Carvana Review 2023: Financing, Buying, Selling

How does Carvana work?

Carvana is an online-only used car retailer that also offers financing and warranties for the vehicles it sells. Online car buyers can choose a car from the Carvana website, select financing terms and complete loan paperwork — all from home.

Carvana keeps an inventory of more than 25,000 vehicles, most with low mileage. Each receives a 150-point inspection and comes with a free Carfax vehicle history report. Carvana prices are non-negotiable.

Carvana also accepts trade-ins and buys cars outright. (You may save money on sales tax with a trade-in.)

When buying a car outside Carvana's local markets, you pay shipping costs. If you're trading or selling, you must take your vehicle to one of Carvana’s service areas.

This review looks first at Carvana in recent news, Carvana financing options and then buying or selling through Carvana.

» Jump to: Financing a car through Carvana | Buying a car from Carvana | Selling or trading a car to Carvana

Carvana in the news

Carvana made headlines in late 2022 for falling stock prices and employee layoffs, leading some analysts to question the company’s future. In 2023, Carvana began showing signs of a turnaround after cost-cutting measures and debt restructuring. In early August, Carvana announced an improved profit outlook for the third quarter of the year.

In 2022, Carvana was also in the news following numerous consumer complaints and lawsuits about not providing titles for purchased cars in a timely manner. The company says title problems have been resolved, but it would still be a good idea to request proof of title before signing to buy a car from Carvana.

Carvana financing

Carvana makes loans directly to consumers, unlike most car dealers that instead arrange financing through a bank or other lender. Carvana does offer third-party financing, but it says 80% of its buyers use Carvana in-house financing.

Carvana has no minimum credit score or credit history requirements and says it extends credit to customers with a broad range of credit profiles. This includes car buyers with bad credit — typically FICO scores below 630 — who may have trouble getting loans from traditional dealerships and lenders.

Carvana does require that borrowers have an annual gross income of at least $4,000 and no active bankruptcies. Carvana shoppers can pre-qualify with a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect credit scores.

Carvana recently began allowing co-signers in the majority of states to help borrowers qualify, and will soon allow co-signers in all 50 states. If Carvana doesn't currently allow co-signers in your state, you can finance with an outside lender that allows co-signers. You’ll need to provide the lender’s information to Carvana when you begin the buying process. Carvana has a list of lenders it does not work with, including Chase Bank, Wells Fargo and Ally Bank.

NerdWallet strongly recommends getting a preapproved auto loan before shopping, so you can compare the rate with Carvana’s offer. (Check out Nerdwallet's comparison of auto loans, rates and lenders.) If you finance with Carvana, consider whether refinancing your auto loan with another lender after a few payments could lower your rate.

Carvana may be a good fit for those who:

• Want a streamlined process for buying and financing a car. Carvana enables car buyers to browse and select used cars, arrange financing and schedule pickup or delivery from one website.

• Have good or excellent credit. While Carvana does provide financing for car buyers with bad credit, loans for these borrowers may have a much higher APR than rates available from other lenders.

• Want more choices when buying a used car. Carvana provides access to a large inventory of used vehicles, along with a seven-day, money-back guarantee.

Carvana financing at a glance

Note that Carvana serves as a direct lender but also allows third-party financing. Information below pertains to Carvana financing.

• Application process

  • Origination fee: No origination fee. Other fees related to a vehicle purchase can include tax, title, registration and sometimes shipping.

  • Personal information needed: For the initial application, applicants will need their address, email, birthdate, employment status and income. Social security number will be needed after accepting the financing offer.

  • Pre-qualification available: Yes, applicants can receive a pre-qualification offer in two minutes with a soft credit inquiry. Offers are good for 45 days.

  • Online, in-person or both: Process is 100% online, including document upload.

  • Approval speed: Two to three minutes from application submission.

  • Funding: Same day as loan closing.

• Qualifications

  • Minimum FICO credit score: No minimum but the average credit score for approved applicants is 580 on the FICO scale.

  • Minimum credit history: None.

  • Minimum annual gross income: $4,500.

  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: Did not disclose.

  • Bankruptcy-related restrictions: No active bankruptcies.

  • States covered: All except AK and HI.

• Restrictions

  • Maximum vehicle age: 10 years.

  • Maximum vehicle mileage: 100,000 miles.

  • Other vehicle restrictions: Only vehicles purchased through Carvana.

  • Loan amount minimum: $1,000.

  • Loan amount maximum: $100,000.

  • Maximum loan-to-value ratio: Did not disclose.

• Other loan details

  • Loan terms: 12-72 months.

  • Rate discount: No rate discount, but there is a $10 discount on monthly payments with automatic payment.

  • Greater-than-minimum payments: Yes, and can be made through automatic payment. The payment overage goes toward the next payment, but borrowers can request that it be applied to principal.

  • Biweekly payments: Accepted but not through automatic payment.

  • Late payment fee: Yes, there is a $5 late payment fee with a grace period of 16 days.

  • Prepayment penalty: None.

  • Co-applicants allowed: Allows co-signers in most states. Does not allow co-borrowers. Co-applicants can apply at the same time.

  • Payment options: Mailed-in check, phone, online portal, mobile app, through website, ACH (electronic bank-to-bank) or through the loan servicer website at bridgecrest.com.

  • Selected payment due date: Yes, after the first payment a borrower can choose the due date, but only twice during the loan term. To do so, they must call loan servicer Bridgecrest at 1-800-967-8526.

  • Hardship plans: Yes. Options may include skipped loan payments or extended loan terms.

• Customer service

  • Assistance provided: During the application process, borrowers work with a Carvana representative. Afterward, loan servicing (payments, questions, issues, etc.) transfers to Bridgecrest, a third-party servicer, although Carvana can still be contacted.

  • Availability: Carvana is available Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m.- midnight ET by text, 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET by online chat or 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET by phone (800-333-4554).

  • Contact options: During the application process, Carvana can be contacted by phone, website chat or text. Afterward, contact options are phone, email, chat through website or online portal and website form.

Buying a car from Carvana

Carvana keeps an inventory of more than 25,000 vehicles, most with low mileage. You can verify a vehicle's condition with a free Carfax report, 360-degree photos and the results of Carvana's 150-point inspection process. All vehicles have clean titles, no reported accidents, fire, frame or flood damage.

Carvana operates in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. If you live in one of Carvana’s local markets, you may be able to pick up a car from a Carvana “vending machine.” Otherwise you will pay to have a car shipped to you.

Buyers in several states have reported persistent issues getting titles for their Carvana vehicles, leaving them unable to register and legally drive their cars. NerdWallet recommends requesting proof of title availability before signing to buy a car through Carvana. 

Does Carvana sell new cars?

Carvana sells used cars, but much of its inventory is low-mileage, late-model vehicles.

Can you negotiate with Carvana?

No, Carvana says it does not negotiate on pricing.

Costs and fees

No deposit is required to hold a vehicle. A "Purchase Pending" message signals an order in process for a listed vehicle. Carvana does accept $100 deposits by credit card to hold vehicles not yet prepared for sale.

There is a nonrefundable delivery charge of up to $599 that appears automatically if you select a car that requires shipment. You can also filter for free delivery.

Guarantees and warranties

Carvana offers a seven-day money-back guarantee, with a limit of 400 miles. A returned vehicle may be exchanged for another vehicle or for a refund, minus delivery fees. NerdWallet strongly recommends you pay for a vehicle inspection during this period.

For all cars purchased through Carvana, any balance of the factory's warranty carries over. Also, Carvana offers a 100 day/4,189-mile warranty against mechanical and electrical failures on all vehicles.

• Other car-buying details

  • Does Carvana accept credit cards for down payments? No. You can link a bank account, set up an ACH withdrawal from your bank account, or use a cashier's check.

  • Is extended warranty coverage available? Yes, it's called CarvanaCare, and it has a $0 deductible on covered repairs; price varies by vehicle and coverage level.

  • Is gap insurance available? Yes.

Selling or trading in a car with Carvana

If you're looking to sell your car online, Carvana accepts trade-ins and buys cars outright. Trading in a car may reduce the amount of sales tax you pay.

You'll need to provide your car's 17-digit VIN or license plate number, mileage, vehicle options, and loan or lease information. You'll also need to provide your ZIP code and email address, and fill out a condition questionnaire.

Carvana operates in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. If you're trading or selling a car, you must get your vehicle to one of Carvana’s service areas.

Can you negotiate with Carvana?

No. Carvana says it makes its best offer upfront and will not match another price or negotiate. If Carvana makes an offer on your car, that offer is good for seven days.

Will Carvana buy my car if I owe on it?

If you owe more than Carvana offers, you will need to provide a cashier's check for any shortage. If you're trading the car for a Carvana vehicle, you may be able to finance the negative equity by increasing your loan amount by up to $2,500.

Does Carvana buy leased vehicles?

Yes, if the leasing company allows third-party transactions. If not, you can buy out your lease at its residual price, obtain a new title in your name, and get a new offer.

• Other car-selling details

  • Does Carvana have restrictions on trade-in vehicles? Yes, cars must be newer than model year 1992, safe to drive, and have a working odometer. If you live outside a Carvana delivery market, you'll need to get to one, even if you're purchasing a Carvana car. Carvana buys cars with previous accidents or branded titles but does not sell them on its site.

  • What more is needed to complete a sale? A photo showing current odometer reading, and driver's license photos of persons listed on the title and registration. If you own the car, you'll need a picture of the front and back of your paper title. If your title still reflects a lien, you'll need to upload a lien release document. If you have a loan, you'll need a photo of your registration and of the 10-day payoff statement from the lender.

  • Will Carvana pick up my car? In markets it serves locally, yes. Otherwise you will need to drive to meet a Carvana representative in one of the areas it does serve.