CarMax Review

Friday, March 31st

2023 Used Car Site Reviews

CarMax

• "A+" rated by the BBB
• 45,000+ vehicles in inventory at any given time
• 24-hour test drives
• 30-day/1,500 mile money-back guarantee
• Home delivery available within a 60-mile radius of select stores
• Transparent pricing, no haggling necessary
• Excellent, affordable extended warranty protection available

CarMax has been around for over 60 years. With more than 200 stores in 41 states, you've probably seen this used car dealership somewhere near you. If you're looking to buy a used car, starting with the 45,000+ vehicles in CarMax's nationwide inventory is a smart choice.

Very easy-to-use website

The process of using the CarMax site to find your next used car couldn't get any easier. You can start shopping by vehicle type, make, or price range - or type in your preferred make, model or other keywords (like AWD or blind spot detection) right in the search bar. Also, be sure that your preferred CarMax location is in the upper right corner of the page; it'll detect your location automatically, but you can choose a different store if you like. You'll be taken to a list of results that you can filter even further, and arrange the list any way you wish: lowest to highest mileage or price, distance from you, and so forth.

Transfer cars from other CarMax locations

What happens if you see a used car you like, but it's at a CarMax that's hundreds (or thousands) of miles away? No problem. You'll see a transfer fee listed right on the vehicle's details. You'll have to pay that in advance and it's non-refundable, but it's well worth it to get the car that has all of the specs you've been picturing in your new-to-you car. For what it's worth, we've never seen a transfer fee over $500; most are somewhere in the $99-$199 range, depending on the distance between CarMax locations.

Schedule a test drive to reserve a vehicle

When you've spotted a CarMax vehicle you're interested in, we strongly recommend that you schedule a test drive within the next seven days. Why? When you've made a reservation, that car is no longer viewable in detail or test-drivable by anyone else. That offers a big advantage over many of the used car platforms we evaluated, which often explicitly state that there's no guarantee that any given vehicle won't be sold before you get there.

No-haggle pricing

Why have people used CarMax to buy over nine million pre-owned vehicles? This company has some features that make it stand head and shoulders above your typical used car lot or big-brand dealership. First and foremost, you never have to haggle for a better price here. The amount you see is what you'll pay - and that's true whether or not you trade in a vehicle or use their financing. For those of us who absolutely cringe at the thought of bargaining back and forth with a salesperson, this is a huge perk.

"Love Your Car Guarantee"

Another shopper-friendly aspect of buying a used car through CarMax is their "Love Your Car Guarantee" . That starts with a 24-hour test drive - no guesswork as to whether or not that full-sized SUV is going to fit in your garage or if all of your car seats can fit comfortably, because you can find out before you sign on the dotted line. Even after you buy the vehicle, CarMax gives you a 30-day money-back guarantee, up to 1,500 miles. Do you get the idea that they really want you to be happy with your purchase here?

Used cars are thoroughly inspected

Plus, CarMax goes to great lengths to inspect and choose the cars they sell on their lots. You'll never find a vehicle here with flood damage, frame damage or salvage history. They have a detailed 125-point checklist for every inspection, and anything that doesn't meet their standards is repaired or replaced before being listed for sale. On average, a CarMax vehicle gets 15 hours of attention - replacing parts, fixing bigger dents and scratches, and detailing inside and out - so that you can feel confident in buying any used car they carry.

Fantastic extended warranty coverage available

Beyond that, CarMax offers some of the best extended warranty coverage in the industry. The cost depends on the vehicle price, the length of time/mileage, and the selected deductible, but customers report that it's well worth the investment (and it can be rolled into your financing if you choose). The policy covers anything that isn't specifically excluded; those are usually wear-and-tear items like brakes and windshield wipers, and of course they won't cover anything you've damaged. Your car can be serviced either at a CarMax location or at one of their network of approved partners; you'll save $50 on your deductible when you choose the former.

Not necessarily for every used car buyer

Are there any downsides to buying used cars at CarMax? Maybe, depending on what you're looking for. A fixer-upper? Nope - broken cars don't meet this company's high standards. A great deal that you get with your world-class bargaining skills? That's not going to be possible; as we mentioned, the price is the price, end of story. A private sale? Not here. And, as of the time of this evaluation, there were nine states where CarMax didn't have a presence yet.

Our first choice for buying used cars

But, in our opinion, those are really minor compared with the overall picture. CarMax takes great care of its customers from start to finish, their reputation is excellent (including an "A+" from the Better Business Bureau), and you're likely to drive away with a used car that's in terrific shape and priced fairly. What's not to love about that? For all of these reasons and more, CarMax is the first site we'd recommend for buying used cars. They earn our highest rating.