Which is Better for Selling the Car?
Between CarMax and TrueCar, CarMax is a better option for selling your car. First, CarMax will buy your car directly, and it won’t forward you to its partner dealerships.
Next, CarMax’s offers are valid for 7 days compared to TrueCar’s 3-day validity. This gives you more time to consider the deal and even compare it with what other companies have to offer.
CarMax offers payment through bank draft, which is a more convenient option. Unlike check payments, which TrueCar’s partner dealerships offer, getting a bank draft doesn’t require you to visit a bank.
Finally, CarMax offers a faster turnaround time. You can sell your car to CarMax within 48 hours. Meanwhile, TrueCar’s processes may take 48 to 72 hours.
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. TrueCar Comparison
| Company | CarMax | TrueCar |
|---|---|---|
| Logo | 
| 
|
| Cars accepted | Cars in most conditions with exceptions | Cars in most types of conditions |
| Fees | $0 | $0 |
| Requesting quotes | Online application | Online application |
| Offer validity | 7 days | 3 days |
| Payments offered | Bank draft | Cash or trade-in value |
| Payout | Up to 48 hours | Same day |
| Car pick-up | Drop-off and free-up in selected locations | Drop off |
| Physical locations | 240 CarMax locations nationwide | Over 10,000 certified dealers |
| Turnaround time | Up to 48 hours | 48 to 72 hours |
| Customer service | Social media, online form, or hotline | Phone, email, and social media channels |
| Reviews | 1.6 | 4.0 |
Cars Accepted
CarMax accepts any type of car in almost any condition. It will buy a car even if it:
- Has check engine light on
- Has engine issues
- Is junk
But note that CarMax will thoroughly inspect your car and check its history report before finalizing the sale. That being said, CarMax won’t accept a car with:
- Frame damage
- Flood damage
- Salvage history
While requirements may differ across states, you’ll need to prepare the following items before you sell your car to CarMax:
- Valid and current registrations
- Valid IDs of title holders, who should be present during the sale
- Title or payoff details
- Keys and remotes
TrueCar accepts cars in any condition. So whether your car is damaged, wrecked, or junk, you can sell your car to TrueCar.
Fees
Both CarMax and TrueCar offer their services for free. They provide instant quotes and perform on-site inspections free of charge.
Requesting Quotes
CarMax and TrueCar offer instant quotes when you submit an online form. You’ll simply need to provide information about your car, such as:
- Make and model
- Year of manufacturing
- Mileage
- Current condition
Offer Validity
The offer CarMax provides is valid for 7 days. It means you have 7 days to consider the offer and either accept it or decline it. Meanwhile, TrueCar’s offer is valid for only 3 days.
Payments Offered
CarMax will give you a bank draft on the spot. TrueCar also pays you on the spot, but it offers payment by check.
Payout
Both CarMax and TrueCar pay you on the spot – when you drop your car off at their locations. However, since they offer different payment methods, it may take a while to receive money in your account. While you don’t need to visit the bank, it usually takes up to 48 hours for bank drafts to clear. When you get a check payment from TrueCar, you’ll need to visit the bank to cash out your money.
Car Pick-up
TrueCar doesn’t offer a pick-up service. When you accept the offer, you’ll need to bring it to the TrueCar’s partner dealership that gave you the quote.
CarMax offers pick-ups in select locations. To be eligible for free pick-up service, you’ll need to be within 30 miles of the nearest CarMax location that offers pick-ups. Otherwise, you can simply drop your car off at one of the 240 CarMax locations nationwide.
Physical Locations
To sell your car to CarMax, you’ll need to bring your car to any of the 240 CarMax outlets nationwide. TrueCar partners with over 10,000 certified dealers; you can deliver your car to any of their locations near you.
Turnaround Time
Overall, it takes up to 48 hours to sell your car to CarMax and 48 to 72 hours to sell it through TrueCar.
Customer Service
CarMax and TrueCar both offer multiple channels to contact their customer service teams.
You can contact CarMax customer service by:
- Phone: 800-519-1511
- Contact form
- Social media: Facebook and Twitter
You can contact TrueCar customer service by:
- Phone: 1-888-878-3227
- Email: feedback@truecar.com
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Reviews
| Company | CarMax | Truecar |
|---|---|---|
| Logo |
|
|
| Trustpilot | 1.6 | 4.0 |
| Better Business Bureau | 1.15 | 2.89 |
Happy customers praise CarMax for its ease of transactions and helpful customer service. Complaints come from people who have bought cars from CarMax. They report that the cars they’ve bought turned out faulty. So it’s recommended to inspect the car before you buy one from the company.
Compared to CarMax, customers are happier with TrueCar’s services. While most of the reviews on these platforms come from car buyers, some sellers mentioned that they were happy with the seamless process of selling their cars. They also praised how easy it was to navigate TrueCar’s website.