National online car retailer
Carvana buys cars online nationwide and completes the sale at a drop-off or paid pickup appointment. CarPresto is operated by a local dealer group: franchised dealerships compete for your car, the appraisal happens at a store near you or at your home with no fee, and your firm offer stands for 7 days.
Carvana facts below are paraphrased from its published pages, checked on September 15, 2026. Each row links to the page we read. CarPresto facts come from our Offer Terms and are the same on every page of this site.
| What to check | CarPresto | Carvana | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees to sell | None. No inspection fee, no admin or processing fee. | No charge to drop off at a Carvana location. Pickup carries a service charge that varies by location. | Carvana page for fees to sellChecked September 15, 2026 |
| How long the offer stands | 7 days, with the exact date and time on the offer. | 7 days. Carvana says the offer will not change if the information you provide is accurate. | Carvana page for how long the offer standsChecked September 15, 2026 |
| How the car is checked | Photos from your phone, or a no-fee appraisal at a participating dealership or at your home. Any change is shown with photos and you can decline it. | Visual inspection and diagnostic check at the pickup or drop-off appointment. A mismatch leads to an updated offer. | Carvana page for how the car is checkedChecked September 15, 2026 |
| Who buys your car | One of the franchised VIP Auto Group dealerships. They compete and you see the winning offer. | Carvana, a national online retailer. | Carvana page for who buys your carChecked September 15, 2026 |
| When and how you are paid | Paid by check at handoff, after the inspection is confirmed and the paperwork is signed. | Check handed to you at the appointment, or ACH direct deposit that normally takes 2 to 5 business days. | Carvana page for when and how you are paidChecked September 15, 2026 |
| Local presence | Participating dealerships across NY, NJ, CT. Appraisal at a store or at your home within about 75 miles. | Drop-off at Carvana hubs and vending machines. Pickup offered in specific locations for a charge. | Carvana page for local presenceChecked September 15, 2026 |
Step 1: Get your market estimate
Step 2: Choose your appraisal
Step 3: Quick inspection, no fee
Step 4: Sign and get paid
Step 5: We handle the payoff
Every step in full is on the how it works section. The first number you see is an estimate, not an offer.
None. No inspection fee, no admin or processing fee, no listing fee, and no charge for an at-home appraisal. You never pay CarPresto anything.
What you receive is the offer amount plus your $500 bonus, less any loan or lease payoff we handle for you. Everything is itemized before you sign.
Read this answer on the FAQ pageYour firm offer stands for 7 days. The exact expiration date and time are printed on the offer and in your portal. There is no countdown and no pressure to decide on the spot.
If it expires, you can request a refreshed offer from your portal. Market prices move, so the refreshed amount can be higher or lower.
Read this answer on the FAQ pageWe show you exactly what we found, with photos, and a revised offer. You can accept it or decline it. Declining costs nothing and you keep your car.
Differences are usually condition items that did not come up online, such as a warning light, tire wear or a repair that was not mentioned. Honest answers in the condition step are the best way to keep your offer from changing.
Read this answer on the FAQ pageYes, at any point before you sign the purchase agreement, with no penalty and nothing owed. You can decline an offer, switch between Instant Offer and dealership bidding, or simply stop.
After you sign, the sale is a completed contract. We explain every document before you sign it, and you can ask a question first.
Read this answer on the FAQ pageMarket estimate in about two minutes. Firm offer after a quick inspection. No fees.
