Which is Better for Selling the Car?
Overall, CarsDirect is a better company to sell your car to than Truecar. Selling your car with Truecar and CarsDirect is similar in many ways. It’s also noteworthy that CarsDirect redirects you to Peddle and it’s best to go to the Peddle website directly.
First, CarsDirect’s offer is valid for seven days while TrueCar only gives you three days to consider your offer. It also offers a free pickup and lets you get cash or check.
Truecar and CarsDirect charge no fees, offer free online quotes, and pay you with a check on the day of the sale.
CarsDirect Summary
- Lets you research used car prices to price your car fairly
- Connects you with Peddle to sell your car within 48 hours
- Provides lead generation and referral services to auto dealers
- The platform is free to use
TrueCar Summary
- Enter VIN to instantly get a car estimate
- Offer is good for three days
- TrueCar pays through check
- Offer comes from one of Certified Dealers
CarsDirect vs. Truecar Comparison
| CarsDirect | Truecar | |
|---|---|---|
| Cars accepted | New, used, and junk | Used and new cars |
| Fees | No fees | No fees |
| Requesting quotes | Online | Online and in person |
| Offer validity | 7 days | 3 days |
| Payments offered | Cash or check | Check from a certified dealer |
| Payout | Same day | Same day |
| Car pick-up | Free pickup | No mention of car pick-up |
| Physical locations | Various US locations | Various car dealership locations |
| Turnaround time | Same day | Same day |
| Customer service | Phone | Phone, email |
| Reviews | 2.7 | 4.1 |
Consider Best Alternatives
Best for Older & Damaged Cars
Buys used, damaged or junk cars
Free tow and no hidden fees
Pays by ACH trasfer or check
Top Pick for Junk Cars
Free, no-obligation cash offers
Offers free paperwork service
Pays on the spot upon pick up
Highly Rated by Customers
Excellent customer service ratings
Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days
Can pick up a car within 48 hours
Great for Low-Mileage Cars
Gives a real offer in 2 minutes
100% hassle-free online process
Free car’s Value Tracker available
Cars Accepted
Truecar accepts new and used cars that are in drivable condition, while CarsDirect accepts both new and old cars, as well as damaged cars, cars that no longer run, and cars that would be considered junk to some.
Fees
Neither CarsDirect nor Truecar charges any fees. Both companies provide you with a free quote through their online application form.
Requesting Quotes
With Truecar, you need only provide your car’s license plate and state to receive your free quote.
Truecar also accepts:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Year, make, and model of the car
CarsDirect has a more extensive application form where you will be asked to provide the year, make, model, trim, and title of your car.
You will also be asked to answer the following questions:
- Are the wheels mounted or inflated?
- Does it have a key and a working battery?
- Does it drive?
- What is the mileage?
- Is there any body, mirror, glass, or light damage?
- Are there any removed or loose exterior body parts?
- Is there any damaged or removed interior?
- Is there any flood or fire damage?
Offer Validity
With CarsDirect, your offer is valid for 7 days after you receive it, while with Truecar, it is only valid for 3 days.
Payments Offered
If you sell your car to CarsDirect, the dealership will provide you with a check on the same day that you bring your car into a participating dealership, or have your car picked up. Truecar will also provide you with a check in hand on the day that you bring your car into a dealership.
Payout
Both CarsDirect and Truecar will give you a check in hand on the day that you sell your car. A check will usually take up to 2 business days to clear; however, depending on the check, some checks may take longer to clear and show up in your bank account.
Car Pick-up
CarsDirect offers free car pick-up services, and you can also drop off your car at one of their participating locations. Truecar does not mention pick-up services, but you can drop off your car at one of their physical locations.
Physical Locations
Since CarsDirect sells cars through Peddle, you can head to any of Peddle’s in-person locations. Peddle has dealership locations all across the US.
When it comes to cash for junk cars, you can find Peddle’s largest markets in:
- Austin
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Los Angeles
- Minneaopolis
- San Jose
- Sacramento
When you receive your price offer, Truecar will connect you with one of their thousands of Certified Dealers.
Turnaround Time
Whether you choose to sell your car with CarsDirect or Truecar, both companies offer a very quick turnaround time for quoting and buying your car from you. It typically takes 24 hours to sell your car with both dealerships as quoting and selling your car can be done all on the same day.
Customer Service
You can contact CarsDirect customer service by calling them at 1-800-260-5857.
To contact Truecar customer service, call 1-888-878-3227 or email their customer support team at feedback@truecar.com.
Reviews
CarsDirect has a 2.7-star rating on Trustpilot, while Truecar’s overall rating is 4.1 stars on Trustpilot. CarsDirect does not have any reviews on BBB, while Truecar has a 3.1-star rating on BBB.
Customers have praised CarsDirect for selling high-quality cars, having a quick turnaround time, and offering professional customer service. Some customers have raised complaints about CarsDirect providing poor customer service, not being able to contact customer support with complaints, and using customer and car information without permission.
Customers have praised Truecar for providing great deals, honoring rebate certificates, and providing excellent customer service. Some customers have raised complaints about Truecar not answering or returning customer phone calls, not honoring their price offers, and having misleading prices online.
| CarsDirect | Truecar | |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot Rating | 2.7 | 4.1 |
| BBB Rating | 3.1 |