Key Takeaways:
- After researching CarMax warranty reviews, plan offerings, benefits, and more, our team recommends getting quotes for other warranties in addition to CarMax.
- A MaxCare extended warranty is only offered with one level of coverage, with varying options for deductible amount and coverage length.
- A CarMax warranty is only available at the time of a CarMax vehicle purchase.
- Warranty perks include emergency roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.
CarMax’s extended warranty plan, MaxCare®, offers an extended service plan with multiple term options that can be purchased with any CarMax vehicle. But what does it cover? Is it worth the investment?
We’ve spent over 1,475 hours of research on extended warranties to help you choose the best one for your needs. Below, we review MaxCare and explain why we think you’d be better off choosing an extended service plan from a different provider – namely, one of best extended auto warranty providers from our 2022 warranty study.
Our CarMax Warranty Review And Methodology
CarMax’s MaxCare extended warranty offers only one level of coverage to consumers. While it provides coverage for the most important vehicle systems, the benefits of the plan are lackluster. Consider other third-party vehicle service contract companies in your search to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
How We Rated CarMax’s MaxCare Warranty
To give you the most up-to-date information, we update our review standards several times each year. Our warranty research evaluates providers in the following categories:
Industry Standing
CarMax is one of the most well-known used car dealers in the nation, with over 200 locations across the county. In business for over 60 years, it holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is generally held in high regard in the auto industry as a whole.
Coverage
Our research showed that CarMax offers one level of MaxCare coverage, with varying choices for deductible amount and length of coverage. Plans are offered up to 5 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Perks include emergency roadside assistance, coverage in the U.S. and Canada, rental reimbursement, and more.
Cost
CarMax provides an estimation tool for extended warranty coverage costs online, but it’s fairly generic and won’t allow you to see estimated plan costs for your specific make, model or mileage. You’ll have to contact a CarMax dealership directly to receive a cost estimation tailored to your vehicle.
Transparency
Information about MaxCare on the CarMax website is fairly detailed. However, there are no quote tools or sample contracts outlining specific covered repairs for consideration. MaxCare does say that you can cancel your extended warranty contract at any time, but there’s no mention of a money-back guarantee if you cancel within a certain period of time.
Customer Service
Unfortunately, CarMax warranty reviews online as a whole are largely negative. Its Customer Review Rating through the BBB is just over one star, and it was hard to find reviews mentioning its extended warranties. Our team’s local CarMax has over 2,000 reviews with just over four stars, so we recommend reading reviews from CarMax customers in your area to get a sense of the service you’ll receive.
Is A CarMax Warranty Worth It?
While CarMax is reputable and well known, the service you’ll receive seems to vary by location. In addition, it only offers one level of coverage to consumers. If you’re looking for a warranty company that consistently provides excellent service along with a variety of customizable plans, we recommend obtaining quotes from other reputable providers.
CarMax Warranty Quick Facts
- Founded: 1993
- Headquarters: Richmond, Virginia
- Coverage options: One
- Coverage terms: Up to 5 years or 150,000 miles
Is A CarMax Warranty Legit?
Yes, CarMax and its MaxCare warranties are legit. It’s the largest used-car retailer in the United States, with over 200 locations across the country. Fortune ranked CarMax on its list of Top 100 companies to work for in 2020, and it holds an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.
CarMax Warranty Customer Reviews
CarMax is a key player in the auto industry. The company has upward of 200 stores nationwide, making it the largest used-car seller in the country, and it’s known for a hassle-free, no-haggle buying process.
This straightforward approach tends to earn CarMax positive reviews among consumers when it comes to the purchase process. However, reviews will vary for each CarMax location. Reviews as a whole for the company tend to lean toward the negative on the BBB website. We recommend that you research reviews on your local CarMax through Google Reviews and other reputable sites to get an idea of the kind of service you’ll receive at your closest dealership.
CarMax Warranty Coverage
CarMax tends to sell used cars that range from one to eleven years old, meaning roughly half of the vehicles will no longer be covered by their original new vehicle warranty. All vehicles sold by CarMax come with a 90-day Limited Warranty at no extra cost, with an optional extended warranty program available called MaxCare. See below for details on coverage with MaxCare.
CarMax Warranty Plans
You’ll likely be presented with the option to purchase a MaxCare extended service plan during the car buying process at CarMax. A standard MaxCare plan extends your limited warranty coverage to 5 years and up to 150,000 miles. Plans with smaller mileage limits are also provided by the company.
CarMax extended warranty protection can be an appealing option. Shoppers leave the lot with a used vehicle, and some may have chosen less-reliable, affordable models in an effort to save money.
MaxCare Service Plan Details
Learn more about what MaxCare service plans have to offer below, including added perks:
| Plan Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Covered systems | The parts MaxCare covers include the engine, transmission, drivetrain, electronics, electrical systems, steering, suspension, cooling system, and climate control systems. |
| MaxCare cost considerations | Your CarMax warranty cost can be added to the amount you’re financing, so you can pay for it over time (with interest). Or, it can be paid for in full upfront. |
| Deductible | Each time you bring your car in for a repair, you’ll pay an agreed-upon deductible. The lowest possible deductible is $50. In most states, this deductible is reduced to $0 if you have your vehicle serviced at a CarMax or a certified RepairPal service center. |
| When to buy | You can only purchase MaxCare at the time of your CarMax vehicle purchase. The vehicle may still be under its factory warranty at this time, depending on its age and mileage. |
| Transferability | MaxCare coverage is transferable if you sell your car, but restrictions apply. |
| Roadside assistance | MaxCare includes 24/7 emergency roadside assistance of up to $100 per occurrence. However, replacement items aren’t included. For example, if you have a flat tire or run out of gas, you pay for the tire replacement or the fuel. |
| Rental reimbursement | CarMax will cover up to $40 a day toward rental car reimbursement for 7 days while it’s in the repair shop. |
| Repair facilities | You can use MaxCare at any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®). |
| Direct payment | MaxCare will pay the repair facility directly. |
We recommend asking for a sample MaxCare contract before you purchase a CarMax warranty. That way, you can read about the coverage yourself and ask questions as needed.
It’s important to note that MaxCare is sold by CarMax but is a contract with an independent third-party service plan administrator. This means CarMax dealerships aren’t responsible for any issues or problems you have throughout the course of your service plan’s term.
What Does A CarMax Warranty Not Cover?
Here’s a sample of some exclusions on a MaxCare extended service plan:
- Regular maintenance services like oil changes and tune-ups
- Aftermarket accessories like GPS, radar detectors, and radios
- Maintenance parts such as batteries, brakes, trim, wiper blades and wheels.
- Damage from collision, negligence, or misuse of your vehicle
- Cost of fuel during emergency roadside assistance fuel delivery services
- Flat tire replacement costs during emergency roadside assistance
CarMax Warranty Cost
CarMax extended warranty plan costs depend on your vehicle, its mileage, your deductible, and terms stipulated in your service contract. The company provides sample quotes for its plan for three 2015 vehicles including a sedan, SUV, and truck. Below are some of the provided price ranges for each of these vehicles for a MaxCare coverage plan with a 72-month term. Keep in mind that your quoted price for a total cost or monthly payment will likely vary.
| Vehicle Model | Vehicle Type | Yearly Mileage | Deductible | Total Plan Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Nissan Altima SL | Sedan | 9,000 or less | $50 | $1,329-$1,369 |
| 2015 Nissan Altima SL | Sedan | 9,000-14,000 | $50 | $1,629-$1,689 |
| 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude | SUV | 9,000-14,000 | $100 | $2,229-$2,379 |
| 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude | SUV | 14,000-19,000 | $100 | $2,759-$2,959 |
| 2015 Ford F150 XL | Truck | 9,000 or less | $50 | $1,449-$1,529 |
| 2015 Ford F150 XL | Truck | 9,000-14,000 | $50 | $1,729-$1,849 |
When compared to other extended warranties on the market, prices for the CarMax MaxCare plan are on the affordable side. However, whether the costs are worth the coverage depends on your current vehicle’s reliability and costs for common repairs.
Check out the results from our consumer extended auto warranty survey in the infographic below. Our findings on initial purchase prices for extended warranties include both third-party warranties and warranties bought from a dealership.
CarMax Extended Warranty Reviews: Conclusion
A CarMax warranty can be a decent option to protect major parts of your vehicle and provide additional peace of mind. However, a varied customer service reputation, lack of benefits, and overall lack of coverage options makes the company hard to recommend. While it can be a convenient option if you’re purchasing a used vehicle from CarMax, we recommend searching around and comparing multiple quotes from extended warranty companies to find the best deal.
Car Warranty Companies Like CarMax
The best thing to do when shopping for an extended warranty is call around and get quotes customized to your specific vehicle. That way, you can compare each company’s prices and get a feel for customer service. We recommend starting your search with Endurance and CARCHEX.
Endurance: 4.6 Stars
We awarded Endurance with the title of Best Coverage because it scored well across all our categories: coverage options, trustworthiness, cost, customer service, convenience, and additional perks.
Endurance has six levels of coverage, with the first five being extended warranties with varying levels of coverage to protect against mechanical breakdowns and major repairs. The last Endurance plan, EnduranceAdvantage™, is a combination between an extended auto warranty and a maintenance contract.
Warranty plans come with a one-year Endurance Elite Benefits that gives drivers identity theft protection, total loss protection, up to $5,000 in repair loans, collision discount, key fob replacement, tire repair, and access to the Endurance Protect App.
CARCHEX: 4.4 Stars
CARCHEX is a reputable third-party extended car warranty company that’s been in the industry for over 20 years. The company offers five levels of coverage that are further broken down into a total of 21 warranty contracts. Coverage ranges from comprehensive protection that’s similar to your manufacturer’s warranty to basic powertrain protection for your engine, transmission, and related parts.
We chose CARCHEX as the provider that’s Best for Used Cars because of its reputation for providing a positive experience throughout the shopping process. We like how the CARCHEX sales teams take a customer-centric, consultative approach. The representatives will gladly answer all your questions along with providing a quote customized to your vehicle.
CARCHEX’s reputation has also earned the company a long list of endorsements and partnerships from trusted companies in the industry, including SiriusXM, RepairPal, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, CARFAX, and more.
CarMax Car Warranty Reviews: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about CarMax extended warranties: