TrueCar review

TrueCar gives buyers price context without charging them anything. Its FAQ says the company does not charge consumers fees and is paid by its Certified Dealers, a network it puts at more than 13,000 dealers. Listings carry a Price Rating of Excellent, Great, Fair or High based on recent listing prices for similar vehicles in your area, which works like a simpler version of CarGurus's Deal Ratings. TrueCar also covers new and certified pre-owned cars, offers a Sell Your Car path and runs a military program. Two limits matter. The price ratings do not include dealer documentation, administrative or processing fees, so the out-the-door price can be higher. And TrueCar does not broker, sell or lease cars, so returns, warranties and add-ons are set by each dealer. It ranks seventh because its used inventory is mostly dealer stock and its rating scale is coarser than the leaders'.

Who it is for

Buyers who want local price ratings and to shop through a large dealer network.

Price

Free for buyers; TrueCar is paid by its Certified Dealers.

We do not charge you any fees for using the services.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Price Rating on listings: Excellent, Great, Fair or High versus local prices
• Network of TrueCar Certified Dealers
• Used, certified pre-owned and new car search
• Sell Your Car offers
• TrueCar Military program

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free for shoppers, as TrueCar is paid by dealers
• Strength: Simple four-step price rating
• Strength: Large dealer network of more than 13,000 dealers
• Weakness: Price ratings exclude dealer documentation and processing fees
• Weakness: TrueCar does not sell or broker cars, so terms vary by dealer
• Weakness: Mostly dealer inventory, little private party stock

Key facts

• Cost to buyers: No fees
• Dealer network: More than 13,000 dealers
• Price ratings: Excellent, Great, Fair, High
• Business model: Fees from Certified Dealers
• Sells cars: No, dealers do

Where it ranks

TrueCar is No. 7 in our Best Used Car Websites verdict and No. 6 in Best Websites for Cheap Used Cars.