In 2025, the process of purchasing a pre-owned car is quite different from what it was some ten or so years back. Nowadays, there’s no need to pace around fluffed-up showrooms or listen to a sales representative’s every word. Rather, by utilizing the best used car websites, shopping is done comfortably within the confines of your house.
They are equipped with thousands of adverts, every cost can be viewed, and most even include delivery at no extra cost. With this plethora of choices presented, one might ask oneself, so where is the best place to buy the car? Now that question has been answered as this resource looks at the best places to look for used cars and helps you to make an informed decision.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Platform
Before we discuss the best places to look for used cars, you should keep in mind what matters most in selecting a site:
- Transparency of pricing structure: On many of the car search websites, the selling site will offer a market value comparison because it helps you determine whether the price offered is reasonable or not.
- Availability of cars: The wider the choice of cars on the website , the more chances to get that desired car model and trim can one find.
- Vehicle history tools: A Carfax or other reports attached to the listing would help you flush out additional problems.
- Ease of use: You have all the available options in one interface, and you can greatly reduce search time thanks to filters.
- Support and guarantees: This can be things like a refund period or a car warranty, which reassures you that the car is good.
The used-car market is huge since, according to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 284 million vehicles are registered for use in the United States. Given the millions of cars accessible online, choosing the correct platform will enable you to whittle down the options promptly.
Top 14 Online Platforms for Buying Used Cars in 2025
Car buyers nowadays have various and interesting platforms from which they can purchase cars. Below we will review platforms we believe are some of the best places to buy cars online.
1. Carvana
Carvana disrupted the acceptance of internet car shopping with its slick online portal and famous “car vending machines.” Therefore, it is cited among the most used car websites for easy sales, owing to its no-haggle pricing and delivery options.
Each car comes with a seven-day return policy plus a 100-day limited warranty, just to make you feel more comfortable about your purchase. You may choose to have your car delivered to your house or picked up from one of the vending towers.
2. CarGurus
With its price algorithms specifying “Great Deal,” “Good Deal,” or “Overpriced,” CarGurus really holds the distinction of being one of those sites for used-car hunting where the buyer gets all the transparency.
It can pull in the dealer and private listings together for you to compare and contrast options all across the country. It even tells you how long a car has been listed, which may sometimes help in negotiations.
3. Cars.com
Cars.com, established in 1998, is considered one of the best used car sites for its comprehensive inventory as well as extensive review capabilities. Additionally, it offers an objective comparison of the driver’s seats of four cars in one panel, with the seamless comparison of even such figures as the trunk volumes of cargo vans.
In addition, a great number of ads are equipped with Carfax reports that come at no additional charge and enable the purchase process or rather selling to directly the dealership or private sellers themselves. Just several years later, Cars.com is rated as A+ by the Better Business Bureau, still too, it has to be among the used cars websites that have the credibility in 2025.
4. AutoTrader
Being among the very first car search websites, AutoTrader provides both dealer and consumer listings with modern filtering. One is able to view a maximum of 5 cars at once with the ability to compare their prices, mileage and also fuel consumption. Although the site tends to be a little heavy with information, it packs pretty much everything for research.
Financing instruments are also provided by AutoTrader which makes it recommendable if the buyers are looking for a multipurpose market place.
5. Edmunds
Edmunds by the name of reputation in automotive journalism stands as one of the most respected websites for used car research. Specializing in listings alone is not enough; Edmunds also gives out professional reviews, tests of vehicles over long periods, and calculating tools that can rate a deal as fair, good, or great.
Your trade-in may be appraised, and you may be connected with more dealers to receive bids. If you want to bind professional insight with a bit of help in shopping, Edmunds is one of the best online car-buying spots out there.
6. TrueCar
TrueCar is an automobile market, specializing in price transparency. It helps a buyer know how much others pay for the same model in their locality, thus creating assurance that one does not overpay. Thousands of dealers across the country partner with TrueCar so that fixed-price offers can be given-and locked-in online-before the buyer comes to the dealer.
Financing is also a possibility, with TrueCar making it an easy process. In other words, if your budget is more important, this is definitely one of the best places to buy a used car.
7. CarMax
CarMax deals with and sells hundreds of used cars throughout the U.S., holding the distinction of being largest among independent used car dealers. CarMax.com has to be counted among the premier used car sites because it has large inventory listing and prices nonnegotiably.
CarMax allows you to test-drive the product for 24 hours, keep it in your possession for 10 days, and receive a limited warranty. Names might be a little steep while trying to negotiate a better price. Hence, if you are not into negotiation, CarMax offers some of the finest pre-owned vehicles with reliability and ease of purchase.
8. Carfax
Carfax began as a provider of vehicle history reports and is still best known for its reports. Nowadays, its marketplace is among the best used car websites, with filters such as “one-owner” or “service history available.”
As for the good part, most listings include a free Carfax report, which, separately, would cost about $45. So, if the information about the past history of the car really matters to you, Carfax is the foremost site on which to look for used cars.
9. Kelley Blue Book (KBB)
There is no denying that Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has been synonymous with used-car prices. For many banks and insurance companies, it is considered the gold standard for pricing. KBB lets you browse listings, compare vehicles, and get a trusted trade-in estimate.
It has a very simple interface, making it easier to use than some of its competitors, which benefits from its century-old reputation for accurate valuations.
In the eyes of many purchasers, KBB marks the best place to buy a car when seeking reliable pricing guidance.
10. Facebook Marketplace
Local used cars have now become a great category to search for on Facebook Marketplace. With tens of millions on Facebook daily, the giant has numerous listings from individuals as well as small dealers. You can message sellers directly and sometimes negotiate better deals than what would be on other dealer-centric sites.
A difference is in scams, but Marketplace will always be best for snagging a local bargain when you want to cut out the dealer for fees.
11. Craigslist
If it is a private-party sale, Craigslist is the main landing website, and therefore, it is among the best places to buy cars online if searching for local deals. Its simplicity is both its strength and weakness: listings are straightforward but offer very few buyer protections.
You will want to look at potential sellers from the outside and arrange inspections yourself. Many buyers can find the best deals on Craigslist, quite the opposite of the big-name used car sites.
12. eBay Motors
The site makes for one of the best platforms to snag hard-to-get items and competitive deals on used cars. eBay Motors mixes classifieds with auctions, direct sales, and offers.
Buyer protection against fraudulent titles or hidden defects provided here is quite moderate, so the site is riskier than a dealer platform, and it is best for those who enjoy buying their used car auction-style.
13. Bring a Trailer
This is the place to acquire a used car if one is into vintage, classic, or rare models. Listings typically consist of detailed descriptions and photographs as well as input from the active community. Auctions attract intelligent people, which helps in setting the right price.
If only for daily commuting, this will not rank among your prime choices, but 2025 will be an ideal stop for specialty vehicles.
14. Cars & Bids
Founded by automotive journalist Doug DeMuro, Cars & Bids is another auction site targeting modern enthusiast cars. From sporty coupes to rare imports, it is one of the best sites on which to find unique vehicles under 30 years old.
With its easy-to-navigate interface and active comment sections, buyers can really get into evaluating listings. This is one of the main sites that actually understands the niche enthusiast who wants something a little off the beaten path from mainstream, and Cars & Bids sits proudly among them.
So, where is the best place to buy a car in 2025? That depends on what you need. For ease of purchase, Carvana and CarMax are the best ones. For advice from the experts, Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book would be excellent. Those on the budget will want to make Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace their top choices for local deals.
