• CarGurus

CarGurus

Overview

CarGurus has a rating of 2.9 stars from 366 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about CarGurus most frequently mention customer service, good deal, and phone number problems. CarGurus ranks 9th among Car Buying sites.

  • Service
    74
  • Value
    69
  • Shipping
    29
  • Returns
    32
  • Quality
    60

This company responds to reviews on average within 4 days

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 28%
Positive
7
Neutral
1
Negative
17
88
See all photos
How would you rate CarGurus?
Top Positive Review

“Karplus Auto 🚗 Customer Service is amazing 🤩”

kerri c.
4/6/24

I would like 👍 to thank Kobe and Luis and their team of Car sales professionals for going above and beyond to provide a contract to meet our family needs. I will recommend Karplus Auto in San Fernando Valley to anyone interested in purchasing a vehicle 🚗.

Top Critical Review

“Private Sellers Beware”

Jeff T.
2/22/24

I listed with CarGurus as a private seller not once, but twice on the same car. First time I listed the car at my own price, and they gave me a good price rating two days later after my payment had cleared to them. It was dropped to a fair price. So I canceled the ad until I could afford to lower the price a month later I relisted the vehicle at their suggested price which they gave me a good price rating again, but when my payment cleared, the rating was dropped to a fair deal rating again. When I called, they said it had nothing to do with anything but the fair market value. It's awful funny how the fair market value could change after two days not once but twice! Sellers Beware this site is a scam!

Reviews (366)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

car gurus (53) car guru (24) customer service (38)
Thumbnail of user jefft1217
1 review
1 helpful vote
February 22nd, 2024

I listed with CarGurus as a private seller not once, but twice on the same car. First time I listed the car at my own price, and they gave me a good price rating two days later after my payment had cleared to them. It was dropped to a fair price. So I canceled the ad until I could afford to lower the price a month later I relisted the vehicle at their suggested price which they gave me a good price rating again, but when my payment cleared, the rating was dropped to a fair deal rating again. When I called, they said it had nothing to do with anything but the fair market value. It's awful funny how the fair market value could change after two days not once but twice! Sellers Beware this site is a scam!

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user carlylem4
Carlyle M. – CarGurus Rep

We certainly understand the frustration. The private seller market fluctuates daily and I'm afraid we are unable to predict these changes. This can cause deal ratings to change for vehicles that are right on the cusp of the market value.
In our What is IMV? Article it is noted that we update our IMV calculations daily. Additionally, CarGurus gives you as much time as you need to keep your vehicle listed before it sells. We recommend keeping it at the current price and seeing which shoppers are interested!

Thumbnail of user yevgeniya2
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 2nd, 2024

They are scamming businesses and customer by supposably advertising your vehicle until you find out that vehicle is pulling on CarGurus website.
On our inventory list (CarGurus backend) vehicle listed but when we search its not pulling up and we called CarGurus and they said vehicle removed because there was too many leads. Point is you can price your car good price because vehicle will be removed and we think its listed.

Thumbnail of user silverfox000
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 20th, 2023

If you want to sell your car for convenience below market price then you use Car Guru. When I checked what they will pay from my brand new car from the show room was $8K lower than what the market will offer in a $30K car.
I won't be using these services. We need a service that is convenient and provides you the best market based price not 20% below market value.!

Thumbnail of user carlylem4
Carlyle M. – CarGurus Rep

We're sorry to hear you were not satisfied with the offer on your vehicle. As markets are constantly changing, we do hope that you check back soon!

Thumbnail of user kerricitizen55
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 6th, 2024

I would like 👍 to thank Kobe and Luis and their team of Car sales professionals for going above and beyond to provide a contract to meet our family needs. I will recommend Karplus Auto in San Fernando Valley to anyone interested in purchasing a vehicle 🚗.

Service
Value
Returns
Thumbnail of user carlylem4
Carlyle M. – CarGurus Rep

Thank you so much for your 5 star rating and positive feedback.

Thumbnail of user zaknafein0388
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 29th, 2023

Tampa Toyota stated the price on car gurus is wrong and now I have 2 high pressure sales people spamming me. $6000 discrepancy on pricing.

Tip for consumers:
Nothing. Won’t be scammed, spammed, or bait and switched.

Products used:
None. The experience broke down at purchase

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user carlylem4
Carlyle M. – CarGurus Rep

Thank you for letting us know. We're sorry to hear about your experience with the dealership and we'd like to explore this further. Please feel encouraged to contact our support team so we can take a closer look at this dealer's pricing.

Thumbnail of user thomasf1964
1 review
1 helpful vote
November 28th, 2023

They will tell everyone your car is overpriced even if it is priced $1k less than a dealer. Dealers are heavily favored on this websites and I'm sure Cargurus is getting kickbacks from the dealers. A car is a car, it really doesn't matter who you buy it from. Most of the dealers out there are dirty and crazy some of the stuff I have been subjected to over the years. My car is under full factory warranty, but Cargurus doesn't even ask about a warranty if you are a private party. My car is in amazing shape and should still command a hefty price, as I paid one. Cargurus is very confusing and lies to the customers about real time vehicle pricing. I would rather buy a car from a private party, than try and trust a dirty dealer!

Thumbnail of user marke2061
1 review
6 helpful votes
February 2nd, 2023

Was offered a price for my car. Went through the entire process of scanning and uploading docs, their inspection process and all of other hoops.

Once I did that, I got an email that 'The buyer that put the offer in on your car backed out'. Their new offer is $5,000 less than the original offer.

Without documentation proving this actually happened, this smells like a bait and switch situation going on here. They can put any price they want initially, and then if you bite on there offer, oops...

Thumbnail of user shelleyg44
1 review
6 helpful votes
March 9th, 2023

Car gurus does zero verification of vehicles and info. I just had a buyback due to safety issues, that due to a prior to my purchase accident. I had an accident less than 24 hours later because of alignment issues. Now the SAME CAR is more money, listed as NO ACCIDENTS and car gurus couldn't care less. I will spend one year making sure this BS ends

Tip for consumers:
Let's see how it goes first. So far it's confusing and wasting my valuable time

Products used:
Whatever. Just list my review please? It matters. I'm not talking about TJ MAXX OK?

Thumbnail of user empaguz078
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 4th, 2024

Very friendly and helpful... also very fast to respond and the even guide you through the whole process 10 out of 10

Service
Thumbnail of user carlylem4
Carlyle M. – CarGurus Rep

Thank you very much for your rating and sharing this with us! We are so glad you received such excellence service!

Thumbnail of user radyd1
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
December 9th, 2023

Great place to buy a used car. Love the place and love the owners. This is a great place to buy a used car. Heritage used car

Products used:
Love the place and owners.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user calunterleiter57
1 review
3 helpful votes
September 18th, 2023

I looked at some of their vehicles when I was in the market, liked the pics of blemishes, but when I tried to contact them regarding a vehicle, they would not respond. Now I see the ads on tv with this person sliding down the hood of a vehicle he does not own, I find that totally disrespectful and ignorant! I hope you lose sales because of your ignorance regarding this imbecile's actions on tv!

Thumbnail of user dellorismiles
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 30th, 2023

I am excited to be the first to purchase a electric car without parent supervision! Are you very excited to share the experience with me! The electric smart passion fortwo will be the winning present ever.

Products used:
Electric Smart Passion Fortwo

Thumbnail of user anthonyf974
1 review
3 helpful votes
March 11th, 2022

To be short and to the point... I received the best offer from them(like other reviews, almost to good to be true); even though I was a little nervous about the process & with concerns from my family I followed through. The paperwork arrived; the vehicle was picked up; documents signed; payment deposited & loan repaid. Highly recommend Cargurus/Caroffer if you're trying to sell your vehicle.

Tip for consumers:
Don't stress about it ....... it works

Products used:
I sold my car to them pickup and paid me and my loan off in 24 hours

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user ervinh43
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
November 11th, 2023

Silicone Valley Enthusiast Auto Sales, a dealer I found on CarGurus, sold me a car that when it was delivered had an unsafe mechanical problem which they did not disclose! At first they quickly offered to reimburse me for repairs, and I shopped around to find the lowest cost of the repairs, and procured repairs at a local shop next door to me instead of having to have it transported 150 miles away to the nearest Porsche dealer. I got the job done for $425, when the dealer wanted $1082 + tax! The dealer, SVEAS, claimed they sent the payment to the mechanic, but it never showed after over 2 weeks. I contacted them and they got pissy and now have refused to pay for the repairs claiming that I am harassing and threatening them for asking where the check was! It looks like they intentionally did this to make up for a mistake they made when they bought the car at auction! I am going to file a complaint with the CA AG's Office, Consumer Fraud Division... I asked all the right questions! Full disclosure, I worked in the car business for 10 years, receiving several awards! This a condensed version, and I am not very computer literate to add a copy of the purchase order. The foregoing is correct and true to the best of my knowledge.

Thumbnail of user chrisw2496
1 review
5 helpful votes
March 9th, 2023

In the year we have been having our car from car gurus, we spent well over 20,000$. New transmission was 10,000$…… 1,000$ just for the labor to replace/ add door jambs. That's not counting the door jamb parts. There's so many things we had to fix / replace I can't even remember them all right now to list. Right now it needs an extra 2600$ for struts, alignment and control arm. There's so many things we had to fix on this car it's ridiculous, will never ever buy from them again.

Thumbnail of user mzrandik
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 4th, 2023

I honestly like Cargurus, for the fact I'm 3for3 ion this site. Bought 2 great cars on here & sold an EXTREMELY GREAT one being of my deceased mom. I had it 8 years & she would've had bout 2 if NOT 3 new Lacs with the time I kept it. I'm HUGE ON REVIEWS & I can understand why ppl have their own views of things cause I'm sometimes that person! #RS Although they do have some weirdos to weave out But in retrospect I have got to give it UP to them! I'm pleased

Service
Thumbnail of user alexs2395
1 review
1 helpful vote
November 16th, 2023

I bought a 2009 Mercedes 350 4matic with 163k miles. The Carguru sales said it passed the 160k mile check-up and the only thing wrong with it was the left wheel bearing needed replacement. I had the work done the first week I owned the car. Within the first month I had failure of the drive shaft which impacted the steering rack, a failed rear differential, rear wheel tires different size, failed interior roof console, and today, having it towed due to engine light coming on with the engine misfire. I have so far invested over $8k in repairs to a car I purchased for $4500. As-is Before you buy from Cargurus, don't believe anything they tell you. Have the car checked by a qualified mechanic.

Thumbnail of user jacklynnw5
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 9th, 2023

I had a great experience buying a used car from Michael. He make buying my new used car very easy and he was very pleasant and helpful. I highly recommend this place.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user candacej066
1 review
8 helpful votes
June 13th, 2023

I purchased a 2014 Ford Focus which I was told had only one owner, the dealership lied, I found out later, the car had two previous owners, a different VIN number, and a transmission which was not the original part, and one of the previous owners had returned the car to the dealership for breach of warranty. Car Guru needs to have the sellers and dealership show proof of working condition, VIN, and previous owners.

Products used:
Automotive

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user boycet2
1 review
1 helpful vote
January 21st, 2023

Their offer was way off the mark as I sold my car to another dealer owned by a well-known company, for $5000 more than CarGurus $8,850 offer, and the next lower offers I got were 2 at $11,000 and one at 12,500 before selling it for almost $14,000
I also noted that it was offered for sale by that dealer a few days later at double your offer and sold in less than 1 week.
It would pay your to check other places that buy cars and compare. My sale went very smoothly at a price I was expecting compared to what my car was retailing for.

Thumbnail of user janets1983
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 27th, 2022

Please be aware, even though the information says getting pre qualified is a soft pull and will not affect your credit, that is not true (at least not in my case). It is a hard pull and it does show up on your credit.

This is the reason I rated a Car Gurus a 4 rather than 5. I really enjoyed the app and the people at car Gurus are helpful and super fast at answering any questions.

Thumbnail of user fosterlafarrah
1 review
1 helpful vote
July 4th, 2023

Be sure to visit appex motors in upland I bought a Ford focus and my experience and Payment were affordable and I received the best service from Mona and her husband.
Forever grateful

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user johnc10557
1 review
2 helpful votes
August 17th, 2023

Car Gurus allows dealers to advertise cars that price cars that have hidden fees many times $5000-$8000 higher. Its a waste of time. It appears this is common practice and I have just researched cars in NJ. BMW X5's 2018-2020 Unique Auto Mall, Auto Hub, Route 23, Empire, to name just four. There are others nationwide from what I am hearing. Lesson here, a great deal is not a great deal ever- and their qualification of that deal is inconsistent- better going to KBB.

Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user reginalds140
1 review
7 helpful votes
January 24th, 2023

Signed up with carguru, over $600 per month, once the site was up i went onto the site as a consumer, clicked onto one of our own vehicles to see how it worked, immediately we started being bumbarded with advertisments from other bigger dealerships selling the same vehicle. So me the little guy is paying for leads that are being sent to other dealerships? NOT FAIR! If that was explained to me as we were signing up we would not have signed the contract. I am kindly asking for a refund.

Tip for consumers:
Ask your account executive if your customers will be redirected to other dealerships

Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user michaels11350
1 review
2 helpful votes
July 21st, 2023

Very shady business at least in San Diego. Tried to change agreed upon price for my car at last minute. Gave reasons that were untrue and fabricated. Wasted my time and I passed on two other offers based on price they gave me. Dishonest.

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Thumbnail of user carlylem4
Carlyle M.
Typically responds within 4 days

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2.9
366 reviews
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