Curious about how to sell a used car to CarMax? We can help.
Article Summary:
Get a free offer online or in-person
Fill out a quick form on carmax.com or walk into any CarMax store for a real offer that’s worth real money.No obligation to buy from us
You can sell your car to CarMax even if you’re not in the market for another one. If you accept our offer, you can leave with payment the same day.We handle loan payoffs
If you still owe money on your car, we contact your lender directly to facilitate the payoff, so you don’t have to manage it yourself.Simpler than a private sale
Private sales can take weeks or months. Get started online, and you can leave CarMax with payment in hand in 30 minutes or less.
If you’re looking to sell your car, you’ve got options beyond trading in or selling your car privately.
At CarMax, we make you a real online offer worth real money—not a ballpark number designed to get you in the door. We also won’t follow it up with a flood of phone calls. And it’s good for seven days, giving you time to make sure it’s the best offer out there.
We’ve heard from customers that selling privately can take weeks or even months longer—with challenges like price negotiations and some prospective buyers wanting to have their mechanic inspect the car. And if you’re still making payments on your vehicle while you’re trying to sell it, those payments keep adding up.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to selling your car to CarMax.
How important is it to have a clean or detailed car before I bring it to CarMax?
What’s the difference between trading in a car, a private sale, and selling to CarMax?
Why sell your car to CarMax?
You’ll get a real offer worth real money that’s good for seven days
You can leave CarMax with payment in hand
We’ll buy your car even if you don’t buy one from us
How can I find out CarMax’s offer for my car?
Here’s everything you need to know: there are two simple ways to receive your free, no-obligation offer. Fill out the form below to get your online offer, or schedule an in-person appraisal appointment at your local CarMax.
Whether your car is appraised online or in-store, your offer is valid for seven days. Our 7-day offer window gives you time to compare your options before deciding.
If you’re ready to sell it to us, either make an appointment or bring your car in anytime we're open. Complete the steps online first, and you can leave with payment in hand in 30 minutes or less.
What goes into your CarMax offer?
We look at your VIN, odometer reading, vehicle history, and overall condition. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average American drives about 14,000 miles per year—which is why mileage is one of the key factors in any appraisal.
What paperwork do I need to have ready?
To receive an offer in store, you don’t need any paperwork—just bring the car.
If you plan to accept an offer in the store, you’ll need:
Your car's title or payoff information. All titleholders should be present.
Valid and current registration
Valid state-issued photo ID for all title holders
All keys and remotes
Requirements may vary by state—click here to find out exactly what you need to bring.
How important is it to have a clean or detailed car before I bring it to CarMax?
There’s no need to spend a lot of money on professional detailing before you visit us. We’re not as concerned about minor imperfections as we are about how your car has been cared for over time. The car’s service history, overall condition, and any remaining warranty coverage are all part of the picture. Read more about how to maximize your car’s value.
What’s the difference between trading in a car, a private sale, and selling to CarMax?
CarMax | Private Sale | Dealer Trade-in | |
|---|---|---|---|
Offer type | No-haggle written offer | Negotiated with buyer | Bundled with vehicle purchase |
Offer valid | 7 days | N/A | Varies |
Payment speed | Same day | When buyer pays | At time of trade |
Must buy from them? | No | N/A | Typically yes |
Time to complete | 30 min with online prep | Weeks to months | Hours |
Paperwork | CarMax handles it | Your responsibility | Dealer handles it |
When you trade in your vehicle at other dealerships, you can’t be sure the dealer isn’t boosting your trade-in value in order to charge you more for a car. At CarMax, we give you a no-hassle appraisal offer for your vehicle. If you’re ready to sell, you can leave with payment in hand.
Private sale is worth considering if you don’t mind posting and responding to ads until your car sells, or if you’re willing to negotiate a sales price with your buyer. You could potentially get more money through a private sale.
Be aware, though, that selling privately comes with uncertainties that include:
How much money you’ll get for your car
How effective your ‘for sale’ ad will be
Whether you’ll need to drive your car to a buyer’s mechanic for inspection
How to transfer title paperwork in the state where you live
But if you’re ready to move on to your next vehicle, we can take the extra time and hassle out of selling your old one. Read more about how to trade in a car at CarMax.
What if I still owe money on my car?
If you have an outstanding loan or lien on your car or truck, we’ll contact your lender or lien holder to facilitate a payoff. To pay off your lien, we’ll need the following:
Your lien holder’s name and contact information
Your lien account number and lien holder(s)’s Social Security number
If a previously paid-off lien is listed on your car’s title, you’ll need both the title and the lien release from the lien holder before we can purchase your vehicle.
If your payoff amount is more than our offer for your car, the difference is called “negative equity.” If you’re not buying a car from CarMax, we’ll calculate the difference and you can pay us directly. If you are buying from us, negative equity can often be rolled into your CarMax financing—we’ll walk you through the APR and payment terms.
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 written offers are good for seven days, giving you time to get any necessary funds to settle your transaction.
What needs to happen for the sale to be final?
Once we’ve made an offer on your vehicle and you’ve accepted it (and you’ve brought your paperwork, IDs, keys, and remote fobs with you), we’ll issue you a bank draft on the spot.
If you’re interested in selling your car to CarMax, click here.
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Updated by Scott Wilson - CarMax Contributor
