The Best Car-Buying Services in 2024 (2024)

If you’ve ever bought a car, you already know how much of a headache the process can be. Fortunately, there are programs and experts who will do the shopping for you. And you may even already be paying for one of these services!

In this article, I’ll take a close look at a few popular types of car-buying services and help you decide whether or not a car-buying service is right for you.

This article was updated in January 2024 and I review it every 12 months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.

What Is a Car-Buying Service?

A car-buying service can be a great way to avoid the hassle of visiting dealerships and negotiating car prices on your own. Instead, you can get qualified representatives to look at your preferences and shop for a vehicle on your behalf. If you find a car you like, they’ll connect you to the dealership that offers the best deal or provide upfront pricing that’s usually lower than the MSRP.

Unfortunately, the vehicle market hasn’t returned to normal since the COVID-19 pandemic began early in 2020. No matter how you shop for a car right now, prices are going to be higher than average. However, new and used car prices may start declining soon.

“For at least 90% of people buying a new car, car-buying services are absolutely the way to go because they take all of the drama out of it,” says money expert Clark Howard.

Whether you’re looking to avoid visiting dealerships, hoping to save time or worried about getting ripped off, a car-buying service can be a great way to go. The time and money that you’ll save can definitely outweigh the risk of overpaying, and the service may not cost you anything at all. Unfortunately, not all car-buying services are created equal, which means it’s important to find the best one for you.

If you’re interested in using a car-buying program, consider some of these options:

• Free-With-Membership Car-Buying Services
• Car Concierges
• Other Ways To Buy a Car Online

Your eligibility for each of these services will vary depending on where you live and if the car-buying service is available near you.

Below, you’ll find additional details on each type of service as well as a list of auto-buying programs and companies worth checking out.

Free-With-Membership Car-Buying Services

If you belong to a club or bank that offers a car-buying service, this can be a great place to start.

“The one from Costco is one of the most powerful of all of them. It’s really, really clean. I also really like credit unions for car-buying services. You’re going to get a good price on the car, and they’re going to finance it for you.”

While Costco and some credit unions work only with certain dealerships, many of these services partner with TrueCar. TrueCar is a digital automotive marketplace that connects its members with certified dealerships across the nation. Unfortunately, TrueCar has changed over the years and is now geared more toward lead generation. But these services can still provide you with discounted prices without you having to visit dealerships in person.

If you do use TrueCar or a TrueCar-powered service, Clark just recommends setting up a separate email address just for car buying so that dealers don’t have your regular email. You’ll also want to use a disposable phone number so that you don’t have to put up with spam calls after you’ve made your purchase. You can set up a free number with Google Voice.

If you belong to Costco, a credit union or another club or company that offers car-buying services, it’s definitely worth checking out. These services are typically available for free as part of your membership. Dealerships generally pay a fee in exchange for the lead generation.

Here a few popular retailers, clubs and banks that offer car-buying services:

• AAA
• AARP
• Allstate
• American Express
• Consumer Reports
• Costco
• Credit Unions
• GEICO
• Sam’s Club

Below, you’ll find additional information about each service including how to get started and what to expect.

AAA

Partnered with TrueCar, AAA’s program lets you purchase your car in person or buy it from home. You can shop for new or used cars online, see what others are paying and get competitive price quotes from local dealers. You may also be eligible for a discount on your auto loan with AAA if you use the car-buying service.

Once you’ve found a car that you’d like to check out, you can connect with a local dealer to test drive it. You can even have the vehicle delivered to your home and complete your paperwork online if the listing includes a “Buy from Home” badge.

AARP

If you’re an AARP member, you can check out the car-buying services available on the association website. Also powered by TrueCar, AARP’s program allows members to price a new or used car, connect with a local certified dealer and get upfront discounted pricing.

Once you’ve found a car you like, you can visit the dealership for a test drive. You can also buy it online if it’s marked with a “Buy from Home” badge. If you do purchase a vehicle through the program, be sure to report your purchase on the AARP website. In exchange, you’ll get a free online driving course and other post-sale benefits.

Allstate

Allstate is another company on this list that has a car-buying service powered by TrueCar.

To get started, enter the details of the car you’re looking for online. From there, you can browse vehicles from certified dealers. You can see what others are paying for the car you’re interested in. Plus, you can get upfront pricing including incentives and fees on each vehicle. Once you have the price, you can take it to the dealership during a scheduled test drive. If it has a “Buy from Home” badge on the website, you can also buy the car online. If you report the sale to Allstate via their car buying link, you could obtain after-sale benefits totaling $2,000.

American Express

American Express has also partnered with TrueCar to provide car-buying services to its members. To get started, you can search for a new or used car online to see what others have paid for it.

Once you’ve found a car you like, you can see the discounted price you’ll pay at the dealership. From there, you can set up a time to test drive the car. Or you can purchase the car from home and have it delivered to you if you see a “Buy from Home” badge” on the website. You may also be able to get additional post-sale benefits worth up to $2,000 when you buy a car and report your purchase.

Consumer Reports

If you’re a Consumer Reports member, you have access to the Build & Buy Car-Buying Service, which is powered by TrueCar. You’ll also have access to the used car marketplace powered by TrueCar. To get started, simply log in and enter the details of the car you’re interested in. From there, you can customize your preferences, see the average MSRP and market average as well as browse local inventory.

Once you’ve found a used car you’re interested in checking out or entered the details of a new car you’re looking for, you can get your member price. You’ll have to accept some terms and conditions allowing dealerships to contact you, and they’ll reach out with pricing on vehicles that fit your preferences.

Costco

If you’re a Costco member, you’ll have access to the company’s car-buying services online. To get started, you can research the vehicle that you’re interested in to see how much others are paying for it and where it’s available. Then, you can connect with the dealership to schedule a test drive.

According to a statement on the company’s website, the dealerships in Costco’s network are hand-selected. That means that unlike other companies on this list, Costco’s car-buying service is not powered by TrueCar.

“Costco does it differently,” says Clark. “They select one dealer for each brand in a metro area and that dealer is graded on how they treat the Costco member. They tell you who the dealer is, who to contact at the dealer and there’s a set price. There’s no negotiation, period.”

Still, the dealerships pay a fee for participation, which means there will be no additional cost to you for using the car-buying service. You’ll just save with upfront membership pricing.

Credit Unions

Many credit unions offer car-buying programs to their members. A quick Google search revealed that BCU, Alliant, Navy Federal and PenFed all offer auto-buying programs.

Similar to other free-with-membership car-buying services, you can enter the details of the new or used car that you’re shopping for online. From there, you’ll be able to see what others are paying in your area and see discounted upfront pricing. Once you’ve decided on a car that you’d like to test drive, you can head to the dealership with a pre-negotiated price.

Some credit unions even offer additional savings if you take out an auto loan there after using the service. “If you go to a car-buying service at a credit union, you’re going to get better financing as well,” says Clark.

GEICO

GEICO’s car-buying service, powered by TrueCar, is available for free with an account. You can find a new or used car by browsing local inventory online or by making a specific request. You can compare what’s available by price, year, gas mileage, reviews and more.

If you see something you’d like to test drive, GEICO will connect you with a local dealer.

Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club members have access to the retailer’s auto buying program, which is powered by TrueCar. The service allows members to purchase a vehicle entirely online at a discounted price or set up a test drive and complete the purchase in person with the same savings.

To get started, you’ll have to confirm your Sam’s Club membership online. Then you can search for new or used vehicles or just browse the current inventory. You’ll be able to see what others have paid and get real pricing on actual cars.

Car Concierges

If you’re shopping for a new car, a concierge may be a good option for you. Car concierges are another type of car-buying service generally available online or over the phone. You may have to pay an upfront fee for these services or a percentage of what they save you after the sale.

Still, Clark says this can be a great investment: “I like anything where they are clearly working for you. You’ll decide if you wasted the money, but the odds are they’re going to get you a deal.”

Car concierges are different from car brokers in that they don’t take money from dealerships. Brokers typically take an undisclosed amount from car dealerships; that can mean they lead you only to dealerships where they have relationships (which doesn’t mean you’ll always get the best price). Alternatively, car concierges are more motivated by how much they’re able to save you despite where you decide to buy.

Here are a couple of reliable car concierge services worth checking out.

CarBargains

CarBargains is owned by Consumers’ Checkbook and claims to save customers an average of $1,602 compared to TrueCar. Still, it costs $250 for an in-depth report if you’re looking to purchase a car.

To get started, you’ll provide the make, model and style of the car you’re looking for. A representative will contact at least five dealers near you to get the most competitive pricing. Finally, you’ll receive a report that shows the price commitment and all fees for each dealer, according to the website. From there, you can decide where to make your final purchase with guaranteed pricing.

Authority Auto

Authority Auto is a car-buying agency that negotiates prices for new and pre-owned vehicles on a client’s behalf. The cost of the service varies; Authority Auto keeps a percentage of what you save. Still, you will have to pay an upfront $200 fee to get its “full” service. It is easy to contact Authority Auto online to get a quote. The total cost for the service will depend on how much the company is able to save you compared to MSRP.

Full service includes a representative negotiating with multiple dealerships to find the best possible deal on a car you like. Authority Auto also offers a free deal review: A representative will look at your pending deal for free and let you know if you can get a better price.

Other Ways To Buy a Car Online

Fortunately, you don’t have to visit car dealerships to get accurate price comparisons anymore. Whether or not you decide to use a car-buying service, shopping for a car online is a great way to get an idea of how much others are paying for similar models and make sure you’re getting the best overall deal.

Here are a couple of the most popular online used car retailers worth browsing.

Carvana

Carvana launched in 2012 and offers a no-pressure, no-haggle way to buy and sell cars online. While it’s not a car-buying service, it is a great way to find out how much others are paying for a car you’re interested in. Plus, you can look for a great deal yourself while avoiding the actual lots.

For more information on how to use Carvana, how the prices compare to the competition and the pros and cons of online car shopping, be sure to read our review.

CarMax

Similar to Carvana, CarMax allows you to buy used cars online. You can schedule a test drive at the CarMax dealership. You can also buy a vehicle online and have it shipped to your nearest CarMax location or delivered to your home.

To learn more about how CarMax works, how the prices at CarMax compare to the competition and more, be sure to read our full review.

Final Thoughts

Car-buying services can be a great option. You can browse available selections across multiple dealerships and get access to upfront discounted pricing in some cases. Additionally, you may be able to purchase the car entirely online and have it delivered to your door.

If you’re thinking about using a car-buying service for your next purchase, here are a few tips:

• Know what you’re looking for, but be flexible. Take the time to figure out your price range, priorities and preferences. Also, know where you can bend a little — maybe on things like color or mileage. This gives representatives a little room to find more options and bigger discounts.
• Try auto buying programs or a concierge service before a broker. While car brokers can get you a great deal, you can find similar savings through free-with-membership programs and car concierges that aren’t taking any incentives from specific dealerships.
• If you use a TrueCar service, use a disposable email and phone number. With TrueCar-powered services, you’ll typically have to check a box agreeing to let dealerships contact you via phone and email before you can see quotes on vehicles. If you do this, don’t use your regular email or phone number! Dealing with all the future spam may not be worth the time you saved using the service.
• Research and price compare. No matter how you decide to buy your car, be sure to shop around for the best price before making your final decision. Also, don’t forget to check reliable resources like the Kelley Blue Book to make sure you aren’t getting ripped off.

If you’re a Costco member or belong to acredit union that offers free car-buying services, start there. Car concierges and reputable brokers are other great options. Finally, if you aren’t sure what you’re shopping for, check out a car-buying website or an online car dealership first.

Have you ever used a car-buying service or website? Tell us about your experience in our Clark.com Community!