Buying a Car on Carvana

As of Q3 2024, Carvana has sold more than 2 million cars and purchased more than 2 million cars from customers since its founding in 2013 (Business Wire, 2024). This milestone highlights the platform’s growing popularity and reliability among used car buyers nationwide. This guide walks you through each step of the Carvana car-buying experience, including financing, trade-ins, and delivery options. It also highlights key features like detailed vehicle history reports and a 7-day return policy, which provide added confidence for online shoppers. With the right tools and information, buying your next used car on Carvana can be smooth, secure, and stress-free, just like it has been for millions of customers already.

Key Takeaways:

• Carvana online car buying platform allows customers to browse inventory and purchase a vehicle from the comfort of their home.
• The key steps for buying a car on Carvana include identifying your budget and needs, browsing their selection, and securing your purchase.
• Carvana shipping costs offer flexible options for buyers including trade-ins and a 7-day return policy.

In This Guide:

• What is Carvana?
• How to Buy a Car on Carvana
• Carvana Return Policy
• Bottom Line
• Buying on Carvana FAQs

What is Carvana?

Founded in 2012, Carvana is an online platform that simplifies online car-buying. Unlike traditional dealerships, Carvana allows you to browse, finance, and purchase a car entirely online. Known for its car vending machine, Carvana has differentiated itself from other online platforms. Carvana offers a wide variety of used cars with transparent pricing and detailed vehicle history reports, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

After buying a car from Carvana, you can either have the vehicle delivered to your home or pick it up at one of Carvana’s vending machine locations. With its A+ BBB rating, Carvana is recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction and transparency. Sherpa’s team evaluated Carvana and other leading online used car buying sites based on reputation, platform, pricing, inventory, and customer satisfaction. We gave Carvana an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10 for its user-friendly interface, transparent pricing model, and good customer service.

How to Buy a Car on Carvana

We found the Carvana buying process to be intuitive. Carvana’s modern interface offers an online experience that simplifies the car-buying journey. From browsing a wide selection of vehicles with 360-degree virtual tours to financing and completing the purchase online, Carvana aims to make the process seamless. Their transparent pricing ensures no hidden fees, and you see the price you pay.

Follow these steps for an easy experience:

Identify Your Budget

Before you begin shopping on Carvana, it’s important to establish a clear budget. This will help narrow down your options and prevent you from overspending. Consider factors like down payment, monthly payment affordability, and insurance costs when calculating your budget.

Establish Car Feature Requirements

Once you know your budget, identify the features you need in a car. This could include factors like fuel efficiency, seating capacity, safety features, or tech options such as Bluetooth or a backup camera.

Shop Carvana

Carvana makes it easy to browse through thousands of cars based on your budget and feature requirements. Use the platform’s filters to narrow down options by price, make, model, mileage, year, and other preferences.

Get a Vehicle History Report

Each car on Carvana comes with a detailed vehicle history report powered by Carfax. This report provides crucial information about the car’s past, such as previous accidents, service records, and ownership history, helping you make an informed decision. Carvana Certified vehicles also come with a rigorous pre-purchase inspection covering 150 points. The 150-point inspection is available in the vehicle details section.

Find Financing

Carvana offers its own financing options, or you can use a third-party lender. Be sure to compare rates of auto loans to get the best deal for your financial situation. Carvana’s financing tool allows you to easily input your details and get pre-qualified without affecting your credit score.

Consider Trade-In Options

If you have a car you’re looking to trade in, Carvana’s platform will give you a quick estimate of its value. You can apply the trade-in value to your purchase, which can help lower your overall cost.

Schedule a (Optional) Test Drive

While Carvana primarily focuses on online sales, they offer a 7-day money-back guarantee, which functions as a virtual test drive. In some locations, however, Carvana allows customers to schedule a brief in-person test drive before making a final decision.

Finalize the Car Purchase

Once you’ve selected your specific vehicle and secured financing, you can finalize the purchase. Carvana’s system walks you through the paperwork electronically, so there’s no need to visit a dealership. It’s also worth ensuring that any transport carrier used is DOT-compliant and registered—this ensures your vehicle is shipped safely and legally. 

Get it Delivered or Pick it Up

After buying a car from Carvana, you can choose to have the vehicle delivered right to your home or pick it up at one of Carvana’s iconic car vending machines, depending on availability in your area. If Carvana home delivery isn’t available in your location, or if you’re purchasing out-of-state, Sherpa Auto Transport can help.

Our door-to-door transport service makes it easy to get your vehicle delivered right to your driveway—no matter the distance. Sherpa Auto Transport can also provide car shipping solutions nationwide. Start by requesting a quote online or calling (855) 631-1128.

Carvana Return Policy

Carvana offers a generous 7-day return policy. If, for any reason, you’re not satisfied with your vehicle, you can return it within seven days of delivery for a full refund or exchange. This return policy acts as a safety net, giving you peace of mind in case the car doesn’t meet your expectations. If you need to make a return, make sure to contact Carvana’s customer service team for assistance.

Bottom Line

Carvana has completely reshaped the way people buy used cars online. From browsing to financing to getting the car delivered, the entire process is designed to be transparent, efficient, and convenient. Whether you’re shopping from your sofa or trading in your current ride, Carvana removes the traditional dealership pressure and gives you control over your car-buying journey.

If Carvana delivery isn’t available in your area or you’re buying a car from out of state, that’s where Sherpa Auto Transport comes in. We offer reliable, door-to-door shipping solutions nationwide, perfect for getting your new Carvana car safely to your driveway. Our car shipping cost guide breaks it down clearly for a quick estimate on shipping costs. Want to know how long it might take? 

Buying on Carvana FAQs