Which is Better for Selling the Car?
There are many similarities when selling your car to Edmunds and TrueCar. Edmunds and TrueCar both offer free online quotes and will pay you via check on the same day as you make your sale.
There are some key differences that set these two companies apart.
Overall, TrueCar is the better company to sell your car to. Although Edmunds offers a 7-day offer, TrueCar offers only 3 days. TrueCar has higher customer ratings on TrustPilot and BBB, and customers are more satisfied with TrueCar services than Edmunds.
Edmunds Summary
- Edmunds will buy a car directly from you
- Free car appraisal tool
- Offer is valid for 7 days
- Bring in your vehicle for inspection and get paid
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
Edmunds vs. TrueCar Comparison
| Edmunds | Truecar | |
|---|---|---|
| Cars accepted | Used and new cars | Used and new cars |
| Fees | No fees | No fees |
| Requesting quotes | Online and in person | Online and in person |
| Offer validity | 7 days | 3 days |
| Payments offered | Check | Check from a certified dealer |
| Payout | Same day | Same day |
| Car pick-up | No car pick-up | No mention of car pick-up |
| Physical locations | Various car dealerships | Various car dealership locations |
| Turnaround time | Same day | Same day |
| Customer service | Online form | Phone, email |
| Reviews | 3.9 | 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
Both Edmunds and TrueCar accept new and used cars in drivable condition.
Fees
Neither Edmunds nor TrueCar charges any fees. Both companies provide you with a free quote through their online application form.
Requesting Quotes
With Edmunds and TrueCar, you need only provide your car’s license plate and state to receive your free quote.
Both Edmunds and Truecar also accept:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Year, make, and model of the car
Offer Validity
With Edmunds, your price offer is valid for 7 days upon receiving it while with TrueCar, your online offer is valid for only 3 days.
Payments Offered
If you sell your car to Edmunds, the dealership will give you a check on the same day you bring your car into a participating dealership. TrueCar will also give you a check in hand on the same day you bring your car into a dealership.
Payout
Both Edmunds and TrueCar provide you with 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 make take longer to clear and show up in your bank account.
Car Pick-up
When selling your car to Edmunds, you are required to drop off your car at one of their dealership locations. TrueCar’s website also does not have any mention of car pick-up services.
Physical Locations
When planning to drop off your car at Edmunds, you can look through their list of participating dealerships to find a dealership near you.
When you receive your price offer, TrueCar will connect you with one of their thousands of Certified Dealers.
Turnaround Time
If you sell your car to either Edmunds 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
To contact Edmunds customer service, you can use their online form or email them at offers@edmunds.com regarding your price offer.
To contact TrueCar customer service, you can call them at 1-888-878-3227 or email their customer support team at feedback@truecar.com.
Reviews
Edmunds has a 3.9-star rating on Trustpilot, while TrueCar’s overall rating is 4.1-star on Trustpilot. Edmunds has a 1-star rating on BBB, while TrueCar has a 3.1-star rating on BBB.
| Edmunds | TrueCar | |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| BBB Rating | 1 | 3.1 |
Customers have praised Edmunds for its easy-to-navigate platform, detailed information about each car, and extensive reviews. Some customers have complained that Edmunds has too many pop-up ads, does not offer fair pride offers online, and does not answer important questions on its website.
Customers have left reviews praising TrueCar for giving great deals, providing and 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.