Craigslist Cars for Sale: Complete Buying Guide 2025

Is Craigslist Still Worth It for Car Buying in 2025?

Yes - for buyers who know how to navigate it safely, Craigslist still offers the deepest discounts in online car buying. Average prices run 12% below Facebook Marketplace equivalents, with motivated sellers sometimes offering 20%+ discounts for quick sales.

However, Craigslist's market position has shifted significantly. Overall volume has declined as Facebook Marketplace captured casual sellers. What remains are two distinct groups: savvy sellers who value privacy, and unfortunately, a higher concentration of scammers taking advantage of anonymity.

How to Search Craigslist for Cars Effectively

Craigslist's search is more basic than Facebook Marketplace, but effective filtering is still possible. The key is using the right settings and searching strategically.

Essential Search Settings

• Posted By: Select “Owner” only - dealers add markup and are harder to negotiate with
• Has Image: Always enable - listings without photos are often scams or not serious
• Title Status: Clean only, unless you specifically flip salvage titles
• Search Nearby: Expand to 2-3 nearby city Craigslists for more inventory

Search Multiple Cities

Unlike Facebook Marketplace's radius search, Craigslist requires searching each city separately. For comprehensive coverage:

• Bookmark your 3-5 closest city Craigslists
• Check each one with the same search parameters
• Sellers 50-100 miles away are often worth the drive for significant discounts

Best Markets for Craigslist Cars

Craigslist remains strongest in major metropolitan areas with tech-savvy populations. Smaller cities and rural areas have largely migrated to Facebook Marketplace.

Strong Craigslist Markets

• San Francisco Bay Area: Highest volume, tech workers frequently upgrading cars
• New York Metro: Large population, many sellers value anonymity
• Seattle: Tech hub with active Craigslist culture
• Portland: Strong local Craigslist adoption, good deals
• Los Angeles: Huge market despite decline

Weak Craigslist Markets

In smaller cities and suburbs, Facebook Marketplace dominates. If your local Craigslist has under 50 car listings, focus your efforts on Facebook instead.

Evaluating Craigslist Listings

Without seller profiles, you must evaluate listings more carefully on Craigslist. The listing itself provides the only initial clues about legitimacy.

Signs of a Legitimate Listing

• Multiple clear photos from different angles
• Detailed description with specific information
• Mentions maintenance history or recent repairs
• Realistic pricing (not too high or suspiciously low)
• Local phone number in area code
• Willing to meet at your mechanic for inspection

Red Flags in Listings

• Price 30%+ below market with no explanation
• Stock photos or single photo only
• Vague description (“runs great, no issues”)
• Out-of-area contact information
• Mentions shipping or escrow services
• Won't provide phone number

Avoiding Craigslist Car Scams

Craigslist's 20-25% scam rate on suspicious listings requires constant vigilance. The anonymity that enables good deals also enables fraud.

For comprehensive scam prevention, see our complete guide: Craigslist Car Scams: Complete Protection Guide.

Safe Transaction Practices

• Meet at police station safe exchange zones
• Bring a friend to viewings
• Never pay before seeing and test driving
• Run VIN check before meeting
• Get pre-purchase inspection at independent mechanic
• Verify seller ID matches title name

Completing the Purchase

Before Meeting

• Run VIN check ($25-40)
• Research fair market value
• Prepare questions about the vehicle
• Arrange inspection at your mechanic if possible

At the Meeting

• Verify VIN on car matches title
• Check seller's ID matches title name
• Thorough inspection and test drive
• Negotiate based on findings

Closing the Deal

• Cash or cashier's check only
• Bill of sale with both parties' information
• Seller signs title correctly (no errors)
• Get copies of all paperwork
• Transfer title at DMV promptly