If you buy a used car from CarMax, you’ll be given the option of purchasing the CarMax extended warranty. This warranty is available only at the point of purchase, so you’ll want to consider it before you even start your vehicle purchase. Learn beforehand if the MaxCare warranty is a good choice or should you decline it in favor of better options.
To see how a CarMax warranty compares to the best extended warranty companies in the industry, use the links below to get an idea of pricing for your vehicle.
| Best Coverage | Best Service | Best Budget Warranty |
 |  |  |
| Endurance | CARCHEX | CarShield |
| ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
| (877) 374-1840 | (866) 254-0205 | (800) 563-2761 |
To learn more about our editorial integrity policy and how we make money through affiliate partnerships, read our full disclosure here.
Table of contents
CarMax Warranty Highlights
| Overall Rating | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| Reputation | 4.2 |
| Coverage | 3.0 |
| Price | 4.3 |
| Transparency | 4.0 |
| Customer Service | 3.6 |
Originally a subsidiary of Circuit City, CarMax split into its own business in 2002. It has over 190 locations and was ranked number 20 on the Fortune list of top “100 Companies to Work For in 2020.” While CarMax’s primary business is selling new and used vehicles, it also offers an extended warranty option called MaxCar.
CarMax Extended Warranty Coverage
All CarMax vehicles come with an automatic 90-day/4,000-mile warranty. This standard warranty covers:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Drivetrain
- Electronics
- Electrical systems
- Steering
- Suspension
- Cooling system
- Climate control
The MaxCare warranty from CarMax is an extended service plan that increases your warranty to 5 years and up to 150,000 miles. There are options for 75,000, 100,000, and 125,000 plans as well. A MaxCare warranty can be purchased for both new and used vehicles.
The MaxCare extended warranty includes the same coverage as the 90-day warranty and is fully transferable. Warranties are serviced by an independent third-party service plan administrator.
Extras
In addition to the warranty coverage listed above, CarMax warranties include:
- Rental reimbursement up to $40/day for seven days
- Emergency roadside assistance up to $100 per occurrence (does not include tire replacement or cost of fuel)
- Coverage for all CarMax accessories
Exclusions
CarMax warranties also come with a list of excluded uses that will void your warranty. MaxCare does not cover breakdowns caused by:
- Addition of aftermarket accessories or equipment
- Abuse or misuse
- Towing a trailer or another vehicle with a car that is not equipped for towing as recommended by the manufacturer
- Using your vehicle as a commercial vehicle, such as a taxi, police car, or delivery service
In order to keep your contract valid, you must also follow the maintenance procedures recommended by the manufacturer for your vehicle. The MaxCare warranty explicitly states that you must keep service receipts that include your vehicle identification number (VIN), the date, a description of your vehicle, and all services performed. Maintenance services are not covered under the MaxCare warranty.
The MaxCare warranty is most similar to a powertrain warranty in what it covers, but a little more expansive. It also includes systems such as the suspension, climate control, and steering. While a CarMax warranty offers only bare bones coverage, coverage does include most of the essential parts of your vehicle. There is a good chance most major repairs would be covered by this contract.
CarMax Warranty Cost
Warranty costs are determined by vehicle model, mileage, and the specific terms of your contract. With all CarMax contracts, the price can be paid in total upfront or included with your vehicle’s financing. We reached out to CarMax for warranty quotes on a 2017 Ford Explorer XLT with 23K miles and received these quotes for a five-year policy:
| CarMax Warranty | $50 deductible | $100 deductible | $200 deductible | $300 deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75,000 miles | $1,759 | $1,659 | $1,549 | $1,459 |
| 100,000 miles | $2,069 | $1,949 | $1,789 | $1,659 |
| 125,000 miles | $2,399 | $2,229 | $2,029 | $1,869 |
| 150,000 miles | $3,249 | $2,989 | $2,679 | $2,399 |
It’s possible that if you elect to include your CarMax warranty cost with your vehicle’s financing, you will end up paying interest, effectively raising the total cost of your warranty.
With a CarMax warranty, your vehicle can be serviced at any repair shop. However, if you elect to have your car serviced at a certified CarMax or RepairPal service center, $50 is knocked off the deductible. This means if you have a $50 deductible plan, you will pay no deductible.
All CarMax contracts have a 90-day money-back guarantee. If you cancel your contract within 90 days, you will receive a full refund minus a $30 processing fee. While the processing fee may be annoying, 90 days is 50 percent longer than standard warranty money-back guarantees.
CarMax warranty prices are very good for the industry. A low deductible, 75,000-mile plan comes to around $352 per year. Given that the average annual repair cost for a Ford Explorer (according to RepairPal) is $732, this is a pretty good deal. The most common problem for a 2017 Ford Explorer is an air conditioning fan issue, which would be covered under the CarMax MaxCare warranty.
Quotes and Claims Processes
CarMax Maxcare warranties are offered only at the point of purchase. For a quote, you will have to ask your CarMax dealer. You can also reach out to CarMax through its website to be contacted by email or phone. When we messaged CarMax for a quote, we were contacted within minutes.
If you purchase MaxCare, when a breakdown occurs you can call in or visit MrClaims.net to file a claim. Note that an extended car warranty will not cover any conditions that exist before coverage begins.
CarMax Ratings and Reviews
While CarMax is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it does hold an A+ rating. In the past four years, there have been about 70 customer complaints about CarMax warranties logged with the BBB. This is low for a warranty provider of this size.
Customers who did complain were upset that they had difficulty having their vehicles repaired. They claimed that CarMax facilities do a poor job servicing vehicles. Many customers were also upset that they had to pay diagnostic fees when repairs were not covered by the warranty. However, this condition is standard among car warranty providers.
CarMax Warranty: 3.8 Stars
CarMax is an established company with a strong reputation. With locations available across the United States, there is likely a repair facility near you. Using a certified CarMax repair facility can eliminate your deductible. However, the quality of CarMax service technicians may be lower than mechanics at a dedicated dealership.
CarMax offers an excellent price for a car warranty, but the drop in price comes with lower-quality service and basic coverage. A CarMax warranty isn’t a bad choice, but it is worth investigating other providers before making your final decision.
Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties
If you’re considering purchasing a used car and the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, it’s not a bad idea to consider extended auto warranty options.
Most dealerships offer extended warranties, but these generally must be bought at the point of purchase, and the cost of the warranty may be rolled into your financing, meaning you will pay interest on it. You should at least have an idea of the cost of warranties from other providers before you sign up for a dealership warranty.
If you think an extended warranty is right for you, compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best coverage and price. Here are two of our top recommendations.
CarShield: Best Budget Warranty
If you are looking for a quality extended warranty at a low price, we recommend CarShield. Our CarShield review rates the warranty company at 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because of its reasonable cost and expansive coverage options. CarShield even offers warranties that go as high as 200,000 miles.
The company holds a “Great” rating on Trustpilot, based on more than 8,000 reviews. It has been selling policies since 2005 and has covered over one million vehicles since its founding.
 ★★★★½
Our research found this provider to be the most affordable. Plus, it offers monthly plans.
|
CARCHEX: Best Service
CARCHEX offers five levels of warranty coverage. The Silver package, which provides essential coverage to the major systems of your vehicle, is probably most similar to the CarMax MaxCare warranty.
We rate CARCHEX at 4.8 out of 5.0 stars and believe it provides the highest-quality service of any extended car warranty provider. CARCHEX has a large number of licensed repair facilities nationwide, where customers can have their vehicles serviced, plus perks like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement coverage.
|
★★★★★
Our research found this provider to be the best for used cars.
|