cargurus.com
What CarGurus.com Actually Is and How It Works
CarGurus.com is a major online automotive marketplace. It’s a platform where people can search for new, used, and certified cars from dealerships. You won’t find cars owned by CarGurus themselves. Instead, CarGurus brings together listings from tens of thousands of dealers across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., and helps shoppers compare options and contact sellers.
The company itself started in 2006 and was built to make car shopping more data-driven and transparent. Today it’s one of the most visited auto-shopping sites in the United States, attracting millions of visitors monthly.
CarGurus grew out of a simple idea: use numbers and technology to help people see which listings are good deals. That’s done through algorithms that analyze pricing and market data — and then give each vehicle a “deal rating” so you can see if it’s a great deal, fair price, or overpriced compared to similar cars in the area.
Because of that algorithm and licensing model, CarGurus doesn’t actually sell cars on its own — it’s a marketplace that connects you with dealers who have the inventory.
What You Can Do on CarGurus
The main things people use CarGurus for are:
1. Search and Compare Cars
You can enter a make, model, year, and your location and see matching listings. The site shows prices, mileage, photos, and a deal rating that indicates how that price compares to other similar cars nearby.
Deal ratings usually show up as colored tags (e.g., Great Deal, Fair Price, Overpriced) designed to make it easier to spot good values quickly.
You can filter results by price range, features you want (like leather seats or a sunroof), body style, and more.
2. Read Reviews and Research Cars
CarGurus doesn’t just list vehicles. It also offers user reviews, some expert opinions, and photos from real owners. You can learn about test drive impressions, how certain models hold up over time, and common problems people report.
They also provide research tools like price trends and vehicle comparisons so you can feel informed before reaching out to a seller.
3. Contact Sellers
Once you find a car you’re interested in, CarGurus gives you the dealership’s contact info. You can send a message or call them directly to schedule a test drive, ask questions, and negotiate. The actual purchase happens with the seller, not through CarGurus itself.
4. Get Financing Info
CarGurus has features that let you start the financing process with partner lenders. You can get pre-qualified for a car loan based on your info, which helps you figure out what you can afford before you visit a dealer.
5. (Previously) Selling Cars
Historically, CarGurus offered ways for individuals to list cars for sale privately. Over recent years, CarGurus shifted toward a dealer-based model, and private listing options have been significantly reduced or phased out, with many users instead using instant offers or dealer trade-in options.
Why People Use CarGurus
CarGurus stands out because of its data-driven approach. Instead of just showing you vehicles, it tries to tell you whether each listing is a competitive price relative to the market. That’s a different approach than some older classified-style sites that just list cars without much context.
The deal rating and Instant Market Value (IMV) system is part of that. The IMV is an estimate of what a vehicle should cost based on comparable sales, mileage, location, and other factors. By comparing the dealer’s asking price to that IMV, CarGurus assigns a rating that you can use to quickly judge a listing’s value.
Users also appreciate the breadth of inventory. Because dealers from across the country post their listings on CarGurus, you can often find more cars to compare in one place than you might on a dealer’s website or local classifieds.
Another reason people choose the platform is the user experience. CarGurus’ search and filtering tools are robust, and the interface makes it straightforward to narrow down cars that match your needs.
Things to Be Aware Of
CarGurus is not perfect. There are some limitations and points worth noting before you rely on it completely:
● Not All Inventory Is Equal
Since CarGurus doesn’t own the cars, the quality and accuracy of listings depend on the dealers. Some listings may be out of date or have errors in mileage or condition.
Also, because most vehicles come from dealers and not private sellers, there may be fewer unique listings than on sites that still allow broad private sales.
● Final Price Might Be Higher
The deal ratings are based on advertised prices. Dealer fees, taxes, and other charges aren’t always included in that number. What looks like a good deal online can end up costing more once you’ve factored in those extras.
● Customer Service Mixed Reviews
Some users report that customer service and resolution times for complaints aren’t always the strongest. Independent user reviews show a range of experiences.
● You Still Negotiate with the Dealer
CarGurus can show you prices and give you tools to understand the market, but you still negotiate the final sale with the seller. CarGurus doesn’t negotiate for you or set final contract terms.
How CarGurus Compares to Competitors
Online car marketplaces are crowded. CarGurus stacks up against sites like Autotrader, Cars.com, and others by emphasizing data and deal ratings rather than just volume of listings.
Some competitors may offer different features — like more private seller listings or different financing tools — but CarGurus’ algorithmic pricing and volume of dealer inventory are what many users look for.
Key Takeaways
- CarGurus is a large online automotive marketplace that connects car buyers with dealership inventory rather than owning vehicles itself.
- Searching and comparing listings is easy, and the platform highlights whether a price is above or below market using deal ratings.
- It also offers research tools, reviews, and financing pre-qualification options.
- Final transactions happen with the dealer, and prices may shift once additional fees are included.
- Users should watch for listing accuracy and customer support variability.
FAQ
Is CarGurus legit and safe to use?
Yes. CarGurus has been around since 2006 and is one of the most popular car shopping platforms in North America with millions of visitors each month.
Does CarGurus sell the cars itself?
No. CarGurus is a marketplace. The cars are listed by dealers, and the sale contract and ownership transfer happen between you and the dealer.
Can I sell my car on CarGurus?
CarGurus used to support private listings widely, but it has shifted toward dealer-focused models, including instant offers and trade-in paths rather than traditional free private ads.
What are “deal ratings”?
Deal ratings are CarGurus’ way of showing whether a listing’s price is above or below its estimated fair market value. They use data and algorithms to calculate these ratings.
Are dealer fees included in the prices shown?
No. The prices you see online don’t always include taxes, documentation fees, or other charges that dealers may add, so the final price might be higher.
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