The bottom line: Whether AutoNation or CarMax offers more depends on the car. In our tests, AutoNation offered more for a Tesla Model 3 and a Toyota RAV4 Prime, and CarMax for a Ford F-150.
CarMax doesn’t negotiate, and it changes its offer only if the car differs from your answers. AutoNation’s offer can go up or down once it inspects the car at the store.
If you’d rather not drive in, most CarMax locations can pick the car up from your home or work, though a fee may apply. AutoNation buys only at its stores.
Get an offer from each, then see what other buyers offer before you visit either store.
Key Takeaways
- What our tests found: AutoNation led on two of our latest three test cars by up to $1,400 and CarMax on the third by $2,450, with no fee at either store.
- What they buy: AutoNation’s certified offer needs a running car without a salvage title, while CarMax makes an offer on pretty much any car, so a non-runner goes to CarMax.
- Still owe money on it: Both pay off your loan, but keep paying until your lender shows a zero balance, since some CarMax sellers had a payoff arrive late or short.
- Owe more than the offer: You pay the buyer the difference, at CarMax by a cashier’s or certified check.
- How long the offer lasts: CarMax’s offer lasts 7 days, while AutoNation’s ends on the date printed on its certificate, which can be sooner, so book AutoNation’s visit first.
- Watch out for: Both want everyone named on the title at the sale, and AutoNation’s certified offer holds only for a car with two working keys, so find the spare before you go.
- Ratings: BBB grades CarMax A+ and AutoNation A-; on Trustpilot, CarMax rates 4.5 from 3,519 reviews, most by people who bought a car there, and AutoNation 1.2 from 318, mostly from people with a complaint, since it asks no one for a review.
- What CarMax sellers report: File your state’s notice of sale yourself, if it has one, on the day you sell, because CarMax usually can’t file it for you and some sellers found the car still in their name months later.
- What AutoNation sellers report: Bring CarMax’s offer in writing: some sellers say AutoNation beat it, though others who were told it would beat CarMax got less once the store saw the car.
- How you’re paid: CarMax pays by bank draft, which your bank may hold, and AutoNation by check or Zelle, though anti-fraud protection can delay cashing its check by several business hours.
- How fast you can sell: AutoNation sends its certified offer within 30 minutes in business hours, and both can buy the car in one store visit, the same day.
Compare Instant Offers
Where to Sell Your Car?
- Need to sell quickly30 to 45 minute inspection
- Selling a truckOffered $2,450 more for F-150 in our test
- Don’t want to negotiateTake-it-or-leave-it offers, no back-and-forth
- Want at-home pickupAt-home pickup available. AutoNation requires in-person visit
- Selling a sedan or SUVOffered $1,300 to $1,400 more in our tests
- Want to negotiate priceTraditional dealership model allows price talks
- Need money immediatelySame-day electronic transfer vs check with bank holds
Neither, for an older car (15+ years) or major damage. Both offer low amounts. Try specialized junk car buyers.
CarMax inspects and buys your car at 250+ stores
- Buys your car even if you don't buy one there
- Offer holds seven days and is not negotiable
- At-home pickup, though not everywhere and a fee may apply
- Quote in about 2 minutes online
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Offer amount 35% 3/5
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Process ease 20% 3/5
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Offer validity 15% 4/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
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Payment speed 15% 2/5
AutoNation's 250+ dealerships buy cars outright or as trade-ins
- Sell at any of 250+ locations
- Offer good for 7 days or 500 miles
- Compare offers across nearby stores
- Buys economy to luxury vehicles
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Offer amount 35% 3/5
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Process ease 20% 2/5
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Offer validity 15% 2/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 1/5
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Payment speed 15% 4/5
Automated assistant: general info, not legal advice
Answers come from our state paperwork data and published guides. Confirm anything binding with your state DMV.
CarMax vs. AutoNation: Detailed Comparison
Note: AutoNation says 7 days or 500 miles, but in our testing, quotes expired after just 3 days. Plan to schedule your appointment quickly with AutoNation.
Neither company charges a selling fee, though CarMax’s home pickup can carry one. Both require the same documentation: title or loan info, registration, ID, and all keys. Neither buys salvage title vehicles, and major frame damage brings a lower CarMax offer rather than a refusal.
CarMax vs. AutoNation Offers
We requested quotes from both companies for several vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 73k miles and clean title AutoNation +$1,400
See both offer screenshots
2022 Ford F-150 XL with 72.5k miles and clean title CarMax +$2,450
See both offer screenshots
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE with 61.5k miles and clean title AutoNation +$1,300
See both offer screenshots
Alternatives to Sell a Car
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Offer amount 35% 5/5
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Process ease 20% 5/5
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Offer validity 15% 4/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
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Payment speed 15% 4/5
- Get a real offer online in 2 minutes
- Suits a car under 10 years old in good condition
- No haggling: its best offer comes upfront
- Pays off your loan when it buys the car
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
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Process ease 15% 5/5
- Its sweet spot is cars over ten years old
- Buys any car in any condition, running or not
- Free towing, with no fees taken off the offer
- Pays by check on the spot at pickup
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Offer amount 30% 4.5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 15% 2/5
- Owned by Copart, the salvage auction company
- Buys almost any vehicle with a motor, running or not
- Free towing, and it handles the title transfer
- Hands you a check at pickup, or mails it
To see what different buyers offer for your car, get quotes from several at once:
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CarMax or AutoNation offer more money?
In our January 2026 tests, AutoNation offered more on 2 of 3 vehicles. They offered $12,800 for a Tesla Model 3 compared to CarMax’s $11,400.
They also offered $23,700 for a RAV4 versus CarMax’s $22,400.
However, CarMax offered $2,450 more for a Ford F-150 truck ($18,400 vs $15,950). The winner may depend on your vehicle type.
How long does the selling process take at CarMax vs AutoNation?
CarMax is faster. Their inspection takes 30 to 45 minutes, and the total process runs 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on how busy the store is. They also offer express drop-off for even quicker visits.
At AutoNation, the visit covers the wait, the inspection and the paperwork. Appointments help reduce wait times at both companies.
Which company has better customer reviews?
CarMax has 4.5/5 stars from 3,519 reviews on Trustpilot.
AutoNation has 1.2/5 stars from 318 reviews.
Complaints from CarMax sellers include late loan payoffs and offers cut below the online quote.
AutoNation reviews mention long wait times, poor communication between departments, and larger gaps between online quotes and final offers.
How do CarMax and AutoNation pay you?
CarMax pays only with a bank draft, which can’t be cashed. Your bank decides how quickly you can use the full amount.
AutoNation pays the same day by company check or Zelle. If you need your money quickly, Zelle is the faster of the two, since AutoNation says its checks can take several business hours to cash.
Can you negotiate at CarMax or AutoNation?
CarMax uses firm no-haggle pricing. Their offer is their offer. Sellers don’t report getting more by showing competitor quotes, so don’t plan on haggling.
AutoNation allows price negotiation since they operate as traditional dealerships. Bring written offers from competitors or highlight positive aspects of your vehicle.
Sellers report AutoNation raising a figure by email or promising to beat a CarMax offer, but some then got less at the store. Learn more about handling car selling negotiations.
What if I still owe money on my car?
Both companies buy financed cars and handle paying off your lender. The timelines differ significantly though.
At CarMax, some sellers waited three to seven weeks for the loan payoff. AutoNation’s payoff timing varies, and some sellers report a payoff that came up short or hadn’t reached the lender by the next bill.
Keep making your loan payments until you confirm the payoff is complete to avoid credit issues.
Will the final offer match the online quote?
Not always. CarMax changes an online offer only when the inspection finds the car differs from your answers. CarMax sellers have reported cuts from about 10% to most of the offer. AutoNation can change the online figure after the in-person inspection when it finds issues the online form couldn’t catch.
Some AutoNation sellers also had the figure cut when the car matched its description, and staff blamed the system AutoNation uses to set prices.
Do CarMax and AutoNation buy damaged or older cars?
Both companies buy most vehicles, but they pay much less for older models or damaged cars. Neither buys a car with a salvage title, and frame or flood damage lowers a CarMax offer without ruling the car out.
If your car has serious problems or is over 15 years old, you’ll likely get a better offer from companies that specialize in those vehicles.
Article Update History
New quotes from both, ratings from Trustpilot, and CarMax's at-home pickup added.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
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