---
title: "Carvana Review: What Its Own Terms Say About Buying a Car"
description: "Carvana sold 596,641 cars in 2025, but Michigan and Connecticut acted over late titles. What its own terms say on returns, title, financing and trade-ins."
url: "https://baronauto1.com/buying-guides/carvana-review/"
type: "article"
published: "2026-10-06"
modified: "2026-10-06"
site: "Baron Auto"
disclaimer: "This site is under new ownership and is not affiliated with Baron Auto Emporium dealership."
---

# Carvana Review: What Its Own Terms Say About Buying a Car

> Carvana sold 596,641 cars in 2025, but Michigan and Connecticut acted over late titles. What its own terms say on returns, title, financing and trade-ins.

*Used Car Buying · 21 min read · 4,805 words*

## The short version

- Carvana is a real, licensed dealer that reports to the SEC. Its 10-K reports 596,641 retail cars sold in 2025 and at least one licensed facility in 40 states. The regulator actions we read center on late titles and registrations.
- That record is specific. Michigan suspended Carvana’s Novi dealer licence on 7 October 2022, alleging that title and registration were not applied for within 15 days for 112 customers. Connecticut’s Attorney General announced a $1.5 million settlement over title and registration delays on 14 January 2025.
- The 7-day return window starts on delivery day, which counts as day 1, and closes at 8:00 p.m. EST on day 7. You can drive 400 miles; each mile over costs $1.00. Shipping charges are not refunded, and if you traded a car in, Carvana keeps it even when you send the new one back.
- Registration starts only after the 7 days, and the title can take up to 10 weeks after that. By our count of Carvana’s state-by-state page, it handles both title and registration in 22 states; in 10 the buyer does both.
- Pre-qualifying for Carvana financing is a soft inquiry. Placing an order brings a hard one, and the loan is approved only after Carvana verifies your identity and income.
- Complaint counts are large and scale with volume: 4,973 BBB complaints in 3 years, and 1,245 CFPB complaints against Carvana Group, LLC on 6 October 2026, 775 of them about vehicle loans or leases.

Carvana is a legitimate used-car dealer with a documented weak spot: getting titles and registrations done on time. Its own annual report says it sold 596,641 retail cars in 2025, and two state regulators have published what went wrong with paperwork for some of its buyers. On 6 October 2026 we read Carvana’s User Agreement (effective 17 October 2025) and 54 of the 245 articles in its help center, its 10-K for 2025 and 10-Q for the quarter to 30 June 2026, the Michigan Department of State’s documents and the Connecticut Attorney General’s release, and Carvana’s BBB, Trustpilot and CFPB records. Carvana’s User Agreement forbids linking to its site “without our written permission,” so its documents are named here rather than linked. We entered no car, VIN or credit application, and this site has no commercial relationship with Carvana.

**Figure: Who handles your title and registration when you buy from Carvana**

A six-row table built from our count of Carvana’s state-by-state title and registration help article: Carvana says it titles and registers the car in 22 states, titles it while you register it in 5 states and DC, leaves both to you in 10 states, and lists more than one method in 11 states; in every state it serves, registration starts after the 7-day return window, titles can take up to 10 weeks after registration, and requested documents are due within five business days. Alaska, Hawaii and US territories are not served.

Counted from Carvana’s state-by-state title and registration help article and its registration and title articles, read on 6 October 2026. Where a state lists two methods, Carvana does not say which buyer gets which.

## Is Carvana legit? What its filings and the platforms show

Carvana files audited accounts with the SEC, and the filings answer the basic question. The [10-K for 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1690820/000169082026000009/cvna-20251231.htm), filed 18 February 2026, reports 596,641 retail cars sold in 2025, up from 312,847 in 2023, growth of 90.7% in two years by our arithmetic. The [10-Q filed 29 July 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1690820/000169082026000055/cvna-20260630.htm) reports 384,718 in the first half of 2026, up 38.8%. Carvana says it holds “at least one licensed facility in 40 states,” up from 33 in its 10-K for 2022, and has finance licences or credit notices in 33 states.

The same filings cover the years in which the state actions below took place. Retail sales fell from 425,237 in 2021 to 412,296 in 2022 and to 312,847 in 2023 before recovering. The filings never tie that dip to titles, and we do not either.

**Carvana’s public record, as each source printed it on 6 October 2026**

| Source | What it showed | What to keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SEC filings | 596,641 retail cars in 2025; 384,718 in the first half of 2026; licensed facilities in 40 states | Carvana’s own audited figures |
| Carvana’s own surveys | “4.7 out of 5.0 from over 245,000 surveys on our website since inception” (10-K) | A company claim we could not check |
| BBB | A+ rating, not accredited; 4,973 complaints in 3 years; reviews average 1.11 of 5 from 1,980 | BBB says customer reviews “do not impact” the rating |
| Trustpilot | TrustScore 4.1 from 16,289 reviews; 68.3% five-star and 18.9% one-star by our arithmetic | “This company hasn’t invited customers recently” |
| CFPB | 1,245 complaints against Carvana Group, LLC; 775 about vehicle loans or leases | Unverified reports; counts grow with size |
| State regulators | Michigan licence suspension (2022); Connecticut settlement (2025) | Both concern titles and registration |

The 10-K also discloses what investors were told about risk. Carvana says it is party to “putative class action lawsuits” alleging, among other things, violations of state law over “the titling and registration of vehicles sold to its customers,” and it names two in the federal court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Dana Jennings, et al. v. Carvana, LLC (Case No. 5:21-cv-05400-EGS) and Syretta Harvin et al. v. Carvana, LLC et al. (Case No. 2:23-cv-02068-MRP). Both were still listed in the latest 10-Q. We did not read either docket, so we say only what Carvana says: they are pending allegations. The 10-K adds that state attorney-general inquiries into its “titling, registration, lending practices” and other conduct “have resulted and may again result” in claims against it. It also reports a subpoena from the SEC in June 2025 that Carvana believes “primarily relates to” a short seller’s report of January 2025, which Carvana calls “inaccurate, incomplete, and otherwise misleading.” A subpoena is a request for information, not a finding.

## The title and registration record: Michigan and Connecticut

We describe only the state actions whose official documents we could read: Michigan’s, from its Department of State, and Connecticut’s, from its Attorney General.

**Michigan.** On 7 October 2022 the [Michigan Department of State announced](https://www.michigan.gov/sos/resources/news/2022/10/07/department-of-state-suspends-novi-dealership) that it had “summarily suspended” Carvana LLC’s dealer licence in Novi “for imminent harm to the public,” after investigating “multiple no-title complaints from consumers.” The release lists seven alleged violations, including:

- “failing to make application for title and registration within 15 days of delivery for 112 customers since agreeing to an earlier probation extension”;
- “committing fraudulent acts” where “Carvana employees admitted to destroying title applications and all applicable documents pertaining to the sale of three vehicles” that Carvana had taken back;
- “improperly issuing temporary registrations” and failing to maintain odometer records;
- “violating terms of a probation agreement 127 times.”

The release traces the history: an inspection in February 2021, an 18-month probation agreement on 7 May 2021 with a $2,500 fine, a six-month extension on 7 February 2022 with a $5,000 fine, then the suspension.

**Connecticut.** On 14 January 2025 Attorney General William Tong [announced a $1.5 million settlement](https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2025-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-announces-settlement-with-carvana-following-hundreds-of-consumer-complaints) after “hundreds of consumer complaints involving extended delays in title and registration documents, delayed payments to sellers, and deceptive representations of car conditions and features.” It sets up a $1 million restitution fund and a $500,000 penalty, of which $250,000 is suspended if Carvana complies. Carvana “cannot sell vehicles in Connecticut unless it provides valid title and registration documents at the time of sale.” The release says Carvana would sometimes give buyers “a succession of out-of-state temporary registrations.” It adds that the settlement “has been filed in Hartford Superior Court and is subject to court approval”; we did not read the court filing. BBB’s summary of the same matter says the settlement “should not be considered as an admission of guilt or finding of violation of the law.” Buyers who bought after 1 January 2019 and paid fines or other costs because of a late title, registration or loan payoff may be eligible for restitution, the release says.

**States we could not read.** News reports describe actions in Illinois, North Carolina and Florida. Illinois’s Secretary of State publishes on a site whose robots.txt disallows automated readers, and we found no official order or release from the other two, so we describe none of them.

## How buying from Carvana works, and what you pay

Clicking “Get Started” on a car reserves it for a timer that extends as you complete each step. You choose cash, Carvana financing or your own lender, add any trade-in, and upload documents. Then Carvana’s “verifications team will review your order”; the help center says review “typically begins within about 24-48 hours” of your uploads, and if you miss a deadline it sets, “we will not be able to keep your scheduled delivery or pickup.” The down payment is due by ACH before you can schedule. The User Agreement adds two rights for Carvana: it is “under no obligation to finance, sell, or lease a vehicle to you,” and if a car turns out to be mispriced below its correct price, it may “either contact you for instructions before delivery or pickup of the vehicle or cancel your purchase.”

Prices are fixed. “We don’t negotiate on pricing,” the help center says, “and we never add on any dealer charges.” The final price can still include shipping and delivery charges, any protection plan, negative equity from a trade-in, and taxes, title and registration costs, so compare the total, not the listing. Our guide to the [out-the-door price](https://baronauto1.com/buying-guides/out-the-door-price/) explains how.

**Carvana’s two transport charges and when they come back, per its help center and User Agreement (read 6 October 2026)**

| Charge | What Carvana says it covers | Refunded? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shipping | Moving the car “to the nearest Carvana location in your area”; can apply “regardless of appointment type” | Help center: no, “whether you keep the vehicle or complete a return or exchange.” User Agreement: yes if you cancel within 24 hours of ordering or after Carvana says delivery will be delayed |
| Delivery | Bringing the car from the local Carvana location to your home or a meeting point | Yes, as part of the 7-Day Money Back Guarantee; none is charged if you collect the car yourself |

Collection can be at one of the “30+” car vending machines or another Carvana location, or by home delivery, which the 10-K says is “typically conducted by a Carvana employee on a branded hauler.” Everyone on the contract, including any co-signer, must attend. Carvana estimates the appointment at 30-60 minutes; the car arrives with at least half a tank or half a charge, you can take “a short test spin,” and the day you receive it becomes day 1 of the return window. Spare tires, mats and other removable accessories “are not guaranteed to be included.”

Delays happen, and Carvana says plainly that “we do not provide compensation for delays or canceled vehicles,” nor for “prepaid hotel rooms, a cruise, a vacation, concerts, lost wages, or other expenses.” You can cancel any time before the appointment. Our guide to [buying a car online](https://baronauto1.com/buying-guides/buying-a-car-online/) covers what changes when the car comes to you.

## The 7-day return policy, clause by clause

Carvana calls it the 7-Day Money Back Guarantee, and it applies to every car on the site, including those listed by partner dealers. The terms are short and strict:

**The 7-Day Money Back Guarantee as Carvana’s help center states it (read 6 October 2026)**

| Term | What Carvana says |
| --- | --- |
| Start | “The day your vehicle is delivered, regardless of delivery time, will count as the first day” |
| Deadline | Notify Carvana “before 8:00 p.m. EST on the 7th day”; the return appointment itself “can be arranged for a future date” |
| Miles | 400 allowed; “$1.00 per mile for each additional mile” |
| Not accepted | A car that has been modified, damaged or in an accident, altered, or put under another lien (the two articles word the lien rule differently; see below) |
| Refund | “the total price you paid, excluding any nonrefundable shipping charges,” in 10-15 business days |
| Exchanges | “up to two times to receive a total of three vehicles”; the third comes without the guarantee |
| Paperwork | “Registration and financing will be canceled once the return process is initiated” |

Two details matter most. First, the clock: because delivery day is day 1, the last day falls six calendar days after delivery day, by our count, and the cut-off is 8:00 p.m. Eastern wherever you live. Second, the miles: a week of 650 miles would cost $250 at Carvana’s rate (our arithmetic). The guarantee works “no matter how you paid for the vehicle.” To exchange rather than return, call first: an order placed before speaking to Carvana “will be handled as an additional purchase instead of an exchange.”

**A return undoes the purchase, not the trade-in.** “Carvana will keep the trade-in, even if you return the vehicle purchased from us,” the help center says, treating it “as a sale to us for the purchase price stated in your agreement.” If you owed more on it than that price, you must pay Carvana the difference. If you might return the car, consider selling your old one separately instead.

The warranty that runs alongside the guarantee, 100 days or 4,189 miles, whichever comes first, and the CarvanaCare plans sold at checkout are covered in our [Carvana warranty guide](https://baronauto1.com/financing/carvana-warranty/#seven-day), which also suggests using the week for an independent inspection.

## What Carvana inspects, and what it does not promise

The help center separates two kinds of car. “While not every vehicle is Carvana Certified, all vehicles in our inventory are inspected and reconditioned by quality technicians, and have no reported fire, flood or frame damage according to CARFAX and AutoCheck.” The help center describes the 150-point inspection for Carvana Certified cars; it includes “an assessment on the tires, brakes and other wearable parts.” The 10-K describes a single “inspection process covering controls, features, brakes, tires, and cosmetics” for every car it acquires, and says cars that fail its standards “are sold wholesale.” Carvana Certified is Carvana’s own label, not a carmaker’s [certified pre-owned](https://baronauto1.com/buying-guides/certified-pre-owned/) program.

Read the qualifiers. “No reported” damage rests on history reports, and Carvana itself warns that “Other information about the vehicle may not have been reported.” The User Agreement says listings and descriptions “are for informational purposes only and Carvana does not guarantee the accuracy of such information,” and that relying on them “is at your own risk.” A small number of partner dealers list cars on the site; those are “not Carvana Certified,” but “You are buying the car from Carvana” and the return window applies.

If you spot cosmetic damage the photos did not show, you can submit “up to three cosmetic imperfections” for review within the 7 days, and if a flaw falls outside Carvana’s standards, its partner SilverRock is to contact you within 48 hours. The better use of the week is an independent inspection: our guide to a [pre-purchase inspection when you buy at a distance](https://baronauto1.com/buying-guides/used-car-pre-purchase-inspection/#remote) covers what to ask for, our guide to [checking a car’s history](https://baronauto1.com/vehicle-history/how-to-check-a-used-cars-history/) covers the records worth pulling yourself, and our [Carvana and CarMax comparison](https://baronauto1.com/buying-guides/carvana-vs-carmax/#inspection) explains why inspection is where the two differ most.

## Title and registration: who does it in your state

This is where Carvana’s record went wrong, so it is worth knowing exactly what its documents promise. The registration article says Carvana will “apply the best method and begin the process after your 7-Day Money Back Guarantee, unless required otherwise.” Until then you drive on a temporary operating plate, and permanent plates and registration are mailed to the address in your contract; Carvana says “We cannot change the registration address” once you have accepted the car. The title comes later: “Titles are processed after registration and can take up to 10 weeks to be issued.” If you financed, the title goes to the lender, except in Kentucky, Minnesota, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New York and Oklahoma, where it goes to you.

Who does the work depends on your state. Carvana’s state-by-state article names three methods, and we counted the headings in each section:

**Title and registration method by state, counted from Carvana’s state-by-state help article (read 6 October 2026; our count of 48 states and DC)**

| Method Carvana lists | Where | Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| “Carvana titles and registers the vehicle” | AZ, FL, GA, ID, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NJ, NM, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV | 22 states |
| “Carvana titles, Customer registers” | AR, CO, DC, ME, NV, SC | 5 states and DC |
| “Customer titles and registers the vehicle” | DE, IA, KS, KY, MS, NE, NH, RI, VT, WY | 10 states |
| More than one method listed | AL, CA, CT, IL, IN, MA, NC, NY, OH, OK, OR | 11 states |
| Not served | Alaska, Hawaii and US territories |  |

Where a state lists two methods, the article does not say which buyer gets which; Carvana decides per order, so ask before you accept the car. In the 20 states whose sections list “Customer titles and registers the vehicle,” the page adds that taxes and registration fees are “typically included in the total purchase amount”; if Carvana is “unable to pay them to the state,” it will “issue a refund via check payable to the person listed in the contract,” and you pay that amount when you register.

**Figure: Annotated photograph**

Three numbered callouts over the photograph mark the mirror glass, its housing and the cars reflected in it, with when Carvana starts registration, its 400-mile return allowance and what happens to a trade-in if you return the car.

Carvana’s help center, read on 6 October 2026, says registration starts after the 7-day return window and the title can take up to 10 weeks after registration (callout 1), allows 400 miles in the 7 days with a $1.00 charge for each mile over (callout 2), and says that if you return the car Carvana keeps your trade-in at the price in your agreement (callout 3). The photograph is illustrative.

Three paperwork rules stand out. The first is printed in every state’s section: if Carvana asks for another document, “you must submit them to Carvana within five business days of the request. Failure to do so may result in late fees and delayed registration.” The Limited Power of Attorney that lets Carvana deal with your DMV must be notarized, in person in nine jurisdictions (AL, AZ, DC, GA, IL, ME, NH, OH and SC). And the odometer disclosure arrives by FedEx and needs a physical signature. Your temporary plate may be from another state, which Carvana says it issues only “if allowed by your state”; Connecticut’s release describes buyers handed a succession of them, and our guide to [temporary tags when you buy across a state line](https://baronauto1.com/guides/temporary-tag/#out-of-state) explains how the home-state side works. If the title does not arrive, Carvana tells you to contact your state or county agency.

## Carvana financing: pre-qualification, approval and the servicer

Carvana’s pre-qualification uses “a soft inquiry from multiple credit bureaus,” so checking your terms does not affect your credit score. Placing an order triggers “a formal credit inquiry, which may impact your credit.” Pre-qualifying is not approval: “you are not fully approved for a loan yet” until underwriting verifies your identity and income, for most W2 employees from the 2 most recent pay stubs or 3 most recent bank statements. The help center’s minimums are:

- at least 18 years old (19 in Georgia and Alabama);
- income of at least $10,000 a year;
- no active bankruptcies;
- no default on a Carvana loan in the past two years.

Terms are “good for 30 days from the approval date” and can change if your address, income, down payment, car, trade-in, co-signer or add-ons change. Carvana financing can be used only for cars bought from Carvana, and your own bank or credit union is an option, though Carvana “works with most, but not all.” Carvana does not print its rates in the pages we read, so we quote none; get a pre-approval elsewhere first and compare, as our guides to [loan pre-approval](https://baronauto1.com/financing/car-loan-preapproval/), [used-car loan rates](https://baronauto1.com/financing/used-car-loan-rates/) and the [credit score you need](https://baronauto1.com/financing/credit-score-to-buy-a-car/) explain.

After the sale, Carvana does not usually keep the loan. The 10-K says it will “typically sell the resulting automotive finance receivables,” and that the auto-generated contracts “have contained, however, and may again in the future contain errors or omissions.” Your first payment is typically due 28 - 30 days after you accept the car, and you set up the account with Bridgecrest, which the help center calls “our third-party loan servicer.” The 10-K says instead that “DriveTime provides servicing and administrative functions associated with the Company’s finance receivables,” and calls DriveTime “a related party” because of the Garcia Parties’ “control and ownership” of it. Neither document mentions the other company. Our [DriveTime review](https://baronauto1.com/financing/drivetime-review/) covers DriveTime itself.

## Trading in a car as part of the purchase

A trade-in offer is valid for 7 days and, Carvana says, “will not change at your appointment” if your online answers were accurate; it does “automated checks, car photo reviews, and a final confirmation” and will make “an updated offer” if it finds a mismatch. It does not negotiate or price-match. Three rules are specific to trading in:

- **The trade must be worth less than the car you buy.** If it is worth more, Carvana suggests selling it outright or as a separate transaction.
- **Sales tax.** Carvana says that in most states you pay tax only on the difference; its own example is a $5,000 trade against an $8,000 car, taxed on $3,000. It lists CA, DC, OH, OK, OR and VA as places where that does not apply.
- **Loans on the trade.** The User Agreement authorizes Carvana to “pay the lien on your behalf.” Negative equity can go into the new loan or be paid at checkout, and if the lender demands more than the payoff in your purchase agreement, the User Agreement says “you remain liable to Carvana for the shortfall, and Carvana may rescind the purchase.” Our guide to [negative equity](https://baronauto1.com/financing/negative-equity-car-loan/) explains the cost of rolling it in.

Remember the rule from the return section: the trade-in stays with Carvana even if you return the car you bought. Selling to Carvana without buying, and what the offer is priced against, are covered in our guide to [selling a car to Carvana](https://baronauto1.com/trade-your-car/how-to-sell-a-car-to-carvana/).

## What the complaint counts say, and what they can’t

On 6 October 2026 the [CFPB complaint database](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/) held 1,245 complaints against Carvana Group, LLC, 775 of them (62.2%) about vehicle loans or leases. Within those, “Getting a loan or lease” accounted for 378, led by “Confusing or misleading advertising or marketing” (120) and “Changes in terms mid-deal or after closing” (78); 45 were filed as “Unable to receive car title or other problem after the loan is paid off.” Carvana closed 1,241 of the 1,245 “with explanation”; 3 closed with relief. Complaints are unverified, the response label is the company’s own, and the CFPB has served no complaint narratives since 30 September 2026. Complaints filed against a loan servicer under its own name are not in these counts. Our [Carvana warranty guide](https://baronauto1.com/financing/carvana-warranty/#complaints) breaks out the add-on complaints.

On [BBB](https://www.bbb.org/us/az/tempe/profile/online-car-dealers/carvana-llc-1126-1000037076), Carvana LLC is not accredited but rated A+. BBB showed 4,973 complaints in 3 years, 1,677 closed in the last 12 months; 3,394 (68.2%) were filed as “Service or Repair Issues.” BBB marked 4,436 “Answered” and 537 “Resolved,” which BBB defines as “The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.” BBB’s reviews average 1.11 of 5 from 1,980, and BBB itself asks readers to weigh complaints against “the company’s size and volume of transactions.” With 596,641 cars sold in 2025 alone, size matters here.

[Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/carvana.com) showed a TrustScore of 4.1 from 16,289 reviews, 2,543 of them in the last 12 months. Trustpilot printed that Carvana “hasn’t invited customers recently” and has “Replied to 90% of negative reviews.” Of the 20 newest reviews, the page data labelled 9 “Organic” and 11 “BasicLink”; all 11 BasicLink reviews were five-star, and 5 of the 9 organic ones were one or two stars. Trustpilot’s own AI summary mentions “unexpected mechanical problems” and “missing second keys, undisclosed damages, or unexpected deductions.” Trustpilot says it does not fact-check reviews.

## Where Carvana’s own documents disagree

Read side by side, Carvana’s pages contradict each other in seven places. Where they do, the contract you sign is what counts, and the User Agreement says the purchase agreement prevails over it on shipping charges. Carvana’s CarvanaCare and warranty documents disagree in other places, listed in our [warranty guide](https://baronauto1.com/financing/carvana-warranty/#contradictions).

**Points where two of Carvana’s own documents say different things, read on 6 October 2026**

| Topic | One document says | Another says |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shipping refund after a delay | User Agreement: refunded if you cancel “after being notified by Carvana that delivery of the vehicle to you will be delayed” | Help center: cancel a delayed order and funds come back “excluding nonrefundable shipping fees” |
| What blocks a return | Three conditions; a lien “other than any lien created in connection with your purchase” | Four, adding “modified”; a lien “other than any finance agreement made with Carvana” |
| Extra charges | “We never add on any dealer charges” | Shipping, delivery and “late fees” appear elsewhere in the help center |
| Financing terms | Pre-qualified terms “will not change” | They can change with eight listed updates, or after 30 days |
| Who services your loan | Help center: Bridgecrest, “our third-party loan servicer” | 10-K: DriveTime, “a related party” |
| The inspection | Help center: the 150-point inspection is for Carvana Certified cars, and “not every vehicle is Carvana Certified” | 10-K: one inspection process for every car it acquires |
| The deadline | “before 8:00 p.m. EST on the 7th day” | “prior to 8 p.m. EST on the 7th calendar day after receiving your vehicle” |

The last one is a wording problem the refund article resolves itself in its next sentence, by counting delivery day as day 1. The lien wording is not trivial: a loan from your own bank seems to satisfy the first article and not the second, so ask Carvana in writing before you rely on returning a car you financed elsewhere. For the shipping refund, keep the delay notice: it is the trigger the User Agreement names.

## Before you click Get Started

- **Find your state on Carvana’s title and registration page** and ask which method applies to your order before you accept the car.
- **Get a loan pre-approval from a bank or credit union first,** then compare it with Carvana’s pre-qualified terms, which last 30 days.
- **Price the total, not the listing:** shipping, delivery, taxes, title and registration, and any add-ons.
- **Choose a car with free shipping** if you think you might return it; shipping charges are not refunded.
- **Decide about your trade-in first.** If you return the new car, Carvana keeps the old one.
- **Book an independent inspection for the first days** of the 7-day window, and keep under 400 miles.
- **Note the deadline:** 8:00 p.m. EST, six calendar days after delivery day.
- **Answer every document request within five business days** and keep copies of what you send.
- **Keep the temporary plate on** until permanent registration arrives, and track the title; it can take up to 10 weeks after registration.
- **If the paperwork stalls,** contact your state or county agency, then your state attorney general or DMV complaint line.

## Common questions

### Is Carvana legit?

Yes. Carvana is a licensed dealer that files audited accounts with the SEC and reported 596,641 retail cars sold in 2025. Its weak spot is paperwork: Michigan suspended its Novi dealer licence in October 2022, alleging late title applications, and Connecticut announced a $1.5 million settlement over title and registration delays in January 2025.

### What is Carvana’s return policy?

The 7-Day Money Back Guarantee starts on delivery day, which counts as day 1, and you must notify Carvana before 8:00 p.m. EST on day 7. You can drive 400 miles, then pay $1.00 a mile. The car cannot be damaged, modified or under another lien. You get back what you paid except shipping, within 10-15 business days, and Carvana keeps any trade-in.

### Does Carvana sell cars with problems?

Carvana says every car is inspected and reconditioned and has “no reported” fire, flood or frame damage, but the 150-point inspection is described for Carvana Certified cars, and it warns that history reports may miss things. Its User Agreement does not guarantee listing accuracy. Use the 7 days for an independent inspection.

### Does Carvana pre-qualification hurt your credit?

No. Carvana says pre-qualifying uses a soft inquiry. Placing an order brings a formal credit inquiry, and the loan is approved only after underwriting checks your identity and income.

### How long does it take to get plates and a title from Carvana?

Registration begins after the 7-day window, and you drive on a temporary plate until plates arrive by mail. Carvana says titles “can take up to 10 weeks to be issued” after registration. By our count, you title and register the car yourself in 10 states and register it yourself in 5 more and DC; in another 11, Carvana lists more than one method.

### What happens to my trade-in if I return the Carvana car?

Carvana keeps it and treats it as a sale at the price in your purchase agreement. If you owed more than that price, you pay Carvana the difference. If you exchange instead of returning, the trade-in moves to the new purchase.

## Sources and further reading

- [SEC EDGAR filings: Carvana Co.](https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1690820)
- [CFPB consumer complaint database](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/)
- [49 CFR Part 580 (odometer disclosure requirements)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-580)

Recall, complaint and safety-rating figures on this page were retrieved from the federal databases above on August 19, 2026. Federal data changes — re-check any VIN before you rely on it.

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Canonical source: https://baronauto1.com/buying-guides/carvana-review/