Carvana vs. CarMax: Who’s Better for Buying and Selling Used Cars?

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Thanks to the presence of online car marketplaces, buying or selling used cars is not the hassle it used to be. Short of pulling up to a car vending machine, you can now access information from some of the largest used car retailers through platforms like CarMax and Carvana, to help take the stress out of the car buying process.

Carvana vs. CarMax: Quick Take

The choice between Carvana vs. CarMax ultimately depends on individual preferences, priorities and comfort levels with online versus in-person transactions. It’s important to remember that both Carvana and CarMax might offer you less money for a car you’re selling to them than you’d get from a private buyer. Similarly, buying a car from them might cost you more than buying privately.

Here are a few more quick takeaways to consider when deciding:

• Convenience: Carvana excels in convenience with its online platform and home delivery option. If you prefer a hassle-free, virtual car buying experience, Carvana might be the better choice when buying a used car.
• In-person interaction: If you value in-person interactions, test drives and the ability to physically inspect vehicles, CarMax’s dealership model provides a more traditional yet comprehensive approach.
• Inventory and options: Both Carvana and CarMax offer extensive inventory, but your specific preferences regarding car models, makes and pricing may influence your decision.
• Return policies and guarantees: Carvana’s good for a seven-day return policy offers peace of mind for online purchases, while CarMax’s quality assurance and certified vehicles provide a sense of reliability.
• Trade-in process: Both companies facilitate trade-ins, so consider which one offers a more favorable trade-in value or process based on your current vehicle.

How Does CarMax Work?

CarMax works on a no-haggle policy, allowing people to buy and sell their cars without having to spend much time and effort. Not everyone is cut out to spend hours at a car dealership negotiating prices.

Currently, CarMax has hundreds of locations across the U.S. where you can find your next dream car, irrespective of the model, make or year you have in mind.

Selling

Trading or selling your car through CarMax is a three-step process. First, you get an offer from CarMax, which the company promises will only take two minutes. Then, you make an appointment. You have seven days to either receive your car’s value in cash or browse your options if you want to trade your car for a new one.

Finally, go to your nearest CarMax dealership to complete the deal. CarMax can pay cash for your car on the day of your appointment, or you can trade your vehicle for a vehicle on its website.

Buying

As for shopping, you can find a car by type, price or brand. CarMax boasts a wide selection of vehicles, ensuring that every buyer has an option that meets their needs. Even better, you can also find cars in person at a CarMax location local to you.

Pros

• Straightforward interface
• No-haggle buying
• Wide variety of makes and models
• 30-day/1,500 mile return policy
• In-house financing options

Cons

• Lower offers on sales and trade-ins compared to private sales
• Shipping fees in some cases, if you choose a car that must be shipped to a CarMax near you or delivered to your home
• Potentially higher prices than other places, since CarMax has physical locations and overhead costs

How Does Carvana Work?

Just like CarMax, Carvana also helps you avoid the hassle of buying your next vehicle from a dealership. Carvana doesn’t have physical dealerships, so you don’t need to visit a branch to complete your purchase. Everything from the selection to the purchase of the car is done online.

Selling

If you want to sell your car, Carvana will provide you with an online offer in just a few minutes. Once you have accepted the offer, someone from the company will be sent to your doorstep to inspect the vehicle.

If your car passes the inspection process, Carvana will offer cash for the car or trade-in value for a new car.

Buying

Once you have chosen a car and paid for it, Carvana delivers it to your doorstep — or, if you prefer, you can pick it up at a vehicle vending machine in your area. After your purchase, you have seven days to check the vehicle and return it if you are not satisfied.

The company has 25,000 vehicles on its website, giving buyers a wide range of options.

Pros

• Straightforward interface for buying or selling cars
• Fewer overhead costs since the company does not rely exclusively on physical locations
• All-online process
• 7-day return policy

Cons

• Cannot test drive the car before buying it unless you pick it up at a vending machine
• Prices are still higher than private purchases
• Lower offers for sellers than private purchases

Similarities Between Carvana and CarMax

The trading, buying and selling processes between the companies are very similar, but Carvana is an entirely online experience if you don’t use a vending machine. As for both companies’ search functions, you can narrow down your choices using the following parameters:

• Price
• Body type
• Mileage
• Year
• Features

Also, either company may charge you a fee if they have to deliver the car to your address. In the case of selling, you can get information and offers from either website in just a few minutes.

Carvana vs. CarMax: The Differences

Here are some of the biggest differences between CarMax and Carvana.

Physical Locations

The significant difference between the two platforms is that CarMax has physical locations across the country. You can go to a local CarMax close to you and look for the perfect car in person. Likewise, you can test drive cars.

But having physical locations means CarMax also deals with higher overhead costs, which could translate to you paying a higher price for your car.

On the other hand, Carvana’s process is mainly online, and lower overhead costs could result in better prices.

Selling Process

Another difference between CarMax and Carvana is in their selling process. CarMax tells you to bring your car to a physical location for inspection. Once they inspect your vehicle and make sure it is up to their standards, they will purchase it from you.

Meanwhile, when you want to sell your car through Carvana, they give you an offer on the spot. After that, they send someone to inspect your vehicle. If your vehicle is up to the mark, they will give you a check right then.

Guarantees and Warranties

Both companies offer a guarantee and warranty. In addition to a seven-day money-back guarantee, every Carvana buyer receives a 100-day, 4,189-mile limited warranty. CarMax guarantees your purchase for 30 days or 1,500 miles and offers a 90-day, 4,000-mile limited warranty.

You can purchase an extended warranty from either company. These optional plans reduce or eliminate the cost of covered car maintenance and repairs, and they provide roadside assistance. CarMax’s extended warranty also covers rental reimbursements.

Gap Coverage

In the event your car is stolen or is totaled in an accident, your insurance company will only pay out what it thinks the car is worth. If that amount is less than you owe on your auto loan, you’ll be stuck paying a loan on a car you no longer have. Gap coverage literally fills that gap — it pays the difference between your insurance claim amount and the balance on your auto loan. Carvana offers gap insurance as an option. CarMax does not.

That said, check with your own insurance company before you buy gap insurance from Carvana or any car dealer. There’s a good chance you’ll get a better rate than the dealer offers.

Final Take To GO: Which Is Better?

Carvana is a better option if you are looking for convenience and ease of use in your purchases and trades. On the other hand, CarMax is ideal for people who want to test drive the car beforehand and who do not mind going to their nearest CarMax location to do it.

But at the end of the day, both platforms are no-haggle and no-pressure, making it simpler, faster and less stressful for you to buy or sell your car than a dealership or private transactor ever could.

Daria Uhlig and Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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