How Does CarGurus Work When Buying a Car?

How Does CarGurus Work When Buying a Car? – A 2025 Guide by Safemile

The car buying journey can feel overwhelming—between dealership visits, price comparisons, and endless vehicle specs, it’s no surprise that many shoppers are now turning to online platforms. One of the most well-known tools in this space is CarGurus, a car shopping website used by millions across the United States.

But how does CarGurus work when buying a car, and what should you know before making a purchase?

In this guide, we’ll explain the CarGurus process step by step, explore the pros and cons of using the platform, and show how Safemile Auto Transport makes your online car buying experience even easier with nationwide car shipping.

🚘 What is CarGurus?

CarGurus is an online automotive marketplace founded in 2006. Its mission is to simplify the car buying and selling process by using data and technology to provide transparent pricing and easy comparisons. Whether you’re looking for a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, CarGurus lets you filter listings and find deals from both dealerships and individual sellers.

What sets CarGurus apart:

Pricing transparency with “Great Deal” badges
Dealer ratings and reviews
Financing pre-qualification options
Nationwide vehicle availability

🔍 How Does CarGurus Work?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to buying a car on CarGurus:

Visit CarGurus.com

Head to CarGurus.com and click “Buy” at the top of the homepage. From there, select “Used,” “New,” or “Certified Pre-Owned.”

Set Your Search Filters

Enter your ZIP code and desired search radius. Then narrow down your results by:

Make and model
Price range
Year and mileage
Fuel type and transmission
Color, features, and accident history

You can even choose “Nationwide” to see all available vehicles across the U.S.

Compare Listings

Scroll through listings with pricing labels like:

Great Deal
Good Deal
Fair Deal
High Price
Overpriced

Each vehicle page provides detailed info on condition, mileage, ownership history, dealership ratings, and financing options if you pre-qualify through CarGurus.

Contact the Seller

Click “Contact Seller” or use the listed phone number to speak directly with the dealership or individual seller. You can request additional photos, schedule a test drive, or ask about financing and warranty options.

Arrange Payment and Delivery

CarGurus doesn’t complete the transaction—it connects you with the seller. You’ll handle payment, paperwork, and vehicle pickup or shipping directly with the seller or dealership.

🚛 Shipping Your Car from CarGurus

Just bought a car that’s not nearby? No problem.

Safemile Auto Transport helps you ship your CarGurus purchase quickly and securely anywhere in the country. Whether it’s a sedan in another state or an SUV from across the country, we offer:

Open and enclosed car transport
Door-to-door delivery
Real-time GPS tracking
Fully insured shipments
Fast booking and friendly support

📞 Call us at 888-277-8212 or get a free quote online.

✅ Pros & Cons of Buying on CarGurus

✅ Pros:

Transparent pricing: CarGurus uses algorithms to compare prices and assign deal ratings.
Wide selection: Millions of listings from across the U.S.
Financing options: See estimated monthly payments with pre-qualification.
Dealer reviews: Real customer feedback helps guide your decision.

❌ Cons:

Not all listings are individual sellers: Most listings are from dealerships, limiting negotiation.
No centralized checkout process: Buyers must finalize purchase and paperwork off-platform.
Some seller info may be limited: Not all listings include full service or accident history.

🌎 Why Online Car Buying Is on the Rise

The growth of platforms like CarGurus shows a clear trend toward digital car buying. Key advantages include:

Convenience: Shop anytime from your phone or computer.
Access to more inventory: Broaden your search beyond your local market.
No pressure from salespeople: Make decisions at your own pace.

Plus, with reliable auto transport services like Safemile, there’s no need to physically travel to pick up your car.

🧠 Smart Tips for Using CarGurus

Compare similar vehicles: Don’t settle on the first car. Use CarGurus’ filtering tools to find alternatives.
Check vehicle history reports: Most listings include CARFAX data—always read them.
Don’t skip the inspection: If you can’t see the vehicle in person, consider hiring a third-party inspection service.
Verify the seller: Look for established dealerships with solid reviews and clear communication.
Use a shipping partner you trust: Avoid sketchy transport services—Safemile is licensed, insured, and ready to help.

💬 What CarGurus Users Are Saying

Anthony – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I found the car I’m driving today on CarGurus. The site made comparing prices and features so easy. I contacted the dealer, scheduled a visit, and drove off with my new car that same week.”

Lea – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I like the filters and the way they compare the price to market value. It really takes the guesswork out of online car shopping.”

Gregg – ⭐☆☆☆☆
“I had a bad experience with a dealer and CarGurus wouldn’t publish my full review. It felt like they were protecting the dealership. Transparency needs improvement.”

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About CarGurus

Is CarGurus a legitimate website?
Yes, CarGurus is one of the most trusted car shopping platforms, used by millions nationwide.

Does CarGurus charge a fee to buyers?
No. CarGurus does not charge buyers any fees to browse or contact sellers.

Can I negotiate prices on CarGurus?
Possibly. Most listings are from dealerships, and prices are often fixed—but it never hurts to ask.

Is shipping included when buying a car on CarGurus?
Not automatically. Buyers are responsible for pickup or car shipping. Safemile Auto Transport is a top-rated provider that can help you arrange delivery after purchase.

Does CarGurus finance cars directly?
No, but they offer financing tools and allow you to pre-qualify through third-party lenders.

Where is CarGurus based?
CarGurus is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

🚗 Final Thoughts: Is CarGurus Right for You?

If you’re shopping for a car online and want a broad selection, pricing transparency, and easy-to-use search tools, CarGurus is an excellent platform to consider. While it doesn’t handle transactions directly, it’s a powerful marketplace that helps connect buyers and sellers across the country.

And when it’s time to get your new ride delivered, let Safemile Auto Transport handle the hard part. We make shipping your CarGurus purchase simple, affordable, and stress-free.

📦 Ship Your CarGurus Purchase with Safemile

Safemile offers:

Fast, nationwide vehicle shipping
Open and enclosed carrier options
Full insurance + real-time tracking
Friendly, U.S.-based customer support

📞 Call 888-277-8212 today or get your free quote to schedule your car shipment.