Questions sellers ask before they start
Plain answers about estimates, firm offers, fees, appraisals, 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 one market estimate built from recent sales near you, good for 7 days. It takes about two minutes and there is nothing to sign.
Then book a free in-person appraisal at a CarPresto location near you. Our dealerships line up their best offer for your car, and at the visit you get one 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 happens after I see my estimate?
You book a free in-person appraisal at a CarPresto location near you: pick the dealership, a day and a time. The visit takes about 30 minutes.
While your appraisal request is with our team, our dealerships line up their best offer for your car. At the visit you get one firm offer that stands for 7 days, with the exact date and time on it. Accept it, or say no with no penalty.
Your estimate is good for 7 days, and the date is shown with it. If your car is leased, a specialist first confirms the buyout with your leasing company, so you see next steps instead of a number.
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 at your in-person appraisal, from the same details plus what the appraiser sees. 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 number 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, and it is good for 7 days.
Your firm offer is made at your in-person appraisal, and it is subject to the car matching what you told us, plus title and payoff verification. If the appraisal finds a difference, we show you what we found and you can decline 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 appraisal fee, no admin or processing fee and no listing fee. 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 appraisal
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 appraisal?
Yes, and it is free. Every firm offer is made at a quick in-person appraisal, so the number you accept is the number you are paid.
Book it online right after your estimate: pick a CarPresto location near you, a day and a time. The visit takes about 30 minutes, and you leave with a firm offer you can take or leave.
What if the appraisal finds something different?
We show you exactly what we found and how it changes the number. You can accept the firm offer 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 firm offer close to your estimate.
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 a CarPresto specialist verifies your buyout with the leasing company before your firm offer is issued.
Enter your car as usual and answer "Leased" when we ask whether you own the car. Instead of an estimate, you see what happens next and can add your lease account number, then book your appraisal. 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 appraisal is complete 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 skip the appraisal, decline your firm offer, 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 plan to trade toward another vehicle and we show your estimate with an estimated sales tax saving added, 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.
Appraisals happen in person at CarPresto locations during appraisal hours; you book the time online. Outside the area? 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 estimate?
Market estimate in about two minutes. Firm offer at a free appraisal. No fees.