Sell Us Your Car

What to bring with you to sell your car

If you plan to sell your car to CarMax, make sure you bring all the proper paperwork and accessories for your car with you. What’s necessary varies from state to state, so please contact your local CarMax store to confirm everything you will need to sell your car before you arrive.

Things to bring when you sell your car to CarMax:

1. Title

Please bring your title with you when you sell your car to CarMax. The title must be provided at the time of sale.

Was a loan paid off?

If your vehicle is titled in a state where the owner holds title AND a previous loan on the vehicle has been paid off but is still recorded on the title, you will need both the title and lien release from the bank before CarMax can purchase your car.

Have an outstanding loan?

If there is a lien on the car, we will need to contact your lien holder during business hours to get a fifteen-day payoff. To get the payoff, we will need:

  • Your lien holder's name and phone number
  • The name(s) on the account
  • The account holder's account and social security numbers
More than one titleholder?

If all titleholders cannot be present, you must speak to a Business Office Associate before you can sell your car to CarMax.

We may be able to accept a Power of Attorney allowing someone else to sign in an absent titleholder’s behalf. CarMax must be able to keep the original Power of Attorney so it can be attached to the title.

If a titleholder is deceased, you may have to transfer the title into your name before CarMax can buy your car. This can usually be done by taking the title and supporting papers to the local titling office. However, because this process varies by state, ask a Business Office Asssociate for more information.

If you are selling a vehicle on behalf of a company, please see a Business Office Associate for the requirements needed.

Is this a leased vehicle?

If so, CarMax will need some verbal confirmation of the payoff amount before we can purchase your vehicle. Please note that some leasing companies will not allow you to sell the vehicle prior to the expiration of the lease.

2. Valid Registration

A valid and current car registration is proof that you own the car. CarMax must see the vehicle's current registration documentation to verify that you own the vehicle.

3. Photo ID

All titleholders should bring valid state-issued photo IDs to prove identity.

4. Owner's manual

Make life a little easier on the next car owner by leaving your owner’s manual in the glove box before selling your car.

5. Keys and remote

Keys can be expensive to replace. If you do not have the original keys and remote, CarMax may adjust the offer to reflect the true value of your vehicle.

Transaction details
  1. In order for CarMax to purchase your car, you must have all of the documents required by state and local law to transfer ownership to CarMax. Should you not possess these documents or if additional research is necessary to confirm your car’s history and value, CarMax reserves the right to a) cancel the Appraisal Offer, b) postpone the purchase until all requirements are met, or c) revise the Appraisal Offer.
  2. CarMax issues a bank draft when purchasing a car from a customer. It must be deposited in an account. It cannot be cashed. Banks typically place a hold on bank drafts of up to 10 banking days. For this reason, customers are encouraged to verify their bank’s hold policy before attempting to draw on the bank draft.
  3. Any negative equity will need to be paid to CarMax in the form of a cashier’s check, certified funds, or cash, unless the amount of negative equity can be included in the amount you are financing to purchase another car from CarMax. A personal check can be used to pay negative equity under $250.
Additional information
  1. Your written offer is based on your car and on any equipment that is installed or that is part of the car (e.g. stereos, alarms, etc.). If you remove any of this equipment, your appraisal could be voided.
  2. The written offer for your vehicle will not change for 7 days and will be honored at all CarMax stores. After 7 days, your vehicle will need to be reappraised and its value may change. Our written offer assumes that the condition of the vehicle does not change, that CarMax may obtain a clear title, and that there are no undisclosed conditions affecting the vehicle's value.
  3. While we are happy to provide this appraisal so you can sell your car to CarMax, it may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose. When comparing your CarMax appraisal with other appraisals, please be sure that the appraised value is not contingent on the purchase of another car.

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Sell us your car

Ready to sell, or have questions about selling your car to CarMax? Contact us now to get started.

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