TrueCar Car Buying and Selling Review

TrueCar has become a go-to platform for many online car buyers and sellers seeking transparency and ease in the car purchasing process. This review delves into TrueCar’s reputation, features, pros, cons, and overall performance to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your car buying or selling needs.

Key Takeaways

• We give TrueCar an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10 for its price transparency, user-friendly platform, fair pricing, and positive customer satisfaction.
• TrueCar caters to the needs of modern car buyers by offering extensive resources and purchasing options for both new and used electric vehicles.
• TrueCar does not support private-party sales, so inventory is limited to their dealer partners. Those looking to list their vehicles online will need to use a different site.

In This Review:

• Our TrueCar Review
• What is TrueCar?
• How Does TrueCar Work?
• Pros of TrueCar
• Cons of TrueCar
• Review of TrueCar Buying Process
• Review of TrueCar Selling Process
• TrueCar FAQs
• Sherpa’s Best Used Car Site Methodology

Our TrueCar Review

We evaluated TrueCar and other leading used car sites based on reputation, platform, pricing, inventory, and customer satisfaction. We give TrueCar an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10, making our list of the five best used car platforms.

Based on our research, TrueCar scores highly across several key areas, making it a top choice for car buyers looking for price transparency and ease of use:

Overall Rating: 8.4/10

TrueCar excels in providing a transparent marketplace for car buyers, balancing reputation, platform usability, fair pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Reputation: 8/10

TrueCar is known for its price transparency and market analysis, earning an A+ rating from the BBB. Established in 2005, it has built a solid reputation for connecting buyers with certified dealers.

Platform: 9/10

The TrueCar platform is user-friendly and focuses on price comparison. It is open to everyone and free to use, and it offers additional features like price analysis tools, dealer discounts, and buying guides.

TrueCar offers extensive resources and tools for electric vehicle enthusiasts, including detailed articles and purchasing options for new and used EVs. By providing comprehensive information and access to a wide range of electric vehicles, TrueCar meets the evolving needs of modern car buyers seeking eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Pricing: 9/10

TrueCar stands out for its transparent pricing. The platform is free to use and provides market-based pricing comparisons, ensuring users understand the actual cost of their vehicles.

Inventory: 8/10

TrueCar offers a wide selection from various dealers. However, its inventory can vary depending on dealer partnerships and does not support private sales.

Customer Satisfaction: 8/10

TrueCar generally receives positive customer reviews, with users appreciating its price transparency and extensive buyer support. 

What is TrueCar?

TrueCar, founded in 2005, has established itself as a leader in price transparency and market analysis for car buying and selling. It connects buyers with a vast network of certified dealers, providing clear, upfront pricing without hidden fees. TrueCar’s reputation is built on its commitment to making car buying less stressful and more informative for consumers.

To meet the needs of online car buyers in 2024, TrueCar has an entire section of the website dedicated to electric vehicles. 

How Does TrueCar Work?

TrueCar allows users to search for new and used vehicles from various dealers. It provides detailed pricing information, showing what others have paid for similar vehicles in your area. Buyers can see upfront pricing from local dealerships, facilitating easier decision-making. TrueCar also offers various tools, including price analysis and buying guides, to help consumers make informed choices.

TrueCar also provides valuable resources for car buyers, such as their Buying Power Calculator, Auto Loan Calculator, and Car Finder Quiz.

Pros of TrueCar

• Price Transparency: TrueCar shows what others have paid for similar vehicles in your area.
• Dealer Network: Connects buyers with an extensive network of certified dealers.
• Upfront Pricing: Provides transparent, upfront pricing without hidden fees.

Cons of TrueCar

• Limited Inventory: Dependent on dealer partnerships so inventory can vary.
• Dealer Contact: Requires contact with dealers, which may lead to follow-up calls and emails.
• No Private Sales: Focuses on dealer listings, excluding private party sales.

Review of TrueCar Buying Process

TrueCar’s buying process is straightforward and transparent. Buyers search for a vehicle on the platform, displaying upfront pricing and market comparisons so that users see what others have paid for similar vehicles, ensuring they get a fair deal. Once a car is selected, TrueCar connects the buyer with a local dealer to complete the purchase.

Review of TrueCar Selling Process

TrueCar’s platform primarily focuses on buying, with limited features for selling vehicles. Sellers might find the platform less accommodating as it does not support private-party sales and mainly works through dealer listings. However, for those looking to trade in a vehicle, TrueCar provides connections to dealers interested in purchasing used cars.

TrueCar FAQs

Sherpa’s Best Used Car Site Methodology

We used five criteria to evaluate the Best Used Car Sites:

Industry Reputation – Sites that have a strong overall standing in the industry are rated more favorably. We considered years in the industry, BBB rating, and overall reputation.

Platform – We evaluated the platform’s features and ease of use. We also considered if the platform was open to all users.

Pricing – We evaluated the site’s pricing, favoring transparent pricing structures. We also considered listing fees or premium services.

Inventory – We evaluated both the quantity and variety of vehicles on the platform.

Customer Experience—We reviewed the support available for both buyers and sellers and read online customer reviews to evaluate their sentiment towards the platform.