7 Mins
Oct 30, 2025

Guide to Buying a Used Car on CarStory

Nowadays it is easy to buy old cars online. There are many websites that help you buy a used car. However, among these many websites CarStory has emerged as a prominent platform for buying old cars. The website’s features include searching, checking, matching, buying, and selling cars online. In this comprehensive guide, we get into details of buying a used car on CarStory such as how to buy a car, benefits of using it, what to consider before buying a car online, and ways to arrange a transport to your car.

What is CarStory?

CarStory is an online platform and website which focuses on buying and selling used cars online. It offers data-driven information and insights to help customers and car dealers to make smart decisions when buying or selling vehicles. CarStory has around data of 10 million listings from nationwide.

As a consumer, you are enabled to browse new and old cars on CarStory from across the U.S, providing you tools to help you in pricing, understand market trends, and vehicle research. The most important side of the platforms is maintaining transparency on every level of transactions that take place on the website.

Steps to finding your car with CarStory

Buying a used car on Carstory involves key steps that you need to follow:

Step 1: Start Your Search on CarStory

So firstly, go to the main page of the website where you will see many options to search for cars.

One option is to enter the details of the used car on CarStory such as the make, model, or design etc. Despite this, if you still have no idea what to look for then you can go to the answer the questions option where you respond to a few questions and the platform will show a few relevant listings.

Moreover, you can also explore other options like Shop by Budget and Shop by Trends.

The Shop by Budget option will ask you to enter details of your car’s budget or the monthly amount you can afford, it will show you cars on that criterion.

While the shop by trend option is to show you vehicles which are in the latest trends on the platform. After this, you will have a great number of CarStory listings which may be a great match based on the area you live. You can also change filters to get specific results to get the best car.

Step 2: Browse Listings and Market Info

You will be able to see used car prices, mileage, and the distance from the place where you are located. Now, you can tap on a car’s listing to see all the details. On this page you will also see dealer information, market trends, CarFax reports, more cars similar to this one. And, you can also contact the seller if you make up your mind to get a used car on CarStory.

Step 3: Contact the Seller (usually on another site)

In this step, you can send a message to the seller if you develop interest in a car. You just click on the “Message Dealer” option. You must provide your basic information like name, phone, zip code, and email. When the message is finished, the platform will notify the dealer.

One key factor to note is that you can only choose a car alongside making use of the other options, for finishing the purchase, you will have to go to another platform like cars.com or some other one. CarStory does not provide such a facility.

Step 4: Research and Inspections

After contacting the seller, now it is more important to do your own research. You must check for a vehicle history report like CarFax or AutoCheck in case they have it.

Before you make the purchase, you must get a pre-purchase inspection report to find all kinds of technical and other problems. It is possible to miss some of the mechanical problems in a car easily.

Step 5: Negotiate and Close the Deal

If it is possible for you, you can negotiate the price of the car more. Later, when you agree on a price, you must review all documents such as taxes, registration, and fees. You should also ask the seller how they would accept payment; they may have an option on their website for payment.

Step 6: Arrange for Transportation

While buying a used car on CarStory is a great experience, you can transport that car with Bold Auto Transport at great prices with best services. As a reputable auto transport company, Bold Auto Transport can ship your car to or from anywhere in the country. You can use our Car Shipping Cost Calculator tool to generate a quotation inline with your needs.

Pros and cons of CarStory

You may have heard positive and negative CarStory reviews. Here are some unbiased pros and cons of the CarStory marketplace.

Pros

  1. You can get hands on extensive market trends and unbiased analysis of cars.

  2. That platform is focused on transparent pricing policy and information regarding the availability of cars.

  3. It saves your time, rather than digging through many separate dealers and individuals, just get a wholesome view of what is there.

Cons

  1. direct purchasing option of the car is available on the platform, you need to use third party platforms

  2. It will take you more time to complete the money transaction on other platforms breaking the flow on CarStory

  3. As a buyer on CarStory you cannot contact the seller directly; must follow the steps

Considerations for Buying a Car Online

It is very important to think, research, and plan before buying a car on CarStory or other online platforms. Taking certain factors into consideration could save you loads of time and other resources.

Market Trends

When you keep yourself up-to-date with the latest trends in the car market, you will find some great deals and cars to buy. You can also sell your old car probably fast and at a great price. CarStory vehicle history option along with other information like knowing the real price of the vehicles is a useful data to decide well. Knowing these trends will help you find the true value of the car you want.

Regulatory Changes

You must be educated enough about state tax laws, and local regulations. While buying a car, it is not just the exact price; taxes and customs can add up to the price. Therefore, one of the CarStory’s features is helping you buy a car in your area to save you from documentation and tax problems.

Environmental Impact

Buying an old car is a great way to preserve the green environment. This means you prevent the emission of carbon and other greenhouse gases. Buying it online also rules out the need for visiting many dealerships. And it is a great chance for old cars that have been abandoned in other states to be used. Hence, reducing the need for new manufacturing.

Arranging Transport For Your CarStory Purchase

Now that you have purchased a car online, Bold Auto Transport is a call away to ship your car anywhere across the country. The company has specialized in all kinds of shipments. With a credible and reliable portfolio, we have been known as the best car shipping in the country. It has been more than a decade now, with a 4.5+ star rating and amazing reviews on our profiles.

Conclusion

Buying a used car on CarStory is simple yet fascinating. The platform has data of more than 10 million cars listings to help you choose a car that fits your budget and needs. The process of searching, finding, and buying a car has been made useful. However, direct payment transactions are done on the website. CarStory saves you a lot of time, gives unbiased market analysis, and is transparent in providing information. It is also one of the Best Sites to Sell A Car Online. It is worth trying.

FAQ

Is CarStory legit?

Yes it is a legit platform owner Vroom. It provides real car market data and analysis to help you research, find, and compare listings.

Can I buy cars directly on CarStory?

No, CarStory doesn’t sell cars directly. It can help you research and compare vehicles, then redirects you to the actual seller’s website or dealership.

How does CarStory help me find a good deal?

CarStory analyzes millions of listings to show real-time market prices, vehicle history, and demand trends so you can identify fair-priced used cars and avoid overpaying.

Where do I actually buy the car I find through CarStory?

You complete your purchase with the dealer or seller linked through CarStory’s listings. The platform connects you but doesn’t handle payments or transactions itself.

What is the most trusted site for used cars?

Top trusted sites apart from CarStory include Autotrader, CarGurus, Cars.com, Edmunds, and CarMax for verified listings, user reviews, and safer online car-buying experiences in the U.S.

What is the best advice for buying a used car?

You should always check the vehicle history report, inspect the car physically, compare prices, and never rush a deal before verifying all details and paperwork.

What documents should I check when buying a used car?

When buying a car; check the title, registration, service records, vehicle history report, and bill of sale to ensure the car is legally owned and properly maintained.

What is the safest way to buy a second hand car?

The safest way is to buy from a reputable dealer or verified seller, use trusted platforms, inspect the car, verify documents, and never send money before seeing the vehicle.


Get an instant car shipping quote
Or call now (469) 459-3899
...