CarMax is one of the options car owners have for selling their used cars. The resale market has become so large, that multiple companies have tapped into it in order to capitalize on the needs of buyers and sellers.
CarMax is a popular used car buyer and reseller. Their goal is to make the used-car sales process low-hassle and comfortable for customers. This is great for drivers because both buying and selling a used car can be difficult and tedious.
CarMax accepts all kinds of vehicles. This also includes those that are damaged, have mechanical issues, and cosmetic defects.
Continue reading below to learn more about whether CarMax.com or another avenue is the best option for selling your car with mechanical problems.
What is CarMax?
CarMax is a used car retailer. This means that they both buy and sell used cars. They even allow drivers to trade-in their vehicles. Essentially, CarMax is a one-stop-shop for used vehicles.
They are both an online and in-person retailer. So, you can look for your next vehicle in their nationwide online inventory or visit a location in-person.
Moreover, CarMax focuses on selling used cars that are less than six years old. They inspect more than 125 points when examining vehicles to make sure they meet CarMax standards before reselling to other drivers.
Does Carmax Buy Cars With Mechanical Problems?
CarMax purchases vehicles in all types of conditions. The cars don’t have to be in pristine condition and can have suffered wear-and-tear. CarMax will make offers for them.
CarMax even makes offers on cars with minor mechanical damage.
Before making an offer on your vehicle, CarMax will take an appraisal of it. The appraiser will assess your car’s basic functions, mechanical condition, and its exterior condition and then determine its value afterwards.
Factors that weigh into the appraisal value include:
The car’s make, year, and model.
The vehicle history report.
Mileage.
Current market conditions.
In addition, the appraiser will typically take the car for a test drive to examine important functions such as turning, braking, and signaling.
Will CarMax Accept My Car?
Although CarMax is willing to appraise any vehicle, owners with particularly damaged cars may be skeptical about whether their vehicle in particular will get an offer.
If you still have questions about whether CarMax will buy your car, it’s a good idea to do research about the offers specifically available for your vehicle.
Does CarMax Buy Old Cars?
CarMax claims to buy cars of any age or mileage, so it should not be difficult to get an offer if you have an old car, even an older car. CarMax will provide offers that take into account a car’s age, but they should be able to provide an offer for an older car.
Does CarMax Buy Salvage Title Cars?
CarMax may be able to purchase vehicles with salvage titles. However, they are unlikely to resell those vehicles, as their CarMax Quality Certification assures buyers that a vehicle has no flood damage, frame damage or salvage history.
If CarMax does make an offer for a salvage vehicle, it would most likely be significantly lower than an offer for a vehicle they can resell.
Will CarMax Buy A Car With A Bad Transmission?
Yes, CarMax can buy a car with a bad transmission. Of course, damage of any kind will affect a vehicle’s offer, as CarMax does perform a thorough appraisal before generating an offer for a vehicle.
Does CarMax Buy Rebuilt Title Cars?
Similarly to cars with salvage titles, CarMax will not be able to resell a vehicle with a rebuilt title, since it has a salvage history by definition.
That means CarMax may be able to purchase the vehicle from you, but it will still most likely be treated as a salvage vehicle and receive an equivalent offer.
Should I Fix My Vehicle Before Selling It To CarMax?
Fixing your car before selling it to CarMax is unnecessary. As mentioned earlier, CarMax gives offers to vehicles in any condition.
On top of that, putting money into repairing your vehicle won’t increase its value significantly. You’ll just be cutting into the profits you take away from the sale to CarMax.
Will CarMax Pick Up My Car?
If you want your vehicle to be picked up from your house, you’re better off choosing a different service — according to CarMax’s FAQs, they do not currently offer pick up service.
If you have a non-driving vehicle, you’ll need to arrange for a tow service to bring the car to a CarMax location yourself. Otherwise, you will need to find a different service for your vehicle.
How is DamagedCars Different?
DamagedCars.com and CarMax.com are similar in several ways: they both offer online services and purchase used vehicles.
However, they are more different than they are alike.
First, unlike CarMax, DamagedCars is completely online. There is no need to make an appointment with an appraiser or drive your car to a retailer.
DamagedCars completes the entire evaluation remotely. All you have to do is provide certain details and, in some cases, pictures to get an accurate quote.
Additionally, DamagedCars specializes in less-than-perfect, damaged, and non-running vehicles. CarMax on the other hand focuses primarily on used vehicles that are in decent condition.
As a result, DamagedCars.com is better equipped to provide a quote for your car with mechanical issues.
In short, you should sell your broken car to DamagedCars because:
We provide a fair market value for your vehicle within 90 seconds.
FREE towing and FREE title transfers.
No haggling! You receive the entire quoted amount.
Contact DamagedCars today and let us help you get the most for your damaged car.
NOTE: DamagedCars is not affiliated, associated, or otherwise connected with CarMax. The content above is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time the article was written and published.
