9 best online car-buying sites for used cars

Finding the right website to buy your next used vehicle can help you save money and organize a faster purchase. Here are popular used car sites to shop for used cars online and lock in the best provider (and vehicle!) for your needs.

• How we chose the best used car sites in Canada

  We’ve chosen the best used car sites in Canada based on the providers available through Finder and online in the marketplace of Canadian used car sites. These used car sites are not representative of the entire market. When choosing our picks for the best used car sites, we considered each website’s inventory, search experience, car-buying process, customer feedback and provincial availability. No single used car site will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options to find the best fit for your situation.

1. Clutch: For competitive prices and an easy buying experience

Clutch is a well-known site that lets you finance and buy cars online from the comfort of your own home. This online dealer delivers your used car to your doorstep and is upfront about any damage to the vehicle right from the start.

• Who’s it best for: Best for people who want a transparent car-buying experience with the option to get financing and home delivery.
• What to watch out for: No private sales available, and there is a prep fee if you’re in Halifax.
• Where’s it available: You can use Clutch in ON, NB, PEI, BC and NS (no trade-in option in BC).
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Go to site

Pros	Cons
User-friendly site Shows price, kilometres and special features upfront Very transparent about damage or issues with the vehicle Offers financing for good credit Test own for 10 days/750 km and return if you’re unhappy Cars are thoroughly inspected and come with a free CARFAX report	Mostly newer used vehicles with higher price tags Not possible to test drive vehicles before purchasing Prep fee if you’re in Halifax Warranty coverage costs more

Dive deeper: Clutch review—Buy a car online

Related: Companies like Clutch

2. CarDoor: For buyers in the GTA looking to buy online

CarDoor is another online car-buying site that lets you purchase cars from home. Its focus is on the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This site comes with a number of perks, such as a money back guarantee, exchange program and free warranty.

• Who’s it best for: Best for people who want long-term warranty coverage and a solid customer service guarantee.
• What to watch out for: No private sales available.
• Where’s it available: You can use CarDoor in Ontario.
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Pros	Cons
User-friendly site No hidden fees Shows price and mileage upfront 14-day money back guarantee and 60-day exchange program Free 90-day warranty	Mostly newer used vehicles with higher price tags Not possible to test drive vehicles before purchasing

Dive deeper: CarDoor review

3. Craigslist: For cheap used cars purchased via private sales

Craigslist is a user-friendly general marketplace that lets you shop for used cars online from private sellers and dealerships in your local area. You can search for used cars using a number of different parameters to find the best deals. When you find a car you like, simply hit Reply on the ad to send a message and arrange a meeting in person.

• Who’s it best for: Best for people who want to shop for used cars online using a simple, user-friendly website that’s easy to access.
• What to watch out for: Potentially unverified or fraudulent sellers and excessive ads can frustrate the user experience.
• Where’s it available: You can use Craigslist across Canada.
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Pros	Cons
Multiple search functions to narrow your findings User-friendly interface Anonymity while you shop Great deals	Unverified sellers Too many dealerships Thumbnails list limited information Many vehicles listed at $0 (which covers up actual pricing)

4. Kijiji: For used car private sales on an easy-to-use site

Kijiji is a general online marketplace for private-sale vehicles (although some dealerships advertise here too). The site provides information-heavy thumbnails so you can easily compare your options side-by-side, and you’ll be able to omit search results that you don’t want. This will make it easier for you to find the right used car for your unique set of needs.

• Who’s it best for: Best for people who want plenty of information upfront to compare private-sale vehicles.
• What to watch out for: Potentially fraudulent sellers and unsolicited advertising on the website can interfere with searches.
• Where’s it available: You can use Kijiji across Canada.
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Pros	Cons
Information-heavy listings make it easy to compare vehicles You can omit dealerships when performing searches Prices are displayed upfront in thumbnails Anonymity while you shop	Unverified sellers Sponsored ads can diminish the user experience Not the most user-friendly site layout

5. Facebook Marketplace: For cheap used cars from verified private sellers

Facebook Marketplace is an exceedingly popular marketplace for finding private-sale vehicles. This is because the site lets you shop for used cars with reputable sellers who are validated through their Facebook profiles. These sellers often have a star rating to show feedback from other customers, so you’ll have a better idea of who you’re buying from.

• Who’s it best for: Best for people who want to find a private sale vehicle with a seller they trust.
• What to watch out for: You may still end up with a fraudulent seller running a sophisticated scam.
• Where’s it available: You can use Facebook Marketplace across Canada.
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Pros	Cons
Sellers are often rated and you can view their Facebook profiles Fewer dealership listings Prices and kilometres are included in thumbnails for easy shopping User-friendly interface	Potential for scams Sponsored ads can diminish the user experience You need a Facebook account to send messages about cars you want

6. AutoTrader: For extensive options from private sellers and dealerships

AutoTrader is a well-known and well-loved online automotive marketplace that can help you save money. This used car site shows a price rating on many of its listings to tell you if a car is below or above market value. It also allows you to set price alerts and apply for financing before buying a vehicle.

• Who’s it best for: Best for people who want a bit of extra help finding great deals when they shop for used cars online.
• What to watch out for: Not ideal for shopping for private-sale vehicles, and the website could be more user-friendly.
• Where’s it available: You can use AutoTrader across Canada.
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Pros	Cons
Prices are rated to show if they are above or below market value Some listings show your potential monthly payments Gives you access to financing Lets you set price alerts to lock in a great deal	Lists more dealers than private sales, so it’s usually more expensive Sponsored ads can diminish the user experience Congested pages make it difficult to navigate the site

Related: Sites like AutoTrader

7. CarGurus: For an easy search experience with price alerts for used cars

CarGurus is an automotive marketplace that can help you find a new, used or certified pre-owned car. Search cars by make, model and postal code. As you browse cars, CarGurus will show you if the list price is a great deal, good deal, fair deal, high price or overpriced.

• Who’s it best for: Best for people who want to browse cars on a user-friendly automotive marketplace site.
• What to watch out for: May not find as many options for private party vehicles as bigger marketplaces.
• Where’s it available: You can use CarGurus across Canada.
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Pros	Cons
Easy to use Gives insight into car pricing and dealer ratings Gives you an alert for price drops	Smaller inventory Some reviews say dealers are unresponsive

8. Carpages.ca: For a comprehensive search of used cars from dealerships

Carpages.ca is an automotive marketplace that works primarily with dealerships in big cities across Canada. You’ll usually need to visit the dealership in person if you like a car, which can make this platform difficult to use between provinces (although you may be able to arrange home delivery options with some dealers). Inventory may be limited, since it depends on what partner dealers have in stock.

• Who’s it best for: Best for people who are living in big cities with many dealers.
• What to watch out for: Can be difficult to find what you’re looking for in small cities and remote areas.
• Where’s it available: You can use Carpages.ca across Canada.
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Pros	Cons
Good for used car shopping in big cities Lets you apply for financing through its website Offers “Buy from home” options Website is fairly intuitive	Search function often turns up irrelevant results Limited inventory in small cities and remote areas

9. Go Auto: For used car sales from dealerships in Western Canada

Go Auto is an online network of low-fee in-person dealers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. It’s headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. This online car-buying site lets you shop for used cars online with dealers that offer zero documentation or admin fees.

• Who’s it best for: Best for finding a vehicle from a dealer with very few or no fees.
• What to watch out for: Doesn’t offer a very big inventory, and the website needs to be modernized.
• Where’s it available: You can use Go Auto in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
• How much will I pay: This is a free platform.

Pros	Cons
No hidden fees 30-day exchanges on vehicles if you’re not satisfied Bad credit financing	Not a very user-friendly website Only available in certain locations Limited inventory compared to other sites Not easy to see where vehicles are located when comparing cars Quality of service varies by dealer

Summary: Types of cars-for-sale websites in Canada

There are four main categories of used car sites that let you shop for used cars online in Canada. Weigh the pros and cons of each category below:

Type of used car website	Examples	Pros	Cons
Online dealer	Clutch CarDoor	Completely online process Option for delivery “Test own” for 1 to 2 weeks and return if you’re not satisfied Potentially lower vehicle prices than in-person dealerships All used cars go through inspection first	More expensive than private sales Prices are usually non-negotiable Limited to the dealer’s inventory
General marketplace	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace	Less expensive Large inventory of vehicles from private sellers and dealerships	Higher risk of fraud or buying defective vehicles Takes more time and effort to shop around Harder to test drive vehicles
Online automotive marketplace	AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca	Large inventory of cars from individuals and dealerships Easy to get financing Easy to compare cars	Potential for hidden fees Often more expensive than private-sale used cars
Online network of in-person dealerships	Go Auto	Large inventory of new and used vehicles from multiple dealerships Bad credit financing is available	Service quality varies between dealers Process may not be completely online

Other cars-for-sale websites in Canada

If you’re searching for used cars online, here are some other car-buying sites you can visit.

Used car site	Type	What you should know
Wheels.ca	Online automotive marketplace	Availability depends on your location; there are options for various major cities, but the GTA has the most listings
AutoTempest	Aggregator	Displays listings from various used car sites like eBay, AutoTrader and Kijiji, but Canadian results are very limited
Used.ca	General marketplace	Similar to Craigslist, but more limited options
Carnex	Online dealer	For buying a used EV online, GTA only
Car Nation Canada	Online network of in-person dealers	Options to buy a new or used car online, Southern Ontario only
Ontariocars.ca	Online network of in-person dealerships	Options to buy a new or used car, Ontario only
Canadian Black Book	Car valuation site	For estimating the value of cars, available across Canada
RightRide	Online dealer	Nationwide inventory

What’s the difference between online automotive marketplaces and online car dealers?

There are a number of key differences between online automotive marketplaces and online car dealers:

• Online automotive marketplaces. Marketplaces let you compare used cars from many dealers and private sellers. They don’t typically get involved in financing, vehicle sales or deliveries. You’ll need to arrange that with the dealer you choose.
• Online car dealers. Online dealers in Canada let you shop, finance and get your vehicle delivered all in one place. They typically offer newer used cars with low mileage for higher prices. They may also offer additional benefits like customer satisfaction guarantees and warranty coverage.

How to find the best online car-buying sites in Canada

Finding the best online car-buying sites in Canada will depend on your needs. To help narrow down your options, consider the following:

• Do you want to find the cheapest used cars? If so, consider private sellers from general marketplaces or online automotive marketplaces.
• Do you want a hassle-free buying experience and peace of mind? If so, consider one-stop-shop online dealers like Clutch and CarDoor.
• Do you want an easy experience browsing cars online? If so, consider used car sites with a good amount of listings and easy designs like Clutch, CarDoor, AutoTrader and CarGurus.

What is the most popular used-car-buying site?

According to the numbers, the most popular used car-buying site on our list is AutoTrader.ca with over 15 million website visits per month in Canada. CarGurus comes in second with over 5 million website visits every month.

Of course, general online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji have many millions more website visits per month, but, when looking at sites designed specifically for buying used cars, AutoTrader.ca and CarGurus stand out from the rest as the most popular in Canada.

Summary: Car-buying websites by province

Here’s a breakdown of which car-buying websites you can use, depending on where you live in Canada.

Province	Car-buying sites
Alberta	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca Go Auto
British Columbia	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca Go Auto
Manitoba	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca Go Auto
New Brunswick	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca
Nova Scotia	Clutch Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca
Ontario	Clutch CarDoor Autorama Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca Go Auto
Prince Edward Island	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca
Québec	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca
Saskatchewan	Craigslist Kijiji Facebook Marketplace AutoTrader CarGurus Carpages.ca

Where can I find the cheapest used cars in Canada?

You can find the cheapest used cars from private sellers in automotive marketplaces like AutoTrader or general marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace. Buying a used car from a private seller takes more time and effort as you sift through many listings and book test drives with sellers, but the trade-off is better prices.

Related: The 10 best cars under $30k in Canada

What is the best used car to buy?

When looking at the best used car to buy, long-term dependability will be a top priority. To help you narrow down your options based on reliability, compare models from the following list of award winners from the J.D. Power 2023 Dependability ratings. These vehicles all had the fewest number of owner-reported problems after three years of ownership:

• 2020 BMW X2
• 2020 Toyota C-HR
• 2020 BMW 4 Series
• 2020 Kia Sportage
• 2020 Lexus NX
• 2020 MINI Hardtop 4 Door
• 2020 Kia Forte
• 2020 Chevrolet Blazer
• 2020 Toyota Tacoma 4WD
• 2020 BMW X5
• 2020 Toyota Highlander
• 2020 Kia Optima
• 2020 Lexus RX
• 2020 Toyota Sienna
• 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
• 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe

Vehicle availability is another important factor when choosing the best used car to buy. Higher inventory means more options for you along with better price comparisons and negotiation potential.

According to the most recent AutoTrader Price Index report released in March 2024, used SUVs have the highest inventory availability, followed by used cars, used trucks and finally used minivans with the lowest inventory.

The report also shows that vehicle production levels have ramped up over the past few months to the point where inventories are now approaching pre-pandemic levels.

Higher availability has lowered the cost of used cars with prices decreasing year-over-year by 6.1% for luxury brands and 3% for mainstream brands.

Related: Our guide on the best used cars to buy in Canada

Which used car brand is the most reliable?

Whether you’re looking at a vehicle’s reliability based on reported maintenance issues or residual value, Toyota and Lexus are the two car brands that consistently come out on top.

According to a recent Consumer Reports study on brand reliability for new cars, the most reliable brand is Lexus, followed closely by Toyota. The next runner ups for the most reliable car brands are Mini, Acura, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, Porsche, BMW and Kia. Most recently, the J.D. Power Residual Value Awards recognized Toyota and Lexus as the top make-level performing brands.

Related: Guide to the overall best cars to buy in Canada, by category

Bottom line

These 10 platforms are some of the best websites for buying used cars in Canada. Whether you’re looking to shop for a vehicle and finance it from the comfort of your home or simply compare used car options from private sellers or dealerships, these used car sites use top-notch technology to help make the car-buying process easier.

Survey Methodology

The results of the 2023 Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey Q2 were collected through an online Pollfish survey conducted between April 27 and April 29, 2023. In the survey, 1,011 Canadians from across the country were asked about their opinions and plans regarding the purchase of a vehicle and the use of vehicle financing. The estimated margin of error for the survey is +/- 3%, 19 out of 20 times.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best website for buying a used car?

  That depends on your needs. If you're looking for a used car that's on the newer side, some of the best websites for buying a car include online dealerships like Clutch and CarDoor. If you're looking for a cheaper car that's on the older side, you may want to try marketplaces like Kijiji, Craigslist and AutoTrader.

• Is it easier to shop for used cars in person or online?

  It's not necessarily easier to shop for used cars in person, but it might be safer. This is why you should at least go in person to inspect and test drive cars from private marketplaces and automotive marketplaces. You may be able to put more trust in reputable online car dealers if you want to buy a car completely online.

• Should I buy a used car from a dealership or a private seller?

  The best place to find used cars online will vary based on your unique set of needs. You may want to buy from a private seller if you need a cheap vehicle and you don't mind putting in the time and effort to inspect and test drive used cars at multiple locations. Consider buying from a dealership if you'd like to qualify for used car financing and you don't mind paying a little more for added peace of mind.

• Where else can I shop for used cars online?

  You may be able to shop for used cars online with local dealers who maintain online shops. In this case, you can browse the inventory of a nearby dealer and compare cars before you head to the lot to speak with an agent and arrange a test drive.