Carvana Reviews: What Sellers Love and What Leaves Them Frustrated

Carvana has become one of the biggest names in the “sell your car fast” world. Their promise is simple: get an instant offer online, drop off your car at a vending machine or have it picked up, and walk away with a check.

It sounds easy, and for many sellers, it is. But if you dig into Carvana reviews across the internet, you’ll see a clear pattern: the convenience comes at a cost.

What People Like About Carvana

• Speed & simplicity: Many sellers say the process is faster than dealing with traditional brick-and-mortar dealers or private buyers.

• No haggling: You get a firm instant offer, which appeals to people who hate negotiating.

• Contactless convenience: Carvana’s pickup and delivery make the process feel modern and streamlined.

For some, these are enough to take the deal, even if the number isn’t great.

The Most Common Complaints in Carvana Reviews

When you read through Carvana reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and Facebook, a common theme appears: sellers appreciate the convenience, but often notice trade-offs when it comes to the offer itself. The most frequently mentioned frustrations include:

• Lowball offers compared to local dealer listings or Kelley Blue Book values, well below private sale and retail

• Final offer drops after inspection, often for minor issues or over-inflated “reconditioning” deductions

• Unexpected delays or slow paperwork, despite the promise of speed

• Customer service headaches, especially when payoff or pickup doesn’t go as planned

• Title and registration issues, with some customers reporting months-long delays that even led to lawsuits in certain states

Here’s how actual sellers describe their experiences:

“Carvana gave me an instant offer that looked okay, but after inspection they dropped it by $1,200 for a scratch I didn’t even notice. Total waste of time.” — Reddit user

“They just low-balled me on my Focus… dealership offered me $17.5k, Carvana offered $12k. Carvana offers are always the lowest.” — Reddit user

“It’s easy but they low ball you. They only pay you about 65 percent of the value.” — Facebook group comment

“Carvana offered me $9,000 for my SUV. I sold it two weeks later for $13,500. The convenience wasn’t worth leaving $4,500 on the table.” — ConsumerAffairs reviewer

“Some Carvana customers reported waiting months to receive their car titles, leading to lawsuits in several states.” — The Sun, 2023

Why Car Consignment Is Becoming the Better Alternative

If your goal is to maximize what you walk away with, Carvana isn’t designed for that. Their offers are based on wholesale math — quick flip, big margins, volume. Did you know, Carvana's retail gross profit per vehicle (GPU) for the second quarter of 2025 was $7,426? A large part of that comes from your pocket — a huge cost for speed and convenience when selling your car.

Selling your car using the consignment option flips the equation:

• Your car is marketed at full retail value by a local licensed retail dealership who sells it for you alongside their cars.

• Buyers get financing, trade-ins, and peace of mind they can’t get from a private sale.

• You keep ownership until it sells, which protects your position.

• On average, sellers earn $1,500–$3,500 more than wholesale or instant-cash offers from Carvana or others.

The Bottom Line

Carvana reviews show that many sellers love the simplicity, but some feel they could have earned more. If you like the idea of a hassle-free process yet don’t want to leave thousands on the table, the 3rd selling option — car consignment through Retail My Ride gives you the best of both worlds — convenience plus retail-level returns.

Take our quick quiz to see if consignment is right for you. It takes less than a minute, and you could put way more money in put your pocket compared to an instant-cash offer, without lifting a finger.

It’s a smarter way to sell - and thousands of private sellers are already making the switch. Here's what some of our sellers are saying:  Read seller testimonials

See Also: More Ways to Sell Smarter

If you’re weighing your options beyond Carvana, here are a few helpful resources to guide your decision:

• How to Always Beat a Carvana Instant Cash Offer — Learn the strategies dealers use to keep more money in your pocket.

• Which Vehicles Are Best Suited for Consignment — Not every car is a perfect fit, but many are — find out if yours makes the list.

• 8 Surprising Facts About Car Consignment - Discover the little-known advantages that make consignment a smarter way to sell.

Prefer to speak to a car consignment expert first? Call us at 833-795-CARS (2277) - our team will walk you through the process and answer any questions.