Carvana

Carvana

 3.2/5 (728 reviews)
Carvana
3.2(728)

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Overall Rating3.2 out of 5
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About Carvana

Carvana is an online vehicle retailer that sells used cars, trucks and SUVs. Customers can browse its vast inventory, purchase a car with cash, receive financing or trade in their existing vehicles. Carvana certifies all of its vehicles and provides a guarantee for 100 days or 4,189 miles, whichever comes first. CarvanaCare and Carvana Gap Coverage provide additional protection against damage and theft.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Seven-day money-back guarantee
  • Convenient online process
  • Wide selection

Cons

  • No delivery to Alaska or Hawaii
  • No price negotiation

Bottom Line

Carvana provides a quick and simple online process for buying used cars. Customers can have their vehicles delivered or picked up. The company takes away the stress of visiting multiple dealerships.

Top Carvana Reviews

Verified

This was the easiest Vehicle Purchase I have ever made. The Web Site was easy to Use and filtering was simple. I enter the Year Range, Make, Body Style and Fuel Type and had a cho...

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Verified

... Carvana's on-line site was the most understandable and easiest to work with out of all of them I checked out. The filters available made it extremely easy to find what I was l...

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How does Carvana work?

Carvana is an online used car dealership that allows customers to buy, trade and sell used vehicles.

The vehicles Carvana sells come from several sources, including auctions, customers who trade in or sell their cars to the company and partnered dealerships. Carvana stores its cars at inspection centers across the country. When you purchase a vehicle, the company can ship it to you, or you can pick it up from one of its dozens of “Vending Machines” around the country.

Carvana conducts a 150-point inspection to ensure quality. The cars sold by the company have clean titles, no reported accidents, no frame damage and no fire or flood damage. Carvana backs each vehicle with a 100-day, 4,189-mile limited warranty.

Carvana delivery process

Carvana offers a touchless delivery process:

  1. Identity confirmation: The Carvana Advocate will ask you to send a selfie with your driver’s license to confirm your identity.
  2. Vehicle sanitation: The delivery person will unload the car; sanitize the keys, steering wheel and shifter; and leave your paperwork in the vehicle.
  3. Test drive: The delivery person will contact you to let you know the vehicle is ready for inspection and a test drive. They'll wait in their hauler while you confirm you want to go through with the purchase.
  4. Document signing: After your test drive, the Advocate will call you and walk you through the paperwork.
  5. Document submission: Once the paperwork is complete, you’ll leave it in an envelope for contactless pickup by the driver. You’ll also include your check and title to the vehicle you’re selling, if applicable, in the envelope.
  6. Purchase completion: The Carvana Advocate will review your paperwork from the hauler before leaving; if everything looks good, they’ll finalize the transaction.

If you prefer, you can pick up your car at one of 33 Carvana Vending Machines. A Carvana employee meets you at the pickup time to verify your license and insurance via a touchless process. You will receive a custom coin to insert into the vending machine. Once the vehicle is out of the vending machine, you take it for a test drive. If you're happy with it, you then sign the registration paperwork.

Selling a car to Carvana

Carvana has a straightforward process for selling a car. You start by providing the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate information and answering some questions about the vehicle. Carvana provides an offer that’s valid for seven days.

If you accept the offer, you have several options to hand over the car: Carvana can pick up your vehicle, or you can deliver the vehicle to Carvana yourself to a Vending Machine or hub.

  • Pickup: A Carvana Advocate will offer touchless pickup of your vehicle from your location. If you’re trading the vehicle for a different one from Carvana, it will be delivered to you at this time.
  • Drop-off: You can also arrange to meet an Advocate at a Carvana Car Vending Machine or logistics hub, where you can complete a touchless sales process. If you're purchasing another vehicle it'll be ready for you; otherwise Carvana offers to arrange a rideshare for customers within 50 miles of home.

Carvana prices

The amount you spend on Carvana primarily depends on the cost of the car you purchase — vehicles listed on Carvana at the time of publishing range from $7,990 to $212,999. Carvana allows you to search and filter available vehicles by total price and monthly payment.

You can get free delivery with many vehicles as long as you live within the free delivery area; others have a nonrefundable delivery fee, which ranges from $190 to $599.

Carvana offers its own financing and accepts third-party financing and cash.

Carvana FAQ

Is Carvana a good way to buy a car?

Carvana provides an easy-to-use online platform for car shoppers. The company is a good option if you prefer a quick process that doesn’t involve visiting several dealerships.

Can you negotiate price with Carvana?

Carvana doesn’t participate in price negotiation. The company states its cars are priced as competitively as possible.

Can I finance my Carvana purchase with a credit union or bank?

You can finance your used car purchase through a bank or credit union. It’s a good idea to receive preapproval with your lender before starting the buying process.

Can I still get financing from Carvana if I have bad credit?

Carvana states it makes an effort to work with any level of credit. The only requirements are being 18 or over, making $4,000 annually and having no active bankruptcies.

Where are Carvana car Vending Machines located?

Carvana has Vending Machines in 20 states and says it is planning to expand to other states in the future. It has Vending Machines in the following states:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
Does Carvana sell new cars?

No, Carvana sells used cars that have gone through its 150-point inspection.

Is Carvana legit?

Carvana can be an excellent choice if you want to avoid visiting multiple dealerships or haggling over price. The company's online listings make the process straightforward and quick. Carvana provides delivery and pickup options, and it offers financing options for nearly anyone. We recommend Carvana as a simple option for used-car shopping with a money-back guarantee.

Carvana Reviews

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Page 1 Reviews 0 - 5
Verified Reviewer
Original review: March 10, 2023

I had to find a way to purchase a car without actually going out to a car shop or meet with total strangers and also be able to have the car brought to me. Carvana seemed to fit the bill. I found a beautiful 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and since my previous car was also a Santa Fe, I was happy to find one in my price range that wasn't as old as some. The purchase procedure was easy with no hassles. The delivery was delayed by one week and the waiting was tough, as well as having to pay for insurance without having the car. But it was delivered on time and the driver was great. Took it for a spin around my neighborhood and was pretty pleased. The car was clean inside and out so I signed the papers and the driver told me if I changed my mind I had the 7 days to decide.

The next day, I noticed the car would shake when I would break at speeds while travelling over 40 mph. That was weird. I had already made an appointment with my mechanic for an inspection. He found about $1,500 worth of repairs that needed to be done...rotors, brake pads, gaskets, belts, etc. He added that it was a nice car but would be nicer when I got it fixed.... Ha, ha! So I immediately drove down to the Carvana authorized repair shop (in this case, a Pep Boys) and showed them the estimate. They made an appointment for me for 2 days later....the LAST day I had to return the car if I changed my mind, which concerned me. But I took the car back and was told they would call me. Not long after that, I got a text from SilverRock telling me that all the repairs were covered and I would owe nothing. I picked up the car the following Tuesday. The brakes were fine.

I love the car... It's beautiful and it seems to run well. I have heard stories of dirty cars but I have a feeling Carvana mostly sells them as they buy them and people don't tend to clean their cars much when they sell them, believing the buyer will do that. It's obvious that the 150-point inspection is sketchy at best. Per my mechanic, some repairs were done by Carvana pre-delivery....others were not. And I was sure to research the car online and not trust the Carfax. I only got a half tank of gas, like other people, which is kinda cheap. There was no problem with my registration.... My tags came in a timely manner, which was helpful. It is clear that Carvana can be a good choice when considering purchasing a car. But any negative customer reviews only serve to show they need to improve. I hope they do.

2 people found this review helpful

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    Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
    Original review: Oct. 29, 2022

    Pros:

    The website looks great and it's very user-friendly.
    They are the "Amazon" of car dealerships. You can find anything, in any trim level, year model, mileage, etc.
    The delivery was smooth and easy and the delivery driver was very professional and friendly.

    Aside from a few issues which I've detailed below, the vehicle I purchased was what I saw on the website. However, I think Carvana should definitely add a "Known Issues" section to every vehicle they sell, and really inspect their autos more carefully!

    Cons:

    The website is somewhat misleading. On the listing page where you see all of the vehicles, many of them read "Free Shipping," but when you look at the details page it will read "$990 Shipping," or some other amount. It's easy to miss if you're not paying attention.

    I initially started to purchase a Dodge crossover. All went well until the delivery day when I received a call from Carvana informing me that my delivery driver called off work that day; but that I could pick my vehicle up from the hub, which would've cost me money to take a rideshare. I later learned that, due to poor management locally, the delivery drivers were understaffed and overworked. Essentially, there were 4 drivers trying to do the work of 12!

    After cancelling my initial vehicle I bought a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Overland which looked absolutely gorgeous in the pictures. When it arrived (two hours ahead of schedule, actually) I immediately noticed it was dirty, like it had been driven on a rainy day. I also noticed two spots of lime green paint on the leather driver seat! I can't imagine how it got there, but it definitely was NOT in the pictures on the website.

    Dodge/Chrysler has a fairly common problem with their 8.4" Uconnect screens which causes the touchscreen layer to "de-laminate" creating a bubble. It looks like a poorly-installed screen protector but it's the factory screen. My Jeep has this issue but it was not listed anywhere on the website. My touchscreen still functions just fine but this issue can result in the screen being unusable, or even pushing buttons by itself!

    During the initial purchase process on the website they required address verification, so I sent my most recent paystub and my lease agreement. At 11pm I received an email saying I had to provide a utility bill for more address verification, and it had to be provided by 4pm the following day or they would no longer hold my vehicle and someone else could buy it. Well, I don't receive utility bills in the mail because I pay everything online, and I couldn't explain it to any Carvana employee because no one works 24/7, and I work 7am to 3:30pm. So I basically had 0 time to sort this out. I raced home after work and sent a picture of a car loan invoice which they accepted, but it was a very annoying and stressful process.

    Another problem I've noticed on the website, which I think hurts Carvana more than the consumer, is that the people who write the details about the vehicles aren't very accurate. You can look at two identical vehicles and one might list a VVT engine and the other doesn't; but they both come equipped with the same engine. Another example: the 2019 Jeep Cherokee has LED headlights, running lights and tail lights; but you wouldn't know it from reading Carvana's description. But that was an important feature for me.

    Conclusion:

    What it comes down to is whether I would recommend Carvana to a friend, and I would absolutely; but I would give him a few pointers and things to watch out for.

    66 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Aug. 26, 2022

    The last time I purchased a car from a brick-and-mortar dealership, I had to spend my whole day getting the runaround and dealing with fuzzy, shifting numbers while the salesman wore me down-- don't even get me started on the inevitable shakedown from the finance office. I swore back then that the next time I needed a vehicle, I'd find a dealership that'd let me complete the purchase process online. I'd heard of Carvana, but didn't give them any serious consideration until I found THE car I wanted on the Carvana website.

    I read about Carvana's 7-day return guarantee and the 100-day warranty. I decided I had nothing to lose by trying it at least once.

    Scheduling the delivery was a breeze, although it would take a couple of weeks to have the car transported from the opposite side of the USA; unlike buying from an in-person dealership where you drive it right off the lot. That felt like a fair tradeoff because I didn't have to spend an entire day (stretching into an eternity) negotiating with salesmen and finance managers. The delivery charge was shown right on the Carvana vehicle page-- no hidden numbers or surprises there.

    When my car arrived, there were a few things that worried me which were not mentioned in the ad or flagged by the Carvana pre-sale inspections. It had an oil leak, scratches on the front bumper, and rotted/cracked tires. I felt my heart drop because I'd paid a fair price for a car in excellent condition, and it arrived with some potentially serious issues. I was already feeling like I'd made a huge mistake.

    Just about that time, I logged back into my Carvana account and it was like they'd read my mind! My new-purchase dashboard popped up and Carvana prompted me to let them know right away about any and all concerns. I didn't need to chase them down to hold them accountable-- they initiated contact with me to make sure everything was in the condition I expected. I went over the car with a fine-tooth comb and my phone camera, then made an exhaustive list of any flaws and concerns. Aside from the oil leak, bad tires and bumper scratches, the rest of the car was great. The oil leak could've been something serious, or it could've been just a bad gasket seal. I wouldn't know until a mechanic looked at it.

    TIP: try to schedule your car delivery for a Sunday or Monday, so that the area mechanics are open and you can get your car scheduled for diagnostics before the 7-day return period is up! The repair authorizations can take Silver Rock 24-48 hours, so bear that in mind and let your mechanic know about the time constraint involved. You just need to have all the info from the mechanic regarding what's needed so that you CAN send back the car if it turns out that it has showstopper-type issues that can't be repaired. You'll want the reassurance that any issues the mechanic finds will be covered for repair before you make the decision to keep the vehicle. They don't need to actually FIX the car within the 7-day probation period, they just need to acknowledge the issues and authorize the repairs before the period expires.

    Carvana sent me their list of Silver Rock authorized mechanics in the area (all top-rated, reputable mechanics), and my local VW dealer was on there. I made an appointment with the dealership's service department, then took in my Beetle. (Silver Rock covers the $175 diagnostic fee for the first hour, and if more time is needed, the mechanic just needs to call Silver Rock to get the authorization before moving ahead-- basically, everything was free for me.)

    The service department representative took my list of concerns and looked at all of those issues-- then, THEY added some things that THEY wanted to handle while they had my Bug. The service department sent me the rundown of repairs needed by email (the car needed: a new gasket seal to fix the oil leak, new tires, replacement lug nut covers on a few tires, PLUS an alignment I didn't realize was off). It was really helpful for me that they communicated everything first by email because I'm partially deaf, although I never mentioned that to them. They also called me to answer any questions and to make sure they hadn't missed anything that worried me.

    Here's where it gets good, though: after running through the repairs needed with me, the service department representative from the dealership called Silver Rock DIRECTLY to discuss what the car needed. Then, they coordinated with Silver Rock to get EVERYTHING covered under the warranty. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. I was expecting to fight tooth and nail to get the car restored to 100%, but I didn't have to do ANYTHING except make that initial list and leave my car with the mechanics. It didn't cost me a penny!

    That's how the Silver Rock warranty works-- they have their authorized mechanics that they trust and listen to... and Silver Rock doesn't try to weasel out of repairing anything. They fixed it ALL. Every last thing was covered. My car is basically NEW again... it's a 2017 VW Beetle with very low miles and it zips around like a dream. VW doesn't even make Beetles anymore-- so to have one this perfect, it's amazing!

    I would buy from Carvana again in a heartbeat. I was so nervous about this first purchase... it felt like a gamble until I'd been through the entire process and realized how EASY and fair it really is. The process doesn't feel at all like a gamble anymore. Now I know that anything that isn't noted on the vehicle page WILL be fixed, and it's way easier-- I mean WAY, WAY easier-- than buying from a local dealer and negotiating with THEM to fix things they didn't mention. Carvana makes car-buying as low-stress as possible-- and did I mention that I have THE car I wanted (even though they're discontinued by VW), and it's super low-mileage, and everything on it is like-new? Anything that wasn't like-new when it arrived is DEFINITELY like-new now!

    I guess the whole point of this review is to say this: check over the car's details on the Carvana listing page. Make notes about ALL of the flaws they mention there-- because anything above or beyond those flaws WILL be fixed by Carvana. They make the whole process painless, and they aren't trying to pull any "fast ones". I guess I've never actually seen any car dealer this transparent or fair... so I wasn't ready for them to be so amazing.

    66 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
    Original review: July 24, 2022

    First I’d like to say that my son bought his car through Carvana first. He had a wonderful experience so I decided that I’d give it try as well. I started looking for my car that I always wanted, which is a Chevy Camaro Convertible. I found one that was a preorder with no photos. Once the photos were released I had 48 hours to review. I found that there was pitting in the windshield and too many scratches and paint chips so I declined. I then found an even better Camaro Convertible that had only one paint chip listed with no other damage noted in the photos or verbiage.

    I had a delivery date that was moved back a few days to a Saturday, which was perfect for my schedule and better than the original date during the work week. The entire process is documented through texts and emails. I thought this was perfect to keep the consumer in the loop at all times. When the car finally arrived, the driver was just amazing. I saw my beautiful Silver Ice Metallic Camaro Convertible being rolled off of the flatbed truck. I have a Quality Assurance background and it’s my job to find defects and opportunities along with what works well. I looked over the vehicle very closely. Remember earlier I said there was one paint chip noted?

    Well I found scratches, a medium paint scuff and mark on the front bumper, paint chips on the hood and sides, and some other minor cosmetic issues. This is where I could have three my hands up and said bring it back I don’t want it. Instead I calmly went over the vehicle with the Carvana driver and we both took photos and wrote down the opportunities. He assured me that these thing would be fixed and that I’d receive an email with approvals. After reading horrible reviews I was uncertain I wanted to continue but I did receive a text and email noting my concerns within a day. It was long before I received the approval to have the issues fixed at an approved body shop. I am feeling better about this already but haven’t had the car fixed yet as it’s only been a week since I received the approval for repairs.

    The driver noted that the issues more than likely occurred during transit from MO to Philly. This would be an opportunity for Carvan to explore in order to avoid having to pay for preventable repairs. Although there were cosmetic issues with the car I am still way happy with how the process of buying the car, the engagement that is provided for us the customer, and the level of care and concern Carvana has given to me about the car that arrived not as originally and completely listed on the selling site. I will update this review if I have any issues with the fixing of the minor cosmetic issues but overall I am completely satisfied with the high level of engagement that Carvana provided to me. I like companies that truly care about their customers experience. Carvana will be talked about for years to come with my friends and family. Thank you for making this Gulf War Veteran. Very happy by putting him into his dream car!

    30 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: July 21, 2022

    Using Carvana was the most carefree, easy, fun, exciting used car buying process that I have ever experienced. I initially was hesitant to shop for cars on their website because their prices were several thousand dollars in most cases higher than what I was seeing on eBay Auto or Auto trader and other similar sites. But as I began to realize how much better Carvana was than these competitors, health thorough and honest their website was or appeared to be, and the set of high standards that cars had to pass or meet in order to be featured by Carvana couples with the fact that they are great at communicating with you throughout the process which most of the sellers that I was dealing with outside of Carvana were not... all of those things together showed me that the higher car price was justified because that expense was helping support an exceptional experience and the assuredness of shopping for a quality car.

    And think about it, when you're buying a car so we online all of those things are incredibly important because you want to have trust in the person you're dealing with and you want to be able to clearly see where there's a ding on the car or where there's any kind of damage no matter how small and Carvana makes it very easy to see even to the smallest little scratch. They also provide the Carfax report, they provide a limited warranty and they will give you a 7-day return policy no questions asked to make sure you like your car once you get it.

    Additionally, their financing process is so fluid and flexible that you may have picked a car, have approved financing and everything is set except for signing contracts, and you change your mind -- they'll seamlessly switch to your new choice and start pricing it out and giving you new terms --- it's amazing and I felt kind of bad for them because I switched cars three times. But this flexibility allowed me the time and space and support to really find what I wanted before I was stuck in the process of buying it. After you've gone through that process they tell you what document you'll need to provide, like proof of insurance for example, And they'll send you the paperwork by a DocuSign. They communicate with you by text or through their great app which you can download from your App store, and you set up your delivery day.

    When I read reviews of Carvana other people said the same glowing things that I've said but a couple of people mentioned that everything was very smooth except the delivery got screwed up, not that it went wrong just that it was late. And that's the only thing that happened with mine as well. I don't know if it's different if you go to a vending machine because I had that option, but in my case my initial delivery date that I had chosen got delayed by about 4 days, and then the day of my delivery it got delayed about 4 hours but it showed up on time in great shape and the driver was super nice. And the best thing of all is that they take care of all your DMV paperwork registration, getting your plates, paying the tax all that for you so you don't have to go see your crazy DMV person. Overall I would highly recommend.

    20 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: June 3, 2023

    Sold a car to Carvana yesterday. One of the easiest transactions I have ever done. Estimate done online. Was over a thousand dollars more than a dealer or another on line seller offered. Made an appointment to drop off car. Met at facility by advisor. She walked us through the paperwork without difficulty. Walked us through how to notify DMV. We all walked out and she inspected car. Gave me a check of the agreed upon amount, and we went on our way. Whole process took 15-20 minutes. Excellent experience. Highly recommend.

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    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: June 3, 2023

    I sold my Mini Cooper to Carvana this Memorial Day. The process was extremely easy. Carvana offered me several thousand more for my car than CarMax and other dealers. They filled out all the paperwork for me, all I had to do was sign some transfer documents upon dropping off my car (it was paid off). I received the funds through ACH the next morning.

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    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: June 1, 2023

    Granted, both vehicles we sold to Carvana were in great condition and properly cleaned before delivery, but we've always had a great experience with Carvana's no-nonsense approach to buying our vehicles.

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    Resolution In Progress
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 31, 2023

    Sold my vehicle to Carvana and paid $60 for vehicle pick-up service that I scheduled more than a week in advance. They were late to the appointment and only processed the paperwork. I was told a tow truck would show up within about an hour to pick up the vehicle. More than 24 hours later, online chat sessions and multiple phone calls to Carvana, nobody seemed to know what was going on, how to contact a towing company to pick it up.

    The last associate I spoke with said he would e-mail or call when he knew when the vehicle would be picked up, but that never happened. I received a text out of the blue more than 24 hours after my "pick-up" window on a Sunday at 10:48 PM asking the latest they could call me to pick up the vehicle. At no point did Carvana go out of their way to help me--it was just my situation to deal with and figure out where to store the vehicle they purchased in the city of Chicago. I wouldn't recommend doing business with them, as they will not try to help you if anything goes wrong.

    Carvana response

    We appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with us, as we always look for ways to improve. We know how excited our customers are to experience our selling process, and when someone doesn't show up on time, that excitement can be diminished. We are truly sorry to hear that your first time selling with us was anything less than incredible. Your feedback will help us continue to improve, so thank you for your transparency. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to utilize our 24/7 chat service.

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    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 30, 2023

    If my wife wasn't set on getting this particular car I would cancel the deal. I had to go through the buying process three times. This first time "everything is in order" had us picking up the car this evening. I called this morning to confirm it all only to be told everything was not in order. I went through the buying process again. When I was told everything is as it should be the person on the phone said we could pick it up (at that time) tomorrow. I went to the credit union, got everything done on that end. Afterward I logged on to upload a picture of the check I would be paying with only told that now we have to wait two more days. No one could tell me why the delay. It is very frustrating and I will not be using Carvana again.

    Carvana response

    Thank you for your honest feedback. It saddens us to hear that you encountered some roadblocks during the purchase process, creating a less-than-exceptional experience. At Carvana, we recognize that everyone’s situation is different and apologize if our verification process lacked timeliness and clear communication. We aim to use your feedback to continue improving our underwriting/verification process. We are thankful you took the time to share your personal experience and are happy to see you moved forward with purchasing a Carvana vehicle.

    2 people found this review helpful
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    Carvana Company Information

    Company Name:
    Carvana
    Website:
    www.carvana.com