AutoNation Review: What to Expect Before You Buy or Sell (2025)

AutoNation is a major auto retailer that buys and sells vehicles through digital and in-person services. The company offers end-to-end services for trade-ins, purchasing, selling, and financing, providing a one-stop shopping experience.

Though some AutoNation customers share positive reviews online, many others express dissatisfaction. Negative reviews often point to issues with customer service when buying a car, using the company’s automotive services, or the five-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s what you should know about AutoNation’s key offerings for buying, selling, and trading in vehicles.

AutoNation at a Glance

Criteria	Result
Footprint	21 U.S. states 300+ locations
Key features	Five-day/250-mile return guarantee Same-day cash/trade-in offers Online financing pre-qualification
Customer sentiment	Low average ratings on third-party sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and ConsumerAffairs

How AutoNation Works

AutoNation advertises a streamlined process for customers buying, trading in, or selling a car. The company also offers financing services for buyers.

Here’s an overview of how each process works at AutoNation.

Buying a vehicle with AutoNation

AutoNation uses a “no-haggle” car-buying process, in which the price you see factors in applicable discounts, rebates, and incentives alongside the current market value for each vehicle. According to the company, this process produces fair-market pricing that you won’t need to negotiate.^[1]

AutoNation offers a five-day, 250-mile money-back guarantee for used vehicles. But competitors like CarMax and Carvana offer longer return windows, and some dealerships offer even more generous windows.

Unlike AutoNation, local dealerships usually engage in haggling with customers over price. Depending on the negotiation process, this practice can lead to cheaper or more expensive costs for customers.

Selling or trading in with AutoNation

To sell or trade in your car, start by filling out the online form to get an instant offer from AutoNation. Once you accept the offer, you’ll need to schedule an appointment (within seven days or 500 miles) and bring your car in for an inspection. 

Be sure to bring your vehicle title, registration, and, if applicable, loan information to complete the transaction. If you’re selling, the company can pay you the same day using Zelle. If you’re trading in, you can apply the offer directly toward your new vehicle.^[2]

Financing and add-ons

You can receive a prequalification quickly from AutoNation through its online form, without any effect on your credit.^[3] You can also easily add guaranteed asset protection (gap coverage) to your purchase. Gap protection pays for the difference between your car’s actual cash value and the remaining balance on your car loan if your car is a total loss.^[4]

AutoNation Reviews: What Customers Are Saying

Customers consistently give AutoNation low ratings on third-party sites. The company earns 1.32 out of 5 stars from the BBB, 1.5 stars from ConsumerAffairs, and 1.6 stars from Trustpilot. Reviews mention a wide range of customer service experiences, with some satisfied and others dissatisfied.

Some prospective car buyers reported having an excellent experience with AutoNation, including assistance from a knowledgeable salesperson, as in this review:But many customers describe issues with disorganization and inaccurate information from company representatives during the car-buying process, like this customer, who never got the chance to see the vehicle they went to see.Some folks also report having issues with their vehicles that were just shy of the five-day money-back guarantee. This led to frustration and confusion, as in the following account of a recent purchase from AutoNation:That said, some customers have had excellent experiences with the auto service team, even after a bumpy start. Take this customer, for example, whose vehicle needed extensive engine repairs:

Pros and Cons of Buying or Selling a Car With AutoNation

It’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of buying, selling, or trading in a car with AutoNation. Consider these pros and cons:

AutoNation Pricing, Fees, and Extended Warranties

AutoNation sets its prices and doesn’t allow any negotiation. You may also have to pay AutoNation fees for dealer handling and diagnostics when you have your vehicle serviced.

An extended warranty is available for your vehicle, which includes benefits like 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and travel expense coverage while your car is in the shop. You can also access mechanical breakdown repair at one of the more than 70,000 licensed repair shops available through AutoNation nationwide.^[5]

Additional coverages available from AutoNation include the following:^[6]

• Excessive wear and tear

• Dent protection

• Theft protection

• Tire and wheel repair

• Windshield protection

• Appearance protection

• Gap insurance

• Vehicle care program

AutoNation vs. CarMax vs. Carvana

Here’s how AutoNation compares to two of its top competitors, CarMax and Carvana. Below, you can compare these companies, including return policies, reach, and what sets them apart.

Criteria	AutoNation	CarMax	Carvana
Footprint	21 states	41 states	50 states
Number of locations	300+	250+	37
Return policy	Five days/250 miles	10 days	Seven days
Overall customer sentiment	Low average rating, skewing negative	Low average rating, skewing negative	Higher reviews than CarMax and Autonation
What makes it unique?	Blends tech options and brick-and-mortar locations for buying, selling, and trading in	Closer to a traditional dealership experience with a huge inventory	Keeps the process entirely online, with “vending machines” for vehicle pick-up in select locations

All three auto-retailer options work to minimize the haggling process and streamline the car-buying process. They all aim to provide a wide selection of cars and simple trade-in options. But CarMax and Carvana have more generous return policies than AutoNation.

Of the three retailers, Carvana is the only option that has earned decent customer feedback online, earning much higher ratings on sites like Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs.

Tip: Don’t Forget About Insurance

You can’t drive off the dealership lot without proof of insurance. First, you’ll need to purchase or update an existing car insurance policy.

Before buying or trading in a new or used car, it’s smart to compare insurance quotes. Arranging your insurance policy needs in advance can also earn you additional discounts, depending on the car insurance company.

If you don’t have existing coverage or if you’re switching insurance companies, be careful to avoid a lapse in coverage. Before purchasing your new car, schedule cancellation of your old policy or align it with your policy’s expiration date. You should also set up coverage for your new vehicle in advance, if possible.

To add a car to your existing policy, it’s best to call your insurer ahead of time and ask about the recommended timeline and process for updating the coverage.

Here are some recent quotes from Compare.com users:

AutoNation FAQs