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How to Sell?

12 Best Companies that Can Buy My Car in 2024

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Written by: Michael Becker
Last Updated:

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Quick Answer

As an experienced car dealer and flipper with over 15 years of experience in the automotive industry, I’ve sold many cars in different ways. I’ve sold cars through dealerships, online marketplaces, and even Craigslist. But I’ve found that the easiest, quickest and most hassle-free way to sell a car is through car-buying services like Peddle.

I recently sold my 2015 Honda Accord to Peddle with 100,000 miles on it. I got an offer of $4,380 within a few seconds, and the company came to pick up my car by the end of the next day.

I am impressed with the Peddle experience, the process is simple and straightforward, and I do not have to do any of the paperwork because everything is taken care of by the Peddle.

Besides, selling on Peddle is completely free: no listing, sign up or seller fees.

Best for Older & Damaged Cars

Peddle logo

Buys used, damaged or junk cars

Free tow and no hidden fees

Pays by ACH trasfer or check

Top Pick for Junk Cars

Wheelzy logo

Free, no-obligation cash offers

Offers free paperwork service

Pays on the spot upon pick up

Highly Rated by Customers

CarBrain logo

Excellent customer service ratings

Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days

Can pick up a car within 48 hours

Great for Low-Mileage Cars

Carvana logo

Gives a real offer in 2 minutes

100% hassle-free online process

Free car’s Value Tracker available

12 Companies that Can Buy My Car

1. Peddle


Peddle Summary

  • Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwide
  • Free towing within 48 hours after offer
  • Receive payment upon car collection
  • Get free online quote – offer valid 7 days
  • Instant quote available on (855) 925 4302
  • No obligation to accept the offer

Peddle is a popular car buyer service operating in over 50 states that buys all types of vehicles despite their condition, make or damage.

Selling the car to Peddle involves a few steps and that takes no more than 10 minutes.

How to sell a car to Peddle:

  1. Fill out an online form (up to 5 mins) – provide your car’s make, model, year, and mileage and describe the condition.
  2. Evaluate and accept the offer (up to 2 mins) – after you fill out a form, you will get an instant cash offer. If you are happy with it, the next step is accepting the offer.
  3. Create the account (up to 3 mins) – you can sign up with your email or Facebook account.
  4. Schedule car pickup – after you accept the offer, Peddle’s representative will contact you and schedule the car’s pickup from your specified location. You only need to arrange the exact time you will be available.

Peddle’s offer will be valid for 7 days and after you accept it, the car will be inspected and towed away within 48 hours. Car inspection usually takes no more than 10 minutes and you will be paid by check at the end of it.

2. Wheelzy


Wheelzy Summary

  • Service is completely free – no hidden fees
  • Get offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108
  • Free towing of your car from your location
  • Instant payment via cash or check
  • Possible to negotiate the offer
  • Available nationwide (50 states)

Wheelzy is another popular online car-buying site. Wheelzy doesn’t buy motorcycles, two-wheeled vehicles, ATVs, campers or RVs and only accepts cars no older than 1981.

To get started with Wheelzy, you need to follow a few steps:

  1. Fill out an online form – provide details on your car, such as year of manufacture, make, model and submodel.
  2. After submitting the form, you’ll get an offer to sell your vehicle. 
  3. Then, the company organizes a convenient pickup time at no cost.
  4. After pickup, they’ll pay by cash or check. 
  5. Finally, the company handles the paperwork and ownership transfer.

3. Carbrain


CarBrain Summary

  • Call for a free quote – (844) 407-2200
  • Get cash for your car in under 48 hours
  • CarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditions
  • Up to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
carbrain points

Carbrain specializes in buying well-maintained second-hand vehicles as well as junk, unwanted, non-functional, and scrap cars.

Carbrain also offers a quick and easy process of selling a car. On average, after 2 minutes of filling out an online form and providing basic details about your car’s model, CarBrain will contact you and provide you with a cash offer. This offer will be valid for 7 days.

If you accept the offer, CarBrain’s contractors will arrive to inspect the vehicle and tow it away.

CarBarin will pay you by check within 48 hours after you accept the offer.

4. Carvana


Carvana Summary

  • Get an online quote within 2 minutes
  • Free pickup wtihin 100 miles of a hub
  • Offer valid for 7 days or 250 more miles
  • Haggle-free process to sell your car

Carvana is one of the largest e-commerce platforms that sell second-hand vehicles in Arizona. It was founded in 2012 and currently has over 20,000 well-maintained vehicles for sale.

You can sell your vehicle through the website or by downloading the Carvana app on your mobile device, which will take you less than two minutes.

The company operates entirely online; therefore, after filling in the details and accepting their offer, someone inspects, pays, and tows away your vehicle.

When giving your car details, you can include mileage, zip code, premium features, accident history, mechanical issues, exterior damage, loan status, and general condition.

5. CarGurus


CarGurus Summary

  • Receive payment within 3 working days
  • Find out the market value of your car
  • List your car for sale in under 5 minutes
  • Up to $75,000 in protection for your sale

CarGurus offers two ways to sell a car: you can get an instant quote or you can sell it privately.

If you’re considering selling your car privately on CarGurus, creating a 30-day listing will cost you $4.95. The good thing is that there are no additional fees or commission charges when your car sells.

To get an instant cash offer, you can either provide your car details or simply enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate number.

If you accept the quote, you can arrange a time to pick up the vehicle from your home. Payment is made within two business days after the sale, either by check or direct deposit.

6. eBay Motors


eBay Motors Summary

  • Sell 20+ types of vehicle and car parts
  • Low listing fees starting from just $19
  • List a car for sale in under 10 minutes
  • 2 selling options – fixed price or auction

eBay Motors has a wide audience but also has high competition; for example, as of 2022 data, eBay had 18.3 million sellers. So selling privately can take some time. However, you can potentially get a better value for your used car compared to selling to dealerships.

When listing on eBay Motors, you need to create a Sellers Account and choose one of 3 listing packages: basic ($19), plus ($49) or premium ($79).

Moreover, eBay charges a 2.8% deposit fee if you set the deposit requirement option.

7. Carmax


CarMax Summary

  • Instant online offer in under 2 minutes
  • Online offer is valid for up to 7 days
  • 2 options for selling – online or in-store
  • Get paid within 30 minutes on the spot

Carmax is one of the oldest car-selling and buying companies, with over 220 retail stores located in over 41 states. As a leading car retailer, Carmax has sold over 9 million years since it was founded in 1993.

The online process is the same as other platforms, such as Peddle and Wheelzy, since all you need is to fill out a form, get a seven-day offer, schedule an appointment, and get paid. Even though the offers are firm and non-negotiable, they may adjust the price after the verification process.

In addition, you can drive your car to a CarMax store near you for a physical appraisal. With this, you don’t need to schedule an appointment, as you can simply walk in.

The downside of CarMax is that they won’t pick up your vehicle, and you can only redeem the offer at a store nearby. However, you get instant pay after verification. 

In the case of a leased vehicle, they will liaise with the leasing company and offer to pay off the quote or equity. 

sell car to dealer

8. Autonation


AutoNation Summary

  • Over 300 locations in the US available
  • Get an online offer within 30 minutes
  • Online offer valid for up to 7 days
  • Get paid within 24 hours for your car

Autonation is a car-buying company with 300 plus retail stores and more than 26000 associates spread across the United States.

The online platform allows you to sell your car by providing its VIN code along with a short description of its physical condition. 

Typically, a certified offer will come your way within 30 minutes. Like Carmax, they don’t come to your location, but you must present your offer and car to the nearby store and get paid after inspection.

Even though they can buy cars from anyone, you can sign up with your email and access other services, including; 

  • Viewing vehicle models
  • Tracking your preferences
  • Vehicle financing and 
  • Service & parts availability
sell car to salvage yard

9. Kelley Blue Book


KBB Summary

  • Provides an Instant Cash Offer
  • Helps to determine your car’s value
  • It’s free to use the KBB valuation tool
  • Check your car for any recalls

Kelley Blue Book is a leading car automotive research and valuation company in the US. The Californian-based company opened its doors in 1926 and has nationwide outreach in over 50 states.

It uses a proprietary algorithm, historical trends, market conditions, year, location, and industry development to determine the market value.

A KBB review reveals that the Kelley Blue Book website is a comprehensive database that you can access;

  • Vehicle reviews
  • Autoshop guide
  • Services & repair guide
  • Maintenance pricing
  • Car buyers guide
  • Expert car reviews
  • Cars for sale
  • Car reviews
  • Research tools such as credit and car loans
  • Buying and selling of second-hand cars

Kelly Blue Book buys second-hand vehicles from individuals who place an offer on its website. You can give details of your work, including the VIN or Licence plate, to get an accurate offer.

The offer lasts seven days, and once you accept, drive the vehicle to the nearest dealer for verification and a cash offer. You can also trade in your vehicle for another and drive home with it the same day.

In addition, you can download the Kelly Blue Book app from Google Play or the App Store and access the service anywhere.

10. We Buy Any Car USA


We Buy Any Car Summary

  • Instant offers within minutes
  • Buys almost any vehicle
  • No fees if you have no finance on the vehicle
  • A+ BBB platform rating

We Buy Any Car USA is a family-owned business that started its operation in 1951. In over six decades, the company has made a name in car buying services and currently has over 116 locations across the United States.

With a long-standing reputation of exemplary service to its customers, you can be certain that you’ll get the right quote for your vehicle.

The first step is to fill out an online evaluation with your car’s make, model and year of manufacture. After that, you’ll get an offer, and if you accept, you can present your vehicle to the nearby branch.

You”ll receive money or a check within the same day. You can also trade in your old vehicle with a different model of your choice.

11. SellMax


SellMax Summary

  • Easy to sell your car in any condition
  • Lost car title? No problem
  • Free service
  • Better deals than junkyards

SellMax is a US-based company that has been in the car-buying business since 1990. Even though it’s based in San Diego, it has locations in up to 50 states where sellers can easily get a buyer for their vehicle.

The company has a reputation for not being picky and accepts all types of vehicles. Further, they’ve streamlined the entire process to deliver quick quotes, less paperwork, and convenient pick-ups. 

To get started, you can value your car by entering the details in the search box on the website. You’ll get cash the same day the staff tows your vehicle.

12. DamagedCar


DamagedCars Summary

  • Get paid within 24 to 48 hours
  • No need to go junkyard & negotiate deals
  • Higher pay than any other local junkyard
  • Offer within 90 seconds

As the name suggests, DamagedCar is a US-based company that offers reasonable market value for wrecked, crashed, and damaged cars. The company has been in business for up to ten years and has closed up to 1 million offers.

You can get a valid offer within 90 seconds of providing your vehicle’s details. You’ll get paid within 48 hours after a representative picks up your car.

How Long Does it Take to Sell a Car?


On average, selling a used car to a private buyer takes about 52 days. However, the exact duration can vary based on several factors, including the car’s make, model, age, mileage, condition, price, and even your geographical location.

In addition to these 52 days, you’ll need to dedicate extra time to manage your car’s listing details, such as adjusting the price, interacting with potential buyers, arranging test drives, and handling all the necessary DMV paperwork.

If your aim is to sell the vehicle as quickly as possible, opting for online platforms like Peddle, Wheelzy, or Carbrain could be your best bet. These services can finalize the sale and get you the money in less than 48 hours.

Who Will Buy My Financed Car?


Selling a car with a loan can be tricky, especially if your goal is to sell it privately. Until the loan is paid off, the legal owner of the vehicle is the lienholder, and you won’t be able to complete the title transfer. Moreover, most potential buyers won’t be interested in such offers due to possible financial burdens.

However, you still have a few options:

  1. Pay off the loan yourself – this is the easiest way to sell a financed car. Once the loan is paid off, you will be able to transfer the car title to your or the buyer’s name.
  2. Use sale money to pay off the loan – discuss with the buyer before signing any documentation to avoid any legal claims. You will need to pay off the loan, transfer the title to your name, and only when to the new buyer.
  3. Sell to a dealership – some dealerships can buy your car, even if it hasn’t been paid off yet. If the value of the car is greater than the payoff balance dealer will transfer the payoff amount to the lender and the rest money to you. If the car’s value is less than the payoff amount, you will need to cover the difference yourself.

Is it Better to Trade In or Sell?


Is it better to trade in or sell depends on your situation and goal If your main goal is to maximize your profit and you’re not concerned about the time it takes to sell, selling your car privately is likely the best option.

If speed is of the essence, or if you’re selling a car that’s still being financed, trading it in could be a more suitable choice.

However, if you’re aiming to sell your car as quickly as possible, without any complications and with complete security, it’s advisable to sell your car online to companies like Peddle, Carbrain, or Wheelzy.

Way of sellingAverage timeSelling speedProsCons
Selling privately52 days + 15 hours of personal timeSlowestPossibly the highest sale priceTime-consuming, no guarantee of sell
Trading inFrom 4 hours to a couple of daysRather fastConvenience, saving on sales taxLower price, need experience in negotiating
Selling online24-48 hoursFastestQuick process, no paperwork hassleLower payment

Required Paperwork to Sell My Car


The necessary paperwork for selling your car can vary by state, but a universally required document is the Certificate of Title, which legally proves ownership.

In some states, you’ll need to provide additional documents such as a bill of sale, valid emissions test results, and car registration documents along with the title.

It’s also beneficial to have a VIN check, service records, and the owner’s manual. These documents can help substantiate the car’s value and potentially secure a better deal.

StatusDocument:Document:Document:
Required in All StatesCertificate of TitleOdometer ReadingRelease Of Liability
Required in Some StatesBill of SaleRegistration TagEmissions Test
Optional PaperworkVin CheckService RecordsOwner’s Manual

Do I Need to Pay Taxes When I Sell a Car?


Do you need to pay taxes when you sell a car depends on whether you sell your car at a price higher than what you paid for it, you’ve made a capital gain, and the IRS requires you to pay taxes on this profit.

On the other hand, if you sell your car for less than what you paid for it, you’ve incurred a capital loss, and the IRS doesn’t require you to pay taxes on this.

The tax amount is determined by several factors: your income level, the duration you owned the asset, and the size of the capital gain. Depending on these factors, you could be liable to pay 15% – 20% for long-term capital gains and anywhere between 10% and 37% for short-term capital gains.

Remember, the buyer is always responsible for paying the sales tax, not the seller.

To calculate your capital gain from selling a used car, add the original cost of your car and any improvement costs, then subtract this total from the sale price. For example, if you bought a car for $30,000, spent $900 on improvements, and sold it for $31,000, your capital gain is $100.

Long-Term Capital Gain: If you owned the car for over a year, the tax rate is 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your income. For example, a single individual earning less than $44,625 won’t pay capital gain tax, but if earning between $44,626 – $492,300, the tax rate is 15%.

Short-Term Capital Gain: If you owned the car for less than a year, the tax rate ranges from 10% to 37%, depending on your income. For example, a single individual earning less than $11,000 will pay a 10% tax, but if earning between $44,726– $95,375, the rate is 22%.

Note: These income thresholds are lower for married individuals filing tax returns separately.

People Also Asked

What is the best way to sell a car?


The optimal method for selling your vehicle hinges on several factors:

  • The car’s type
  • Your time constraints
  • The urgency of the sale
  • The required documentation

Selling privately could yield the highest return, but it also requires additional time for preparing the car for sale, advertising, meeting potential buyers, and handling all the paperwork.

On the other hand, selling your car to a dealership like Peddle could be the most suitable option if you’re looking for a quick sale. Peddle provides an immediate cash offer and even manages all the paperwork for you.

When is it best to sell a car?


The ideal time to sell your car can depend on several factors:

  • Before the launch of a new model year, which typically happens in the fall. It’s generally better to sell earlier in the year.
  • Spring or summer are good times as many people look to buy a car for summer road trips or family vacations. It’s also when tax refunds come in and well before the holiday gift-giving season.
  • Certain types of vehicles, like sports cars, convertibles, and high-passenger vehicles, tend to sell better in the spring and summer months.
  • Cars with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive often sell better in the autumn and winter seasons.

Where can I sell my car engine?


If you own a car with either a fully working or a blown-up engine the most efficient way to sell it is through online car-buying services such as Peddle, Wheelzy, or Carbrain. This process only takes a few minutes, you’ll receive a payment within 48 hours, and it saves you from any potential hassles.

If you are considering selling your used car for parts, you should evaluate your experience, knowledge and time budget.

How long it can take:

  • Disassembling the car: 20-40 hours
  • Cleaning and inspecting the parts: 10-20 hours
  • Listing the parts for sale: 5-10 hours
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Michael Becker

Dollarbreak

About the author:

Michael Becker is a car enthusiast and expert who has been working in the automotive industry for over 15 years. He started his career as a salesperson at a local dealership, where he learned the ins and outs of the car market. Then he moved on to flipping cars for a profit.

Michael has also helped many of his relatives and friends to sell their cars, using his knowledge and skills to get them the best deals. He will guide you through the process and help you avoid the common pitfalls.

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