CarMax Reviews

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.

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.

I purchase a vehicle from CarMax… but you would think that before placing it on lot for sale, they would have gone over it a repair any issue with the vehicle. I had to point out issue on the vehicle, bringing it back two times for a repair that should have been done the first time (after taking it to a collision repair shop and paying for a repair report, pointing out what was wrong and what should have been corrected the first time). They replaced the bumper, but… now failed to match up the paint to the rest of the vehicle, now I have to come back a fifth time to bring it back to get it fixed (paint match up to rest of the vehicle).

I’ve browsed CarMax before but it’s been maybe 10 years since then and it’s been so long because even back then the vehicles were very subpar as they are today. I thought I would give them another chance since it’s been so long. I didn't want to cross them off the list because of one bad experience 10 years ago however this experience in 2026 was even worse. It was a 12 year old car that was overpriced and cosmetically terrible. I’m talking about damages all over the body and tears in the leather interior seating, vehicle was dirty and legit looked like they just got it from a backyard auction and ran it through a gas station car wash. The only thing the car had going for itself is the low mileage for the year. I guess that’s what they figured would sell the car.

Horrible customer service and horrible online quote. After putting everything in that they requested, my quote came out to 1200. Pay to have the car towed there after calling twice to ensure the quote would be taken, and get there for them to offer me 300. Horrible representative when I arrived after asking if I could have it picked up by another company who is paying more they said, 'idk it'll get towed eventually.' Would never recommend them to anyone. Waste of time. Could have had someone come to my front door and buy it for $500, but since they wouldn't even allow me to leave it for a few hours, it was sell it to them or pay for a tow.

Had an appointment at 5:00pm at Edison, N.J. to sell a car that they already inspected. Arrived at 4;50. They had no record of the appointment! I have a text and email with the appointment number. They have no idea why it's not in the system. She said she would put it in for 5:00 but they are behind anyway. How far behind? One hour? Two hours? She shrugs. No idea. Meanwhile, others who came in after us, also with a 5pm appointment, are being helped.

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding a recent experience with the CarMax branch in Westborough, MA. I had initiated the purchase of an F-150, which included both loan approval and shipping approval. However, I subsequently received a call from a sales manager identified as Christian at ** who canceled the order. I noted that he did not use a recorded line for this communication. The explanation provided felt unprofessional and unethical, particularly as it followed a $4,000 price markdown on the vehicle. It appears the order was canceled despite the prior approvals already being in place. As a nationwide recognized car dealer, I expect a higher standard of service and professional integrity from CarMax leadership.

The Ethics and Values that are written standards for CarMax employees and as a whole have been violated. When I purchased a 2017 Ford Mustang Ecoboost, the engine was already blown, I followed all the instructions given and was told to drive the vehicle with a check engine light until they could schedule me, then was given a loaner vehicle with an expired tag, while they claimed to repair my vehicle up to it's purchase power but was denied because they feel as if the Arbitration clause will allow them angles to scam you and move on as if nothing happened. All that was stated was in agreement to the contract....

I purchased a vehicle from CarMax (Gaithersburg, MD) on February 26, and this has been one of the worst car-buying experiences I’ve ever had. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle failed inspection, which should never happen with a dealership sale. I had to make multiple trips from Virginia to Maryland to get repairs addressed, wasting time and gas. Now, less than two months later, my temporary tags have expired, and I still cannot register the vehicle. When I went to the DMV ahead of time to handle everything responsibly, I was told they could not process my registration because CarMax has not submitted the required title information.

I called Carmax customer service about issue with my 2019 Nissan Altima that had 18-inch alloy rims, which car designed for 19 inch alloy rims. They advised me they had taken my name and number and manager will call. I never got call back so I had call back and got a manager by name of Avious ** and told them my issue. He advised he would check into the issue and call me back, which he never called back.

They are thieves. They completely took advantage of a single mother who is a school teacher. They admit they screwed her yet won't fix the issue. They sold her a car claiming that it was a good car and had a warranty. Driving home she has mechanical issues. She took it back in and 6 months after she bought it while making payments on it she finally got her car back. She made payments while they had her car for 6 months without being able to drive it. Then she was able to drive it for 3 months before the transmission went out. Again another three or four months without the car while she's still making payments on the car. Then she gets the car back and is happy. For a month or two then the transmission starts to go out again. She takes it to two different mechanics so that she knew what was wrong before she took it back to CarMax.

CarMax promised to repair scratches and dents that weren't advertised with the car. After the 20 day no questions asked return date they informed me they we're not going to do the repairs. The salesperson and salesmanager both stated the repairs would be made. They weren't.

Another greedy company that puts profits over service and integrity. I purchased my 4th car from CARMAX Lithia Springs. 2020 Volvo XC90. A week in the AC went out. They claimed they fixed the evaporator coil, but just topped it off with freon because it was getting cool and I would not use the AC much. As soon as it warmed, the AC again did not work. It took two weeks of fighting with my car in the shop to get them to pay for what they should have done right the first time. I am a home hospice nurse, so I have to have a car to get to my patients, 5-6 stops a day.

Still a used car lot, no matter how easy it is. Buyer ALWAYS beware. 2021 lower milage Jeep needed $4k plus of work just 3 months after purchase. Only $1k covered by purchased extended warranty. All normal wear and tear items granted, but they are not really checking these cars. Way better off with certified used from a dealership. NEVER AGAIN.

Never deal with these people. They jack up prices way above "Blue Book" and offer you a price for YOUR car way below Blue Book. IE List a 2017 Accord (60,000 miles) for $22,000 but you can buy a 2025 Accord (15,000 miles) for $25000. They will offer me $16,000 for my car, but a local dealership offered me $18,000. GO TO A DEALERSHIP, at least they will negotiate. CARMAX will not.

Bought a car in March of 2026 and the SUV only had 30,000 miles and I did signup for Max Autocare warranty. Thank God I did. Not even having this vehicle for 2 months I already need AC pulley. Caremax will give you a Carfax stating the have check the car and certified which is a total lie. They will give a 30day warranty for major issues. I am not happy with this place and will never buy another vehicle from them. My first car payment is not due but I have to pay a 400.00 dollar deductible to get the pulley fix.

Don't ever use Carmax! Not only did I pay way too much but I have had nothing but problems since I've got it. The 10 day warranty is a joke. The transmission went out 9 months later called and got told too late, too bad. It's costing me an extra 6000 dollars on top of what I've paid to try to keep this car on the road. I had to take my car in 7 times to my mechanic. Carmax did not disclose any problems. They are a bad place to go.

Dishonest, sold me a lemon, had it a little over a year, nothing but problems, they try everything to not fix the car with out it costing you money, kept my car for a month with excuses, put the blame on me, I wound up selling it back to them for pennies because I couldn’t put any more money into it. Now I’m 80 years old with out a car, and a loss if 10,000, Henderson Nevada.

DO NOT BUY A CAR FROM CARMAX! They lie, and leave important information out. WORST COMPANY EVER!! They lied over the phone and at two locations. I'm thinking of contacting a lawyer! After telling me they aren't fixing anything, or doing anything, I received an email stating my issue was resolved, thank you for contacting us. Seriously?!

Updated on 04/17/2026: CarMax Auto Finance has been one of the most frustrating companies I’ve ever dealt with. They continue calling and demanding payments while my vehicle still has unresolved mechanical issues. Instead of helping find a fair solution, they only seem focused on collecting money.

I have never before posted about a personal consumer issue, but after months of trying to resolve this through the appropriate channels — including escalation to the executive level — I think it’s important to share so others do not have this experience. In Sept. 2024, I purchased a Volvo XC90 from the Athens CarMax, along with their MaxCare warranty, with the expectation that if in the unlikely chance something went wrong, there would be a clear and reliable path to resolution.

Purchased a vehicle with the indication for GAP coverage. We made sure GAP coverage was an option and the salesman said they offered GAP coverage. We opted -in for GAP coverage because we wanted it and have it on all our other vehicles; anyway, the dealership salesman even showed us on the computer screen that GAP coverage box was checked. He even said to us, "Yes. You have coverage on this car...see" (as he, SALESMAN, pointed to the checked GAP coverage box). Less than a year later, the car was in an accident and when it was time to finalize things for paying off the balance of the car, the documents we had showed that we had NO GAP coverage.... I was furious!

I recently bought a car from CarMax in Charleston SC. A little over a month later, as outside temps warmed, I turned on the air conditioner, and it didn’t cool. I contacted my salesperson to see if they would help me. I felt like they sold me a car with broken ac, and didn’t disclose it. The salesperson never got back to me. Now I am facing a costly repair bill at a dealership. I’ve done business for years with CarMax. I won’t do it again. Beware of purchasing a car there. Insist on taking it to a mechanic first for a thorough check. The lesson I learned is to not trust CarMax. Trust your mechanic's word about the condition of the car!

CarMax has been an absolute disaster to deal with. I tried to sell my car through them and the level of incompetence was unbelievable. First, they couldn’t even provide me with a simple link to upload photos of my vehicle — something every other dealer manages without a problem. Their website also clearly showed they would come to my home to pick up the car, but when I called, they suddenly expected me to drive 2.5 hours to their location instead.

The first 2 young women (** women) I spoke with on the phone top tier customer service!!! Once I got on the phone with Amanda that chick was condescending, rude and disrespectful. I tried to apologize for my tone and that chick hung the phone up on me!!! May she forever have the day she deserves!!! CarMax says that you can use certain documents as proof of residency…yet because it’s not exactly what “Amanda” wants she becomes very rude and disrespectful! So hopefully nobody of color has to deal with her!! She’s obviously very prejudice! May Amanda have the day she deserves!

As a small business owner, everything I was told up to the final purchase was a lie. When I talked to the last representative in Langhorne, PA he apologized for EVERYONE I talked to before him for feeding me false information. Not upset that I didn't purchase from them, because like I told him, it just seemed like a shady way to do business. It was my decision not to buy the vehicle and I canceled the deal, so I'm not a disgruntled car buyer. If you are looking to purchase from CarMax, just think twice. I would go ANYWHERE else. Purchased multiple vehicles from Carvana and NEVER had a problem.

Carmax’s financing is the worst people that you can finance with they are rude. They do not help you. They can’t answer any questions, you asked to speak to a supervisor, she don’t know anything. Maybe they need to get a whole new work staff in there that knows their job. I will never ever use them again for my finance company.

Had reserved a test drive app for 11;00am- wasn’t acknowledged till 11:30am.. 12:41 drove car.. They asked to wait 45 mins while she helped everyone but me. Said she’d call and didn’t! Awful service!!

I trusted Carmax to sell me a reliable car. That's why I bought a second car from them. But just after six months, the car broke down and had to have a lot of fixing and parts replaced. And even then the car still not running well and the repair shop cannot fix the problem on it. Granted that I didn't have an extended warranty from carmax, I still called them to asked that if I use their car repair services I could still at least get a discount. And also for them to know and see that the car they sold me is defective. They said they can look at it but they can't guarantee that they can give me a discount and also because I didn't have a warranty. They said they're going to research about my car and email me or call me back about it. But they never did.

CarMax only provides you with Experian Autocheck vehicle history report. Make sure to ask for CARFAX report or you personally pay and buy it to make sure you have all information regarding the vehicle history. CARFAX is more credible and provides you with more detailed and comprehensive information. The Autocheck may lack critical information (like history of damage).