CarsDirect vs TrueCar Comparison: Where Should You Sell Your Car?

DollarBreak is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation. Disclosure.

The content is for informational purposes only. Conduct your own research and seek advice of a licensed financial advisor. Terms.

Which is Better for Selling the Car?

---

Overall, CarsDirect is a better company to sell your car to than Truecar. Selling your car with Truecar and CarsDirect is similar in many ways. It’s also noteworthy that CarsDirect redirects you to Peddle and it’s best to go to the Peddle website directly.

First, CarsDirect’s offer is valid for seven days while TrueCar only gives you three days to consider your offer. It also offers a free pickup and lets you choose to get cash or check.

Truecar and CarsDirect both charge no fees, offer free online quotes, and pay you with a check in hand on the day of the sale.

CarsDirect vs. Truecar Comparison

---

	CarsDirect	Truecar
Cars accepted	New, used, and junk	Used and new cars
Fees	No fees	No fees
Requesting quotes	Online	Online and in person
Offer validity	7 days	3 days
Payments offered	Cash or check	Check from a certified dealer
Payout	Same day	Same day
Car pick-up	Free pickup	No mention of car pick-up
Physical locations	Various US locations	Various car dealership locations
Turnaround time	Same day	Same day
Customer service	Phone	Phone, email
Reviews	2.7	4.1

Cars Accepted

---

Truecar accepts new and used cars that are in drivable condition, while CarsDirect accepts both new and old cars, as well as damaged cars, cars that no longer run, and cars that would be considered junk to some. 

Fees

---

Neither CarsDirect nor Truecar charges any fees. Both companies provide you with a free quote through their online application form. 

Requesting Quotes

---

With Truecar, all you are required to provide is your car’s license plate and state in order to receive your free quote.

Truecar also accepts:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Year, make, and model of the car

CarsDirect has a more extensive application form where you will be asked to provide the year, make, model, trim, and title of your car. 

You will also be asked to answer the following questions:

• Are the wheels mounted or inflated?
• Does it have a key and a working battery?
• Does it drive?
• What is the mileage?
• Is there any body, mirror, glass, or light damage?
• Are there any removed or loose exterior body parts?
• Is there any damaged or removed interior?
• Is there any flood or fire damage?

Offer Validity

---

With CarsDirect, your offer is valid for 7 days while receiving it while with Truecar, your offer is only valid for 3 days.

Payments Offered

---

If you sell your car to CarsDirect, the dealership will provide you with a check on the same day that you bring your car into a participating dealership, or have your car picked up. Truecar will also provide you with a check in hand on the day that you bring your car into a dealership.

Payout

---

Both CarsDirect and Truecar will provide you with a check in hand on the day that you sell your car. A check will usually take up to 2 business days to clear however, depending on the check, some checks make take longer to clear and show up in your bank account.

Car Pick-up

---

CarsDirect offers free car pick-up services, and you can also choose to drop off your car at one of their participating locations. Truecar does not have any mention of pick-up services but you can drop off your car at one of their physical locations.

Physical Locations

---

Since CarsDirect sells cars through Peddle, you can head to any of Peddle’s in-person locations. Peddle has dealership locations all across the US. 

When it comes to cash for junk cars, you can find Peddle’s largest markets in:

• Austin
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Los Angeles
• Minneaopolis
• San Jose
• Sacramento

When you receive your price offer, Truecar will connect you with one of their thousands of Certified Dealers.

Turnaround Time

---

Whether you choose to sell your car with CarsDirect or Truecar, both companies offer a very quick turnaround time for quoting and buying your car from you. It typically takes 24 hours to sell your car with both dealerships as quoting and selling your car can be done all on the same day.

Customer Service

---

You can contact CarsDirect customer service by calling them at 1-800-260-5857. 

To contact Truecar customer service, you can call them at 1-888-878-3227 or email their customer support team at [email protected].

Reviews

---

CarsDirect has a 2.7-star rating on Trustpilot,  while the overall rating for Truecar is a 4.1-star rating on Trustpilot. CarsDirect does not have any reviews on BBB, while Truecar has a 3.1-star rating on BBB.

Customers have praised CarsDirect for selling high-quality cars, having a quick turnaround time, and offering professional customer service. Some customers have raised complaints about CarsDirect providing poor customer service, not being able to contact customer support with complaints, and using customer and car information without permission.

Customers have praised Truecar for providing great deals, honoring rebate certificates, and providing excellent customer service. Some customers have raised complaints about Truecar not answering or returning customer phone calls, not honoring their price offers, and having misleading prices online.

	CarsDirect	Truecar
Trustpilot Rating	2.7	4.1
BBB Rating		3.1

CarsDirect & Truecar Alternatives

Peddle

---

CarsDirect sells all of its cars through Peddle. Like Truecar, Peddle provides you with an instant quote after you submit an online application form through their website. 

After receiving your offer, you will have 7 days to consider and accept the offer, while with Truecar your offer is only valid for 3 days. Peddle offers to send a representative to pick up or tow your car for free while with Truecar, you have to take your car to a participating dealership.

Wheelzy

---

Wheelzy accepts cars that are damaged or considered to be junk just like CarsDirect, while Truecar accepts cars that are used and in drivable condition, and may not accept all cars. Once you accept your price offer, a Wheelzy representative will pick up or tow your car for free like with CarsDirect. Truecar does not mention any free car pick-up or towing services.

Wheelzy has a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot, and a 3-star rating on BBB, which is a higher Trustpilot rating than Truecar, and a much higher rating in comparison to CarsDirect.

CarBrain

---

Like Carsdirect, CarBrain is a car-buying company that is available nationwide and offers a free pick-up service. It differs from Truecar because it doesn’t connect you with car dealerships, rather it will buy your car directly. 

Overall, CarBrain will give you cash for your car regardless of its condition within 24 to 48 hours. Simply fill out an online form to get an instant offer. If you’re happy with the offer, you can accept it and schedule a free pick-up. The company representative will then visit your driveway to pick up your car and pay you on the spot.