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Knowledge Hub · Selling your car · Options · 6 min read

Instant cash offers vs. dealer trade vs. private sale

CarMax, Carvana, online buyers and local dealers: who tends to pay more for what kind of car.

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Free preview · from the dealership side of the desk

Instant offers (CarMax, Carvana, online buying centers)

Fast, written, and good for common cars in good condition under 100k miles. They price off the same wholesale data as dealers and tend to be strongest on 2–6 year old mainstream cars. Weak on old, high-mileage, modified or damaged cars.

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In the full guide

  1. Dealer trade
  2. Private sale
  3. The move

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  • The 6 things that decide your trade-in value
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More on selling your car

Selling it yourself, safely

How to screen test drives, handle payment and make sure the title transfer releases you from liability immediately. 6 min · preview

Preparing a car for sale: the three-hour investment

Detailing, photos and service records: the three-hour investment that can add $1,500+ to your final price. 4 min · preview

Trading in a car you still owe on

How the payoff, the 10-day letter and your equity flow through the deal, what the dealer does with your loan, and the mistakes that cost real money. 6 min · preview

All selling your car guides

Every Hub guide on this topic, previewed free.

Keep reading

Seller strategy session

What your car is really worth and how to compare trade-in, instant and private offers.

The ‘We Owe’ document

If they promised to fix a scratch or add tint, it doesn’t exist unless it’s on this form. How to fill it out. 3 min · preview

Senior-friendly car features: what actually matters

Entry height, visibility, the driver aids worth paying for, simple controls, and a test-drive order that finds the right car for an older driver in one afternoon. 6 min · preview

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