Should I Sell My Car to CarMax or Carvana?
Answer a few honest questions and we'll tell you which route makes more sense — and when to get quotes from both.
Published
CarMax and Carvana both buy used cars quickly without the hassle of a private sale, but they work differently enough that the right choice depends on your priorities. CarMax does an in-person appraisal at one of their physical locations — the offer you get is the final number, payment is same-day, and there are no surprise reductions. Carvana is fully online: you enter your car's details, get an instant offer good for 7 days or 1,000 miles, and they'll pick the car up from your home (they even cover the Uber ride back if you drop it off). Carvana is more convenient, but the offer is conditional on a pickup inspection, which can lower the price if your car has undisclosed issues. Pricing is roughly competitive — sometimes CarMax is higher, sometimes Carvana is — so the smartest move is to get quotes from both and take the higher one. Always check dealer trade-in offers too, since trade-ins save on sales tax in most states when you're buying another car.
Sources
- CarMax Vs. Carvana — iSeeCars
- Carvana vs. CarMax: Who's Better for Buying and Selling Used Cars? — GOBankingRates