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How to Use the Edmunds New Car Inventory Tool

All you need to know in 4 easy steps

You know the car you want. Now it's time to find it on a dealer's lot. You could go to a local dealership's webpage and search the inventory, but that particular dealer might not have the vehicle you want in stock. It's also time-consuming to repeat that process across untold scores of other dealer sites. But help is at hand: Edmunds' new car and used car inventory tools give you the ability to cast a wider net by searching through our extensive dealership network.

The following steps will help get you started and bring you closer to locating your next new car.

Step 1: Get to the page

Edmunds search page

There are a few ways to get to the Edmunds new car and used car inventory tools. The easiest is to follow the links below:

Shop all new cars for sale.

Shop all used cars for sale.

Next: Enter the make and model of the car you're searching for in the search bar pictured above. When browsing for a certified pre-owned (CPO) car, the page looks largely the same as our new car sales page, and the same functionality applies. If you're interested in a used car, follow the same steps for a new car, but note that you can also select whether you'd like to buy a car in-store or online, which will allow for home delivery (and seven-day returns). When using either tool to browse our listings, make sure to set your ZIP code correctly to see the vehicles closest to you. If you're not sure what vehicles to consider, take a look at our expert car reviews page.

Step 2: Cast a small or wide net

Once you've input your desired ZIP code, you can set a maximum search distance, ranging between 10 and 500 miles, and the list will narrow itself to your target area. You can even search nationwide if you'd like, offering the best possible results across the U.S. After all, our online tool allows you to view cars that can be shipped to your home.

Step 3: Use the filters to fine-tune the selection

You'll find a number of settings on the used, certified pre-owned, and new car inventory search tools, including colors, engine type, mileage and even vehicle features. You can filter by just about anything, from only blue cars with manual transmissions to coupes with sunroofs. The sky's the limit. After you've selected your filters, the page will whittle down the pool of vehicles as you select the options.

For used vehicles, you have additional sorting options that let you find vehicles with no accidents, one owner, or those that come with a free vehicle history report. You can also filter it to show certified pre-owned vehicles in addition to using our dedicated page linked above.

Step 4: Take action


See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example

Edmunds dealer pricing page

Once you've filtered down to the cars that match the criteria we set in the step prior, it's time to start browsing. Each listing will display the dealership where the vehicle is being sold. Some new vehicles will be marked as having an Edmunds Suggested Price. Look for the phrase "Edmunds suggests you pay" and then a large boldfaced figure on our new car pages, which also contain helpful reviews to help you decide if a car is right for you. This is the price we recommend paying when evaluating a dealership's asking price on a car. 

However, not all dealers list the price of the car. You have a couple of options at this point. You can either request an internet price quote or call the dealer to verify the price and check if it is still in stock. If you call, ask for the internet sales manager. Also, make a note of the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle you are asking about. These are displayed for each car on the Edmunds inventory pages under the Vehicle Summary section. The VIN will help the salesperson locate the car more quickly.

If the vehicle you're interested in has been sold, the dealership will likely try to find one that's comparably equipped, but the prices and options may vary. At this point, it's up to you to decide if you want a vehicle that matches most closely or the most affordable alternative.

Next steps

Now that you have located a vehicle that fits your requirements, you may be ready to buy. If you need help with this, take a look at "How to Buy a Car" or "How to Buy a Used Car in 10 Steps."

If you need help determining the value of your trade in, take a look at Edmunds "How much is my car worth?" appraisal page.