TrueCar Car Buying and Selling Review

In today’s digital-first car market, platforms like TrueCar are transforming how people shop for and sell vehicles—whether it’s their first purchase, a trade-in, or an upgrade to an electric vehicle. Online car buyers and sellers research online before making a purchase decision. Platforms that offer clear, upfront pricing and easy comparison tools are in high demand.

TrueCar is one of the most popular options in this space, attracting over 7 million unique users monthly on average and powering vehicle pricing for major partners like USAA, AARP, and Sam’s Club. 

As of early 2025, it maintains a trusted reputation for simplifying the buying process while prioritizing price transparency, something 65% of car buyers say is the most important factor when shopping for a vehicle online.

This in-depth review explores TrueCar’s key features, platform performance, pros and cons, and how it compares to other used car sites. Whether you’re buying your next ride or trading in your current one, we help you determine if TrueCar fits your 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:

• 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

TrueCar Review

We evaluated TrueCar alongside other leading used car platforms, focusing on key areas such as reputation, platform features, pricing transparency, inventory depth, and customer satisfaction. TrueCar earns an impressive overall rating of 8.4 out of 10, securing its place on our list of the top five best used car platforms for 2025.

TrueCar stands out for its commitment to price transparency, a user-friendly experience, and strong dealer partnerships, making it a go-to choice for many buyers—especially those who value market insights and clear comparisons.

Overall Rating: 8.4/10

TrueCar delivers a well-rounded car buying experience, blending transparent pricing tools, modern platform design, and reliable dealer connections. Whether you’re purchasing a traditional gas-powered car or an electric vehicle, TrueCar simplifies the process by offering relevant tools and resources tailored to today’s car buyers.

Reputation: 8/10

Founded in 2005, TrueCar has established itself as a trusted online car marketplace. It maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is recognized for providing real-time market data and accurate vehicle pricing. TrueCar’s long-standing partnerships with certified dealerships across the U.S. strengthen its reputation as a reliable and ethical platform for car shoppers.

Platform: 9/10

The TrueCar platform is sleek, intuitive, and accessible to all users—completely free to use with no membership required. It excels in offering real-time price comparisons, local dealership listings, and tools like price analysis, dealer discounts, and vehicle history reports.

TrueCar also goes a step further by catering to niche markets, especially electric vehicle (EV) buyers. Its platform includes EV-specific guides, comparison tools, and availability filters, helping eco-conscious consumers make informed choices. Overall, it combines ease of use with powerful features that elevate the buying experience.

Pricing: 9/10

TrueCar’s biggest strength lies in its transparent pricing model. It uses real-time market data to show what others in your area paid for the same make and model, giving users confidence that they’re getting a fair deal. The platform is free to use and avoids upselling or hidden fees, which builds trust among first-time and repeat buyers alike.

Inventory: 8/10

TrueCar provides access to a large nationwide inventory through its network of certified dealers. Users can filter by make, model, year, location, mileage, and more to find the perfect match. However, the platform does not support private listings, which may limit choices for buyers specifically looking for owner-to-owner deals.

Customer Satisfaction: 8/10

Customer feedback on TrueCar is generally positive. Many users highlight the accuracy of pricing, ease of communication with dealerships, and the simplicity of the buying process. While some users have experienced inconsistencies in dealer follow-through, TrueCar offers responsive customer support and plenty of educational content to guide buyers every step of the way.

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 2025, 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. Additionally, they provide 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.