CARVANA CO.CVNA
CARVANA CO. Revenue Disclosure
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the five-step model prescribed by ASC 606 that includes: (1) identify the contract; (2) identify the performance obligations; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied.
Retail Vehicle Sales
The Company sells retail vehicles directly to its customers through its website. The prices of retail vehicles are set forth in the customer contracts at stand-alone selling prices which are agreed upon prior to delivery. The Company satisfies its performance obligation for retail vehicle sales upon delivery when the risks and rewards of ownership and control pass to the customer. The Company recognizes revenue at the agreed upon purchase price stated in the contract, including any delivery charges, less an estimate for returns. Estimates for returns are based on an analysis of historical experience, trends and sales data. Changes in these estimates are reflected as an adjustment to revenue in the period identified. Retail vehicle sales also include service revenue from retail marketplace transactions, which are retail marketplace partner vehicles sold to customers through Carvana, where the Company recognizes revenue on the sale of the vehicle on a net basis. The amount of consideration received for retail vehicle sales includes non-cash consideration representing the value of trade-in vehicles, if applicable, as stated in the contract. Prior to the delivery of the vehicle, the payment is received or financing has been arranged. Payments from customers that finance their purchases with third parties are typically due and collected within 30 days of delivery of the retail vehicle. Revenue excludes any sales taxes, title and registration fees, and other government fees that are collected from customers.
Wholesale Sales and Revenues
The Company sells vehicles to wholesalers. These vehicles sold to wholesalers are primarily acquired from customers and do not meet the Company’s quality standards to list and sell through its website. The Company satisfies its performance obligation for wholesale sales and revenues when the wholesale purchaser obtains control of the underlying vehicle, which is
upon delivery or pick up at an auction when the transfer of title, risks and rewards of ownership, and control pass to the wholesale purchaser. The Company recognizes revenue at the amount it expects to receive for the used wholesale vehicle, which is the fixed price determined at the auction, or for wholesale marketplace transactions, at the amount it expects to receive for auction and service fees charged in facilitating the transaction. The purchase price of the wholesale vehicle is typically due and collected within 30 days of delivery of the wholesale vehicle and auction fees are typically due within two days of a completed sale.
Other Sales and Revenues
Other sales and revenues include gains on the sales of finance receivables, commissions on VSCs, GAP waiver coverage, and other complementary products and interest income received on finance receivables prior to selling them to investors.
Customers purchasing retail vehicles from the Company may enter into contracts for VSCs and, if they finance with the Company, GAP waiver coverage. The prices of VSCs and GAP waiver coverage are set forth in each contract. The Company sells and receives a commission on VSCs under a master dealer agreement with DriveTime, pursuant to which the Company sells VSCs that DriveTime administers and is the obligor. The Company receives a commission on GAP waiver coverage contracts where the administrator of the contract is obligated to reimburse the holder of the underlying finance receivable for a balance that is in excess of the value of the financed vehicle in the event of a total loss. The Company recognizes commission revenue at the time of sale, net of a reserve for estimated contract cancellations. GAP waiver coverage contracts obligate whoever holds the underlying finance receivable to not attempt collection of a balance that is in excess of the value of the financed vehicle in the event of a total loss. GAP waiver coverage is recognized as the performance obligation is satisfied over the period of coverage, generally on a straight-line basis over the expected period the outstanding balance of the related finance receivable will exceed the value of the financed vehicle, less a reserve for cancellations. Upon selling the corresponding finance receivable, the Company recognizes any remaining deferred revenue. The reserve for cancellations of VSCs and GAP waiver coverage contracts is estimated based upon historical experience and recent trends and is reflected as a reduction of other sales and revenues. Changes in these estimates are reflected as an adjustment to other sales and revenues in the period identified.
Under the master dealer agreement with DriveTime, the Company is also contractually entitled to receive profit-sharing revenues based on the performance of the VSCs once a required claims period has passed. This is a form of variable consideration the Company recognizes as revenue to the extent that it is probable that it will not result in a significant revenue reversal. The Company applies the expected value method, utilizing expected VSC performance based on historical claims and cancellation data from its customers, as well as other qualitative assumptions to estimate the amount it expects to receive. The Company reassesses the estimate each reporting period with any changes reflected as an adjustment to other sales and revenues in the period identified. Profit-sharing payments will begin when the underlying VSCs reach a specified level of claims history. As of both December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had ending receivables of less than $1 million related to cumulative profit-sharing payments recognized as revenue to which it expects to be entitled. The receivables are included in other current assets and other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Company accounts for sales of finance receivables in accordance with ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing ("ASC 860"). ASC 860 states that a transfer of an entire financial asset, a group of entire financial assets, or a participating interest in an entire financial asset in which the transferor surrenders control over those financial assets is accounted for as a sale only if all of the following conditions are met:
•The transferred financial assets have been isolated from the transferor - put presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership.
•Each transferee has the right to pledge or exchange the assets (or beneficial interests) it received, and no condition both constrains the transferee (or third-party holder of its beneficial interests) from taking advantage of its right to pledge or exchange the asset and provides more than a trivial benefit to the transferor.
•The transferor, its consolidated affiliates included in the financial statements being presented or its agents do not maintain effective control over the transferred financial assets or third-party beneficial interests related to those transferred assets.
For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, all transfers of finance receivables met the requirements for sale treatment. The Company records the gain on the sale of a finance receivable in an amount equal to the fair value of the net proceeds received less the carrying amount of the finance receivable. The net proceeds received for gain on loan sale consists primarily of cash proceeds received at the time of sale. The Company has made customary representations related to the sales of finance receivables. Any significant estimated post-sale obligations or contingent obligations to the purchaser of the receivables
would be accrued if probable and estimable in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies. Any such obligations are considered in the Company's determination of the accounting for the transfers of the finance receivables under ASC 860.
Shipping and Handling
The Company's logistics costs related to transporting its used vehicle inventory include fuel, maintenance, and depreciation related to operating its own transportation fleet, and third-party transportation fees. The portion of these costs related to inbound transportation from the point of acquisition to the inspection and reconditioning center are capitalized to inventory and then included in cost of sales when the related used vehicle is sold.About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.