CarMax Reviews

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About CarMax

Pros
  • Quick process
  • Transparent pricing
  • Positive vehicle performance
Cons
  • Frequent mechanical issues
  • Poor communication from staff
  • Warranty coverage disputes

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CarMax Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 37
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    StaffRates

    Reviewed July 6, 2026

    Went to get a car financed today in Greenville, SC. An agent named Fernando helped me get a good rate and I left with the perfect car for me. I couldn't be more grateful.

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    PriceRates

    Reviewed June 30, 2026

    Looked for a quote from CarMax online. Went to store (Florence, KY), gave them m quote number. They took the keys, drove the car around the lot, came in and offered me the online price. No discussion, no haggling. Tell them the trufh if using online, they meet the price quoted. NEVER had such a decent experience with an auto company, buying or selling.

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      Punctuality & Speed

      Reviewed May 23, 2026

      I found a 2017 Corvette with 9500 miles online CarMax. Without any obligation they shipped the car to Shreveport about 100 miles away. I was permitted to inspect and test drive. Still a great car 2 years later!

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      Customer ServiceCoverageSales & MarketingPriceMaintenance

      Reviewed Aug. 5, 2026

      Brought my car in service center because it was overheating. They Diagnosed it and said will be $ 750 to fix the problem. Drove off the lot after they supposedly fix it. Drove 2 miles before it overheated again. Now they want $900 to do what they did not diagnose the 1st time. The manager [Jessica] and servicer person [Victor] colluded together to cover their **. No customer service here. All asked for is the labor charge be discounted because they did not diagnose the car accurately. Just because when I brought it in car to the servicer wrote down that it was a leak not overheating. Taking advantage of customer is THEIR PRIORITY, NOT CUSTOMER SERVICE.. Henderson, Nevada Car Max service dept cannot be trusted.

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      Customer ServiceCoveragePricePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsMaintenanceStaff

      Reviewed Aug. 2, 2026

      Bought my car from CarMax. A year later. I'm still have that car. I took it in for brakes and thought everything was good. 3 weeks later I'm having problems with my brakes. I take the brakes back to CarMax and tell them I'm having trouble. My brakes are shaking. Turns out they never did a complete brake job. When they said they did. They charged me $1,000 over $400 to be exact. Now they want me to shovel out another $4 or $500 because they left the old rotors on and just slapped on Pat and called it a break job. What a horrible demonstration of what CarMax is supposed to be. Amir insinuated that women go through brakes faster and need them more often. Is this a ploy to get more money out of females. Then Amir insulted me and said, "If you stop slamming on your brakes all the time you wouldn't have brake problems." Again. Very sexist and very discrimination. That is horrible.

      Amir is just a very mean evil young man. Who leaves warped rotors on brakes and charges them for it when they never fixed it? When I told Amir for the third time I just got my brakes done here a month ago. He said women driver have a tendency of constantly ruining brakes because they don't know how to drive. I argued with Amir again and he kept saying, "If you want new brakes you have to pay for them." When I brought it to his attention that the brakes should have been done completely correctly by taking out the warped rotor his response was to pay for another brake job. I tried to explain to him that they did not do their job correctly if they left old parts on a vehicle while doing and charging for that. His response again was women drivers need more brakes. So my thoughts are if you're a woman don't go to CarMax to get your car worked on service. Customer service services are horrible, especially Amir.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedOnline & AppStaffCommunication

      Reviewed Aug. 1, 2026

      Horrible buying process, poor communication and not to mention petty, calling me after I was approved through online, went in only to have them tell me my trade in appraisal expired and I had to open their app to show them the appraiser # from their site and ask me to go through appraisal again. I walked out after 1.5 hrs. Their, 30 min to get car and having repeated steps that were already uploaded online. I sat on the phone the night before completing the process with an agent, had EVERYTHING set for 2 days later test drive and sign paper work. 3 days after starting the process and giving up, they actually called to tell me they will not be doing business with me at any Carmax lol.

      I thought that was established when I walked out for poor communication, inconsiderate of my family's time, and disturbing redundant information request after getting everything uploaded on their site. But thanks. There wasn't a need for a petty call after I walked out. Everything I read in their poor reviews I experienced except for buying a lemon. I don't always trust reviews so I wanted to give it a shot myself, I believe I dodged a really bad experience after the poor service.

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      PricePunctuality & SpeedRates

      Reviewed July 28, 2026

      I got a certified offer from Carmax to buy my Genesis, printed it out and had an appointment time. I went in at 11 AM, signed in and 40 minutes later they said they could not find it even with my printed out Carmax dealer sheet. They said I would have to start over - another 40 minute process. Since I was not going to buy a car, they were either not interested or they were just bad business people. After driving 1 1/2 hours and waiting 40 minutes, I got nothing. What ticked me off the most is that it took them 40 minutes to tell me I would have to start over. I sold it to Carvana for just a little less money, they came to me and I had a check from them - 4 hours after I returned from the Carmax jerks. Use Carvana only!

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      Customer ServicePricePunctuality & Speed

      Reviewed July 25, 2026

      Purchased a 2019 bmw x1 with 20k miles on it. 2 months later control arm is bad, 2 months after that, the car won't start. Towed to dealership and it was determined to be the starter and battery. Purchased maxcare with this car but the 450.00 deductibles are adding up, and did I mention I've only had it 5months?? No contact from dealership after car was dropped off except to tell me how much my deductible was and promised a rental car, then nothing. I submitted a complaint with their customer service and still nothing.

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      Contract & TermsSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedStaffRates

      Reviewed July 24, 2026

      !!! Do not sign the title until they are ready to give you a check. Held me there for 2 hours. Had me sign over the title, only at the last moment find something wrong with documents. I was selling with power of attorney. Salesperson was very specific because she thought she knows the process, well she doesn't. She had me sign it in a specific way that she dictated!!!, approved it and then before cutting the check found out that it's wrong. Now I need to get a new title just so I can sign it again. So now I have to wait 2 weeks for new title that costs me money and they will not hold the offered price because I have to have it repriced again when I come back.

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      CoveragePriceRefunds & PayoutsMaintenanceBilling

      Reviewed July 23, 2026

      Got sold a lemon, told to pay for repairs. Week 1 of ownership, day 3 taken to garage for broken caliper, in shop for 3 weeks until repair approved. Month 3 of ownership, ABS Module goes out, $2000+ repair cost, told it was not covered. Repair bill is on me.

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      Sales & MarketingHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed July 22, 2026

      I received a $12,000 online offer from CarMax for my well-maintained 2019 Buick Encore with only 51,000 miles. After driving 4.5 hours to the facility, their evaluator claimed there was something wrong with the transmission (with no diagnostic tools used) and dropped the offer to just $8,000. This felt like a deliberate bait-and-switch tactic. They get you to drive a long distance and then lowball you, hoping you’ll accept less rather than leave empty-handed. Very disappointing and dishonest way to do business. I declined and drove home. I will not be returning.

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      Customer ServiceRefunds & PayoutsStaffBilling

      Reviewed July 20, 2026

      I'm highly disappointed with my account manager Bre (Breanna) and Carmax Auto in Kenasaw, GA for generating a Repossession letter to my address on July 15, 2026 after receiving and confirming my full and FINAL payment of my Nissan Pathfinder on July 14th, 2026. This shows how careless and unprofessional Carmax representatives are towards their customers. All they think in their minds is Repossession without knowing that some customers can pay off their cars before their due days are over!

      Why should Carmax representative, Brianna or Bre sent Repossession letter out to someone who already paid off her car? That's ridiculous and wicked! I hope Carmax does not falsely report people's credit online. Otherwise, why would this account manager generate a Repossession letter to someone whom she had already acknowledged a full payment of her car? Please everyone, be careful dealing with Carmax Auto on Kenasaw, Georgia because I had a bad experience with them. Some of these account managers are very rude and disorganized!

      Nkay

      7/20/2026

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      Customer ServiceTransparency

      Reviewed July 20, 2026

      Paid cash for my vehicle 3 months ago and still have NO TITLE nor can I register my vehicle. My car has been sitting in my garage for the past 2 months because Carmax's Customer Service is absolutely horrible. There is no Customer Service. No one will return my calls or give me updates on my situation. I will NEVER purchase a vehicle from Carmax ever again and will make sure that my family and friends don't either. A complete waste of my time.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed July 17, 2026

      I am trying to pay off the balance. I called the number TWICE and they transfer me to an automated number that is supposed to get my bank routing number and account number but it glitches and just spews out numbers. The second human I talked to said to press 7 to get back to her if there were more glitches but nothing happened. Their system is totally screwed up!!!!

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      Customer ServiceCoveragePunctuality & SpeedStaffBilling

      Reviewed July 16, 2026

      I purchased a 2018 Audi A4 from CarMax Savannah on May 5, 2026, as a birthday gift for my 16-year-old daughter. During the first 72 days of ownership, my family lost normal use of the vehicle for approximately 56 days. The vehicle was sold with incorrect wheel and tire sizes, later experienced an air conditioning failure, and spent more than six weeks in CarMax’s possession for repairs. After finally getting the vehicle back, my daughter discovered a severe cockroach infestation with insects coming from the air vents, trunk, doors, and interior areas of the vehicle. The vehicle was immediately returned to CarMax for professional remediation. Throughout this process, multiple Customer Relations cases were opened and, to my understanding, at least one was closed without notification or meaningful resolution.

      To make matters worse, I received two separate calls informing me that the vehicle was ready for pickup, only to arrive after a 40-minute drive and be told that the vehicle was not actually available due to a miscommunication. As a retired Army veteran and disabled veteran, I understand that mistakes happen. What matters is accountability and making customers whole when they do. Unfortunately, after months of inconvenience, time away from work, repeated trips to the dealership, continued insurance payments on a vehicle I could not use, and the loss of use of the vehicle for most of our ownership period, the compensation offered was a full tank of gas. I hope CarMax corporate reviews this matter carefully and works toward a fair resolution because this experience fell far short of what my family expected from a company with CarMax’s reputation.

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      Reviewed July 14, 2026

      I was actually ok with the purchase and the folks in Bristol TN. The problem is the MaxCare. CNA denied the warranty. The issue started 6 months ago (son in college and summer internship so it just got worse while he was gone). He put a small lift kit a few weeks before the claim. It was denied even though Ford says known problem. They can't prove it broke it in 2 weeks-so how do they void claim. If carmax is pushing this crap, they should choose better suppliers. Run if they try and sell it to you.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaffBillingResolution

      Reviewed July 10, 2026

      I am extremely disappointed with the towing company CarMax uses, Advanced Recovery Solution in Litchfield, Minnesota. My vehicle was towed at CarMax's request. When I found out my car had been towed, I immediately contacted CarMax to find out where it was. I also informed the representative that I had a large amount of cash inside the vehicle and needed to retrieve it as soon as possible. The representative gave me the towing company's information, and I drove there first thing the next morning.

      When I arrived, I explained to the manager that I had $10,000 in cash, in $100 bills, inside a white envelope located on the passenger side of my vehicle. I asked for permission to access my car to retrieve the money. She refused my request and was rude and disrespectful throughout the interaction. Even after I repeatedly explained the urgency and importance of the situation, she would not allow me access to my vehicle.

      Later, after I had left, the manager called me and claimed that only $200 was found in my car—not the $10,000 I told her was there. I told her that was impossible because I knew exactly how much cash was in my vehicle. Instead of discussing the matter professionally, she accused me of raising my voice and hung up on me.

      I immediately returned to the facility, contacted the police, and filed a police report. During my conversation with the responding officer, I was told that there have been numerous complaints from people who claimed that their property had gone missing after their vehicles were towed to this company. That information is extremely concerning. I also contacted CarMax and was instructed to file a claim, which I have done. I expect CarMax to thoroughly investigate this matter and work toward resolving it. If this issue is not addressed appropriately, I will consider pursuing legal action to recover my losses.

      CarMax should carefully evaluate the companies it chooses to do business with. Customers should be able to trust that their vehicles and personal property will be protected while in the custody of a towing company. Based on my experience, I do not believe Advanced Recovery Solution provided that level of care or professionalism. Until this matter is resolved, I cannot recommend CarMax to friends or family. I also intend to share my experience on social media and consumer review platforms so that others are aware of what happened. I simply want a fair investigation and accountability for the loss of my property.

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      Contract & TermsPricePunctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed July 9, 2026

      I had driven my 2008 Infiniti FX 35 for well over 210,000 miles with NO problems! Loved the engine but gas was expensive. I had my eye on the MBZ GLA250 for a few years and eventually saved enough to purchase a 2020 from Carmax. Do not purchase a car from Carmax without an independent inspection- from internal to external to aesthetic inspection… Never would I post such an opinion if it weren’t true.

      Having a knee replacement after the purchase didn’t allow me to drive the vehicle for about 4 weeks, and my commute is 5 miles to and from work. Regardless, after 2,700 miles, my beautiful little car started fading pale yellow (above the driver side hub and the front of the vehicle. The car came with a clean Carfax! However, I learned that it had been repaired by an independent company that worked “under the table (cash) without disclosing the problem to the DMV!” About 2k miles later, the thermostat failed - costing me in excess of $1800. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. I’m already out 4k.

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPriceMaintenanceStaffBillingLoan ProcessHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed July 9, 2026

      Gather round, future car buyers, because I have a tale. Pour something strong. I saw my dream car — a BMW Z4 — advertised twenty minutes from my house at CarMax Texas Stadium in Irving. I came, I saw, I financed. Walked out a happy man, ready to sing CarMax's praises from the rooftops. The car failed within 48 HOURS. It then sat in their service bay for OVER A MONTH. What followed was six weeks of being ignored, passed off, and ghosted; six weeks of manufactured deadlines designed to pressure me; six weeks of being told the part I needed was on worldwide backorder with no timeline whatsoever.

      Plot twist: I — a guy with Google and a working phone — found the part myself, at a parts supplier in Washington State. I was told, essentially, to stop being silly and let the grownups who know the car biz keep looking. Then that same unfindable part magically materialized in the hands of Will, the service manager, WHILE I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HIM. The BMW Continuum works in mysterious ways, apparently — mostly when a customer starts quoting Texas consumer protection law.

      And Will's grand finale, after six weeks of this circus? It might maybe possibly be done tomorrow. No commitment. No apology. A wishy-washy shrug at the finish line of a marathon THEY made me run. So I asked for the bare minimum gesture of goodwill — a year of oil changes, or a second key so I could actually program my own car. Oh, only Caleb, the general manager, can approve that. Great, let me talk to Caleb. Caleb's on vacation. We don't know when he's back. The buck stops nowhere. It just goes on holiday.

      Their legal team? Took TWO WEEKS to respond, only to hand me the exact same answer they'd given two weeks earlier. That's not diligence, that's a stall tactic with a law degree. And the damage isn't just time. Because they sold me a car that immediately died, I had to explore other financing — credit pulls that hurt my score so badly that CarMax's OWN finance partners then told me my credit was no good. No good for a new loan, but perfectly good enough to keep making payments on the broken car they sold me. Make it make sense.

      One genuine bright spot: Paola in Customer Relations at the home office, who fought for me inside a machine seemingly designed to prevent anyone from helping anyone. She deserves a raise and hazard pay. She is a hostage of the same siloed dysfunction the rest of us are — a company where no one can authorize anything, everyone defers to someone unavailable, and departments refer to each other as outside partnerships. That's not a business, that's a hostage situation with a logo.

      I spent my career running customer operations for companies on three continents. I know what good service looks like. I know what broken operations look like. This is the latter, wearing the former's name tag. My car is allegedly, maybe, possibly fixed. My complaint is not. If you shop here: document everything, know your rights under the Texas DTPA, and pray your car doesn't break — because if it does, you'll need the patience of a saint and the persistence of a debt collector to get anything resembling accountability. One star, and honestly, that star belongs to Paola.

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      Verified purchase
      CoverageSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedMaintenanceRates

      Reviewed July 9, 2026

      Purchased a Corvette from this dealership sight unseen based on the representations made during the sale. When the vehicle arrived, it had paint damage that was not disclosed beforehand. The dealership agreed in writing to repair the damage, but after their repair attempts, I believe the condition of the vehicle became worse. After the vehicle was serviced, it later suffered an electrical fire. Based on the repair records and information I obtained, I believe the fire resulted from work performed on the exhaust system that allowed excessive heat to damage nearby wiring, leading to an electrical short.

      I also later discovered that the vehicle had previously received an engine replacement before I purchased it, and I was not informed of that history during the sale. Had I known the vehicle had a replacement engine and the extent of its prior repairs, I would have made a different purchasing decision or negotiated a different price. This experience has involved months of repairs, disputes, loss of use of the vehicle, and significant frustration. I encourage anyone considering buying a vehicle sight unseen to request all repair records, vehicle history, and written disclosures before completing the purchase.

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingStaff

      Reviewed July 7, 2026

      Financed my car 35 days ago through CarMax Lithia Springs, GA. I was having some small issues with the car and the car salesperson Lynette ** said call the service department and I did. That was June 29th, I got the phone bot that transferred me to the service department or should I say the voicemail. I left a voice, should I say a few. It is now July 7th and I have yet to get a call or any form of communication from CarMax or their Service Department. You know that bad feeling you get when you should have checked the reviews? I really wish I had. The bad reviews are more than triple the the good.

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      Sales & MarketingStaffFollow-Through

      Reviewed June 29, 2026

      Shipped a car based on its advertised color. Car arrived that was not as advertised. Company keeps the money and resells it to someone else. I have purchased every car for a 5-driver household for the past two decades directly from CarMax, but never again. My advice to you...do not pay to ship a car unless you are not picky about the color, or do not care about taking the loss. There will be no reimbursement or credit coming your way. Shady professional tactics, in my opinion. (Source: Mike **, General Manager, Schaumburg, IL location)

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      Customer ServiceCoverageSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedMaintenanceStaffRatesResolutionTimeliness

      Reviewed June 29, 2026

      I wish I could give two separate reviews one for Sales and one for Service, however I cannot, and therefore my rating is unfortunately a 3 (and that feels generous). We bought a car there this past week, and it’s only been seven days since purchase. Just today I was able to get over to my own trusted mechanic to do a post purchase inspection. That post purchase inspection included running a scan of all active codes (as I can imagine any car workup does these days) and I’d also like to note they were able to do it same day, no appointment. They determined there was at least one pending code to which they gave me a fee quote and offered to fix it.

      Since presumably I purchased the car with this active code running, I figured I would take it back to Carmax and they might offer to look and fix as a complimentary service. One would probably venture to guess too that before Carmax sells cars they also run the scanner of all codes. So I take it to Carmax service today (6/29 around noon) and ask to have it looked at. The woman at the front desk tells me she is not able to make me an appointment or to have anyone look at it because there is no check engine light on. I kid you not she even insists on walking out to my car to fact check and confirm there is no light on.

      My mechanic had clarified that sometimes it can take a bit of time for an active but pending code to trigger the check engine light and had also offered to diagnose and fix the issue. I tried multiple times to explain this to the woman at the front desk at the service department to absolutely no avail and at one point, she even stopped responding to me and just stared at me, seemingly hoping that I would stop trying to get service for my car and leave.

      I have never experienced such customer service and treatment at any of my prior mechanics or dealerships that I’ve been to for car service. If there was ever a time that I brought my car in for any funny sounds, smells, etc. they were always willing to at least take a look at the car. I find it extremely extremely strange that Carmax was not willing to simply take a look, scan for codes and propose a solution, especially given I had a printout from my mechanic. I also would assume that when Carmax purchases and sells cars, they do more than simply “check the check engine light” despite the fact that this woman seemed to imply that all that was necessary to make sure a car was in good order was to check the engine light.

      I unfortunately purchased the extended Carmax service plan and will most likely be canceling considering I absolutely do not feel comfortable that Carmax is willing to service my vehicle in the way that I trust and that I would like my vehicle to be serviced, nor is their service department able to treat customers respectfully. Unfortunately, I’m sure there are very good and qualified individuals working in the back on the cars, but all that the customer interacts with is the person at the front desk, who does not seem to be aware or care how she represents the company and the whole department. All I can hope now is that this does not turn into any major issue. It is absolutely not Carmax‘s decision to what extent I choose to diagnose and correct issues with my own car.

      If a customer would like a full work up of their car and issues fixed regardless of how minor, that should be completely up to the owner of the vehicle rather than the woman who simply sits at the front desk, especially considering auto service generally follows with an invoice for materials and labor. I would also love to share that my sales experience was extremely pleasant and I very much enjoy the vehicle I purchased. I worked with Scott out of the Hartford superstore. Unfortunately though, my experience with Service will now taint the Carmax transaction experience. This was by far the least customer centric service department I’ve ever experienced in my life and I am incredibly frustrated. I partially hope the check engine light doesn’t end up turning on just so I do not have to return to carmax for service. Good riddance.

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      Reviewed June 26, 2026

      Not sure why CarMax has changed so much in how you buy a car. I bought from them in 2019 and recently picked out a new vehicle to purchase. I ended up working/talking with 5 different people and they ALL told me a different story about the financing. DONE with Carmax, moving on....

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPunctuality & SpeedLoan Process

      Reviewed June 20, 2026

      20min. Test drive 20min only and if you're telling the sales person I am going to purchase this vehicle now with cash and the sales person says, "I’m sorry it’s been over the 20min test drive, Car Max policy, I’m going to have to drive it back. You can ride with me back if you like?" So I had waited over 3 weeks for the shipping on a vehicle and when the day came I said it’s ok. The sales person just not too smart, no big deal, as I sit in the back seat on the way back to deliver ship, checkbook in hand, ready to buy my new truck.

      32k cash hard earned money, then they say, "We are sorry we cannot sell this truck to anyone because the title says it has 50k on it and the car reads 47k." so they came up with we can drive it 2k miles then. Sell it or file for a new title for it. So as I was walking out with my heart ripped out and my time, my money, all valued like I was someone trying to get approval or a loan. They did not offer to sell me anything else and they did not follow up with me. I’m taking my money some place else due to the fact

      1. I am going to buy cash now. (Sales person says great however the 20min test drive is over so I know you said you're paying cash and buying it now however car max policy 20min test drive lmao). 2. They had the vehicle as a certified and. Saying on report that all was good. When in reality they wher going to sell me a vehicle with the mileage wrong on title and from car over 2k in miles. 3. They had no value for my money or my time (but definitely did a great job at the 20min test drive give that sales person a raise great job)

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & Speed

      Reviewed June 19, 2026

      2022 Honda Hybrid with 30K miles is a premium resale unit. They could have bought it. Maybe sell for a quick profit. Make a clean profit plus the laydown sale.

      Instead, a 60‑year‑old woman at a Customer Service. If you ever buy anywhere, always see what a real customer who bought it says. “Gatekeeper” on a salary or hourly basis. Kill the deal. I don't memorize the VIN, the plate number, or appointment info. Had an appointment at 4:15, I was there at 4:10. She cost her employer thousands, as well as commission to the order taker. They create the illusion of demand: “Acting as booked solid.” "We need your VIN first.” “We need your plate number.” "Others are waiting.” Ha! Ha! All of that is manufactured scarcity. It’s the same tactic as a restaurant claiming it’s full when half the tables are empty.

      I walked out, went into the Show Room, and saw the truth: Three kids laughing at the counter. Two “order takers” sitting together. Two orders were taken on their phones. No greeting. No engagement. No awareness. No urgency, no leadership. That’s not a sales floor. That’s a daycare with car keys. Discipline, accountability, metrics, training, standards, consequences. They had none of it.

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      Sales & Marketing

      Reviewed June 15, 2026

      A 22-yr CarMax customer with 10 sales. I sadly perceived today’s 2026 Carmax as the same as dealer tactics from 1990s. If I need to play games, I’ll go to a dealer and save money. -Marc

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPunctuality & SpeedStaffHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed June 13, 2026

      To Whom It May Concern, I would like to formally express my disappointment regarding the way I was treated during my recent visit to the CarMax location in Irving, Texas. Prior to arriving, I had already been approved through Capital One and had completed all of the required prequalification steps. When I arrived at the dealership, I realized I had forgotten to complete the Express Pickup process. Ahmed, the salesperson assisting me, was wonderful. He helped me upload my financial documents and pay stubs and proceeded to retrieve the vehicle so that I could test drive it.

      However, while waiting to test drive the vehicle, Ahmed called me back over and informed me that the manager, Nate **, wanted to review my bank statements to verify that my paycheck deposits matched the pay stubs I had already provided. Although I found this request excessive and embarrassing, I complied and logged into my personal bank account to show that my deposits matched my pay stubs exactly. After this was verified, I was once again called back from the test drive process. This time, I was told that my monthly income was off by approximately $200 and that my application needed to be adjusted and resubmitted to Capital One. After carefully reviewing my pay stubs with Ahmed, I demonstrated that Mr. **'s calculations were incorrect. In fact, I had actually reported approximately $200 less income than what my documentation supported. Despite this, my application was rerun again.

      At that point, I was extremely upset and struggling to remain professional. Throughout this process, I received no apology from Mr. ** for his mistake or for the inconvenience and embarrassment I experienced. Instead, I was left with the overwhelming impression that he was determined to prove that I was dishonest, submitting fraudulent documents, or attempting to deceive the dealership. His repeated requests for additional documentation beyond what Capital One had required made me feel as though I was being treated like a thief, a liar, and a scammer rather than a valued customer. To make matters worse, my friend accompanied me during this visit and witnessed the entire interaction. Mr. ** walked past her without acknowledging her presence and never apologized for incorrectly challenging my reported income. The entire experience was humiliating and left me feeling stereotyped and singled out.

      I understand that dealerships have a responsibility to verify information and protect against fraud. However, there is a respectful and professional way to conduct those reviews. The manner in which I was treated lacked professionalism, courtesy, and basic customer service. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with Mr. **'s supervisor or a member of CarMax leadership regarding this matter. I believe customers should be treated with dignity and respect, especially after they have already met the lender's requirements and provided the requested documentation in good faith. I sincerely hope CarMax takes this complaint seriously and addresses the concerns regarding how customers are treated during the purchasing process.

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      CoverageSales & MarketingPriceMaintenanceStaffBillingLoan Process

      Reviewed June 10, 2026

      4 Reasons Why My Family and I Will Never Purchase Another Vehicle from CarMax. My family's experiences with CarMax ultimately resulted in our decision to never purchase another vehicle from the company, never recommend it to others, and never do business with it again. This decision was not based on one isolated event. It was based on four significant experiences involving both my daughter and myself that permanently changed our confidence in CarMax.

      The first reason involved my daughter's vehicle purchase. She purchased a used Volkswagen from CarMax and also purchased the MaxCare extended warranty offered through the sales process. Only months after purchase, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure and required a complete engine replacement. While the warranty covered the repair, I believed this was an opportunity to help her move into another dependable vehicle rather than continuing the loan on a vehicle that had already experienced a major engine failure.

      The second reason involved my own vehicle purchase from CarMax. About six days after purchasing a vehicle, my son noticed a dent near one of the rear reflectors. When I returned to the dealership, I was initially told the damage must have occurred after purchase. However, after reviewing the original online listing photographs, it became clear the dent was already visible before the vehicle was sold to me. Once the photographs were reviewed, the damage was acknowledged and I was offered repairs.

      The third reason occurred after that experience. While returning the vehicle, I visited a nearby Mazda dealership and learned I could purchase a brand-new vehicle for less money, lower monthly payments, and significantly lower financing costs than the used vehicle I had purchased from CarMax. That discovery further reduced my confidence in the value of my purchase.

      The fourth and most significant reason occurred approximately a year and a half after my daughter's first engine replacement. The replacement engine also failed. By that time, the vehicle had exceeded the warranty mileage limitations and the second engine failure was not covered. My daughter was left facing substantial repair costs and ongoing financial obligations associated with the vehicle.

      I understand that mechanical failures can happen and that no dealership can guarantee every vehicle will be problem-free. However, what stands out to me is that both my daughter's situation and my own could have followed a different path had the focus been on doing what was right for the customer rather than simply repairing the vehicles.

      Looking back, these four experiences permanently changed my family's confidence in CarMax. They are the reason we no longer do business with the company and why I share our experience with others when asked about purchasing a vehicle from CarMax. This review reflects my family's personal experience and opinions based on the events described above.

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      TechStaff

      Reviewed June 8, 2026

      I came back to write another review because the truck I bought from this dump is the never ending gift approaching 14k in repair. Now they are telling me I may need an engine and that 11k for OEM. I paid 34k for truck. Add 14k and now if I do engines another 11k. I recommend run from this company and save your money. I could have bought a new truck with what I have into this POS right now and I still owe 26k on it. Only had the POS for 8 months. What crappy company. Wouldn’t help at all. Looked for reasons not to help.

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      Transparency

      Reviewed June 6, 2026

      My current CarMax experience thus far is less than tolerable at this point. I did all the paperwork online and that was pleasurable but it is the shipping request that has left a very unpleasurable taste in my mouth. The 1st of June (give or take) I initiated a shipping request for a vehicle to be brought over for potentially purchasing and now for the last 6 days (6 DAYS) the "tracker" has been updated, the vehicle HAS NOT been shipped (as requested) and I am almost ready to cancel the entire thing and move on. Not very customer satisfaction worried at all!!!

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsStaff

      Reviewed June 4, 2026

      Purchased a 2017 Audi Q5 from CarMax expecting the peace of mind that comes with buying from a large national retailer that advertises rigorous vehicle inspections. Unfortunately, my experience was the opposite. Within two weeks of purchase, the vehicle developed significant brake-related issues, including a loud whistling noise. The noise was occurring when I arrived at the service department, yet I was told the issue could not be verified. Being told there was no problem while the problem was actively occurring was both frustrating and concerning.

      Over the next two weeks, the vehicle spent three days and nights back at CarMax for inspection and service. During that time, I paid for a rental car out of pocket while attempting to get the issue resolved. Most importantly, I no longer felt safe driving the vehicle. Whether CarMax agreed with my assessment or not, I purchased the car expecting confidence in its condition. Instead, I found myself questioning the safety of a vehicle I had owned for less than two weeks.

      To CarMax’s credit, a corporate representative eventually contacted me and apologized for the experience. However, when it came to a resolution, I was offered only current market value for the vehicle rather than reimbursement for the expenses and inconvenience I incurred after purchasing a vehicle that developed problems almost immediately.

      Used cars can have issues. The true test of a company is how it responds when those issues arise. In my case, I felt my concerns were dismissed, my out-of-pocket costs were not addressed, and the proposed resolution left me bearing the consequences of a vehicle problem that surfaced almost immediately after purchase. Based on this experience, I would strongly encourage anyone purchasing from CarMax to obtain an independent inspection as soon as possible and to carefully review all return and warranty options before the return window expires. I cannot recommend CarMax based on my experience.

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      PricePunctuality & SpeedRates

      Reviewed June 1, 2026

      Went to Carmax because I owned a Chevy Malibu that was at its end of life, found a Ford that I liked. Did all the paperwork to buy it and got an offer of 2000$ for my car. I was told that they would honor that price once my bank cleared the lien/verified the lien was paid off. 2 weeks later once the bank FINALLY lets go of the title, Carmax only offers 1200$ and states that my odometer has been tampered with. They showed me a heavily edited Carfax report where it looks like they copy/pasted information over to make it look like it was tampered with. They would not show me the online report, only printing out their version. These people are scammers. The first week with my new vehicle and it already broke down. Criminal Lemon Lot dealer.

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      Reviewed May 31, 2026

      What a joke! I filled out all the info to sell a car. Trade in kbb is 46-49k. They said they would do 40k only. 6900 miles perfect condition. I wouldn't waste time with CarMax. Carvana offered me 47k.

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      Customer ServiceTechSales & MarketingBillingTransparency

      Reviewed May 29, 2026

      On 4/15/26, I purchased a vehicle from Carmax (Norcross) and signed a retail installment sales contract. I provided my required down payment, completed all requested paperwork and took delivery of the vehicle. At the time of purchase, I was informed that my financing had been approved and was provided with payment information, including the lender's name, monthly payment amount, and payment due date (the contract).

      After the sale was completed and I had already taken possession of the vehicle, Carmax (Norcross) began contacting me regarding alleged issues with the transaction. The sales manager (James or Justin) informed me that they want me to return to the dealership and sign new paperwork under different terms, Specifically, I was told that I need to bring in my pay stubs (sounds like a restructuring deal under my nose).

      What's concerning is that the sales manager has repeatedly refused to provide written documentation explaining exactly why these changes are being requested. I have not heard anything from my lender except from what the sales manager is saying what the lender is "telling him"... one day it's an administrative glitch, the next week it's pay stub issue.

      I am requesting that Carmax provide a complete explanation, including my entire file, that states every interaction between the lender and dealership regarding my car. I am also requesting Carmax honors the original contract so that I can get my tag and registration. Before you reply with that computer-generated response... no, do not call me to discuss, just send in my final paperwork so I can get my tag!!! Thank you, Sales Manager!!

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsStaffHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed May 28, 2026

      This place is AWFUL! We paid a $250 deposit to get a Tesla to Arizona. They called for us to test drive it, which we did. Ashley, who was helping us, said they would email the paperwork over. Instead an hour later we get a text message that the car has been released!! We tried calling, but of course no one can help when you call any number for them. We drove up to the carmax dealership (where Ashley wouldn’t even make eye contact) and Dezirae, the senior customer specialist, came to sit down with us and tell us that their policy is the release the car after it has been test driven and that a different manager has a customer with the car on hold!! We told them that isn’t what we were told by Ashley, and instead Dezirae gave us the number to customer service. No refund of our deposit, no help, nothing. The WORST customer service and lies!!

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      Customer ServicePricePunctuality & SpeedMaintenanceStaffRatesTimeliness

      Reviewed May 27, 2026

      The three good things are the pricing, the guy who helped us first, and the woman who did the paperwork. It goes downhill from there. We were there three hours buying the car, signing myriads of paperwork because the computer wouldn't allow e-signing. When we test drove the vehicle, my husband discovered the tire pressure on the left side was 32, right side, 44. Small thing, but pretty easy to check, if they'd bothered.

      When we got home, discovered one key fob wasn't working. Did they not check?? Drove there, 1 1/2 hour round trip, again next day. They made some excuse and put in new battery. Still not working. This was on Sunday, but they would turn the repair request in on Monday and someone would come to our house to fix. By Wednesday, still no key. A phone call discovered it had never been turned in. Promise to fix by Friday. Friday, no repair.

      Another call, the following Tuesday, revealed IT STILL HADN'T BEEN TURNED IN. 9 days after purchase. There were a couple of issues we wanted fixed, so made appointment with service for Wednesday. One issue was because the battery was going bad!! Didn't they check that, either? Along with the tire pressure and the key fob? The key repair place finally called, said they weren't ever told, which we knew, and, if we would make an hour-long round trip on Friday, they would meet us, or we could wait until NEXT TUESDAY, when they would be in our city. 17 days after purchase. Not doing business with CarMax Bristol ever again.

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      CoverageTechPricePunctuality & SpeedRates

      Reviewed May 18, 2026

      Carmax is not what they used to be. They have become just like any other dealership, maybe worst because their prices are higher. I bought a 2019 Toyota from Carmax with a one-year extended warranty. Nine months later, I started having issues with the "Certified" vehicle. We took it to Carmax and supposedly, they repaired the problem. A few months later, we had the same issue, well guess what, the warranty had just expired. Now there are a number of small issues that are beginning to pop up, which will cost upwards of $2000.

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPunctuality & SpeedEase of UseTransparencyCommunication

      Reviewed May 18, 2026

      I’m giving CarMax 1 out of 5 stars based on my real experience buying 2 vehicles from them within a 17-month period. On paper, the “no haggle” model sounds great. In reality, buyers still need to be extremely careful and do independent inspections and research. Here were the biggest issues I experienced: Inaccurate or incomplete vehicle history reports. Both vehicles I purchased were listed by CarMax as having no accidents. Later, when attempting to resell one of the vehicles, I learned there had been a prior minor accident reported. Additionally, both vehicles showed signs of repaint work with mismatched paint coloring that was not disclosed upfront. Incorrect trim advertisement One vehicle was advertised as a higher trim level, but after checking the VIN, it turned out to be a lower trim model than advertised.

      RepairPal warranty experience was disappointing. I was encouraged to purchase the RepairPal warranty package, but when I actually needed repairs, it was difficult to find participating repair shops with availability. I ultimately ended up being referred to the dealership anyway. Trade-in/resale offers felt extremely low. When I attempted to trade in or resell my vehicle back to CarMax, the offer was thousands lower than what comparable vehicles of the same year and similar configuration were being listed for on their own lot.

      Poor communication regarding vehicle holds. I specifically communicated that I intended to purchase a vehicle and requested it be held for 2 additional days due to a personal emergency. Despite that conversation, the vehicle was shipped to another location. In hindsight, it may have been a blessing in disguise. Overall, my experience with CarMax did not match the transparency and convenience they advertise. I personally will not purchase from CarMax again. My advice to the public: regardless of where you buy, always verify the VIN, obtain independent inspections, review the paint/body condition carefully, and compare trade-in values elsewhere before making a decision.

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      TechStaff

      Reviewed May 15, 2026

      6909 Southwest Freeway, Houston,Texas: We purchased a GMC Terrain 2023, there was issue with this vehicle after viewing it on lot. Service Adviser stated that they could take care of them, brought it back…some of it was professionally done, but there was an issue with the passenger side front fender, and alignment of the hood. Came back second and four time for the passenger fender that kept popping out. Finally we took it to a Collision Shop near my home. The shop took photos, and explained that someone (CarMax associate) try gluing and shaving the plastic part as well as putting screwing to hold it together.

      It needed the front bumper replaced (new), which should have been replaced from the second time I bought it back for repairs …at which I show the Service Advisor the photos and parts that was shave, to keep it together. This is a Major Car Dealership and this is the kind of service they are offering with Service Advisor who don’t get back in touch with you nor Service Manager. What’s your view on CarMax? I’ve have read a crate full of incidents just like this if not worse…. You decide if you wanna buy from them???

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      CarMax author review by Miranda Weiss

      The prices on CarMax are non-negotiable, meaning there’s no need to haggle. The site exclusively offers used vehicles. However, there are a moderate amount of cars with very low mileage. CarMax spends an average of 12 hours prepping each vehicle for purchase — each car must pass a 125-point inspection and undergo a thorough cleaning before being put up for sale.

      • Store-to-store shipping: CarMax has 200 locations nationwide. If you find a car online that you like, it can be shipped to any of CarMax’s locations for you to pick up.

      • 7-day guarantee: If you are dissatisfied with your car, no matter the reason, you can return it within seven days of purchase, no questions asked.

      • Multiple financing options: Customers can apply for financing through CarMax Auto Finance or several other third-party institutions. Options are available for those with weaker credit.

      • Extended service plans: You can protect your car by purchasing an extended service plan that will help you pay for repairs you may need down the road.

      • Filters to narrow down searches: Find the perfect car by selecting the right price, type, brand, year and location. You can also search using the “lifestyle” option, depending on whether you are outdoorsy, living in a big city or want a family car.

      • Test drive before buying: If you find a car online, that means it’s available at a CarMax location. You can test drive any car before buying.

      Miranda Weiss is a writer and editor who joined the ConsumerAffairs team in 2024. Her background includes writing for law firms, marketing clients and nonprofits. She has an MFA in writing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a B.A. in English from Northeastern State University.

      CarMax Company Information

      Company Name:
      CarMax
      Website:
      www.carmax.com