1. Do you accept trade-ins?
Yes. In fact, we'll buy your car even if you don't buy one from us.
2. Will you buy my car?
Once your car has been appraised, we'll give you a written offer that's good for seven days. And you are under no obligation to buy one of CarMax's cars if you sell us yours. If you decide to sell us your car, be sure to read our checklist of
what to bring with you.
3. Can I get my car appraised online?
You must bring your car to a CarMax store to receive an appraisal. To
determine your offer, one of our appraisers will need to inspect and
test drive your car. When we're done, we'll give you a written offer
good for seven days.
4. What happens to the cars CarMax buys?
Even though we'll buy any car, only about half of those bought by CarMax will ever be sold to the public. Each car must pass our rigorous inspection before we'll consider it for our lot, and cars that don't meet our high-quality standards are sold at auctions to other dealers.
5. Will you explain how you appraised my car?
If you have questions about the appraisal of your car, speak with the appraiser who developed the offer. Our appraisers can provide a thorough explanation about the factors that influenced your offer. Start now by contacting a Sales Consultant.
6. Will I get different offers at different CarMax locations?
No. Your written offer will remain the same at any CarMax location and is good for seven days. If you'd like to get your car re-appraised after the seven-day period, you can take it to any CarMax location.
7. Why is your written offer different from retail prices?
Our appraisal offers vary from retail prices for several reasons. Due to the costs associated with reconditioning and applying guarantees and warranties on the cars we purchase for retail sale, we must purchase a car at a lesser amount than what we will sell it for. All cars that we purchase for retail sale, regardless of the condition, must undergo a thorough 125-point inspection* and be reconditioned to meet our high-quality standards.
* CarMax does not guarantee a recall-free vehicle
8. How can I get an offer for my car?
You can have your car professionally appraised at any location. This process usually takes 30 to 40 minutes, and we'll give you a written offer that's good for seven days when we're done. Find out how we determine your offer.
9. What makes CarMax different from traditional dealer appraisals?
The CarMax written offer is good for seven days, and is valid whether you buy a car from us or not. Most traditional dealerships appraisals are based on you trading in your car for a new one, and they won't buy your car outright. And if you decide not to buy a car from us, your offer will stay the same.
10. Is your offer negotiable?
No. We make a written, no-haggle offer on every appraised car.
11. Will making modifications to my car affect the offer?
Supply and demand ultimately determines the desirability of any car or feature in the marketplace. A feature sometimes could improve the offer, and other times it could have a negative impact depending on the feature/modification. Sometimes, an aftermarket modification may void the factory warranty, thus reducing the offer. For more information, visit the Determining Your Offer section.
12. Will regular maintenance/repairs affect the offer?
Your car's overall physical and mechanical condition will have an impact on your appraisal offer. For more information about how we determine our offer, visit the Determining Your Offer section.
13. Do I need an appointment for an appraisal?
No appraisal appointment is necessary. Just visit your nearest CarMax or call for details. Your appraisal takes as little as 30 minutes. If you would like to set up an appointment, contact your nearest CarMax store, or consult a Sales Consultant.
14. How can I save on taxes if I buy and sell at CarMax?
Lower the amount of taxes you pay when you buy a CarMax car when you sell us your old car at the same time. The following states may give you a break on your taxes when you buy a car and sell us your old one:
Alabama
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Maryland
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Wisconsin
Certain situations may disqualify you from receiving a tax break. For example, your name must be on both the paperwork to buy a car and the paperwork to sell a car in order for the tax break to apply. Check with your tax professional and your CarMax Sales Consultant for details.
15. What if all titleholders cannot be present or one is deceased?
If all titleholders cannot be present, you must speak to a Business Office Associate before selling a car to CarMax.
In some cases, we may be able to accept a Power of Attorney, allowing someone else to sign on the absent titleholder's behalf. If a titleholder is deceased, you may have to transfer the title into your name before CarMax can buy your car. This can usually be done by taking the title and supporting papers to the local titling office. However, because this process varies by state, ask a Business Office Associate for more information.
16. Can I sell my leased car?
In most cases, you can sell your leased car in almost the same way as any other financed car. We'll appraise the car or truck, then contact the leasing company for a payoff quote and process any equity you might have. Please note that some leasing companies will not allow you to sell the car prior to the expiration of the lease. Also, be aware that your leased car might not be eligible for the trade-in tax savings described above. Check with your leasing company for complete details.
17. Do I have to sell my car at the same location that it was appraised?
You may sell your car at any CarMax location. If you're within seven days of having the appraisal completed, a Sales Consultant at the location of your choice will be able to assist you. However, if your appraisal was completed more than seven days ago, CarMax will re-appraise your car.
18. What if I owe more on my car than the amount of your appraisal offer?
If your pay-off amount is more than the offer for your car, the difference is called "negative equity." In some cases, the negative equity can be included in your financing when you buy a CarMax car. If not, we'll calculate the difference between your pay-off and our offer to you and you can pay CarMax directly. CarMax Car Buying Centers can accept cashier's or certified checks and certified funds. CarMax stores also accept cash and debit cards. If the amount you owe is less than $250, we will accept a personal check. Our written offers are good for seven days, giving you time to get any necessary funds to settle your transaction.
19. If I choose to sell CarMax my car, could I get it back?
No. All car sales to CarMax are final.
20. What if I have a lien on my car?
We will need to contact your lien holder during business hours to get a 15-day payoff. To pay off the lien, we will need your lien holder's name and phone number, the name(s) on the account, and your lien holder's account number and social security number. If a previously paid-off lien is listed on the title, you'll need both the title and the lien release from the lien holder before we can purchase your car.
21. Can I sell a car on behalf of a company?
If you would like to sell a car on behalf of a company, please see a Business Office Associate for the requirements needed.
22. What is a bank draft?
A bank draft is a type of check where payment is guaranteed to be available by the issuing bank. It must be deposited and cannot be cashed. Before attempting to draw on the bank draft, consider contacting your bank for information on their hold policy.
