Which is Better for Selling the Car?
Between CarMax and CarBrain, CarBrain is the obvious choice if you’re looking to sell your car. The company accepts cars in any condition, letting you sell your vehicle even if it doesn’t meet CarMax’s requirements.
Also, CarBrain lets you contact their hotline if you prefer to get an instant offer by phone. This option can be helpful if you’re more comfortable talking to a salesperson than filling out an online form.
Additionally, CarBrain offers a free pick-up service, which is incredibly cost-effective if you’re selling junk and non-running cars. As for payment options, CarBrain is also preferable since they pay in check.
Compared to bank drafts that might have a holding period with your bank, check payments are more efficient.
And looking over their impressive customer ratings on trusted review sites, CarBrain undoubtedly is better for selling your car.
Best for Older & Damaged Cars
Buys used, damaged or junk cars
Free tow and no hidden fees
Pays by ACH trasfer or check
Top Pick for Junk Cars
Free, no-obligation cash offers
Offers free paperwork service
Pays on the spot upon pick up
Highly Rated by Customers
Excellent customer service ratings
Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days
Can pick up a car within 48 hours
Great for Low-Mileage Cars
Gives a real offer in 2 minutes
100% hassle-free online process
Free car’s Value Tracker available
CarMax vs. CarBrain Comparison
| Company | CarMax | CarBrain |
|---|---|---|
| Logo | 
| 
|
| Cars accepted | Cars in most conditions, with exceptions | Cars in any condition |
| Fees | $0 | $0 |
| Requesting quotes | Online application | Online application or through a hotline |
| Offer validity | 7 days | 7 days |
| Payments offered | Bank draft | Cash via check |
| Payout | Same day | Same day |
| Car pick-up | Drop-off and free-up in selected locations | Free pick-up |
| Physical locations | 240 CarMax locations nationwide | N/A |
| Turnaround time | Up to 48 hours | Within 24 to 48 hours |
| Customer service | Social media, online form, chat, or hotline | Chat, email, phone, fax, online form, and social media |
| Reviews | 1.6 | 4.8 |
Cars Accepted
CarMax accepts vehicles in most conditions except when they have flood or frame damage or have a salvage history. You’ll also need to have the title or payoff information if you’re selling to CarMax. It’s also crucial to have all titleholders present during the sale.
Additionally, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Valid and current registrations
- All keys and remotes
- Valid and state-issued IDs of all titleholders
CarBrain, meanwhile, accepts cars regardless of condition. The company buys cars with mechanical, electrical, or physical damage. You can sell your vehicle to them even if it’s:
- Accident damaged
- Water damaged
- Non-running
- Old or junk
Fees
When selling to CarMax or CarBrain, you don’t have to pay any fees to get an instant offer, have your car inspected, and get it picked up from your driveway.
Requesting Quotes
Both companies offer relatively easy ways to request quotes through their websites. With CarMax, just go to their Sell My Car webpage and enter your car details. To get an instant offer with CarBrain, just click the “Get an Offer” button on their homepage.
From there, just follow the prompts to complete the online process. Once you’re done with it, the website generates the instant offer, and you’ll see the option to accept it.
In some cases with CarMax, sellers need to bring in their cars for in-store appraisal to get an instant offer. This can happen if there are insufficient details provided during the online application.
So, whether you’re selling to CarMax or CarBrain, get ready to provide these on their online application process:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate number
- Mileage
- Condition
- Accident history
Besides the online form, you can also get an instant offer from CarBrain by calling their hotline at (844) 407-2200.
Offer Validity
CarMax and CarBrain offers are valid for 7 days from the time you accepted them. Beyond this timeframe, you’ll need to go through the online process again, which doesn’t guarantee the same offer amount.
Payments Offered
CarMax pays in bank drafts, which you need to deposit into your account. Check with your bank if they have a holding period for bank drafts, as this might delay the posting date. CarBrain, meanwhile, pays in checks.
Payout
Both companies hand payments within the same day you sell your car to them. This way, you don’t have to worry about long payment times.
Car Pick-up
Both CarBrain and CarMax offers a pick-up option. Once you accept their offer, you’ll need to schedule a time for their tow service to come to pick up the car and hand in your payment. This option is absolutely free.
However, it’s worth noting that CarMax’s free pick-up is available in selected locations only.
Physical Locations
CarMax has 240 locations across the country, and you can claim their instant offer by taking your car to one of them. Most of the time, you’ll need to schedule an appointment, so you can be sure to get assistance.
Typically, in-store appointments at CarMax locations take 30 to 90 minutes. CarBrain, on the other hand, doesn’t have physical locations. You can only claim their instant offer by scheduling a pick-up with their local tow service provider.
Turnaround Time
Selling to CarMax and CarBrain can take up to 48 hours, but with CarBrain, you can sell your car for as fast as 24 hours. It’s because you can schedule a pick-time within 24 hours of accepting their instant offer and ensure that their tow service will come on time.
Customer Service
CarMax customer service is available on the following channels:
- Phone: 1-913-384-6697, 8 AM to 10 PM Monday to Friday; 9 AM to 6 PM Saturday (EST)
- Chat: 10 AM to 8:45 PM (EST) Monday to Sunday
- Social Media: Facebook and Twitter
To contact their customer support team, CarBrain offers the following ways:
- Chat button on their website
- Contact form
- Email: info@carbrain.com
- Fax: 1-877-261-8666
- Phone: (844) 407-2200
- Social media: Facebook and Instagram
Reviews
| Company | CarMax | CarBrain |
|---|---|---|
| Logo |
|
|
| Trustpilot | 1.6 | 4.8 |
| Better Business Bureau | 1.15 | 4.91 |
Most of the customer reviews about CarMax on Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau came from their car buyers. They had issues with their purchased vehicles and their experiences in stores.
Few sellers, on the other hand, claim they received higher offers in CarMax than in its competitor companies.
CarBrain received outstanding scores from its customers. Most of the customers praised the company’s quick and efficient car-selling process. The customer service team also received compliments for their swift response to queries.
Few customers, in contrast, complained about getting a low offer and the tow service not arriving to pick up their cars. However, it’s important to understand that CarBrain’s offers are based on the accuracy of the information provided in the online process.