In a Nutshell
pros
- Excellent rating on Trustpilot
- Same-day check payment
- Buys cars in most conditions
cons
- 24/7 support not available
- No app
CarBrain at a Glance.
Online Offer
✓
Car Pickup Service
✓
Same-Day Payment
✓
Personal Information Required
x
Trade-In Option
x
Deal Exclusions
While CarBrain will make an offer on vehicles in most conditions, it doesn’t buy cars without a valid signed title from the registered owner.
CarBrain doesn’t purchase cycles, trailers, or motor homes.
CarBrain Pricing
The offer you receive from CarBrain will depend on several factors. These include:
Your car’s make, year, and model
The value of your vehicle before any damage
The extent of any mechanical and electrical problems
Market demand for the car type
Your location
CarBrain doesn’t charge any hidden selling fees and collection is free of charge.
As CarBrain specializes in damaged or broken-down cars, however, it’s important to note that other buyers may offer a more competitive price for vehicles in good condition.
The driver who collects your car will also check its condition to verify the information you have previously provided. In some cases, this could mean that you receive a lower amount than your original offer.
If you have financing on your car, you’ll need to pay this off or transfer it to another vehicle before the sale can go ahead.
How to Sell a Car with CarBrain
CarBrain can provide you with a quote for your vehicle online or over the phone.
If you’d like to get a quote online, the first step is to enter the zip code of the collection address. Next, you’ll need to enter your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN), or provide details such as your car’s:
Year, make, and model
Body style and driveline—if known
You’ll then need to provide details about the car's condition and ownership type. This includes:
The type of title you have
Your car’s mileage
Your car’s current working order
Details of exterior bodywork
Details of repairs needed
Information on missing parts
Details of flood or fire damage
Before you complete your application, you can also upload photos of your car.
The company will then provide you with a customized offer through SMS or email. If you’d prefer to get an offer over the phone, you can receive an immediate valuation after providing these same basic details.
Your offer will then be valid for seven days. If you decide to accept, CarBrain will arrange a collection date with you. Pick-ups typically take place within 24 to 48 hours.
During the collection, you’ll need to provide the CarBrain representative with the vehicle’s keys and signed title.
At this stage, the driver will give you a check for your car. Alternatively, CarBrain can send your check by mail.
Is CarBrain Legit?
At the time of writing, CarBrain has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, with 87% of reviewers rating it as excellent. Many of the users who scored the service highly praised its efficient customer service, ease of use, and competitive prices.
Users who were less impressed mentioned having their initial offers change unexpectedly due to maintenance issues with their vehicles.
The company is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating.
If you decide to sell your car using the service, you’ll receive a legal purchase agreement.
What’s Unique About CarBrain?
CarBrain sets itself apart as a “market for less-than-perfect” cars, including wrecked or totaled vehicles. As such, it will buy cars that you may struggle to sell elsewhere.
Mechanical failures CarBrain will accept include:
Seized or blown engines
Blown head gaskets
Overheating engines
Engine failure
Cracked cylinder heads
Help and Support
You can contact CarBrain by phone, email, online query form, or live chat. Customer support hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-9pm (ET) and 8am-8pm on weekends.
When I contacted the company over live chat, I was immediately connected to an extremely helpful agent who answered all my questions in great detail.
If your query is more general, you may find the answer in the FAQs on the company’s website, which contain extremely useful and thorough information about the service.
CarBrain also has a blog, which covers topics such as car maintenance and calculating the value of a used vehicle.
The company offers a Spanish-language version of much of the content on its website.
What About the CarBrain App?
CarBrain doesn’t offer an app.
Bottom Line
CarBrain could be a great solution if you have a vehicle that you’d struggle to sell by more conventional means. Unlike many of its competitors, it accepts wrecked vehicles or those with significant mechanical or electrical faults. Offering fee-free pick-ups, the company can provide you with a check for your car at the time of collection. As well as being accredited by the Better Business Bureau, CarBrain has an excellent rating on Trustpilot.
FAQs
What kind of cars does CarBrain buy?
CarBrain specializes in purchasing damaged vehicles of all makes and models. Damage to the vehicle may be physical, mechanical or electrical. However, CarBrain won’t accept motorhomes or vehicles without a registered title.
How quickly can CarBrain pay for my vehicle?
The company will pay you via check at the same time that it collects your car. Alternatively, you can receive your check through the mail.
How long has CarBrain been in business?
CarBrain was founded in 2007 and has been in business for 15 years at the time of writing. It currently has a rating of excellent with Trustpilot and an A + standing with the Better Business Bureau.
