With all the dealerships, price negotiations, and endless paperwork, buying or selling a car has never been simple. That’s why platforms like Carvana, Autotrader, and Cargurus have gained so much attention. Promising a completely online car-buying and selling experience, the process suggests browsing vehicles on your laptop and having one delivered right to your driveway.
But with so many promises, drivers naturally want to know: Is Carvana legit in 2025? How do real customers rate their experience?
What Is Carvana?
Carvana described itself as an online-only used car retailer founded to eliminate the traditional car dealership experience. With headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, the company has been helping customers to shop, finance, trade in, and even sell their used cars entirely online.
Some of the most outstanding features include their statements that all vehicles are accident-free and have detailed inspection reports to reassure the buyers’ confidence. To reduce the risks even further, Carvana also provides a 7-day return and exchange policy. This means you can test the car and decide if it fully satisfies your needs.
Carvana Customer Reviews
| Source/Platform | Rating | Notes |
| Trustpilot | 4.4/5 | Based on 13,751 Carvana reviews, features generally receive positive feedback on convenience. |
| Consumer Affairs | 3.4/5 | Mixed opinions about vehicle condition and the overall customer service |
| Reddit Sentiment | Mixed (plus to minus) | Customers claim delivery delays, as well as issues with registration and paperwork. |
Here are a couple of highlights from previous and current Carvana customers:
- “Extreme delays on delivery, extreme delays on registration/paper work…”
- “We bought a 2017 Toyota Highlander 4 years ago from Carvana and had a excellent experience!…We did take the car to our mechanic the following day and had it inspected with excellent reviews.”
- “Have it inspected before the test drive period is up. They sent me two rusted out messes that wouldn’t pass state inspection.” Source, Reddit
- “Quick easy and was best offer we got from any one. Was little shocked that pick up price more than doubled since December when we sold our Trax.” Source, Trustpilot
How Does Carvana Work?
It’s a unified hub where you can browse through thousands of vehicles, apply for additional financing, pay for the purchase, and arrange a delivery or pickup. That said, it covers both sides of the transaction:
- Simplifying everything from loan approval to scheduling delivery for buyers. You can review the complete inspection reports, check free vehicle history records, and have the car parked at your doorway once everything’s approved.
- Providing instant online offers and handling pickup logistics for sellers. Once your car passes a quick inspection to confirm its condition, payment is issued by check or direct deposit as soon as possible.
How to Buy a Car on Carvana
Buying a car on Carvana is more like a simple online shopping experience than visiting a car salon or dealership office. Instead of spending hours negotiating, you can complete the transaction from anywhere using a laptop or a phone.
- Browse the Inventory: Search among the thousands on Carvana’s website, filtering by make, model, mileage, price, and other characteristics.
- Check the Vehicle Report: Review the detailed inspection provided with every car, as well as the free Carfax report to gain insights into its history.
- Arrange Financing: You can opt for the internal Carvana financing or use your own lender to get a car loan.
- Place the Order: Reserve the vehicle and complete the paperwork online to finalize the purchase.
- Delivery or Pickup: Choose the best delivery option for you, either by having the car delivered to your home or picking it up from one of Carvana’s vending machines.
- Test-Drive Period: See if the car meets your expectations during the 7-day return window.
How to Sell a Car to Carvana
Selling a car online is equally straightforward, designed to cut out the hassle of private listing and deal trade-ins. Here are a few key steps for sellers:
- List Your Vehicle: List your VIN or license plate, mileage, and condition details to start receiving quotes.
- Review the Offers: The platform locks in the price for a limited period, giving you time to consider the offer.
- Schedule Pickup or Drop-off: Once you accept the offer, Carvana specialists begin free vehicle pickup arrangements. You may also decide to drop it at the nearest Carvana location.
- Inspection and Confirmation: A company representative then verifies the car’s condition to confirm the order.
- Receive Payment: Once confirmed, you will get paid quickly, often the same day, by check or direct deposit.
Pros and Cons of Carvana
Like any platform, Carvana has its advantages and disadvantages that can help a potential customer decide whether or not to opt for their services.
Pros of Carvana
1. Convenience of a fully online process
Carvana allows you to shop, finance, and finalize a car purchase or sale process without setting foot in a dealership. This saves time and eliminates stressful negotiations.
2. Wide vehicle selection
The platform features thousands of cars across different makes and models, often newer used vehicles with relatively low mileage. You can use the built-in filters to narrow down choices and compare options quickly.
3. Home delivery and car vending machines
No more driving across town to pick up a car as Carvana delivers directly to your driveway. Certain cities also have specialized vending machines, allowing you to pick up the purchase whenever you are ready.
4. 7-day return policy
The test and trial period allows buyers to live with the car, drive it in real conditions, and check it at the mechanics before making the final decision. This flexibility is a strong appeal for cautious buyers.
5. Quick selling process
For sellers, the platform removes the hassle of posting ads, negotiating with strangers, or visiting multiple dealerships to find a buyer.
Cons of Carvana
1. Mixed customer service reviews
While some customers describe smooth experiences, others report slow responses or difficulty resolving paperwork and registration issues.
2. Inconsistent vehicle condition
Although Carvana claims every car is accident-free, some customers have complained about undisclosed issues or wear-and-tear that didn’t fully match the online description. The 7-day return policy helps, but the initial disappointment can be frustrating.
3. Pricing may not always beat local dealers
Carvana cars are often competitively priced, but not always cheaper than traditional dealerships or private sellers. Some buyers can still find better deals by scrolling and shopping around, especially for older vehicles.
4. Limited negotiation opportunities
The “no-haggle” pricing system simplifies the process but leaves little room to negotiate a lower price.
5. Delivery and paperwork delays
A recurring complaint is delays in vehicle delivery or registration documents. While not universal, these issues can cause significant inconvenience when they occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the perks of selling and buying from this platform may seem appealing, many drivers still have concerns about whether Carvana is worth it or not. That’s why we’ve also gathered a couple of frequently asked questions from Carvana reviews to help me make a choice.
Is Carvana a Good Place to Buy a Car?
For many buyers, yes. The platform is often praised for its convenience, wide selection, and flexible return policies that allow you to test the car before committing. However, not every platform is ideal for everyone, so it’s wise to talk to other customers and read the inspection reports carefully to avoid budget waste.
Is Carvana Legit?
Yes. Carvana is a publicly traded company operating since 2012 and selling thousands of vehicles each year. They have a license and strict regulations, offering customers guarantees such as accident-free cars, warranties, and a money-back policy.
Does Carvana Inspect Your Car Before Buying?
Yes. When you sell a car via Carvana, an inspection is among the first steps required to verify its condition and confirm that it matches the details you entered online. If the inspection reveals differences, such as hidden damage or undisclosed war, the original offer may be adjusted or withdrawn.
How Much Does Carvana Charge to Pick Up Your Car?
Carvana mostly provides free pickup for sellers who accept its offer. However, this strongly depends on your location. If pickup options aren’t available in your region, you may need to drop the car off at a designated Carvana hub.
What Is Carvana Care?
CarvanaCare is the platform’s optional extended protection plan that goes beyond the standard 100-day limited warranty and covers major systems, such as the engine, transmission, air conditioning, etc. Plans may vary in length and coverage, allowing the customers to choose the level of protection that fits their needs.
