Questions sellers ask before they start
Plain answers about estimates, firm offers, fees, inspections, payoff and payment. Operated by VIP Auto Group.
How CarPresto works
How does selling my car to CarPresto work?
Enter your VIN or plate, mileage and ZIP, answer about 60 seconds of condition questions, and see a market estimate built from recent sales near you. It takes about two minutes and there is nothing to sign.
Then choose how to sell: a CarPresto specialist confirms an Instant Offer, or local franchised dealerships bid for your car and you see only the winning offer. After a quick no-fee inspection you get a firm offer that stands for 7 days. Accept, sign, hand over the keys and you are paid by check at handoff. If you still owe on the car, we handle the payoff.
What is the difference between an Instant Offer and letting dealerships bid?
Instant Offer: a CarPresto specialist reviews your details and sends one firm offer during business hours. Best when you want a number fast and one person to talk to.
Letting dealerships bid: franchised dealerships in the VIP Auto Group family bid against each other for a set bidding window. You set a reserve, see only whether it has been met, and see the winning offer when bidding closes. Best when you want competition to set the price and can add photos first.
Both paths are free, both end in a firm offer that stands for 7 days, and you can switch paths any time before you accept an offer.
How do you determine my car's value?
Your estimate comes from recent sales of similar vehicles near your ZIP code, adjusted for your mileage, trim, options and the condition you report. When enough recent sales exist, we tell you how many we used.
Your firm offer is set later, after a specialist or our dealerships review the same details plus your inspection. The estimate and the offer can differ, and we tell you why when they do.
Estimates, offers and fees
Is the estimate a guaranteed offer?
No. The range you see first is an estimate, not an offer. It shows what a dealer can reasonably be expected to pay based on recent sales near you and what you told us about the car.
Your firm offer is issued after specialist review or dealership bidding, and it is subject to an inspection matching what you told us, plus title and payoff verification. If the inspection finds a difference, we show you the change with photos and you can decline it with no penalty.
How long is my offer good for?
Your 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.
Are there any fees?
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.
Your car and the inspection
What kinds of vehicles do you buy?
Cars, SUVs, trucks and vans that run and drive and are 10 years old or newer. Most vehicles with up to 125,000 miles qualify, and some makes and models above that do too.
We do not buy salvage, flood, rebuilt or other branded-title vehicles through the site, and we cannot price a vehicle online that does not start or stay running. Our dealerships still buy older cars in person, so if yours falls outside these rules, call us.
Do I need an inspection?
Yes, and it is free. Every firm offer is confirmed by a quick inspection so the number you accept is the number you are paid.
Choose the method that suits you: upload guided photos from your phone for a more accurate number (required if you let dealerships bid), book an appraisal at a participating dealership, or book an at-home appraisal within our service area. Whichever you choose, we confirm the final value when you hand over the keys.
What if the inspection finds something different?
We 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.
Loans, leases and paperwork
What if I still owe money on my car?
That is common and we handle it. Tell us your lender, and we verify the payoff amount with them. After handoff, VIP Auto Group pays the lender directly and sends you the remaining equity.
If you owe more than your offer, we show you the exact difference before you sign, and that amount is collected at signing. Keep making your normal payments until the sale is complete so nothing is reported late; your lender returns any overpayment.
Can I sell a leased vehicle?
Often, yes. Leasing companies set their own rules about selling to a dealer other than the one that leased the car, so we verify your lease terms with the leasing company before your firm offer is issued.
Enter your car as usual and tell us it is leased in the details step. If your leasing company allows a third-party buyout, we pay them the buyout amount and you receive any equity above it.
What should I have ready?
To see your estimate: your VIN or plate, mileage and ZIP. That is all.
To complete a sale: the title if you have it, or your lender or leasing company details if you do not; your registration; a government photo ID for every owner on the title; all keys and remotes; and the loan payoff letter if you already have one. Your portal lists each item and lets you upload photos of documents ahead of time.
Payment and your choices
When and how do I get paid?
You are paid by check at handoff, after the inspection is confirmed and the paperwork is signed. The offer amount and your $500 bonus are shown on one statement, less any payoff we make to your lender.
Your portal shows the payment status at each step, from initiated to completed with a reference. If a loan or lease is being paid off, the payoff to your lender and the amount due to you are listed separately.
Can I change my mind?
Yes, 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.
Do I have to buy a car from you?
No. Selling to CarPresto never requires buying anything. Your offer is the same whether or not you shop with one of our dealerships.
If you do want your next car, trading in can save you sales tax in many states, and we show that estimate separately.
Can I trade in instead of selling?
Yes. Tell us you are interested in trading in and we show a trade estimate alongside your sell estimate, with an estimated sales tax saving based on your state's rules. It is an estimate; the final saving depends on the car you buy.
Your $500 bonus applies whether you sell or trade. The trade is completed at the dealership that buys your car.
About CarPresto
Who is CarPresto?
CarPresto is the car buying service of VIP Auto Group, a group of franchised dealerships across NY, NJ, CT. When you sell through CarPresto, one of those dealerships is the buyer. There is no outside marketplace and your details are not sold to other dealers.
Every page, email and document carries the line "Operated by VIP Auto Group", and the dealership that buys your car is named on your offer and your paperwork.
Where are you and what areas do you serve?
Our dealerships are across Long Island, Hudson Valley, North Jersey in NY, NJ, CT, and we buy from sellers within about 75 miles of one of them. Enter your ZIP and we tell you right away whether you are in range.
In-store appraisals happen at participating dealerships during appraisal hours. At-home appraisals are available inside the same area. Outside it? Call us and we will help if we can.
Is my personal information safe?
Yes. We ask for your contact details only after you have answered the car questions, and we use them to send your estimate, your portal link and updates about your sale. We do not sell your information to other dealers or lead networks.
Document photos you upload are stored privately and are visible only to you and the VIP Auto Group team handling your sale. Text messages are sent only with your consent, and you can reply STOP at any time. Our Privacy Policy has the full details.
How do I get help?
Call us now from any page, or email hello@mycarpresto.com. A CarPresto specialist can answer questions about your estimate, your offer, paperwork or payoff.
Once you have an estimate, your portal has the same call button and shows the specialist and dealership handling your sale. Outside business hours, leave your details and we get back to you the next business day.
Ready to see your range?
Market estimate in about two minutes. Firm offer after a quick inspection. No fees.