CARS24
Gone are the days when buying a used car was a mammoth task that involved everything from visiting countless nearby dealerships to negotiating a sweet deal that suited your budget. With online websites changing the way you buy a used car in India, users can now delve into a holistic used car buying experience that not just offers a diverse range of options at a single place, but also curates some of the most value for money deals that you can grab to bring home the used car you love. While this could be a great way to save money, other associated problems like unreliable listings, bothersome after-sales experience, lack of financing options, limited inventory, and hidden charges can make picking the best-used car website quite a challenge. Well, not anymore, because in this article, we have compared the top used car websites to determine which one offers the best value-for-money deals, along with a seamless car buying experience that keeps you away from all the hassle.
A tech-first used car platform that offers a customer-centric experience, CARS24 offers one of the most diverse collections of used cars in India, with a flexible and all-empowering model that offers both D2C listings as well as options from verified sellers. This helps users to experience a bigger and better pool of used cars to choose from, something that other platforms like Spinny, Cardekho, and Olx (which operates only on a classified model, with no inventory of verified vehicles) miss out on. As a one-stop destination that is built to make buying a used car simple and hassle-free, especially for first-time buyers, CARS24 leads the market with its consumer-oriented advantages, like a comprehensive 300+ point inspection for inventory listed cars, 7-day returns, and extensive extended warranty plans for all used cars with an industry-leading coverage (up to 3 years or 45,000 km). Along with value-added services like 24x7 roadside assistance, buyback, and free annual services, which no other competitor offers at present, CARS24 is a sound option for first-time buyers looking for a comprehensive, 360-degree shield for ownership.
With a Pan-India reach covering 250+ cities, CARS24 ensures that each buyer gets the best value, with AI-Powered pricing that uses real-time market data to offer the most accurate and affordable deal for each used car. With flexible financing options, instant loan eligibility checks, up to zero down payment options, and a fully digital loan process, CARS24 also makes sure no one is left behind when it comes to bringing home a used car.
Much like CARS24, Spinny is a key player in the online used car market that offers a wide range of inventory-listed cars, segmented into Budget and Assured categories. However, unlike CARS24, Spinny operates solely on a D2C model (meaning they only sell inventory listed cars), missing out on a large pool of listings from verified individuals, and thereby offering a comparatively limited choice to buyers.
In terms of advantages, Spinny offers a 200-point inspection (less comprehensive than CARS24's 300+ inspection), a mere 5-day returns policy, and optional extended warranty and buy-back plans that are reserved only for Assured category cars only (Budget segment cars lose out on extended warranty), with coverage of up to 3 years or 36,000 km (9,000 km less than what CARS24 offers), along with a few value-added services. Considering pricing and deals, Spinny offers a fixed price for all its cars (unlike CARS24's AI-powered pricing that dynamically determines prices based on real-time market data), with financing options to make used cars affordable for all.
India's leading online used car marketplace, OLX, is an online platform that connects multiple sellers and buyers from across India to facilitate both transactions and interactions. Offering a large pool of used car classifieds put up by both dealers and individual sellers, OLX offers a huge range of used car listings, much like CARS24. However, since OLX works only on a marketplace model, neither the cars listed on the platform undergo quality inspections, nor are the sellers verified (as in the case of CARS24).
Unlike platforms like CARS24 and Spinny, OLX offers no return periods, buybacks, warranties, or financing options. Sellers are free to list their cars at a price they desire, while buyers are free to purchase used cars either at the quoted price or at a price reached through private negotiations. This is where CARS24's AI-powered valuation steps in, since any car listed by individual sellers will have tags like "Good", "Great", "Fair", or "High", helping users assess the pricing. Olx is therefore only an online tool that provides a means to list used cars for sale, bringing together potential buyers and sellers who can crack a deal for the best price, but at the cost of advantages that other platforms like CARS24 and Spinny offer.
With a market experience of over two decades, Maruti Suzuki True Value is Maruti Suzuki's online used car buying platform that offers a curated collection of quality used cars. The choice, however, is limited only to Marut Suzuki cars, unlike CARS24, Spinny, and even OLX, which offer a mix of models across all manufacturers. Working on a D2C model, Maruti Suzuki True Value does not offer listings by individual sellers, thereby offering a limited inventory like Spinny. Used cars available on the platform come with a 376-point digital inspection (unlike CARS24's 300+ point physical inspection), financing options, 3 free services, and 1 year of warranty, with no value-added services such as buyback and RSA as offered by CARS24.
In terms of pricing, Maruti Suzuki True Value can be a good option for buyers looking to buy a Maruti Suzuki Car with free authorised service and reliable RC transfer assistance through trained relationship officers. With over 500 True Value outlets across 281 cities, Maruti Suzuki True Value operates through its network of offline showrooms and might not offer an online used car buying experience as seamless as CARS24 or Spinny.
Mahindra First Choice is a multi-brand used car buying platform established by Mahindra that offers quality used cars through a robust network of dealerships across India. Much like Spinny, Mahindra First Choice works on a D2C model with listings from multiple manufacturers. However, unlike CARS24, Mahindra True Value does not capitalise on used car listings by verified individual sellers, offering customers a choice pool that consists only of cars that the platform has on offer through its dealer networks.
Every used car available on Mahindra First Choice undergoes physical inspection (not as comprehensive as CARS24) and comes with a 5-day return and limited buybacks, along with roadside assistance and 4 unique warranty services that can be purchased according to the age of the vehicle, covering a maximum of 12 months or 15,000 km; substantially less than CARS24's 3 years or 45,000 km warranty coverage, and other services that come bundled for the price of a single CARE+ package. Much like CARS24, Spinny, and Maruti Suzuki True Value, Mahindra First Choice also offers easy financing options.
With all the leading online used car platforms offering an overlapping set of advantages, picking the right one can get rather confusing. The best way to clear the confusion is to compare what each platform offers. CARS24 offers a consumer-centric platform with the most diverse inventory and a seamless used car buying experience with value-oriented deals and a hassle-free post-purchase experience. Spinny focuses largely on its D2C inventory of multi-brand cars with fixed pricing and satisfactory support. OLX, on the other hand, operates on a classified model with everything from documentation and price negotiation left to the buyer. Maruti Suzuki True Value comes as a good option for those looking to buy Maruti Suzuki Cars with certified refurbishment and sales support. Mahindra True Value also offers the trust of Mahindra refurbishment with a multi-brand inventory and decent after-sales services.
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CARS24 |
Spinny |
OLX |
Maruti Suzuki True Value |
Mahindra First Choice |
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Inventory |
Offers the most diverse inventory of used cars with options from various brands, listed from their pre-inspected inventory as well as from individual sellers, catering to all kinds of buyers |
Offers a curated inventory of budget and certified cars from various manufacturers |
Offers a vast pool of options from sellers and dealers across India |
Offers an inventory comprising only digitally quality-checked Maruti Suzuki Cars |
Offers a multi-brand inventory of inspected cars with no individual seller listings |
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Pricing Model |
AI-powered, dynamic, real-time market data |
Fixed price |
Seller decides, buyer negotiates |
Brand Controlled |
Brand Controlled based on market value and trends |
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Inspection |
All inventory-listed cars undergo a thorough 300+ point physical inspection covering engine, suspension, transmission, mechanicals, electricals, interiors, and exteriors. For cars listed directly by sellers, buyers can also opt for an inspection service at a nominal fee |
200-point physical inspection covering critical systems, including the engine, transmission, suspension, and other essential components |
No inspection for listed cars |
Digital 376-point inspection |
118-point certification covering engine, cooling, air and fuel systems, electricals, clutch, gearbox, drive shaft, wheels, brakes, suspension, steering, body, doors, interiors, exteriors, and A/C & heater |
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Home Test Drives |
With operations across multiple Tier 1 and 2 cities, home test drives are available across the nation |
Home test drives are available |
No home test drive |
Test drives are only available at True Value showrooms |
Home test drives available for select vehicles through dealership networks |
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Return Policy |
Up to a 7-day return policy, the longest duration in the used car industry |
5-day money-back guarantee |
No return policy available |
No return policy available |
5-day Returns |
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Warranty Options |
Extended warranty plans for up to 3 years, or 45,000 km, with the maximum number of parts and mileage covered in the country. An extended warranty is applicable across every vehicle sold by CARS24 |
Standard warranty with optional extended coverage up to 3 years / 36,000 km, available only for Assured+ cars |
No warranty |
Standard 1-year warranty, no extended warranty plans available |
Up to 4 warranty plans based on vehicle age, with maximum coverage of 12 months / 15,000 km |
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Financing Options |
Financing available for inventory listed, and seller-listed cars, with flexible EMIs and up to 6-year tenures for pocket-friendly ownership |
Financing available |
No Financing Available |
Financing Available |
Financing Available |
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RC Transfer |
End-to-end RC transfer service for inventory listed cars, alongside a paid option (nominal cost) for seller-listed cars, ensuring a hassle-free buying experience |
RC transfer is handled by Spinny |
Parties liable for RC Transfer |
RC transfer is handled by True Value |
RC transfer is handled by First Choice |
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Additional Services |
CARE+ extended warranty packages include 24x7 RSA, Annual Service, and Buyback assurance, for all cars, all at no extra cost |
RSA available |
No extra services available |
3 Free Car Services |
RSA available |
For buyers seeking maximum value for their money when buying a used car, when opting for the CARE+ package, CARS24 stands out with its customer-centric offerings such as up to 7-day returns, comprehensive extended warranty options, 24/7 roadside assistance, and free annual services, which are curated to offer a hassle-free used car buying experience and to ensure long-term reliability. This makes owning a used car not only stress-free but also more cost-effective in the long run. Spinny and Mahindra First Choice, while offering a solid experience with 5-day returns and attractive warranty plans, fall short in providing the additional long-term benefits that CARS24 offers. On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki True Value can be a practical choice for those specifically interested in a Maruti car, as it offers certified vehicles with warranty support. However, the absence of added services such as roadside assistance, buyback, and annual servicing means it may not deliver the same overall value if you're looking for a more rewarding ownership and resale experience. Olx could be a great option to get the maximum value in terms of price; however, a lack of verified sellers and the open nature of the platform might make you have second thoughts, especially when it comes to post-sales experience and RC transfer.
