Car purchases can be entirely seamless with Carvana. Most residents in the United States leverage e-commerce platforms when buying a used car. That’s why the number of online car traders has leaped up in recent times.
However, some people are skeptical about purchasing a car online, despite the latest developments. Contemplation like “Is Carvana legit?” has saturated people’s mind due to the negative Carvana reviews, remarks, accusations, and complaints about the company.
This article exposes the essential details you need to know about Carvana before engaging in a sales or purchase deal with the company.
What Is Carvana?
If you’re reading this for the first time, Carvana is an online used car sales and purchase company. Ryan Keeton, Ernest Gracia III, and Ben Huston founded the company in 2012. Carvana has grown bigger with upgraded technologies since its inception.
The company is known for its famous vehicle vending machine. This innovation became the first of its kind in the United States. Carvana sells some of the most amazing used cars online. These cars go through rigorous inspection when users offer them for sale to Carvana before the company sells them off.
Carvana went public in 2017 and started trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as CVNA. The company’s revenue rose to about $12.8 billion, and a sales turnover of around 425,237 units of cars as of 2021. With over 10,000 employees, Carvana continues to thrive in the automotive sales industry.
The company was recognized and listed on Fortune 500, making it one of the youngest companies with such an amazing record. Ernest Gracia III is the present CEO of Carvana. Some of the subsidiaries within the group include Carvana Co. Sub LLC, Carlypso Inc., LLC, Carvana FAC LLC, and Carvana RR II, LLC.
Carvana started out on a clean slate in 2012 and grew to rank among the best e-commerce car sales and purchase companies in the United States. Irrespective of the so-called “Carvana nightmare,” people still log on to buy cars via the platform.
Also Read: Carvana vs. CarMax: What Are the Differences?
How Do You Buy a Car Through Carvana?
Buying a used car through Carvana is pretty straightforward. Simply log on to Carvana.com and take an overview of all the vehicles available.
However, the website has a filter function that helps to limit the vehicle search by year, model, make, color, body type, mileage, price, drive type, transmission, fuel type, fuel efficiency, cylinders, etc.
Once you search by a particular filter option, the platform will redirect you to the vehicles with that specific feature. Then, you can take out time to check the vehicle through the 360 degrees view of the vehicle.
The 360-degree view function allows you to check various photos of the vehicle, including the interiors. You can also view the vehicle’s history alongside the VIN – Vehicle Identification Number.
Once you identify the vehicle of your choice, click on “Get Started.” After that, you will need to create an account with your name, phone number, email, and zip code. Kindly note that Carvana will start sending you marketing emails once you sign up on the platform.
If you want to purchase a vehicle immediately, the next section will require you to select whether you intend to trade in your old car, apply for a car financing plan, or pay cash.
Once you choose an option, you can proceed to choose a reception option – whether by picking up at the closest Carvana’s car vending machine near you or home/office delivery.
Carvana Fees and Pricing
Carvana’s operations are spelled out from the beginning of your transaction with the company till the end. All charges are defined to guide users who intend you opt for either cash purchase, trade-in, or apply for the car financing program. The following table describes Carvana’s car purchase fees and pricing structure.
Feature | Description |
Pricing | Fixed amount |
Price negotiation | Non-negotiable |
Delivery fee | $190 – $599 |
Also Read: Is Vroom Legit – Learn If You Can Buy and Sell Safe
Carvana Privacy and Policies
Carvana has a couple of well-designed privacy policies that help to regulate the relationship between the company and buyers/sellers. Some of the privacy policies include the following:
Confidentiality
Carvana holds all customers’ personal or financial data in confidence. So, you don’t necessarily have to be scared about your personal information getting into the wrong hands. The company has a well-designed system for the collection and storage of data.
Fixed pricing
Purchase prices are fixed on every car on Carvana’s website. Once you identify a vehicle of your choice, simply go on with the necessary payment. However, the basic purchase price differs from the delivery fee or shipping charge.
Standard delivery fee
Carvana delivers cars to buyers at a standard delivery fee of around $169 – $599, depending on the type of car and location. This fee is separate from the actual purchase price.
Non-refundable fee
All additional fees are non-refundable once you complete payment. This applies especially under the 7-day money-back guarantee operation.
7-day return policy/100-day or 4,189-mile limited warranty
Carvana allows buyers to examine their cars after purchase for 7 days to ascertain any fault that may require the buyer to return the vehicle.
However, a faulty vehicle must be returned within the next 7 days after delivery. The company also has a limited warranty of 100-day or 4,189 miles (whichever comes first).
Roadside assistance policy
The company also provides a roadside assistance policy that allows customers to call for roadside support services whenever they are stranded. The roadside assistance policy includes jump start, towing, emergency fluid/fuel assistance, etc.
Pros and Cons of Carvana
Carvana offers users the opportunity to leverage online car inspection and assessment before purchasing at their convenience.
The platform offers a couple of advantages. However, there are also downsides to dealing with Carvana. The following are some of the pros and cons of Carvana.
Pros
- User-friendly e-commerce car purchase platform.
- Car shopping, payment, and delivery convenience.
- 7-day return policy.
- 100-day/4,189-mile limited warranty.
- Freedom to window-shop before actual purchase.
Cons
- Purchase prices are non-negotiable.
- Prices may be slightly higher than regular dealerships.
- Lesser offers than private sales when selling to Carvana.
- Incorrect paperwork and delays in delivering registration/license plate documents.
Is Carvana Legit?
Carvana is a legit online used car sales and purchase company. Its stock is currently trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as CVNA.
Although the company has a couple of lapses, its position as a public limited liability company is an assurance that users can hold on to when dealing with the company.
So, if you are wondering, “Is Carvana legit for selling a car?” Carvana is a trusted platform you can leverage.
Are Carvana prices good?
If you’re wondering, “Is Carvana legit to sell your car?” Sure! Carvana’s purchase and sales prices are relatively good compared to some other online car sales and purchase platforms.
Cars like Mitsubishi and Ford start at $8,000 and above at Carvana. Comparing this to a regular dealership, Carvana’s prices are relatively fair.
However, some dealerships may offer prices cheaper than Carvana price tags if you are willing to forego the comfort of buying a car online. Also, your ability to negotiate is another factor to consider.
So, if you’re asking, “Is Carvana legit to sell a car?” or you want to buy a used car at a fair price with the maximum comfort of receiving the car at your convenience, Carvana is a legit platform to leverage.
Is Carvana cheaper than a dealer?
Not really! Carvana prices are not necessarily lower than the regular dealership. This is because Carvana used cars have specific price tags which are non-negotiable. So, all you simply need to do is choose your car and make a payment based on the amount on the price tag.
Meanwhile, a regular dealership does not operate with a “no negotiation” policy. You can negotiate any car at a dealership until you get a fair satisfactory price. So, in this case, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars by buying a car at a dealership instead of online at Carvana.
However, the convenience of delivery is one of the advantages of purchasing a car from Carvana. The company delivers your car to you at home or any designated location based on the purchase agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
Can Carvana be trusted?
Of course, you can trust Carvana with the purchase of your choice of used cars. Since its inception in 2012, the company has sold amazing used cars to American residents. The unique Carvana slogan “Skip the Dealership” is not a mere phrase.
The company is designed to help you overcome the stress, energy, and time-consuming effort of approaching a dealership for your car sales or purchase. Many American residents now buy used cars online instead of going to a dealership.
If you need to buy a used car and you’re wondering, “Is Carvana good?” Carvana is a trusted e-commerce platform to go on with. Of course, you can navigate through the company’s website and complete a purchase or sale in a moment.
What’s wrong with Carvana?
Although Carvana has a great reputation as one of the best e-commerce used car purchase and sales companies in the United States, some consumers experience some challenges with the company.
Some of the Carvana complaints include the following; incorrect paperwork, extended time of getting titles and registration, etc. The failure to deliver car license plates to customers is a major issue in Carvana. Hence, some people are skeptical about dealing with Carvana.
Nevertheless, the company ranks as one of the top e-commerce used car sales and purchase companies in the United States.
Is Carvana a real thing?
If you’re wondering, “Is Carvana a legit company?” Of course, Carvana is a legitimate e-commerce company that deals with the sales and purchase of used cars. The company is distinguished by its unique car vending machine, which is the first of its kind.
The vending machine works like a regular coin-operated vending machine in a shopping mall. The car vending machine dispenses cars that are purchased online through a completely automated process.
Why is Carvana being investigated?
Carvana is being investigated because of its failure to deliver customers’ registration and license plates. In other words, Carvana is alleged to be involved in car sales without a license, which is against Florida law.
Since the company sells used cars, customers expect the cars to come with their registration and license plates.
On several occasions, Carvana has failed to comply with this necessity, hence the accusations that have led to the company’s investigation. However, if you’re contemplating, “Is Carvana legit to sell or buy a car?” Of course, the company is legit.
What credit bureau does Carvana use?
Carvana uses Equifax and Experian credit bureaus. These companies help to assess the credit score (creditworthiness) of individuals that apply for car loans or financing packages with Carvana.
Carvana ensures that applicants are capable of meeting the financial obligations of their car financing program so that the right applicants enjoy the opportunity. If you intend to buy a car through the Carvana car financing program, ensure to first determine your credit score.
Meanwhile, Carvana may not necessarily reject an application from an individual with a low credit score; however, the company uses this data to advise the applicant on the best deal that matches their financial report.
Does Carvana have hidden fees?
Carvana does not have any hidden fees when you purchase a car except the basic purchase price. However, the company may demand a shipping charge for your car delivery depending on the type of car and location.
Carvana is one of the few e-commerce used car sales and purchase companies that do not include a hidden charge in its operations. The company expects you to pay the standard purchase price on the price tag of any car you choose.
Does Carvana test drive your car?
Of course, Carvana usually test-drives cars that clients bring to them for sale. There are a couple of conditions you need to meet before Carvana accepts to buy your used car. They include the following:
- The car model must be newer than 1992.
- The odometer must be working perfectly.
- The car must be available for a test drive.
Besides test-driving sellers’ cars, Carvana also offers a 7-day test drive policy to enable buyers to inspect and examine their cars after delivery. This enables consumers to engage an expert auto mechanic to help them check the car properly for any hidden faults.
Can you negotiate Carvana prices?
No! Carvana prices are fixed and non-negotiable. The cars displayed on Carvana’s platform come with specific price tags. The prices are for your awareness of what it costs to purchase whatever car you choose.
So, once you finally get a car you like and want to buy, proceed to make the corresponding payment for the car. However, cars at Carvana are relatively cheap, with Mitsubishi and Ford’s cars starting at $8,000 and a bit up.
However, if you need a negotiated deal for a used car, it would be best to contact a dealership near you. You may be able to get a nice car at a lower price than Carvana’s when you take your time to visit a dealership and engage in a proper negotiation.
Does Carvana give you a full tank of gas?
Absolutely! Like most dealers, Carvana offers a full gas tank when you purchase a used car from the company. The amazing fact is, that Carvana car purchase deals come with a care extended warranty that involves roadside assistance.
The roadside assistance covers jump start, towing, locksmith, flat tire assistance, as well as emergency fluid/gas assistance. All you simply need to enjoy this service is to place a phone call. Apart from Carvana, most regular dealerships also provide customers with a full gas tank when they purchase a car.
However, customers may not get the full package because of the sales reps’ failure to refill the gas tank after a test drive.
Does Carvana refund the delivery fee?
Carvana’s delivery fee is not refundable. The delivery fee is around $190 – $599, depending on the type of car and location. When shopping on the company’s website, cars with a shipping charge have the amount stated on the right-hand side beneath the car display.
Once you choose a car with an extra shipping cost, Carvana will compute the figure along with the car purchase price. Also, if you pick a car with a shipping charge under the car financing program, the cost will be included in your down payment and subsequent monthly payments.
Final Words
By now, you should have got all your queries about Carvana’s legitimacy clearly addressed, as this article has dealt extensively with the issue of Carvana’s authenticity. So, if you were contemplating, “Is Carvana legit?” go through the details about the company, including its operation status, financial capacity, and terms of engagement, which have been unveiled above.
If you desire to buy a used car in the United States, Carvana is a trusted company with an easy-to-use online platform. Ensure to leverage this platform for your car purchase with maximum convenience.