| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2022 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). While the Company disclosed total revenue in the consolidated income statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 12, 2021, the accompanying consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 present revenues disaggregated into marketplace, wholesale, and product revenues to conform to the prior and current year presentation, as a result of the acquisition of a 51 % interest in CarOffer. While the Company disclosed impairment of long-lived assets within depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on February 12, 2021, the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020 present impairment of long-lived assets separately to conform to the prior and current year presentation, as impairments of long-lived assets were material for the year ended December 31, 2021 . |
| Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. |
| Subsequent Event Considerations | Subsequent Event Considerations T he Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but prior to the issuance of the financial statements to provide additional evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure. The Company has evaluated all subsequent events and determined that there are no material recognized or unrecognized subsequent events requiring disclosure. |
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates if these results differ from historical experience, or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate, even if such assumptions are reasonable when made. Changes in estimates are recognized in the period in which they become known. Critical estimates relied upon in preparing the consolidated financial statements include the determination of sales allowance and variable consideration in the Company’s revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, the impairment of long-lived assets, the capitalization of product, technology, and development costs for website development, internal-use software and hosting arrangements, the valuation of acquired assets and liabilities, the valuation and recoverability of intangible assets and goodwill, the valuation of redeemable noncontrolling interest, the recoverability of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance, the valuation of inventory, and the valuation of equity and liability-classified compensation awards. Accordingly, the Company considers these to be its critical accounting estimates, and believes that of the Company’s significant accounting policies, these involve the greatest degree of judgment and complexity. |
| Concentration of Credit Risk | Concentration of Credit Risk T he Company has no significant off-balance sheet risk, such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts, or other foreign hedging arrangements. Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, investments, and trade accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash, cash equivalents, and investments principally with accredited financial institutions of high credit standing. Although the Company deposits its cash, cash equivalents, and investments with multiple financial institutions, its deposits may often exceed governmental insured limits. The Company routinely assesses the creditworthiness of its customers and does not require collateral. The Company generally has not experienced any material losses related to receivables from individual customers, or groups of customers. The majority of the Company's accounts receivable results from wholesale and product revenue transactions. The Company has had no material losses related to wholesale and product receivables as it does not release title to the vehicle until successfully collecting funds from the buying dealer. Titling is handled by the Company's payment processor and is held in escrow until it collects funds from the buying dealer (i.e., title is legally transferred from the selling party to the buying party upon signing of bill of sale, but title is held in escrow by the payment processor until payment is received). Due to these factors, no additional credit risk beyond amounts provided for collection losses is believed by management to be probable in the Company’s accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2022, one customer accounted for 13 % of net accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2021 , two customers accounted for 47 % and 18 % of net accounts receivable, respectively. T he remainder of the accounts receivable was dispersed among more than 1,000 customers. The customers who account for greater than 10 % of net accounts receivable are related to wholesale and product receivables. T he collection risk associated with these customers is mitigated because, as discussed above, the Company does not release title on vehicles until funds are successfully collected. Furthermore, there is no significant credit risk with respect to accounts receivable because, other than the receivables associated with these customers, credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is dispersed due to the large number of customers. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 , no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue. |
| Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments | Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on deposit with banks, and amounts held in interest‑bearing money market accounts. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates their fair market value. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Investments not classified as cash equivalents with maturities less than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as short‑term investments, while investments with maturities in excess of one year from the balance sheet date are classified as long‑term investments. Management determines the appropriate classification of investments at the time of purchase, and re‑evaluates such determination at each balance sheet date. Investments are carried at cost, which approximates their fair market value. The Company’s investment policy, which was approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), permits investments in fixed income securities, including U.S. government and agency securities, non‑U.S. government securities, money market instruments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, corporate bonds, and asset‑backed securities. As of December 31, 2022 , the Company held no investments. As of December 31, 2021 , investments consisted of U.S. certificates of deposit (“CDs”) with remaining maturities of less than twelve months . The Company classifies CDs with readily determinable market values as held‑to‑maturity, because it is the Company’s intention to hold such investments until they mature. As such, as of December 31, 2021, investments were recognized at amortized cost. The Company adjusts the cost of investments for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, if any. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 , the Company did no t have any premiums or discounts. Realized gains and losses from sales of the Company’s investments are recognized within other (expense) income, net in the consolidated income statements. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 , there were no realized gains or losses on investments. The Company reviews investments for other‑than‑temporary impairment whenever the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost and evidence indicates that an investment’s carrying amount is not recoverable within a reasonable period of time. Other‑than‑temporary impairments of investments are recognized in the consolidated income statements if the Company has experienced a credit loss or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the amortized cost basis. Evidence considered in this assessment includes reasons for the impairment, compliance with the Company’s investment policy, the severity and duration of the impairment, and changes in value subsequent to the end of the period. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 , the Company determined that no other‑than‑temporary impairments were required to be recognized in the consolidated income statements. |
| Restricted Cash | Restricted Cash As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, restricted cash was $ 14,615 and $ 16,336 , respectively, and primarily related to cash held at a financial institution in an interest-bearing cash account as collateral for the letters of credit related to the contractual provisions for the Company’s building leases and pass-through payments from customers related to the Company’s wholesale business. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, portions of restricted cash were classified as short-term assets and long-term assets, as disclosed in the consolidated balance sheets. |
| Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are recorded based on the amount due from the customer and a third-party payment processor. Accounts receivable do not bear interest. The Company is exposed to credit losses primarily through its trade accounts receivable, which includes receivables in transit from a third-party payment processor. The third-party payment processor collects customer payments on the Company's behalf and remits them to the Company. Customer payments received by the third-party payment processor, but not remitted to the Company as of period end are deemed to be receivables in transit. Additionally, the third-party payment processor provides payments in advance for certain selling dealers. If the third-party payment processor does not receive buying dealer payments associated with the transaction paid in advance, the Company would guarantee losses incurred by the third-party payment processor and the balance would be deducted from future remittances to the Company. To date, losses associated with these guarantees have not been material. Payments received in advance are presented as cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company offsets gross trade accounts receivables in transit from the third-party payment processor with payments received in advance from the third-party payment processor as it has the right of offset. At any point in time, the Company could have amounts due from the third-party payment processor for funds the third-party payment processor has collected from buying dealers and has not yet remitted to the Company (i.e. receivables in transit), as well as amounts paid by the third-party payment processor to the Company in advance of collecting payments from buying dealers (i.e. payments received in advance). Therefore, as the Company has the right to offset, the Company can either have a net receivable balance due from the third-party payment processor which is recognized within accounts receivable, or the Company can have a net liability which is recognized within accrued expenses if the advance payments exceed the receivable position from the third-party payment processor as of the balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2022, gross trade accounts receivable from receivables in transit from the third-party payment processor was $ 7,122 , offset by payments received in advance of $ 6,490 , which resulted in a net receivable of $ 632 recognized within accounts receivable, net in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2021 , gross trade accounts receivable from receivables in transit from the third-party payment processor was $ 18,747 , offset by payments received in advance of $ 46,822 , which resulted in a net liability of $ 28,075 recognized within accrued expenses, accrued income taxes and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company also is exposed to credit losses primarily through its trade accounts receivable. The Company offsets gross trade accounts receivable with an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable and is based upon historical loss trends, the number of days that billings are past due, an evaluation of the potential risk of loss associated with specific accounts, current economic trends and conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions. If circumstances relating to specific customers change, or unanticipated changes occur in the general business environment, particularly as it affects auto dealers, the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted. Provisions for allowances for doubtful accounts are recognized within general and administrative expense in the consolidated income statements. Amounts are charged against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted, the potential for recovery is considered remote and when it is determined that expected credit losses may occur. The Company does not have any off‑balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers. Unbilled accounts receivable generally relate to services rendered in the current period, but not invoiced until the subsequent period. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:
Balance at Provision Write – offs, Balance at
Year ended December 31, 2022 $ 420 $ 1,769 $ ( 380 ) $ 1,809
Year ended December 31, 2021 616 999 ( 1,195 ) 420 As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, $ 7,150 and $ 7,356 , respectively was included in net accounts receivable, representing unbilled accounts receivable relating primarily to advertising customers invoiced in the period subsequent to services rendered. |
| Inventory | Inventory The Company’s inventory consists of inventory acquired through IMCO transactions, at other marketplaces, or in certain situations across all transactions, during arbitrations. The inventory is recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined based on specific identification. In recording inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, the Company estimates potential future losses on inventory on hand based on historical losses and market trends. Estimated potential future losses on inventory may vary from actual results which could lead to material adjustments to the financial statements. |
| Property and Equipment | Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization using the straight‑line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements and right-of-use assets are amortized over the lease term, or the estimated useful life of the related asset, if shorter. The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment are as follows:
Estimated Useful Life
Capitalized equipment 3
Capitalized internal-use software 3
Capitalized website development 3
Furniture and fixtures 3 to 5
Right-of-use assets Lease term, or asset life if shorter
Leasehold improvements Lease term, or asset life if shorter Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, whereas major betterments are capitalized as additions to property and equipment. |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets | Impairment of Long‑Lived Assets The Company evaluates the recoverability of long‑lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets, for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. During this review, the Company re‑evaluates the significant assumptions used in determining the original cost and estimated lives of long‑lived assets. Although the assumptions may vary from asset to asset, they generally include operating results, changes in the use of the asset, cash flows, and other indicators of value. Management then determines whether the remaining useful life continues to be appropriate, or whether there has been an impairment of long‑lived assets based primarily upon whether expected future undiscounted cash flows are sufficient to support the assets’ recovery. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company wrote off $ 165 of Digital Wholesale segment capitalized website development costs within wholesale cost of revenue in the consolidated income statements related to certain developed technology in which the Company has decided to cease investment. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company wrote off $ 2,481 of U.S. Marketplace segment capitalized website development costs within operating expense in the consolidated income statements and $ 647 of U.S. Marketplace segment intangible assets within marketplace cost of revenue in the consolidated income statements related to certain developed technology in which the Company has decided to cease investment. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company wrote off $ 1,151 of capitalized website development costs, which are included in the Other category of segment reporting, of which $ 844 related to the exit of certain international markets in connection with the cost-savings initiative by the Company during the second quarter of 2020 (the "Expense Reduction Plan") . |
| Capitalized Website Development and Capitalized Internal-Use Software Costs | Capitalized Website Development and Capitalized Internal-Use Software Costs The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with the development of its websites and internal‑use software after the preliminary project stage is complete and until the website development or software is ready for its intended use. Research and development costs incurred during the preliminary project stage or costs incurred for data conversion activities, training, maintenance, and general and administrative or overhead costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalization begins when the preliminary project stage is complete, management authorizes and commits to the funding of the project with the required authority, it is probable the project will be completed, the website development or software will be used to perform the functions intended and certain functional and quality standards have been met. Qualified costs incurred during the operating stage of its website development or software relating to upgrades and enhancements are capitalized to the extent it is probable that they will result in added functionality, while costs that cannot be separated between maintenance of, and minor upgrades and enhancements to, websites and internal‑use software are expensed as incurred. Capitalized website development and capitalized internal-use software costs are recognized within property and equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheets. Capitalized website development and capitalized internal-use software costs are amortized on a straight‑line basis over their estimated useful life of three years beginning with the time when the product is ready for intended use. Amortization expenses related to capitalized website development costs are recognized within cost of revenue in the consolidated income statements. Amortization expenses related to capitalized internal-use software costs are recognized within the operating expense caption for depreciation and amortization in the consolidated income statements. The Company evaluates the useful lives of these assets when each asset is ready for its intended use, and at least annually thereafter to ensure three years remains appropriate. The Company also tests for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. Impairment is evaluated as discussed in the “Impairment of Long-lived Assets” section above. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, capitalized website development costs were $ 14,496 and $ 8,190 , respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, capitalized internal-use software costs were $ 4,388 and $ 2,892 , respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, amortization expense associated with capitalized website development costs were $ 7,637 , $ 3,705 and $ 3,324 , respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, amortization expense associated with capitalized internal-use software costs was $ 1,286 and $ 272 , respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2020 , no amortization expense associated with its capitalized internal-use software costs was recognized. |
| Capitalized Hosting Arrangements | Capitalized Hosting Arrangements Capitalized implementation costs for hosting arrangements costs are recognized within prepaid expenses, prepaid income taxes and other current assets and within other non-current assets, as applicable, in the consolidated balance sheets. Capitalized implementation costs for hosting arrangements are amortized on a straight‑line basis over an estimated useful life of the term of the hosting arrangement, taking into consideration several other factors such as, but not limited to, options to extend the hosting arrangement or options to terminate the hosting arrangement, beginning with the time when the software is ready for intended use. Amortization expenses related to hosting arrangements costs are recognized within the same line item in the consolidated income statements as the expense for fees for the associated hosting arrangement. The Company evaluates the useful lives of these assets when each asset is ready for its intended use, and at least annually thereafter to ensure the selected useful life remains appropriate. The Company also tests for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. Impairment is evaluated as discussed in the “Impairment of Long-lived Assets” section above. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, the Company launched separate initiatives designed to enhance its hosting arrangements related to its enterprise applications. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, capitalized implementation costs were $ 3,196 and $ 3,842 , respectively, and recognized within other non-current assets and within prepaid expenses, prepaid income taxes and other current assets, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, amortization expense associated with hosting arrangements was $ 2,117 , $ 1,761 , and $ 690 , respectively, and recognized within operating expense and cost of revenue in the consolidated income statements. |
| Business Combinations | Business Combinations Valuation of Acquired Assets and Liabilities The Company measures all consideration transferred in a business combination at its acquisition-date fair value. Consideration transferred is determined by the acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred, liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration obligations, as applicable. The Company measures goodwill as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of assets acquired less liabilities assumed. The Company makes significant assumptions and estimates in determining the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date, especially the valuation of intangible assets and certain tax positions. The Company records estimates as of the acquisition date and reassess the estimates at each reporting period up to one year after the acquisition date. Changes in estimates made prior to finalization of purchase accounting are recognized within goodwill. |
| Intangible Assets | Intangible Assets Intangible assets are recognized at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Fair value is determined based on inputs and assumptions such as discount rates, rates of return on assets, and long-term sales growth rates. The Company amortizes intangible assets over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. Useful lives are established based on analysis of all pertinent factors such as: the expected use of the asset, expected useful lives of related assets, provisions that may limit the useful life, historical experience with similar arrangements, effects of economic factors, demand, competition, obsolescence, and maintenance required to maintain the future cash flows. Amortization is recognized over the relevant estimated useful lives ranging from three to eleven years . The Company evaluates the useful lives of these assets as of the acquisition date and at least annually thereafter to ensure the selected useful life remains appropriate. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the Company amortizes the remaining carrying value of the intangible asset prospectively over the revised remaining useful life. The Company monitors its long-lived assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis in accordance with GAAP, and tests for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs the required impairment analysis by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. Impairment is evaluated as discussed in the “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” section above. |
| Goodwill | Goodwill Goodwill is recognized when consideration paid in a purchase acquisition exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if facts and circumstances warrant a review. Conditions that could trigger a more frequent impairment assessment include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in certain agreements, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, an economic downturn affecting automotive marketplaces, increased competition, a significant reduction in the Company's stock price for a sustained period or a reduction of its market capitalization relative to net book value. The Company evaluates impairment annually on October 1 by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. For the first three quarters of fiscal year 2022, the Company determined that it had two reporting units: Marketplace and CarOffer. The Company elected to bypass the optional qualitative test for impairment and proceed to Step 1, which is a quantitative impairment test. The Company estimates fair value using a market approach, based on market multiples derived from public companies that are identified as peers. As of October 1, 2022, the Company estimated forecasted revenue and gross margin for fiscal year 2022, and estimated revenue and gross margin market multiples using publicly available information for each of its reporting units. Developing these assumptions required the use of judgment and estimates. Actual results may differ from these forecasts. Subsequent to the Company’s evaluation of impairment on October 1, 2022, the Company revised its reporting units from two reporting units, Marketplace and CarOffer, to four reporting units, U.S. Marketplace, Digital Wholesale, United Kingdom Marketplace and Canada Marketplace. Because of the change in reporting units, the Company performed an additional goodwill impairment evaluation as of December 31. A consistent methodology was utilized, calculating the fair value of the reporting units using the market approach described previously. Revenue and gross margin actuals were utilized for the year ended December 31, 2022, and estimated revenue and gross margin market multiples were utilized based upon publicly available information for each of the reporting units. Developing these assumptions required the use of judgment and estimates. Actual results may differ from these forecasts. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 the Company did no t identify any impairment of its goodwill. |
| Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest In connection with the Company’s acquisition of a 51 % interest in CarOffer on January 14, 2021, the Company became a party with the noncontrolling equity holders of CarOffer to the CarOffer Operating Agreement (as defined in "Stock-Based Compensation" below), which, among other matters, sets forth certain put and call rights described in "Stock-Based Compensation" below. The CarOffer Operating Agreement provides the Company with the right to purchase, and the noncontrolling equity holders with the right to sell to the Company, the noncontrolling CarOffer equity holders’ equity interests in CarOffer at a contractually defined formulaic purchase price, which is based on a multiple of earnings. As the purchase is contingently redeemable at the option of the noncontrolling equity holders, the Company classifies the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests within the mezzanine section in the consolidated balance sheet, which is presented above the equity section and below the liabilities section. As of the date of Closing (as defined in "Stock-Based Compensation" below), the noncontrolling interest was recognized at fair value computed using the Least Square Monte Carlo Simulation approach. Significant inputs to the model included market price of risk, volatility, correlation and risk-free rate. Subsequent to the Company’s acquisition of the 51 % interest on January 14, 2021, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is measured at the greater of the amount that would be paid if settlement occurred as of the balance sheet date based on the contractually defined redemption value and its carrying amount adjusted for net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest and tax distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest holders. Adjustments to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest resulting from changes in the redemption value are recognized within retained earnings in the consolidated balance sheets. |
| Leases | Leases The Company recognizes a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset for the right to use the underlying assets for the lease term. The Company reviews all material contracts for embedded leases to determine if they have a right-of-use asset. The Company made an accounting policy election to apply the practical expedient under ASC Topic 842, Leases, to not separate lease components from non-lease components for all leases. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease period. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. The Company allocates lease costs across all departments based on headcount in the respective location. Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate are included in the lease payments and are measured using the prevailing index or rate at the measurement date. Variable lease payments not based on an index or a rate are excluded from lease payments and are expensed as incurred. The Company made an accounting policy election to not recognize a lease liability or right-of-use asset on its consolidated balance sheet for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less, and instead to recognize lease payments in the consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate as expense in the period in which the achievement of the specified target that triggers the variable lease payments to become probable. The Company recognizes sublease income on a straight-line basis over the sublease period. The Company recognizes sublease income as an offset to rent expense within operating expenses in the consolidated income statements as subleasing is not a primary business activity of the Company and is meant to offset occupancy costs. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized sublease income of $ 1,809 . For the year ended December 31, 2021 , there was no sublease income. For the year ended December 31, 2020 , the Company recognized sublease income within other (expense) income, net in the consolidated income statements for an immaterial amount. |
| Contingent Liabilities | Contingent Liabilities The Company has certain contingent liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of business activities. The Company accrues for loss contingencies when losses become probable and can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of the loss is a range and no amount within the range is a better estimate, the minimum amount of the range is recognized as a liability. The Company does not accrue for contingent losses that, in its judgment, are considered to be reasonably possible, but not probable; however, it discloses the range of such reasonably possible losses, if material. |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes The Company is subject to federal and state income taxes in the United States and taxes in foreign jurisdictions in which it operates. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, a provision for income taxes was recognized as a result of the consolidated taxable income position. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. This method requires a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In performing this analysis, the Company considers future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies to assess realizability. Actual results may differ from these forecasts. Valuation allowances are reassessed periodically to determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized in the future and if any existing valuation allowance should be released. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, valuation allowances were immaterial. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions by prescribing a more‑likely‑than‑not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company assesses its income tax positions and recognizes an income tax benefit or expense within the provision for income taxes in the consolidated income statements based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit or expense that is greater than 50 % likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority during examination. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if applicable, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense within other (expense) income, net in the consolidated income statements. The Company recognizes liabilities related to uncertain tax positions within accrued expenses, accrued income taxes and other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, as applicable depending on if the uncertainty is expected to be resolved within one year or more. The ultimate resolution of these tax positions may be greater or less than the liabilities recognized. For the year ended December 31, 2022, income tax expense and liability related to uncertain tax positions, exclusive of immaterial interest or penalties related to uncertain tax provisions was $ 598 , which would favorably affect the Company's effective tax rate, if recognized. For the year ended December 31, 2021 , no income tax expense or liability related to uncertain tax positions was recognized. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act subjects a U.S. shareholder to tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. An entity can make an accounting policy election, per the FASB Staff Q&A, Topic 740, No. 5, Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“ASC 740”), either to recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or to provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred as a period expense only. The Company has elected to account for GILTI as a period cost in the year the tax is incurred. The US Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the "IRA") was passed into law on August 16, 2022. The provisions of the IRA will be effective beginning with fiscal year 2023, with certain exceptions. The IRA has several new provisions including a 15 % corporate alternative minimum tax ("CAMT") for certain large corporations that have at least an average of $ 1.0 billion of adjusted financial statement income over a consecutive three -tax-year period. The IRA also introduced a 1 % excise tax imposed on certain stock repurchases by publicly traded U.S. corporations made after December 31, 2022. Based on the Company’s initial evaluation, the Company does not believe the IRA will have a material impact on its income tax provision and cash taxes. Under the UK Finance Act 2022 that was granted on February 24, 2022, UK corporation tax rate will be increased from 19 % to 25 % effective April 1, 2023. The Company has evaluated the rate change impact and recognized immaterial deferred tax expense on its UK deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company will continue to monitor the changes in tax laws and regulations to evaluate their potential impact on its business. |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company measures eligible assets and liabilities at fair value with changes in value recognized in earnings. Fair value treatment may be elected either upon initial recognition of an eligible asset or liability or, for an existing asset or liability, if an event triggers a new basis of accounting. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not elect to remeasure any of its existing financial assets and did not elect the fair value option for any financial assets transacted. ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"), establishes a three‑level valuation hierarchy for instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. ASC 820 identifies fair value as the exchange price, or exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants based on the highest and best use of the asset or liability. As such, fair value is a market‑based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows: Level 1 — Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model‑derived valuations in which all observable inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 3 — Model‑derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable, including assumptions developed by the Company. The Company has evaluated the estimated fair value of financial instruments using available market information. The use of different market assumptions, estimation methodologies, or both, could have a significant effect on the estimated fair value amounts. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021 , the carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximated their fair values due to the short‑term nature of these instruments. |
| Debt | Debt The Company may obtain access to capital via credit facilities. The amount of borrowings outstanding on credit facilities are recognized within other current liabilities or other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, depending on the borrowing base. Costs for unutilized revolving commitments and interest for outstanding borrowings are recognized as interest expense within other (expense) income, net in the consolidated income statements. Interest payments are recognized within operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows, and repayments of principle amounts are recognized within financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. As of December 31, 2022, there were no borrowings and no letters of credit outstanding under the 2022 Revolver ( as defined in Note 7 to these consolidated financial statements). As of December 31, 2022, commitment fees under the 2022 Revolver were immaterial (as defined in Note 7 to these consolidated financial statements) . |
| Deferred Financing Costs | Deferred Financing Costs The Company capitalizes certain legal and other third-party fees that are directly associated with obtaining access to capital via credit facilities. Deferred financing costs incurred in connection with obtaining access to capital are recognized within other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets and within financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the applicable credit facility and recognized as interest expense within other (expense) income, net in the consolidated income statements and as an adjustment to consolidated net income in the consolidated statement of cash flows. As of December 31, 2022, deferred financing costs were $ 2,442 . As of December 31, 2021, no deferred financing costs were recognized. For the year ended December 31, 2022 , amortization expense associated with deferred financing costs was $ 136 . For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 , no amortization expense associated with deferred financing costs was recognized. |
| Foreign Currency Translation | Foreign Currency Translation The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency of each subsidiary. All assets and liabilities in the balance sheets of entities whose functional currency is a currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at exchange rates as follows: (i) asset and liability accounts at period‑end rates; (ii) income statement accounts at weighted‑average exchange rates for the period; and (iii) stockholders’ equity accounts at historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are excluded from consolidated net income and are recognized within accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in the consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in consolidated net income for the period. The Company's foreign subsidiaries have intercompany transactions that are eliminated upon consolidation, and these transactions expose the Company to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Exchange rate fluctuations on short‑term intercompany transactions are recognized in other (expense) income, net in the consolidated income statements. Exchange rate fluctuations on long-term intercompany transactions are recognized within accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets. |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition Sources of Revenue The Company derives its revenue from marketplace revenue, wholesale revenue, and product revenue. Marketplace revenue is included in the U.S. Marketplace segment and Other category of segment reporting. Wholesale revenue and product revenue are included in the Digital Wholesale segment. The Company generates marketplace revenue primarily from (i) dealer subscriptions to the Company's Listings packages, Real-time Performance Marketing, or RPM, digital advertising suite, and Digital Retail, (ii) advertising revenue from auto manufacturers and other auto‑related brand advertisers, and (iii) revenue from partnerships with financing services companies. The Company generates wholesale revenue primarily from (i) transaction fees earned from facilitating the purchase and sale of vehicles between dealers, or Dealer-to-Dealer transactions, (ii) transaction fees earned from sale of vehicles to dealers that it acquires at other marketplaces, and (iii) transaction fees earned from performing inspection and transportation services, inclusive of Dealer-to-Dealer transactions, other marketplace to dealer transactions, and IMCO transactions (as defined below). The Company generates product revenue primarily from (i) aggregate proceeds received from the sale of vehicles to dealers that were acquired directly from customers, or CarGurus Instant Max Cash Offer, or IMCO transactions, and (ii) proceeds received from the sale of vehicles that were acquired through arbitration. Revenue Recognition ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), outlines a comprehensive five-step revenue recognition model based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this core principle, the Company applies the following five steps: 1) Identify the contract with a customer 2) Identify the performance obligations in the contract 3) Determine the transaction price 4) Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract 5) Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation Marketplace Revenue - Description The Company offers multiple types of marketplace Listings packages to its dealers for its CarGurus U.S. platform (availability varies on the Company's other marketplaces): Restricted Listings, which is free; and various levels of Listings packages, which each require a paid subscription under a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual subscription basis. The Company’s subscriptions for customers generally auto-renew on a monthly basis and are cancellable by dealers with 30 days’ advance notice prior to the commencement of the applicable renewal term. Subscription pricing is determined based on a dealer’s inventory size, region, and the Company's assessment of the connections and return on investment ("ROI") the platform will provide them and is subject to discounts and/or fee reductions that the Company may offer from time to time. The Company also offers all dealers on the platform access to its Dealer Dashboard, which includes a performance summary, Dealer Insights tool, and user review management platform. Only dealers subscribing to a paid Listings package have access to the Pricing Tool, Market Analysis tool and IMV Scan tool. The Company offers paid Listings packages for the Autolist and PistonHeads websites. In addition to displaying inventory in the Company's marketplace and providing access to the Dealer Dashboard, the Company offers dealers subscribing to certain of its Listings packages other subscription advertising and customer acquisition products and enhancements marketed under the Company's RPM digital advertising suite. Through RPM, dealers can buy advertising that appears in the Company's marketplace, on other sites on the internet, and/or on high-converting social media platforms. Such advertisements can be targeted by the user’s geography, search history, CarGurus website activity and a number of other targeting factors, allowing dealers to increase their visibility with in-market consumers and drive qualified traffic for dealers. The Company also offers dealer advertising products for the PistonHeads website. The Company also offers dealers subscribing to certain of its Listings packages other subscription advertising and customer acquisition products and enhancements such as Digital Retail, which allows shoppers to complete much of the vehicle-purchase process online through the Dealers’ Listings page. Digital Retail is comprised of (i) the Digital Deal Platform, which gives dealers higher quality leads through upfront consumer-provided information, (ii) Area Boost/Geo Expansion, which expands the visibility of a dealer’s inventory in the search results beyond its local market, and (iii) Hard Pull Financing, which provides loan information. Marketplace revenue also consists of non-dealer advertising revenue from auto manufacturers and other auto-related brand advertisers sold on a cost per thousand impressions, or CPM basis. An impression is an advertisement loaded on a web page. In addition to advertising sold on a CPM basis, the Company also has advertising sold on a cost per click basis, or CPC basis. Pricing is primarily based on advertisement size and position on the Company’s websites and mobile applications. Auto manufacturers and other brand advertisers can execute advertising campaigns that are targeted across a wide variety of parameters, including demographic groups, behavioral characteristics, specific auto brands, categories such as Certified Pre-Owned, and segments such as hybrid vehicles. The Company does not provide minimum impression guarantees or other types of minimum guarantees in its contracts with customers. Advertising is also sold indirectly through revenue sharing arrangements with advertising exchange partners. The Company also offers non-dealer advertising products for the Autolist and PistonHeads websites. Marketplace revenue also includes revenue from partnerships with certain financing services companies pursuant to which the Company enables eligible consumers on the Company's CarGurus U.S. website to pre-qualify for financing on cars from dealerships that offer financing through such companies. The Company primarily generates revenue from these partnerships based on the number of funded loans from consumers who pre-qualify with its lending partners through its site. Marketplace Revenue - Revenue Recognition For Listings, Digital Retail, and RPM, the Company provides a single similar service each day for a period of time. Each time increment (i.e., one day), rather than the underlying activities, is distinct and substantially the same and therefore the performance obligation of the Company is to provide a series of daily activities over the contract term. Similar to the dealer listings, the dealer advertising is considered a promise to provide a single similar service each day. Each time increment is distinct and substantially the same and therefore the performance obligation of the Company is to provide a series of daily activities over the contract term. Total consideration for marketplace revenue is stated within the contracts. There are no contractual cash refund rights, but credits may be issued to a customer at the sole discretion of the Company. Dealer customers do not have the right to take possession of the Company’s software. At the portfolio level, there is also variable consideration that needs to be included in the transaction price. Variable consideration consists of sales allowances, usage fees, and concessions that change the transaction price of the unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligation. The Company recognizes that there are times when there is a customer satisfaction issue or other circumstances that will lead to a credit. Due to the known possibility of future credits, a monthly sales allowance review is performed to defer revenue at a portfolio level for such future adjustments in the period of incurrence. The Company establishes sales allowances at the time of revenue recognition based on its history of adjustments and credits provided to its customers. In assessing the adequacy of the sales allowance, the Company evaluates its history of adjustments and credits made through the date of the issuance of the financial statements. Estimated sales adjustments, credits and losses may vary from actual results which could lead to material adjustments to the financial statements. Sales allowances are recognized as a reduction to revenue in the consolidated income statements. Performance obligations are satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit of the service. Revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription period beginning on the date the Company starts providing services to the customer under the contract. Revenue is presented net of any taxes collected from customers. Customers are billed in advance on the first day of each calendar month with payment terms generally thirty to sixty days from the date invoiced. Billings are recognized as accounts receivable or short-term deferred revenue when payment is received in advance of services being delivered to the customers. For non-dealer advertising revenue from auto manufacturers and other auto-related brand advertisers, the performance obligation is to publish the agreed upon campaign on the Company’s websites and load the related impressions. Advertising contracts state the transaction price within the agreement with payment generally being based on the number of clicks or impressions delivered on the Company’s websites. Total consideration is based on output and deemed variable consideration constrained by an agreed upon delivery schedule and is allocated to the period in which the service was rendered. Additionally, there are generally no contractual cash refund rights. Certain contracts do contain the right for credits in situations in which impressions are not displayed in compliance with contractual specifications. At an individual contract level, the Company may give a credit for a customer satisfaction issue or other circumstance. Due to the known possibility of future credits, a monthly review is performed to defer revenue at an individual contract level for such future adjustments in the period of incurrence. Although these credits have not been material and have not changed significantly over the historical period, estimated sales adjustments credits and losses may vary from actual results which could lead to material adjustments to the financial statements. Performance obligations for company-sold advertising revenue and partner-sold advertising revenue are satisfied over time as impressions are delivered. Revenue is recognized based on the total number of impressions delivered within the specified period. Revenue from advertising sold directly by the Company is recognized based on the gross amount charged to the advertiser because the Company is the principal in the arrangement as it controls the ad placement and timing of the campaign, establishes the selling price and is directly responsible for the fulfillment of the contractual terms including any remedy for issues with such fulfillment. Revenue from advertising sold by partners is recognized based on the net amount of revenue received from the content partners because the Company is the agent in the arrangement as the advertising partner is responsible for fulfillment, including the acceptability of the services delivered. In partner-sold advertising arrangements, the advertising partner has a direct contractual relationship with the advertiser. There is no contractual relationship between the Company and the advertiser for partner-sold transactions. Additionally, for auction-based partner agreements, the Company has latitude in establishing the floor price, but the final price established by the exchange server is at market rates. Revenue is presented net of any taxes collected from customers. Customers are billed monthly in arrears with payment terms generally thirty to sixty days from the date invoiced. Unbilled accounts receivable generally relate to services rendered in the current period, but not invoiced until the subsequent period. Other marketplace revenue includes revenue from contracts for which the performance obligation is a series of distinct services with the same level of effort daily. For these contracts, primarily related to the Company’s partnerships with financing services companies, the Company estimates the value of the variable consideration in determining the transaction price and allocates it to the performance obligation. Revenue is estimated and recognized on a ratable basis over the contractual term. The Company reassesses the estimate of variable consideration at each reporting period. Wholesale Revenue - Description The Buying Matrix on the CarOffer platform enables buying dealers to create standing buy orders and provides instant offers to selling dealers. Wholesale revenue includes transaction fees earned from Dealer-to-Dealer transactions, where the Company collects fees from both the buying and selling dealers. The Company also sells vehicles to dealers that it acquires at other marketplaces, where it collects a transaction fee from the buying dealers. Wholesale revenue also includes fees earned from performing inspection and transportation services, where it collects fees from the buying dealer. Inspection and transportation service revenue is inclusive of Dealer-to-Dealer transactions, other marketplace to dealer transactions, and IMCO transactions. Wholesale revenue also includes arbitration in which the vehicle is rematched to a new buyer and not acquired by the Company. Arbitration is the process by which the Company investigates and resolves claims from buying dealers. Wholesale revenue also includes fees earned from certain guarantees offered to dealers (which include 45 -Day Guarantee and OfferGuard products), where the Company collects fees from the buying dealer or selling dealer, as applicable. Guarantee revenue is not accounted for under ASC 606 and is accounted for under ASC 460 as discussed further in Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements. Wholesale Revenue - Revenue Recognition When facilitating Dealer-to-Dealer transactions and for vehicles sold to dealers that are acquired at other marketplaces, the Company does not control the vehicle and therefore acts as an agent in the transaction. Revenue earned from the fees for facilitating these transactions is recognized at a point in time when the vehicle is sold on a net basis. For inspection and transportation services, the Company leverages a network of third-party inspection service providers and transportation carriers. The Company controls both inspection and transportation services as it is primarily responsible for fulfillment and therefore acts as a principal in the transaction. Revenue from fees for inspection services is recognized at the point in time when the inspection is performed and revenue from fees for transportation services is recognized over time as delivery is completed. Revenue from both inspection and transportation services is recognized on a gross basis. Unearned revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is recognized as deferred revenue. Wholesale revenue also includes arbitration in which the vehicle is rematched to a new buyer and not acquired by the Company. Arbitration is the process by which the Company investigates and resolves claims from buying dealers. In these situations, the Company does not control the vehicle and therefore acts as an agent in the transaction. Within wholesale transactions, there are typically no contractual cash refund rights, but credits may be issued to a customer at the sole discretion of the Company and refunds may be required by law in the case of a vehicle defect. At the portfolio level, there is also variable consideration that needs to be included in the transaction price. Variable consideration consists of sales allowances and concessions that change the transaction price of the unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligation. The Company recognizes that there are times when there is a customer satisfaction issue or other circumstance that will lead to a credit or arbitration. The Company establishes sales allowances at the time of revenue recognition based on its history of adjustments and credits provided to its customers. In assessing the adequacy of the sales allowance, the Company evaluates its history of adjustments and credits made through the date of the issuance of the financial statements. Upon recognizing a sales transaction, the Company estimates the amount of transaction price that will be reversed in a subsequent period and records a reserve for returns and cancellations in other current liabilities in the consolidated income statements. Estimated sales adjustments, credits and losses may vary from actual results which could lead to material adjustments to the financial statements. Sales allowances are recognized as a reduction to revenue in the consolidated income statements and an increase to other current assets and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Wholesale revenue is also offset by concessions. Wholesale revenue is presented net of any taxes collected from customers. Product Revenue - Description The Buying Matrix on the CarOffer platform enables consumers who are selling vehicles to be instantly presented with an offer. Product revenue includes the aggregate proceeds received from the sale of vehicles through IMCO transactions, including vehicle sale price and transaction fees collected from the buying dealers. Product revenue also includes proceeds received from the sale of vehicles acquired through arbitration, including vehicle sale price and transaction fees collected from buying dealers. Arbitration is the process by which the Company investigates and resolves claims from buying dealers. The Company controls the vehicle in these transactions and therefore acts as the principal. Product - Revenue Recognition For vehicles sold to dealers that are acquired through IMCO transactions, the Company controls the vehicle and therefore acts as a principal in the transaction. Revenue earned from proceeds received on the sale of vehicles through IMCO transactions, including vehicle sale price and transaction fees collected from the buying dealers, is recognized at a point in time when the vehicle is sold on a gross basis. In certain situations across all transactions, during an arbitration process, the Company acquires vehicles in transactions in which it controls the vehicle and therefore acts as a principal in the transaction. Revenue earned from the sale of the vehicle in these transactions is recognized at a point in time on a gross basis. Within product transactions, there are typically no contractual cash refund rights, but credits may be issued to a customer at the sole discretion of the Company. At the portfolio level, there is also variable consideration that needs to be included in the transaction price. Variable consideration consists of sales allowances and concessions that change the transaction price of the unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligation. The Company recognizes that there are times when there is a customer satisfaction issue or other circumstance that will lead to a credit or arbitration. The Company establishes sales allowances at the time of revenue recognition based on its history of adjustments and credits provided to its customers. In assessing the adequacy of the sales allowance, the Company evaluates its history of adjustments and credits made through the date of the issuance of the financial statements. Upon recognizing a sales transaction, the Company estimates the amount of transaction price that will be reversed in a subsequent period and records a reserve for returns and cancellations in other current liabilities in the consolidated income statements. Estimated sales adjustments, credits and losses may vary from actual results which could lead to material adjustments to the financial statements. Sales allowances are recognized as a reduction to revenue and cost of revenue in the consolidated income statements and an increase to other current assets and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Product revenue is also offset by concessions. Product revenue presented net of any taxes collected from customers. Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations The Company periodically enters into arrangements that include Listings and/or dealer advertising product subscriptions within marketplace revenue. These contracts include multiple promises that the Company evaluates to determine if the promises are separate performance obligations. Performance obligations are identified based on services to be transferred to a customer that are distinct within the context of the contractual terms. Once the performance obligations have been identified, the Company determines the transaction price, which includes estimating the amount of variable consideration to be included in the transaction price, if any. If required, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation in the contract based on a relative standalone selling price method as the performance obligation is being satisfied. For the Company’s arrangements that include Listings and/or dealer advertising product subscriptions, the performance obligations were satisfied over a consistent period of time and therefore the allocations did not impact the revenue recognized. For wholesale and product arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates revenue based on fair value. Vehicle and inspection revenues are recognized at a point in time and transportation revenue is recognized over time. Costs to Obtain a Contract Commissions paid to sales representatives and payroll taxes are considered costs to obtain a contract. Under ASC 606, the costs to obtain a contract require capitalization and amortization of those costs over the period of benefit. Although the guidance specifies the accounting for an individual contract with a customer, as a practical expedient, the Company has opted to apply the guidance to a portfolio of contracts with similar characteristics. The Company has opted to apply another practical expedient to immediately expense the incremental cost of obtaining a contract when the underlying related asset would have been amortized over one year or less. As such, the Company applied this practical expedient to advertising contracts and wholesale and product transactions as the term is one year or less and these contracts do not renew automatically. The practical expedient is not applicable to marketplace subscription contracts as the period of benefit including renewals is anticipated to be greater than one year. The assets are periodically assessed for impairment. For marketplace subscription customers, the commissions paid on contracts with new customers, in addition to any commission amount related to incremental sales, are capitalized and amortized over the estimated benefit period of the customer relationship taking into account factors such as peer estimates of technology lives and customer lives as well as the Company's own historical data. Commissions paid that are not directly related to obtaining a new contract are expensed as incurred. Additionally, the Company allocates employer payroll tax expense to the commission expense in proportion to the overall payroll taxes paid during the respective period. As such, capitalized payroll taxes are amortized in the same manner as the underlying capitalized commissions. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021 , assets associated with costs to obtain a contract were $ 17,394 and $ 14,912 , respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, amortization expense associated with costs to obtain a contract was $ 11,067 , $ 12,653 and $ 11,605 , respectively. Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue primarily consists of payments received in advance of revenue recognition from the Company’s marketplace revenue and is recognized as the revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company generally invoices its customers monthly. Accordingly, the deferred revenue balances do not represent the total contract value of annual or multiyear subscription agreements. Deferred revenue that is expected to be recognized during the succeeding 12‑month period is recognized as current deferred revenue and the remaining portion is recognized as noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheets. All deferred revenue was recognized as current for all periods presented. Marketplace Cost of Revenue Marketplace cost of revenue includes expenses related to supporting and hosting marketplace service offerings. These expenses include personnel and related expenses for the Company's customer support team, including salaries, benefits, incentive compensation, and stock-based compensation; third-party service provider expenses such as advertising, data center and networking expenses; amortization of developed technology; amortization of capitalized website development; amortization of hosting arrangements; and allocated overhead expenses. The Company allocates overhead expenses, such as rent and facility expenses, information technology expense, and employee benefit expense, to all departments based on headcount. As such, general overhead expenses are reflected in cost of revenue and each operating expense category. Wholesale Cost of Revenue Wholesale cost of revenue includes expenses related to supporting and hosting wholesale service offerings, including Dealer-to-Dealer transactions and vehicles sold to dealers acquired at other marketplaces, on the Buying Matrix on the CarOffer platform. These expenses include vehicle transportation and inspection expenses; net losses on vehicles related to guarantees offered to dealers through Dealer-to-Dealer transactions; personnel and related expenses for employees directly involved in the fulfillment and support of transactions, including salaries, benefits, incentive compensation and stock-based compensation; third-party service provider expenses; amortization of developed technology; amortization of capitalized website development; and allocated overhead expenses. The Company allocates overhead expenses, such as rent and facility expenses, information technology expense, and employee benefit expense, to all departments based on headcount. As such, general overhead expenses are reflected in cost of revenue and each operating expense category. Product Cost of Revenue Product cost of revenue includes expenses related to vehicles sold to dealers through IMCO transactions and vehicles sold to dealers acquired through arbitration. These costs include the cost of the vehicle and transportation expenses. |
| Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations | Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements with its customers, partners and service providers that include commercial provisions with respect to licensing, infringement, guarantees, indemnification, and other common provisions. The Company provides certain guarantees to dealers through products such as its 45 -Day Guarantee and OfferGuard service offerings on the CarOffer platform, which are accounted for under ASC Topic 460, Guarantees . 45-Day Guarantee is an arrangement through which a selling dealer lists a car on the CarOffer platform, and the Company provides an offer to purchase the vehicle listed at a specified price at any time over a 45-day period. This provides the seller with a put option, where they have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Company to purchase the vehicle during this window. OfferGuard is an arrangement through which a buying dealer purchases a car on the CarOffer platform, and the Company provides an offer to purchase the vehicle at a specified price between days 1 and 3, and days 42 and 45 if the dealer is not able to sell the vehicle after 42 days. A guarantee liability is initially measured using the amount of consideration received from the dealer for the purchase of the guarantee. The initial liability is released, and guarantee income is recognized, upon the earliest of the following: the vehicle sells during the guarantee period, the seller exercises it’s put option during the guarantee period, or the option expires unexercised at the end of the guarantee period. Guarantee income is recognized within wholesale revenue in the consolidated income statements . When it is probable and reasonably estimable that the Company will incur a loss on a vehicle that it is required to purchase, a liability, and a corresponding charge to wholesale cost of revenue is recognized for the amount of the loss in the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated income statements. Gains and losses resulting from the dealers exercise of guarantees are recognized within wholesale cost of revenue, as appropriate, in the consolidated income statements. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, income for guarantees purchased by dealers was $ 10,026 and $ 5,537 , respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the loss, net of gains recognized within cost of revenue in the consolidated income statements resulting from the dealer's exercise of guarantees was $ 4,568 . For the year ended December 31, 2021, the net loss resulting from the dealer's exercise of guarantees was immaterial. As of December 31, 2022, the maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these guarantees was $ 31,056 . Of the maximum potential amount of future payments, the losses that are probable are not material. As such, as of December 31, 2022, the Company had no material contingent loss liabilities. As of December 31, 2021, the maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these guarantees was $ 76,075 . Of the maximum potential amount of fut ure payments, none were considered probable. The exercise of guarantees has historically been infrequent and even when such exercises did occur, the losses were immaterial. As such, as of December 31, 2021, the Company had no contingent loss liabilities. As of December 31, 2020, the Company did no t have any guarantees. |
| Stock-Based Compensation | Stock‑Based Compensation For stock‑based awards granted under the Company’s stock‑based compensation plans, the fair value of each award is determined on the date of grant. For restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted subject to service-based vesting conditions, the fair value is determined on the date of grant using the closing price of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share (the “Class A common stock”), as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. RSUs granted subject to service-based vesting conditions generally vest over a four-year requisite service period. For RSUs granted subject to market-based vesting conditions, the fair value is determined on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo simulation lattice model. The determination of the fair value using this model is affected by the Company’s stock price performance relative to the companies listed on the S&P 500 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and a number of assumptions including volatility, correlation coefficient, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. RSUs granted subject to market-based vesting conditions vest upon achievement of specified levels of market conditions. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company modified its market-based performance awards to contain only service-based vesting conditions in line with the Company's other restricted stock unit awards. As a result, there are no market-based RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2022. For stock options granted, the fair value is determined on the date of grant using the Black‑Scholes option‑pricing model. The determination of the fair value is affected by the Company’s stock price and a number of assumptions including expected dividend yield, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected term. For expected volatility, the Company uses a blended volatility to combine the historical volatility of trading with the volatility for a peer group of companies as the Company does not have historical stock prices for a period that is at least equal to the expected term. Stock options granted generally have a term of ten years from the date of grant and generally vest over a four-year requisite service period. The weighted average assumptions utilized to determine the fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021
Expected dividend yield — —
Expected volatility 48.03 % 50.95 %
Risk – free interest rate 1.47 % 0.69 %
Expected term (in years) 6.11 6.06 During the year ended December 31, 2020 , no options were granted. On January 14, 2021 , the Company acquired a 51 % interest in CarOffer which provides an automated instant vehicle trade platform and is based in Addison, Texas, pursuant to the terms of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated as of December 9, 2020 (the “Agreement Date”), as amended, by and among the Company, CarOffer, CarOffer Investors Holding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“TopCo”), each of the Members of TopCo (the “Members”), and Bruce T. Thompson, an individual residing in Texas (the “Members’ Representative”). This acquisition (the “CarOffer Acquisition”) has, and is intended to continue to add wholesale vehicle purchasing and selling capabilities to CarGurus’ portfolio of dealer offerings and create a complete and efficient digital solution for dealers to sell and acquire vehicles at both retail and wholesale. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (the “Closing”), the Company acquired a 51 % interest in CarOffer for an aggregate consideration of $ 173,155 (the “Total Consideration”), such Total Consideration consisting of (a) shares of Class A common stock in the aggregate amount of $ 103,645 (the “Stock Consideration”) and (b) $ 69,510 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”). The number of shares of Class A common stock issued following the Closing in connection with the Stock Consideration was 3,115,282 , which was calculated by reference to a value of $ 22.51 per share, which equals the volume-weighted average closing price per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market for the 28 consecutive trading days ending on the third Business Day (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) preceding the Agreement Date. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the remaining equity in CarOffer (the “Remaining Equity”) is being retained by the then-current equity holders of CarOffer and subject to certain call and put arrangements discussed below. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company established a retention pool in an aggregate amount of $ 8,000 in the form of RSUs to be issued pursuant to the Company’s standard form of RSU agreement under the 2017 Plan, (i) $ 6,000 of which was granted to certain CarOffer employees following the Closing in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement and (ii) $ 2,000 of which is available for issuance to future CarOffer employees in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement. RSUs issued from the retention pool will be subject to vesting based on rendering of future services. In addition, the Company, TopCo, each Member and CarOffer MidCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, entered into the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of December 9, 2020 (the “CarOffer Operating Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other matters, the Company secured the right to appoint a majority of the members of the Board of Managers of CarOffer, other rights customary for a transaction of this nature and the put and call rights described below. On November 23, 2021, the CarOffer Operating Agreement was amended and restated for administrative purposes, including principally to recapitalize certain of the membership units thereunder without changing overall consideration payable by the Company thereunder. In the second half of 2022, the Company had a call right (the “2022 Call Right”), exercisable in its sole discretion, to acquire a portion of the Remaining Equity representing up to twenty-five percent ( 25 %) of the fully diluted capitalization of CarOffer (such acquired Remaining Equity, the “2022 Acquired Remaining Equity”) at an implied CarOffer value (the “2022 Call Right Value”) of seven (7) times CarOffer’s trailing twelve months gross profit as of June 30, 2022 (calculated in accordance with the defined terms and subject to the adjustments set forth in the CarOffer Operating Agreement, included as Exhibit 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2021 filed on February 25, 2022). During the year ended December 31, 2022 , the Company determined not to exercise its call right to acquire up to an additional 25 % of the fully diluted capitalization of CarOffer. In the second half of 2024, (a) the Company will have a call right (the “2024 Call Right”), exercisable in its sole discretion, to acquire all, and not less than all, of the Remaining Equity that it has not acquired pursuant to the 2022 Call Right and the Closing, at the greater of (i) (x) one hundred million dollars ($ 100,000,000 ), and (y) the 2022 Call Right Value, whichever is less, and (ii) an implied CarOffer value of twelve (12) times CarOffer’s trailing twelve months EBITDA as of June 30, 2024 (in each case calculated in accordance with the defined terms and subject to the adjustments set forth in the CarOffer Operating Agreement), and (b) the representative of the holders of the Remaining Equity will have a put right (the “2024 Put Right”), exercisable in his, her or their sole discretion, to have the holders of the Remaining Equity sell to the Company, all, and not less than all, of the Remaining Equity at an implied CarOffer value of twelve (12) times CarOffer’s trailing twelve months EBITDA as of June 30, 2024 (calculated in accordance with the defined terms and subject to the adjustments set forth in the CarOffer Operating Agreement). The determination of whether the 2024 Call Right or the 2024 Put Right is ultimately exercised is as set forth in the CarOffer Operating Agreement. The consideration to be paid by the Company in connection with the exercise of either the 2024 Call Right or the 2024 Put Right, as applicable, will be in the form of cash and/or shares of Class A common stock, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. The foregoing summary of the Purchase Agreement, the CarOffer Operating Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the full text of the Purchase Agreement and the CarOffer Operating Agreement, which are included as Exhibit 2.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2020 filed on February 21, 2021 and Exhibit 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2021 filed on February 25, 2022, respectively. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of a 51 % interest in CarOffer, the then-outstanding unvested incentive units (“CO Incentive Units”) of CarOffer and unvested Class CO CarOffer units (the "Subject Units”) remained outstanding and will vest over the requisite service periods as discussed below. Grants of the CO Incentive Units are subject to the CarOffer 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, adopted effective November 24, 2020 (the “2020 CO Plan”), the applicable award agreement, and the CarOffer Operating Agreement. Following the Company’s acquisition of the 51 % interest in CarOffer on January 14, 2021, remaining unvested CO Incentive Units will vest over a period of three ( 3 ) years, with one third having vested on January 14, 2022 and one third vesting on each of January 14, 2023 and January 14, 2024, provided that a grantee’s continuous service to CarOffer has not terminated on the applicable vesting date. Under the terms of the grants, vesting of unvested CO Incentive Units is accelerated in the event of (i) a change of control of CarOffer (which, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include the Company’s acquisition of the 51 % interest on January 14, 2021), (ii) the death or disability of the grantee, (iii) termination of the grantee’s employment with CarOffer without cause, or (iv) termination of grantee’s employment by the grantee for good reason. Upon termination of a grantee’s continuous service to CarOffer voluntarily by the grantee (other than for good reason) or by CarOffer for cause, all of such grantee’s unvested CO Incentive Units are forfeited. In addition, if a grantee’s continuous service terminates, then CarOffer has the option to repurchase any outstanding CO Incentive Units from the grantee. In addition to the 2020 CO Plan, on December 9, 2020 CarOffer entered into a Vesting Agreement (the “Vesting Agreement”) regarding the vesting of Subject Units beneficially owned by Bruce Thompson, the founder and CEO of CarOffer, and certain affiliated persons (collectively, the “T5 Holders”) in connection with the Company’s then-anticipated acquisition of a 51 % interest in CarOffer. Pursuant to the Vesting Agreement, 432,592 Subject Units beneficially owned by the T5 Holders vest in three ( 3 ) approximately equal installments, with one third having vested on January 14, 2022 and one third vesting on each of January 14, 2023 and January 14, 2024, subject to the terms of the Vesting Agreement. As more particularly described in the Vesting Agreement, unvested Subject Units are subject to forfeiture in the event that Mr. Thompson’s relationship with CarOffer terminates other than in the event of a termination without cause (as defined in the Vesting Agreement) or due to Mr. Thompson’s death or disability. The Vesting Agreement also provides for acceleration of any unvested Subject Units in the event of the termination of Mr. Thompson’s employment with CarOffer without cause, Mr. Thompson’s death or disability, or the consummation of an eligible liquidity event (as defined in the Vesting Agreement). In connection with the Closing, CarOffer reserved 228,571 incentive units (the "2021 Incentive Units") for purposes of establishing an employee incentive equity plan. Thereafter, CarOffer formed CarOffer Incentive Equity, LLC (“CIE”), a Delaware manager-managed limited liability company managed by the Company, and established the CIE 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 CO Plan). The 2021 CO Plan and related documentation, including the applicable award agreement, a vesting agreement between CarOffer and CIE, and the CarOffer Operating Agreement, provide for an incentive equity grant structure whereby 2021 Incentive Units will be granted to CIE and 2021 CO Plan grantees will receive an associated equity interest in CIE (the “CIE Interest”), with back-to-back vesting between the 2021 Incentive Units and the associated CIE Interest. Subject to any modifications as may be approved by the CarOffer Board of Managers in its discretion, grants under the 2021 CO Plan will vest over a period of three ( 3 ) years from the grant date, one third each on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the applicable grant date, provided that a grantee’s continuous service to CarOffer has not terminated on the applicable grant date. Upon termination of a grantee’s continuous service to CarOffer, all of such grantee’s unvested 2021 Incentive Units are forfeited. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, there had not been any grants of 2021 Incentive Units under the 2021 CO Plan. CO Incentive Units, Subject Units and 2021 Incentive Units are liability-classified awards because the awards can be put to the Company at a formula price such that the holders do not bear the risks and rewards associated with equity ownership. For liability-classified awards, the fair value was determined on the date of issuance using a Least Square Monte Carlo simulation model. Liability-classified awards are remeasured to fair value each period until settlement. Until March 31, 2022, the Least Square Monte Carlo simulation model was used for remeasurement. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company refined its model for determining the fair value of liability-classified awards as a result of obtaining gross profit actuals through the trailing twelve-months ended June 30, 2022 measurement period for the first call option. Since March 31, 2022, the fair value has typically been determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. During the year ended December 31, 2022 , the Company determined not to exercise the Company's call right to acquire up to an additional 25 % of the fully diluted capitalization of CarOffer. The valuation of these liability awards is now derived from the Company’s 2024 call right and CarOffer’s 2024 put right. The determination of the fair value is affected by CarOffer’s equity value, EBITDA, and Excess Parent Capital (as defined in the CarOffer Operating Agreement, included as Exhibit 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2021 filed on February 25, 2022) that drive the exercise price of future call/put rights, as well as a number of assumptions including market price of risk, volatility, correlation, and risk-free interest rate. As a result of the EBITDA and Excess Parent Capital projections for CarOffer as of December 31, 2022, a Monte Carlo simulation model was not required as of December 31, 2022. The Company will continue to assess its valuation approach quarterly. The Company recognizes stock compensation expense on a cumulative catch-up basis based on the fair value of the liability awards at each reporting period. The Company issues shares of Class A common stock upon the vesting of RSUs and the exercise of stock options out of its shares available for issuance. The Company issues CO Incentive Units and Subject Units out of CarOffer’s units available for issuance. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur. The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The tax effect of differences between tax deductions related to stock compensation and the corresponding financial statement expense compensation are recognized as an income tax benefit or expense within the provision for income taxes in the consolidated income statements. The permanent differences, including excess tax benefits and expenses, are recognized within accrued expenses, accrued income taxes, and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and classified as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The temporary differences are recognized within deferred tax assets in the consolidated balance sheets. For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the income tax expense related to stock-based compensation was $ 4,181 and $ 1,179 , respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2020, income tax expense related to stock-based compensation was immaterial. As of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, the income tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense, recognized through the Company's deferred tax asset in the consolidated balance sheets, was $ 5,441 , $ 5,301 , and $ 4,796 , respectively. See Note 10 of these consolidated financial statements for a summary of the stock option, RSU and CO Incentive Unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2022. Common Stock Share Repurchases Repurchases of the Company's common stock are recognized as a reduction to common stock at par value and the remainder is recognized as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets. Repurchases in excess of the par value are recognized as a reduction to retained earnings in the consolidated balance sheets in the event that additional paid-in capital is reduced to zero. If there is a difference between the trade date and the settlement date for shares repurchased as of period end, a liability is recognized within accrued expenses, accrued income taxes and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. As a result of the US Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the "IRA"), effective on January 1, 2023, the Company will be required to pay a 1 % excise tax on certain stock repurchases. Based on the Company’s initial evaluation, the Company does not believe the IRA will have a material impact on its income tax provision and cash taxes. The excise tax is considered a direct and incremental cost of the share repurchase and will be recognized as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets. Other direct and incremental costs, such as commissions and legal expenses, are recognized as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets. |
| Advertising Costs | Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and recognized within sales and marketing expense in the consolidated income statements. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, advertising expense was $ 156,128 , $ 151,457 , and $ 155,580 , respectively . |
| Comprehensive Income | Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income is defined as the change in stockholders’ equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non‑owner sources. Comprehensive income consists of consolidated net income and other comprehensive income (loss), which includes certain changes in equity that are excluded from consolidated net income. Specifically, cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021 , accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is presented separately in the consolidated balance sheets and consists entirely of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments. |
| Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted | Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies and adopted by the Company on or prior to the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations upon adoption. As of December 31, 2022 , there are no new accounting pronouncements that the Company is considering adopting. |
| Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets | The Company assessed its goodwill for impairment and did no t identify any impairment as of December 31, 2022 . For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company wrote off $ 647 of U.S. Marketplace segment intangible assets within marketplace cost of revenue in the consolidated income statements related to certain developed technology which the Company has decided to cease investment. |
| Earnings Per Share | The Company has two classes of common stock authorized: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of Class A and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting and conversion. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share and each share of Class B common stock is entitled to ten votes per share . Each share of Class B common stock is convertible into one share of Class A common stock at the option of the holder at any time or automatically upon certain events described in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, including upon either the death or voluntary termination of the Company’s Executive Chairman. The Company allocates undistributed earnings attributable to common stock between the common stock classes on a one‑to‑one basis when computing net income per share. As a result, basic and diluted net income per share of Class A common stock and per share of Class B common stock are equivalent. |
