Is the MaxCare CarMax Warranty Worth It?

All CarMax vehicles come with a limited warranty that lasts for 90 days/4,000 miles. You also have the option to add a CarMax MaxCare extended warranty at the time of your used vehicle purchase.

The MaxCare extended warranty provides coverage for your car’s major systems, in including the ones below:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Drivetrain
• Electrical system
• Cooling system
• Climate control

Plans are tailored to the vehicle you choose and its mileage, though they can last anywhere from 75,000 to 150,000 miles. Deductible choices range from $50 to $300.

There are no specific powertrain or bumper-to-bumper warranty plans for CarMax cars. MaxCare coverage is relatively thorough, but it won’t match the protection found on a manufacturer’s warranty.

You can include MaxCare in your monthly car payment or purchase it up front using a credit card, cash or check. The extended CarMax warranty can be canceled at any time and can be transferred to new car owners, though cancellation and transfer fees may apply.

What’s Not Covered?

The following items are not covered by the extended CarMax warranty:

• Maintenance services such as oil changes
• Maintenance parts including batteries, brakes, wiper blades and tires
• Aftermarket accessories and equipment installed after you buy the car
• Conditions caused by corrosion, collisions or improper maintenance
• Vehicle breakdowns due to abuse or misuse

While CarMax roadside assistance comes with flat-tire services, it won’t cover the purchase of new equipment. Fuel delivery services also don’t provide for the actual fuel cost. You can find further details about CarMax MaxCare warranty exclusions in your contract.

Added Benefits

The extended CarMax warranty comes with the following perks:

• Emergency roadside assistance: CarMax MaxCare includes 24-hour roadside assistance, which covers fuel delivery and flat tire removal.
• Rental car reimbursement: Your MaxCare contract will reimburse rentals up to $40 per day for seven days during covered repairs.
• Discounted deductibles: Get a $50 discount on your deductible if you take your vehicle to any CarMax service center or RepairPal-certified shop for covered car repairs.
• Nationwide protection: MaxCare covers your car anywhere in the United States or Canada.

You can only purchase an extended CarMax warranty when you purchase your used vehicle. You’ll have to go to a CarMax dealership to find out how much MaxCare costs for the car you’re interested in.

CarMax has estimates on its website for 5 years/75,000 miles of coverage on various models. We’ve listed the company’s rate estimates below. These rate estimates are for vehicles with 30,000 miles and owners who drive between 14,000 and 19,000 miles annually.

In our 2022 extended car warranty survey of 1,000 respondents, about 40% said they paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for coverage. About 69% said they were charged $3,000 or less for their vehicle service contracts. If your CarMax MaxCare warranty costs more than this, you may want to get extended car warranty quotes from third-party providers.

Extended car warranty costs are commonly affected by a car’s year, make, model and mileage. You’ll also typically pay more for an extended warranty if you choose a lower deductible, though that will lead to lower costs in the event of a mechanical breakdown.

Purchasing a used car warranty to extend protection for a CarMax vehicle provides drivers with peace of mind and can help them save on repair bills. However, you should consider your vehicle’s reliability and the common repairs other drivers report.

CarMax offers models from various manufacturers, so using industry studies from J.D. Power and repair estimation websites like RepairPal can help you gauge your vehicle’s reliability. The J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study^SM reports that cars from Kia, Buick and Hyundai have the fewest problems on average compared to other brands.

RepairPal reveals common problems reported by other drivers, as well as how much repairs generally cost. Below are examples of how expensive repairs can be for important parts of your car:

You’ll likely pay for these repairs out of pocket if your limited warranty expires and you didn’t extend CarMax warranty coverage when you bought your car.

What Coverage Do You Already Have?

Every CarMax used car comes with a 90-day/4,000-mile limited warranty and whatever remains on your vehicle’s original factory warranty. The CarMax limited warranty covers your car’s major systems, plus hundreds of parts and any labor needed for repairs.

You’ll also receive the Love Your Car Guarantee^®, which gives CarMax customers 30 days (with up to 1,500 miles driven) to decide if their cars are right for them. If you choose to return the vehicle, bring it back to the CarMax dealership within 30 days for a refund using the money-back guarantee.

While drivers receive strong protection, the CarMax warranty lasts for an extremely short time compared to most certified pre-owned (CPO) options. Our review team reached out to CarMax for comment on its brief warranty coverage and received the following response:

“Every vehicle CarMax sells automatically comes with a CarMax limited warranty for 90 days/4,000 miles (whichever comes first), even if your car is still covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. This means your vehicle’s major systems, plus hundreds of parts inside and out are covered including labor. MaxCare extended service plans are an optional product you can choose to purchase when you purchase your car. These optional plans can be tailored to your monthly budget, and provide coverage of your vehicle’s major systems and hundreds of parts, inside and out, for many years.

 Additionally, CarMax offers the industry-leading Love Your Car Guarantee. This signature experience includes the opportunity for customers to take 24-hour test drives and a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, so customers have 30 days (up to 1,500 miles) to decide if the car is the right fit, allowing them to return the car for any reason. As long as the condition is consistent with when you purchased it and you’ve driven fewer than 1,500 miles since your purchase, you can bring it back within 30 days and CarMax will help you complete your return. This offering is unmatched in the automotive industry, and you can learn more at carmax.com.”

If the extended CarMax warranty isn’t right for you, you may want to consider coverage from one of the most reputable extended car warranty companies. Third-party extended service plan providers tend to offer greater flexibility and customization than car dealerships and retailers such as CarMax.

Here’s an overview of the advantages of going with third-party warranty coverage:

• Longer coverage terms: Independent warranty companies often offer longer-lasting coverage than dealerships. Companies like CarShield provide coverage for up to 300,000 miles, allowing car owners to protect their vehicles for years to come.
• Purchase flexibility: You’re required to select an extended CarMax warranty during the car buying process. On the other hand, third-party extended warranty companies let you purchase coverage whenever the time is right for you.
• Choice of repair shop: With MaxCare, you can take your vehicle to any licensed repair facilities that offer a 6-month/6,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. Independent providers like Endurance let you go to any facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®), decreasing the hassle caused by a breakdown.

Source: Automoblog

While there are positives to purchasing coverage through an independent warranty provider, you’ll also find downsides. Neither third-party providers nor CarMax warranty options guarantee the use of an automaker’s genuine car parts or certified dealer technicians when repairs are needed.

Comparing quotes from independent warranty providers can make it easier to find the best option for your vehicle and situation.

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best extended car warranty companies. We collected data on dozens of auto warranty providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Reputation: Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when conferring this score.
• Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for warranty coverage, long contract terms and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Cost: Auto warranty companies with affordable rates and multiple deductibles scored highest in this category.
• Transparency: This score is based on contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
• Customer experience: Based on customer satisfaction ratings and our extensive shopper analysis, we consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each warranty company’s customer service team.

Our credentials:

• 500+ hours researched
• 50 companies reviewed
• 2,000+ consumers surveyed

*Data accurate at time of publication.