How to Sell Your Car to Carvana: Offer, Documents, Pickup and Payment
To sell your car to Carvana, enter your license plate or VIN and the car’s condition on carvana.com to get an instant online offer, accept it, upload your documents (title or loan payoff details, registration, ID), choose how to be paid and schedule a pickup or drop-off. At the appointment Carvana checks your ID and the car, you sign the paperwork, and you are paid by check or ACH direct deposit. If the car’s condition does not match what you entered, the offer can change. Check the offer’s expiry date on the screen, and compare it with CarMax and local dealers before you accept.
Carvana made selling a car feel as easy as ordering takeout: type in your plate, get a number and someone comes to get the car. It is fast and convenient, but the offer is only as good as the condition you report, and the paperwork still matters, especially if you have a loan.
This guide explains how selling to Carvana works, what you need, how payment works and how to get the best offer.
How to Sell Your Car to Carvana
Enter your plate or VIN, mileage, features and an honest condition rating on carvana.com.
Note the expiry date and the mileage limit shown with the offer. Driving well past the stated mileage can change it.
Add photos of your title (or loan details), registration and driver’s license. Every person on the title may need to sign.
Pick check or direct deposit, then book a pickup at your address (where offered, sometimes with a fee) or a free drop-off at a Carvana location.
The Carvana representative verifies your ID, inspects the car, collects keys and signatures and issues payment.
What You Need to Sell to Carvana
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Title | In your name. If there is a loan, provide lender and account details instead |
| Loan payoff information | Carvana pays the lender. If you owe more than the offer, you pay the difference |
| Registration | Current registration for the vehicle |
| Valid photo ID | For everyone listed on the title |
| All keys and remotes | Missing keys can lower the offer |
Carvana vs CarMax vs Private Sale
| Carvana | CarMax | Private sale | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Very fast | Very fast | Slow |
| Effort | Low, mostly online | Low, in store or online | High |
| Price | Wholesale-level offer | Wholesale-level offer | Usually highest |
| Pickup | In some areas | Mostly drop-off at a store | Buyer comes to you |
Get offers from both before deciding. Read CarMax or Carvana to sell a car and will Carvana buy my car.
Tips to Get the Best Carvana Offer
- Be honest about damage. Surprises at pickup lower the final amount.
- Clean the car inside and out before the appointment.
- Gather both keys, the owner’s manual and service records.
- Get competing offers the same day from CarMax and local dealers.
- Avoid big mileage increases between the offer and the appointment.
- Remove toll tags, garage remotes and personal data from the infotainment system.
- Ask whether pickup at your address has a fee before booking.
- Keep the plates and report the sale to your DMV if your state requires it.
- Cancel insurance only after the car is handed over.
Selling to Carvana takes an online offer, uploaded documents and a pickup or drop-off appointment, and payment comes by check or direct deposit. It is one of the easiest ways to sell, but a private sale usually pays more. Report the car’s condition honestly and compare offers before you accept.
Selling to Carvana FAQs
You get an online offer, upload documents, schedule a pickup or drop-off, and Carvana inspects the car and pays you at the appointment.
By printed check or ACH direct deposit. Direct deposits typically take a few business days to arrive.
Yes. Carvana pays the lender. If you owe more than the offer, you pay the difference.
In many areas, sometimes for a fee. Drop-off at a Carvana location is also available.
Yes, if the car’s condition, mileage or features do not match what you entered.
It depends on the car and the day. Get offers from both and compare.
- Instant online offer.
- Upload title, registration and ID.
- Pickup or drop-off appointment.
- Paid by check or direct deposit.
- Compare with CarMax first.