• Can Caramel help with a physical pre-purchase inspection?

    We certainly can.  In fact, Caramel has partnered with LemonSquad to provide our customers with a 20% discount on all LemonSquad pre-purchase mechanical inspections.  Chat us for a quote, and we’ll book the inspection for you if you’d like to proceed.  You’ll typically hear from the inspector within 24 hours to schedule your appointment.

  • Can I qualify for the Federal Used Clean Vehicle Credit when I purchase a used EV with Caramel?

    Caramel is excited to announce that we help eligible buyers qualify for the newly announced Federal Used Clean Vehicle tax credit for transactions that occur through the Caramel platform.

    Buyer and vehicle must qualify as stated on the IRS website.  Caramel will provide all necessary buyer forms and file with the IRS as required to assist with eligibility as a licensed dealer.  Please contact customer service () with any questions or assistance on your purchase.

  • How many steps are there when I use Caramel to buy a vehicle?

    There are nine steps to buying a vehicle with Caramel, and some buyers get through them all in a matter of minutes:

    1. Information: Getting started is easy. If you’re initiating Caramel checkout, all you need is the year, make, & model of the vehicle you’re looking to buy, as well as the email address of the seller. If a seller initiates the sale in Caramel, you skip this step.
    2. Offer: Negotiating has never been easier. Send your seller an offer, or accept, counter, or decline one they sent you. You are able to go back and forth until you both agree on a price.
    3. Identity: Safety & security are everything to us. That’s why we require every buyer and seller to verify their identity. All you need is your Driver's License & the ability to take a selfie.
    4. Financing: With just a few questions, you can get approved for a loan with a top bank. If you don’t want financing, you can skip this step and pay in full with funds from your bank.
    5. Protection: Protection is short for vehicle protection. This refers to our recommended vehicle service contract, Caramel Care, which is like an extended warranty. It's optional to add but can be a great way to protect your vehicle from costly mechanical repairs or unforeseen circumstances.
    6. Insurance: You can get a great insurance rate from a top national carrier through Caramel or skip this step. Keep in mind that having insurance coverage is required before you sign your documents. If you skip this step, you can use your existing insurance or buy insurance directly.
    7. Transport: Choose whether you’d like to pick up your vehicle directly from the seller or have your vehicle delivered to you.
    8. Payment: Securely link your bank account to pay the amount due at signature. You will review this amount before the Payment step. 
    9. Signature: Sign all of your required documents. These documents ensure that we can properly register your vehicle and transfer the title to you.

  • What if I have an existing vehicle to sell or trade-in?

    Caramel does not purchase trade-in vehicles at this time.  You’ll need to sell your vehicle separately either before or after buying your car through Caramel.

  • If the vehicle you’re buying is more than 20 years old, you will be asked whether or not your intended usage of this vehicle qualifies for your state’s classic, antique, or vintage registration requirements. What are my state’s requirements?

    State Requirements
    Alaska Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Alabama Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Arkansas Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes. You must own and have registered one (1) or more motor vehicles used for regular transportation.
    Arizona Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    California Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Colorado Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Connecticut Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    DC Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Delaware Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Florida Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Georgia Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Hawaii Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Iowa Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Idaho Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Illinois Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes during the months of January-March and November-December. During the months of April-October, the vehicle may be driven on the highways.
    Indiana Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Kansas Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Kentucky Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Louisiana Vehicles must be driven primarily for special occasions such as exhibitions, club activities, parades, or other functions of the public interest, or for necessary testing, maintenance, and storage purposes.
    Massachusetts Vehicles must be driven primarily for special occasions such as exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest. This includes test drives to prepare for such functions and transportation to and from repair facilities, and not used primarily for the transportation of passengers or goods over any way.
    Maryland Vehicles cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses. They will not be used for employment, transportation to and from employment or school, or for commercial purposes.
    Maine Vehicles must be driven primarily for special occasions such as exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. May not be used as the owner’s primary mode of transportation of passengers or goods.
    Michigan Vehicles must be driven primarily for special occasions such as historical club activities, parades, and car shows. May not be used for routine transportation except during the month of August when it may be driven anywhere in the state without restrictions.
    Minnesota Vehicles must be driven primarily for special occasions such as exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. May not be used as the owner’s primary mode of transportation of passengers or goods. You must own and have registered one (1) or more motor vehicles used for regular transportation.
    Missouri Vehicles must be driven primarily to drive to and from events, to repair facilities within a 100 mile limit, and may be driven up to 1,000 miles per year for personal use. The owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for keeping a log of the miles driven for personal use each calendar year. Such logs must be kept in the vehicle when the vehicle is driven on any state road.
    Mississippi Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Montana Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    North Carolina Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    North Dakota Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes, business or farming operation.
    Nebraska Vehicles must be driven primarily for special occasions such as test drives, parades and hobby-related activities and may not be used for normal transportation to and from work, driven on a daily basis, or used for hire.
    New Hampshire Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    New Jersey Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    New Mexico Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Nevada Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    New York Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Oklahoma Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Ohio Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes, but may be operated on the public roads and highways to and from a location where maintenance is performed on the vehicle.
    Oregon Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Pennsylvania Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes no more than one day a week.
    Rhode Island Vehicles must be driven primarily for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest. The vehicle may also be used for limited enjoyment and purposes other than the previously mentioned activities, but may not be used primarily for the transportation of passengers or goods over any public highway.
    South Carolina Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    South Dakota Vehicles must be driven primarily for transportation to public displays, parades, and other related pleasure or hobby activities, and may be driven to and from any facility providing motor vehicle maintenance or repair. May not be used for daily transportation to and from a place of work or for commercial transportation. Vehicles may not be driven more than four thousand miles per year.
    Tennessee Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Texas Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes. Vehicles cannot carry advertisements.
    Utah Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Virginia Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, to test vehicle/trailer operation, obtaining maintenance or repairs and/or to sell the vehicle or trailer. Occasional pleasure driving is allowed (not to exceed 250 miles from the owner's residence) but is not to be used for general transportation purposes.
    Vermont Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Washington Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Wisconsin Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes. Hobbyist license plates are not valid for operation during the month of January.
    West Virginia Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.
    Wyoming Vehicles must be driven primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition, including participation in club activities, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes.