Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Autotrader VS TrueCar

Compare Autotrader VS TrueCar and see what are their differences

Autotrader logo Autotrader

Find used cars for sale at AutoTrader.com. With over 3.

TrueCar logo TrueCar

Buying a car can be painful.
  • Autotrader Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-30
  • TrueCar Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12

Autotrader features and specs

  • Wide Selection
    Autotrader offers a vast inventory of new, used, and certified pre-owned cars from both dealerships and private sellers, providing extensive options for buyers.
  • Advanced Search Filters
    The platform provides numerous filters, such as make, model, price range, and features, allowing users to efficiently narrow down their search to find the perfect vehicle.
  • Vehicle History Reports
    Some listings on Autotrader include free access to vehicle history reports, offering potential buyers critical information on past accidents, maintenance, and title issues.
  • Comprehensive Listing Details
    Each vehicle listing typically contains detailed information, including specifications, photos, and seller contact information, giving users a complete view of the car.
  • Expert Reviews and Articles
    Autotrader provides expert reviews, buying guides, and automotive news, helping consumers make informed decisions.

Possible disadvantages of Autotrader

  • Price Comparisons
    Although Autotrader offers many filters, it lacks direct price comparison tools to quickly compare the pricing of similar vehicles across different listings.
  • Advertisement Overload
    The website can sometimes be cluttered with ads, which can be distracting and negatively impact the user experience.
  • Dealer Fees Not Always Transparent
    While some listings provide a breakdown of costs, not all include detailed information on additional dealer fees, which could lead to unexpected expenses during purchase.
  • Variable Listing Quality
    The quality of listings can vary significantly, as some might lack important details or photos, making it challenging for buyers to evaluate the car's condition.
  • Subscription Fees for Sellers
    Private sellers have to pay subscription fees to list their vehicles, which might be a deterrent for some individual sellers leading to potentially fewer private listings.

TrueCar features and specs

  • Transparent Pricing
    TrueCar offers a clear view of what others have paid for the same car, helping buyers to get a fair deal without haggling.
  • Wide Selection
    TrueCar partners with a large network of dealerships, providing a broad selection of both new and used cars.
  • Price Alerts
    Users can set up price alerts for specific models, getting notified when prices drop or new listings are available.
  • Detailed Information
    TrueCar provides comprehensive data on vehicles, including reviews, pricing details, and dealer ratings, which helps in making informed decisions.
  • Ease of Use
    The website and mobile app are user-friendly, making it easy to search for cars, compare prices, and understand market values.

Possible disadvantages of TrueCar

  • Limited Negotiation
    The preset pricing model may limit a buyer's ability to negotiate further discounts directly with the dealer.
  • Dealer Interaction
    Although TrueCar acts as a middleman, buyers still need to interact with the dealerships directly, which can vary in terms of customer service quality.
  • Dealer Fees
    Some dealerships may add extra fees that are not included in the TrueCar price estimates, leading to potential unexpected costs.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Providing contact information to TrueCar can lead to receiving numerous emails and calls from multiple dealerships.
  • Not Nationwide
    TrueCar's network may not cover all regions equally, potentially limiting options for users in rural or less-populated areas.

Autotrader videos

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TrueCar videos

TRUECAR vs. DEALERSHIPS vs. CAR BUYERS: Who is the Customer? The Homework Guy: Kevin Hunter

More videos:

  • Review - Truecar Review 2019- (How Truecar Works)
  • Review - Why Do Car Dealers Hate TrueCar? It's Not What You Think.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Autotrader and TrueCar)
Classifieds Ads
68 68%
32% 32
Cars
64 64%
36% 36
Classifieds
79 79%
21% 21
Used Car Marketplace
55 55%
45% 45

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Autotrader should be more popular than TrueCar. It has been mentiond 98 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Autotrader mentions (98)

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TrueCar mentions (43)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Autotrader and TrueCar, you can also consider the following products

Cars.com - Visited by more than 11 million car shoppers each month, Cars.

AutoScout24 - Used cars and new cars for sale on AutoScout24: The European marketplace for cars: 18 languages...

AutoTempest - Everyone's ideal car is out there. Find yours.

Kelley Blue Book - New & Used Car Price Values

Copart - Online Live Vehicle Auctions - Bid & Win

EpicVin - EpicVIN has been providing our customers with complete vehicle reports since 2012.