently browse.
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Program Integration: Understanding the value of CPO vehicles that provide manufacturer-backed warranties and a respected inspection process, Cars.com has added industry-leading programs directly into search results. Consumers in search of reliability and assurance will be able to identify qualifying vehicles backed by well-known manufacturers quickly.
Professional Photos and Video Tours: Most ads come with many beautiful photos and sometimes videos of the inside, outside, and all around. Some owners even pay to get a “virtual tour” where a guy goes to tape it showing you everything up close that you wouldn’t be able to see from a standard photo.
Accident History Reports: Many of them also offer free CARFAX or AutoCheck history reports, which show accidents, title statuses (e.g., wrecked/rebuilt/lemon, etc.), milestone services, odometer readings, etc., so if someone does have your dream vehicle online or somewhere for sale, take advantage of that resource.
Types of Vehicles Available on Cars.com
Cars.com offers a huge selection of vehicles from many manufacturers and classes to choose from. You can shop all the available types of cars, including:
Convertibles: For those who like the sun on their faces and the wind in their hair
Coupes: Suited to a single driver or a couple longing for sportiness and style
Crossovers: A mix of an SUV and a sedan, which gives you the best of both worlds
Hatchbacks: Great interior space and cargo room
Minivans: If you have a family that’s outgrown an SUV
Pickup Trucks: For heavy-duty work and the adventure seekers in you
SUVs: For those who seek pathbreaking power and versatility
Sedans: Classic design for daily commuters prioritizing comfort and efficiency
Vans: Spacious alternatives catering to commercial customers and large groups
Wagons: Marrying the convenience of a station wagon with modern amenities
When visiting Cars.com, you get the option to input specific filters like makes, models, years, color preferences, and transmission types. What makes Cars.com the best-used car site by owners and private dealers is that they constantly keep updating their inventory. Fresh stock is updated all of the time, increasing your likelihood of finding many cars that meet or exceed your standards and could potentially fit into a budget. When shopping for different body styles, knowing the benefits afforded by each will also help you narrow your search and save time.
#3. CarGurus
CarGurus was founded in 2006 by Langley Steinert, the co-founder of travel website Tripadvisor. CarGurus’s goal is to make car shopping easier by providing transparent information on pricing, dealer reputation, and vehicle history. Users can find new, used, and certified pre-owned cars through CarGurus.
One thing that makes CarGurus the best private car seller website is its instant market value tool, which allows buyers to see if a car is listed at a great price based on real-time data. Additionally, an easy-to-use search engine lets you filter results by make, model, price range, mileage, and more. Useful features such as price drop alerts and dealer ratings help foster trust between buyer and seller. You’ll find cars for any budget with CarGurus since it offers everything from economy models to luxury vehicles and sports cars. An extensive selection means you’re likely to find exactly what you’re looking for—a reliable sedan for everyday driving or an elegant convertible sports car in bright red paint—within minutes of visiting the site.
Key Features and Benefits
Extensive Listings: CarGurus claims to have the largest database of listings in the world for new and used cars from dealers or private sellers. Each listing is rated as being a great, good, fair deal, or overpriced based on market trends to help you know if you can get a good deal.
Price Comparison: Obviously, one significant advantage of using this platform is that it offers a price comparison with each listing, letting you know if the car you are looking at is well-priced or not.
Deal Ratings: To help you find great deals, CarGurus uses deal ratings to rate every available car deal on the market. The CarGurus deal rating takes into account the seller’s reputation, price competitiveness, and vehicle history – helping you make a good decision with confidence.
Transparency: Buyers are also given all available information about each listing. You will see how long a car has been on the market, whether its price has risen or fallen, and whether it has a clean history or has been in an accident.
User Reviews: CarGurus allows users to read and write reviews of dealerships, helping others make an informed decision when buying a car.
Types Of Used Vehicles On CarGurus
CarGurus offers a great selection of used vehicles on the website to meet the many needs of customers. Here are popular types of used cars available on CarGurus:
Sedans
SUVs
Service trucks
Hatchbacks
Coupes
Convertibles
Minivans
Wagons
#4. eBay Motors
eBay Motors is the Internet’s largest and most successful marketplace where users can buy and sell a wide variety of used cars, classic cars, old cars, small cars, collectors cars, motorcycles, parts and accessories, car memorabilia, and just about anything else that has to do with vehicles. The community at eBay Motors has grown tremendously since it launched in 2000. In fact, hundreds of thousands of used car listings are updated in real-time, so your chances of finding exactly what you’re looking for are pretty good.
eBay Motors lets buyers either place bids on vehicles through auctions or buy them at a fixed price. This caters to different preferences or budgets. If you are a buyer, eBay Motors offers protection programs to ensure a 100% secure purchase.
All in all, eBay Motors has made automotive transactions that much easier, effectively changing the way people buy and sell vehicles online! Did we mention we’re an official shipping partner?
Key Features and Benefits of eBay Motors
Here are some of the features and benefits when using eBay Motors:
Large Selection: eBay Motors has a vast selection of millions of cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and RVs, as well as millions of car parts and accessories.
Seller Tools: eBay Motors offers various seller tools, such as eBay Valet.
Parts Compatibility Feature: This feature enables sellers to provide information about a part’s compatibility with different vehicles, allowing buyers to search for compatible parts quickly.
Mobile App: eBay Motors offers a user-friendly mobile app that lets sellers list and manage their stores using smartphones.
Secure Payment System: They use a secure payment system called eBay Managed Payments. This ensures that transactions are done safely and quickly between buyer and seller.
Vehicle Protection Program: You receive purchase protection on eBay Motors; this gives you confidence in the vehicle you are buying, as well as protects the interest of both parties.
Access to a Massive Audience: By listing items on eBay Motors, sellers gain access to a huge customer base, increasing visibility and sales volume.
Cost-Effective Marketing: This lucrative platform provides cost-effective ways to market your business like Promoted Listings and Sponsored Ads.
Automated Listing Tool: The automated listing feature of eBay Motors allows users to save time when they are selling vehicles. This tool populates all relevant data needed from an existing listing.
Types of Vehicles Available on eBay Motors
eBay Motors has a variety of vehicles available for purchase to meet the needs of different buyers. Some types of cars available on eBay Motors include:
Cars: The site offers a large number of vehicles, including sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks, SUVs, and trucks. Buyers have the option to purchase new or used cars from manufacturers.
Motorcycles: Motorcycle fans can choose from various motorcycles, such as cruisers, sport bikes, touring bikes, dirt bikes, and scooters. Buyers can also look for both new models and vintage motorcycles.
Boats: Through eBay Motors, boat shoppers can access powerboats, sailboats, fishing boats, yachts, and personal watercraft. Shoppers can find boats in different sizes and types to accommodate their specific water recreation needs.
RVs and Campers: Road trippers and campers can find motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and camper vans on eBay Motors. These RVs are perfect for those looking to take long road trips or go camping.
ATVs and UTVs: For those who like to get dirty, browse ATVs or UTVs for recreation, including trail riding, hunting, and farming.
Classic Cars: eBay Motors offers a wide variety of classic cars, such as the Ford Mustang, Chevy Corvette, Ford Thunderbird, and Mercedes Benz. These vehicles are often used for business purposes or by fans of antique or vintage cars that hold some historical importance.
Commercial Vehicles: Businesses will find a large selection of buses, commercial trucks, trailers and even construction equipment in the heavy machinery section on eBay Motors.
#5. Hemmings
Born in 1954 as a small four-page car magazine, Hemmings has become a top classic car website with more than 10,000 searchable ads. Add in a marketplace for car parts and oodles of classic car resources, and it’s no wonder this website takes a top spot on our list.
Hemmings is more than just an online marketplace for vintage cars. It offers guides to pricing, information on how to buy, shops you can visit virtually, and so much more for those true blue older-car enthusiasts out there. There’s also a blog, newsletter, and several magazines that cater to fans of the classics.
Still, Hemmings is the best at what it does. In our online searches, we found more than 10,000 ads from private sellers for everything from Hondas to Ferraris. That puts it slightly ahead of its main rival, ClassicCars.com and far out in front of everyone else. Hemmings also has listings covering thousands of classic cars for sale by dealers, as well.
True to its multimedia nature, readers can also search for more than 30,000 classic car parts for sale.
Key Features and Benefits of Hemmings
For car buyers
Detailed listings: Every car listed by Hemmings comes with a thorough description, specs, and photos, which help buyers make an educated decision. Complete details mean less uncertainty for buyers and fewer bad surprises. In addition, users of every car comment on its pricing and condition.
Reputation: The reputation is one of trust because Hemmings has a good reputation in the industry for its knowledge base and commitment to excellence. People can be sure when they go onto the site that Hemmings has verified all cars before it was published.
For Car Sellers:
Exposure: The Hemmings website is highly visited and popular. When you list your vehicle on Hemmings, it receives broad exposure to various prospective buyers and enthusiasts, increasing the opportunities for sale.
Guidance and Assistance: Hemmings helps sellers navigate the entire selling process, guiding them step-by-step and addressing any questions or concerns.
Types of Vehicles Available on Hemmings
You can use Hemmings auction listings for free. If you just want to window shop, no account is necessary. Just click on one of the seven vehicle categories:
American muscle cars
Performance cars
Exotic cars
Trucks, 4X4s, and SUVs
Motorcycles
Restomods and customs
Engines and spare parts
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR BUYING USED CARS ONLINE
Verifying Vehicle History
Ensure you look at the car’s vehicle history report before making a final decision to purchase it. A vehicle history report will show previous accidents, title problems, service points, previous ownership changes, and many more details that could impact whether a car is safe and reliable for daily driving. Websites such as CARFAX and AutoCheck offer these reports based on a specific car’s unique 17-character VIN. Some dealers may also provide a free vehicle history report with listings online.
Negotiating Prices
Research various pricing sources such as Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and NADA Guides to figure out a pricing range for the make and model you are looking to buy. Compare that with the asking price of a car available online in used car listings, considering its mileage, condition, features, and location. When entering into negotiations, use the identified information and factors difference between their ask, market value, and the benefit of selling quickly.
Importance of Vehicle Inspection
It is recommended to have a professional mechanic you trust inspect the vehicle before purchasing whether the car looks good in pictures and has a description that matches the mechanical condition because those photos do not show the damaged parts of the vehicle, and the description can never be accurate enough. The only way to make sure you are not getting a car with problems or issues is to have a professional check it out for you. Many buyers prefer arranging inspections at reputable facilities near the location of the vehicle they are looking to purchase.
WHY CHOOSE USHIP FOR SHIPPING YOUR PURCHASED VEHICLE?
Benefits of choosing uShip for shipping your purchased vehicle:
Competitive Bidding: uShip gives you the power to choose! On most shipments, thousands of transporters will submit quotes for your review, competing for your business and offering the best rates. No matter your car shipping needs, uShip makes it easy to find professional car shipping companies who compete for your business, ensuring the best price possible.
Feedback-Rated Transporters: All transporters are feedback-rated by past vehicle shipments with uShip. This means you can view their given feedback from previous customers they have provided services for and see how reliable they truly are when it comes time to get your car shipped hassle-free.
Variety of Protection Choices: You can choose added protection features that uShip can arrange with our uShip Protection Plan to protect your vehicle from potential damages during transport. Incidents are a rarity, but an extra level of protection ensures you’re protected.
Status Alerts and Communication: Real-time status updates are available so you always know exactly where your car is in the delivery process when you ship with uShip. Open lines of communication make it easy to get in touch with your driver if there’s ever a question or concern.
Accessibility: uShip offers a simple way to book national and state-to-state auto transport with its easy-to-use site and a wide network of trusted carriers. Quickly get numerous auto haul quotes through our excellent car shipping cost calculator.
Customer Testimonials
“I should be able to buy something, know that I’m in good hands, that it’s going to get delivered here, the price is what we agreed upon, and I can settle up and be done. The quality of carriers I’ve found on uShip has been absolutely wonderful.” See Bryan’s story.
“The process of setting up car transport was very simple, and the company I chose was very fast to respond. They got my vehicle to me in a shorter time than expected. I was very impressed and happy because, thanks to the bidding process, I saved $2000 on my transport cost.” – Richard L. (Tampa, FL)
“uShip is the only way to ship a vehicle. I have had cars and motorcycles shipped, and every time, they arrive safely and in a timely manner. I never have to worry about whether I will get my items either. The drivers all really seem to care about your vehicle.” – Kerry C. (
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO SHIPPING WITH USHIP
STEP 1: START YOUR FREE LISTING: To get a price and start the car transport process, visit uShip and start your free listing. Simply tell us about your vehicle and shipping needs to generate a price.
STEP 2: START GETTING QUOTES: Watch as quotes come in from top-rated transportation providers. See feedback on the drivers.
STEP 3: PICK YOUR PROVIDER: After receiving quotes and researching transporters, choose your best provider and review the terms and conditions, payment specifics, and protection options.
STEP 4: SCHEDULE PICKUP AND DELIVERY: Arrange drop-off and pickup times with your chosen transporter and ensure that you are prepared for shipping according to the processes you agreed upon in the first three steps.
STEP 5: KEEP TRACK: Check in on the status of your vehicle’s delivery using uShip’s tracking feature. You can also contact your transporter through the uShip chat option should you need any additional assistance or information.
STEP 6: CHECK FOR DAMAGE: Once your vehicle has been delivered, be sure to inspect it for damage or irregularities. Contact your transporter if you find any damage. If needed, open a case under the uShip Protection Plan.
STEP 7: REVIEW TRANSPORTER: Remember to rate the transporter you used and provide a detailed description of your transport so that future users can make a well-informed decision.
CONCLUSION
So there you go, your list of the best sites for used cars by owner is now ready for use: Autotrader, Cars.com, CarGurus, eBay Motors, and Hemmings. With these websites listed down, you might get lucky and find your dream car on sale in one of them!
Now, before you click that purchase button after finding the ideal used car online, please remember to check the vehicle well before completing the buy with a local mechanic’s inspection report. Pull the complete vehicle history, and don’t forget to negotiate.
When it comes to getting your new set of wheels home, why not make it hassle-free with uShip? uShip’s vehicle shipping services will ensure your precious purchase arrives safely and securely at your doorstep.
MOST COMMON QUESTIONS PEOPLE ALSO ASK (PAA)
What are the best websites to buy used cars?
Well-known alternatives include eBay Motors, Autotrader, Cars.com, Hemmings, Carvana, and more. Different sites offer different types of car inventory, various levels of protection, and other formats to find your car! You need to prototype the experience yourself and see which one you like best.
How do I find reliable used car listings online?
If you’re looking to find a great deal on the best website for used cars by owner, start your search on a site with a great reputation, plenty of seller ratings, and the best-verified listings. Also, read user reviews for lemons!
What should I look for when buying a used car online?
When purchasing any vehicle, make sure you tackle all elements on your must-have list; invest in a vehicle history report; consider overall condition such as dents, scratches, or rips in the interior; check maintenance records; and get an inspection done. Besides, take it for a drive, or maybe two or three drives, plus you need to compare pricing based on market value (get an appraisal from multiple dealers if need be).
How can I verify the history of a used car?
Get a vehicle history report using the car’s VIN through CARFAX or AutoCheck. Such reports reveal important information on accidents, titles, odometer readings, and ownership changes.
Is it safe to buy a car online?
Ensure safe transactions by using secure payment methods, transacting with credible sellers, and following platform security rules. Secure platforms usually offer guidelines on how to operate safely in completing digital transactions.
What are the pros and cons of buying a used car from different sites?
Every platform presents distinct advantages (e.g., vast selections, reduced expenses) and drawbacks (e.g., heightened risks, narrower possibilities). Assess each option against your priorities to determine the most suitable choice.
How do I negotiate the price of a used car?
Begin by researching market values, establishing a spending limit, reaching out to sellers, and leveraging rival bids. Astute negotiation may result in better deals and happier buyers.
What are the benefits of using uShip for vehicle shipping?
Competitive rates, access to feedback-rated transporters, real-time tracking, a simple-to-use interface, and first-class customer service make using uShip a breeze.
