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Yes, CarGurus is legit. In fact, it pulls about 39 million visits a month, which puts it among the most-used car shopping sites in the U.S. That kind of traffic means visitors get huge inventory and strong pricing data, but it also means they must review listings with care.
This CarGurus review shows what the platform does well, where it falls short, and how to protect yourself as a buyer or seller. In 2026, it centers on dealership inventory and instant dealer offers for most sellers.
So if you know how the platform works, you can spot fair prices fast. If you do not, you can still get steered into a “good deal” that is not actually good once dealer fees and terms show up.
Sneak Peek
A discussion on trust signals, common complaints, and simple safety checks for using the platform
A clear CarGurus review of how the site works for buyers and sellers in 2026, including what the no-private-listings model means for pricing and payouts
A practical look at the pros and cons of using CarGurus
Overview
Yes, CarGurus is a legitimate and well-established online car marketplace that primarily connects shoppers with dealer inventory for used cars. The best way to use the platform depends on your goal, whether you are looking for the fastest path to buy a car or the highest potential price for selling one.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Buying a Car
CarGurus makes it easy for buyers to compare dealer listings quickly using filters, dealer ratings, and pricing labels like "Great Deal" to help spot fair prices fast.
Selling a Car
Sellers primarily use CarGurus to get instant offers from dealers instead of listing privately, which is a fast option but usually results in a lower payout than a true private sale.
Pricing Tools
The Instant Market Value (IMV) and deal labels estimate a car's fair price using market data, helping you quickly check if a listing is priced as a "Good Deal" or "Overpriced."
Safety and Best Practices
The platform is legitimate, but buyers must be careful by checking dealer reviews, asking for the full out-the-door price early, and avoiding pressure to go off-platform to lower the risk of scams or surprise fees.
Other Notable Considerations
Dealer-Set Terms: CarGurus is a marketplace, not a dealership, meaning the final purchase contract, dealer fees, and warranty terms are set by the individual dealer you buy from.
Overall Score: The platform received a strong overall rating in the review due to its deep inventory, useful pricing tools, and long track record as a stable, legitimate place to shop.
What Is CarGurus?
CarGurus is an online car marketplace, not a dealership. It does not own or sell the cars on the site. It connects shoppers with sellers, mainly dealers.
Because CarGurus is a marketplace, the purchase contract is between the buyer and the dealer. CarGurus provides search, pricing, and review tools, but it does not set dealer fees, return rules, or warranty terms.
In 2026, CarGurus remained dealer-first for both buying and selling. Most inventory comes from dealerships, and the platform focuses on helping buyers compare those listings through filters, deal labels, and dealer ratings.
Direct private-party listings are not part of the standard CarGurus experience anymore. The help center states that private listings are discontinued, and individual sellers are routed to instant dealer offers instead.
Some older pages still reference “private sale services,” which suggests limited or legacy options may exist in certain areas or through off-platform support. Even so, the normal seller path in 2026 is a dealer-offer flow, not a public private-seller marketplace.
The platform is legitimate, but the quality of a deal depends on the dealer and the listing terms.
How CarGurus Works For Buyers In 2026
CarGurus is built to help buyers compare dealer listings fast, then confirm value before contacting a seller. Here is the typical buyer flow in 2026.
Search And Filter: Start with year, make, model, and zip code. Then refine results by price, mileage, trim level, features, accident history, and distance to narrow the list fast.
Dealer Screening: Use dealer ratings early. Each dealer profile shows verified shopper reviews, star scores, and patterns in feedback like responsiveness and transparency.
Deal Labels: Check the deal tag on every listing. Instant Market Value (IMV) labels prices as Great Deal, Good Deal, Fair Deal, or Overpriced using market comps and vehicle details.
IMV Reality Check: Treat IMV as a strong guide, not a final verdict. Rare trims, thin local supply, or incomplete history data can skew labels, so cross-check pricing before committing.
Listing Detail Review: Read the full listing for clean photos, a visible VIN, and a clear base or full cash price. Missing info is a signal to ask follow-up questions.
On-Platform Contact: Message the dealer through CarGurus. On-site communication stays tied to a verified listing and lowers scam risk compared to off-platform chats.
Out-The-Door Price: Request the total price early. Dealer fees, add-ons, and delivery costs can change the real number, so a full quote prevents surprises.
Financing Check: Use CarGurus’ pre-qualification to view partner-lender rates with a soft credit pull, then compare those offers to a bank or credit union.
Dealer-Set Terms: Finalize the deal with the dealer, not CarGurus. Returns, warranties, and service promises depend on dealer terms, so confirm them in writing.
Pickup Or Shipping: After the deal is confirmed, arrange pickup or delivery. Many shoppers buy out of state, so auto transport is often the simplest way to bring the car home.
How CarGurus Works For Sellers In 2026
Selling on CarGurus looks different in 2026 than it did a few years ago. The platform no longer runs standard private-party listings, so most individual sellers use dealer offers instead. Here is the normal seller flow.
No Standard Private Listings: Direct private-party posts are discontinued on CarGurus, so sellers cannot list a car the way Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace allows.
Instant Offer Entry: Start by entering vehicle details like VIN or license plate, mileage, trim, condition, and zip code. CarGurus sends that data to its dealer network to generate offers.
Offer Review: Offers reflect dealer demand, local market pricing, and vehicle condition. Multiple offers may appear, giving a quick range for what dealers are willing to pay.
Pickup Scheduling: After accepting an offer, schedule a pickup window. The dealer or partner handles transport and paperwork for the transfer.
Payment Timing: Payment is usually issued shortly after pickup and title confirmation, often by direct deposit or check, based on dealer terms.
Price Tradeoff: Instant offers sell fast, but they often come in lower than a true private-sale price because dealers need margin for resale. This is the main downside for sellers in 2026.
Limited Assisted Private-Sale Mentions: Some older CarGurus pages still reference paid private-sale help. If that option appears in a seller’s area, it works through CarGurus or a partner, not through a public private listing marketplace. The dealer-offer path remains the default experience.
CarGurus Pricing And Valuation Tools
Quick Verdict And Scoring Framework
CarGurus is a real, well-established marketplace that helps you shop dealer inventory with clear pricing signals. It does not sell cars itself, and direct private-party listings are no longer the normal way to sell on the platform. That shift matters most if you are a seller aiming for a private-sale price.
Overall rating: 8.7/10
Reputation And Trust Signals (9/10)
We scored the platform this high because CarGurus has operated since 2006, attracts massive monthly traffic, and runs a dealer-focused marketplace with published pricing policies. Longevity and scale do not guarantee a perfect experience, but they do show CarGurus is a stable, legitimate platform with a long track record in used-car shopping.
Platform And Tools (9/10)
CarGurus earns a 9/10 here because the site makes it easy to filter by trim, mileage, price, distance, and dealer rating, then compare listings side by side. The Instant Market Value system and deal labels help you spot price outliers quickly, without needing advanced car knowledge.
Pricing Transparency (8.5/10)
IMV deal labels are helpful, but they are still estimates based on market inputs, so they can miss local swings or rare trims. You should cross-check before you commit. Also, since standard private listings are no longer supported, sellers lose the chance to price-test against private buyers, which lowers payout upside.
Inventory And Selection (9/10)
CarGurus aggregates a huge national pool of dealer listings across most makes and price tiers, so you usually have plenty of alternatives if one listing falls through. The breadth of options is one of its biggest strengths.
Customer Experience (8/10)
The platform is easy to use, but real-world friction still happens. Buyers sometimes run into stale listings or final prices that rise after dealer fees and add-ons. Sellers often find that instant offers come in below what they might get elsewhere. These issues are common in dealer marketplaces, so CarGurus scores well, just not perfect.
Verdict by goal:
For buyers, CarGurus is hard to beat for quick price checks and broad dealer choice.
For sellers, CarGurus is best when you want a fast dealer offer, not when you want to list privately and wait for the highest bid.
Best Practices For Using CarGurus In 2026
Start With A Tight Search: Filter by your real budget, trim, mileage range, and distance right away. This prevents false “great deals” outside your target.
Use IMV As A First Screen: Treat Great Deal and Good Deal labels as a shortlist tool. Then confirm pricing with local comps and one other value guide before moving forward.
Compare Apples To Apples: When comparing listings, match trim level, mileage, drivetrain, and accident history. Small differences can explain big price gaps.
Read Dealer Reviews For Patterns: Focus on repeated themes like hidden fees, slow responses, or pressure tactics. One bad review is less meaningful than a trend.
Stay On The Platform For Contact: Message dealers through CarGurus at first. It keeps the conversation tied to the listing and lowers scam risk.
Ask For The Out-The-Door Price Early: Request a written total that includes taxes, dealer processing, add-ons, and delivery. Do not judge value by the listing price alone.
Confirm Listing Basics: Look for clear photos, a visible VIN, and a clean description. Missing basics call for extra verification.
Check The Vehicle History: Ask for a full history report and confirm the VIN matches the listing before paying a deposit.
Verify Return And Warranty Terms: Since CarGurus does not set these rules, ask the dealer to confirm return window, mileage cap, and warranty coverage in writing.
Compare Financing Offers: Use CarGurus pre-qualification as a baseline, then compare with a bank or credit union. Choose based on full out-the-door cost, not only the rate.
Recheck Value After Fees: If the dealer adds packages or fees, compare the new total to the market value again. A fair deal can turn overpriced after extras.
Move Fast On Strong Listings: Good dealer-priced used cars can sell quickly. Once the value and terms check out, secure the deal before it disappears.
Final Thoughts
CarGurus is legit, and it works best for buyers who want clear price signals and a deep pool of dealer listings. The Instant Market Value labels, strong filters, and dealer reviews make it easier to compare cars without wasting a weekend driving lot to lot. When those tools are used with care, CarGurus can be one of the best apps for buying used cars.
Sellers should walk in with the right expectations. CarGurus no longer offers standard private-party listings, so most individual sellers will see dealer instant offers instead. That path is fast and simple, but it often trades top-dollar potential for speed.
Use the platform for smart pricing insight, safe dealer contact, and quick comparisons, and it can still be a strong part of a 2026 car-buying or car-selling plan.
Need To Ship A Car After CarGurus?
After using CarGurus to find the right car, the next step is getting it home safely. Many shoppers buy from another city or state to get the best price or trim. That often makes shipping the simplest option, especially when time or distance is tight.
AmeriFreight Auto Transport helps move vehicles across the country with vetted carrier options. If a car is being bought through CarGurus or sold to an out-of-state buyer, AmeriFreight Auto Transport can handle the delivery so the deal stays smooth from purchase to arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is CarGurus legit in 2026 for buying a used car?
Yes. CarGurus has operated since 2006 and is a large dealer-based marketplace with pricing tools and verified dealer reviews.
Can a car be sold privately on CarGurus in 2026?
Not through a standard private listing. CarGurus routes most individual sellers to instant dealer offers instead.
Does CarGurus charge a fee to browse or contact dealers?
No. Browsing and contacting dealers on CarGurus is free for buyers, since the site earns mainly from dealer subscriptions and ads.
How does CarGurus decide a listing is a Great Deal or Overpriced?
CarGurus compares the asking price to Instant Market Value using market comps, trim, mileage, vehicle history data, and local demand.
