Sell your car on your terms

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell my car to CarMax without buying a car from CarMax?

Yes, and our offer will be the same whether you're buying from us or not.

Is the online offer a real offer or an estimate?

We provide real offers, both online and in-store, and they are valid for 7 days. If you have an online offer to redeem, bring it to any CarMax store. Once we verify that your car's condition, use, and history matches the information you provided about your car, you'll leave with payment in hand. Some offers are adjusted after the verification process.

Can I negotiate my online offer?

No, all of our offers are firm and valid for 7 days.

Can I get both an online and in-store appraisal?

If you have an online offer, you don't need an additional in-store appraisal. Also, if your offer expires, you can get an updated offer online anytime. We use the same appraisal criteria online and in-store, and verify every car's condition in-person when an online offer is redeemed. We only adjust online offers if a car's condition, use, or history differs from the information we received.

Do I have to get my offer online?

No, you're always welcome to bring your car to a CarMax store for an in-store appraisal. To get an in-store appraisal, either make an appointment or stop by whenever it's convenient for you.

What do I do after I get an online offer?

If you want to redeem your offer and sell your car to CarMax, you have 7 days from the day we make the offer. You can either make an appointment or bring the car to us any time we're open. We'll verify your car's condition, finalize your offer, and you'll leave with payment in hand. We pay with a bank draft, which is a type of check that must be deposited (and cannot be cashed). Before drawing on the bank draft, check with your bank to find out if the funds will be available.

Will you pick up my vehicle from my home?

We currently offer pickup service in select markets. You can also redeem an offer at any CarMax store.

Do I need an appointment to sell my car?

No, you don't need an appointment to sell your car. However, an appointment will help us get you in and out in as little time as possible.

Do I have to sell my car at the same CarMax location that gave me an offer?

No, you may sell your car at any CarMax store within 7 days of getting your offer. If you got your offer more than 7 days ago, we'll re-appraise your car and give you an updated offer.

How do you determine my offer?

We analyze your car's specific year, make, model, mileage, and features. We consider its condition, history, and use from information you provide, our own assessments, and internal and third-party history information. We especially look out for major issues, like frame or flood damage or odometer rollbacks. We also consider market conditions and sales performance. In some cases, we may need to test drive your car to check on certain mechanical conditions. The long-term maintenance and care of your car is more important than cleanliness for an in-store appraisal or a verification.

What do I need to sell my car to CarMax?

Requirements can vary from state to state, but there are a few items you'll need no matter where you are:

• Your car's title or payoff information. All titleholders should be present.
• Valid and current registrations
• Valid state-issued photo ID for all titleholders.
• All keys and remotes

You don't need these things to get an offer for your car, but if you think you might sell when you get your offer, come prepared with these items.

How do I get paid for my car?

You will leave with payment in hand the same day you sell us your car. We pay with a bank draft, which is a type of check where payment is guaranteed to be available by the issuing bank. A bank draft must be deposited and cannot be cashed. Before attempting to draw on the bank draft, always check with your bank to find out if the funds will be available.

What if I owe more on my car than the amount of your offer?

If your payoff 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 if you buy a CarMax car. If not, we'll calculate the difference between your payoff and our offer to you and you can pay CarMax directly. If the amount you owe is less than $250, we will accept a personal check. CarMax stores accept cashier's checks, certified checks, certified funds, cash, and debit cards. CarMax Car Buying Centers (locations that only buy cars) can accept cashier's checks, certified checks, and certified funds. Our offers are valid for 7 days, giving you time to gather any necessary funds to complete your sale to us.

Do you buy leased cars?

Yes, we do. In most cases, the selling process is very similar to any other financed car. We'll appraise the car, then contact your leasing company for a payoff quote and process any equity you might have.

Please note that CarMax cannot purchase a vehicle currently leased through the following companies: Nissan Motor Acceptance, Infiniti Financial Services, Honda Finance, Southeast Toyota Financial, GM Financial, Ford Credit, Mazda Credit, World Omni, Volvo Financial, Lincoln Credit, Acura Financial, BMW Financial Services, Volkswagen Credit, Audi Financial Services, Ally Financial, and Tesla.

Keep in mind that some leasing companies won't allow you to sell the car before the lease expires. Also, lease payoffs can only be obtained during your leasing company's business hours since we must speak to a representative.

Be aware that your leased car might not be eligible for trade-in tax savings, so check with your leasing company for complete details.

Does CarMax buy cars from businesses?

Yes, CarMax buys cars from businesses and consumers. In order to complete a purchase, we'll need authorization from an officer or president of the company. In addition, there are sometimes state-specific requirements. Please see a store associate for details.