Buying a used car, with real numbers
Straight answers to the questions buyers actually ask, backed by the listings we read every week across Cars.com, Autotrader, CarGurus, TrueCar, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
How much below asking price should you offer on a used car?
Most used cars are priced within 5% of fair value, so the room to haggle depends on where the asking price sits. Here's how much to offer, backed by 1.1 million listings.
Negotiation · 3 min read · Oct 30, 2026
6 daysis how long a typical used car stays listed. A good price rarely waits for a second visit.
- PricingHow to tell if a used car price is fairThe same model can ask $7,000 or $27,000 depending on year, miles and city. Three checks that tell you whether a used car's price is fair, in five minutes.2 min readOct 30, 2026
- InspectionWhat mileage is too high for a used car?There's no single cutoff. What matters is mileage for the car's age and how it was maintained. Typical mileage by model year from 1.1 million listings.2 min readOct 30, 2026
- Private sellersDealer or private seller: who is actually cheaper?Private sellers ask far less, but they mostly sell older, higher-mileage cars. How dealer and private used car prices really compare, and what you trade for the savings.2 min readOct 30, 2026
- Private sellersIs Facebook Marketplace safe for buying a car?Facebook Marketplace is the biggest source of private used car listings, and the one with the least information. The common scams and a short routine that avoids them.2 min readOct 30, 2026
- InspectionIs a vehicle history report worth paying for?Free VIN checks already catch a lot: recalls, theft, total loss and the car's real specs. When a paid vehicle history report is worth its price, and what no report can tell you.2 min readOct 30, 2026
Check the fair price before you call the seller
Typical asking prices for popular models across U.S. metros, updated every night.