CarMax Extended Warranty Review (2021)

CarMax Extended Warranty

In Our Opinion:

CarMax offers one plan for basic vehicle protection. It provides flexibility with multiple deductible options, and you can get repairs at both CarMax service centers and RepairPal-approved facilities. However, there isn’t much transparency around what your claims process will look like with the CarMax extended warranty.

Industry Standing

Coverage

Affordability

Customer Service

Pros

Transferability

Available for used cars

Access to many repair facilities

Cons

Limited coverage options

Must buy extended warranty with vehicle purchase

3.5

Overall Rating

CarMax is the largest used car dealer in the United States. Alongside your vehicle purchase, you can also buy the CarMax extended warranty. While all CarMax cars come with a 90-day or 4,000-mile limited warranty, used cars tend to need more TLC than newer models. With this in mind, taking CarMax’s MaxCare extended warranty into consideration isn’t a bad move when looking to provide peace of mind in case of unexpected major repairs.

In this article, we’ll review the ins and outs of CarMax’s extended warranty plan, including coverage options, customer satisfaction, and pricing. We’ve reviewed the best extended warranty companies on the market, so we’re well aware of how CarMax stacks up against other providers.

If you feel ready to purchase an extended warranty, or are just interested in additional information, get a free, personalized quote below.

Featured Extended Warranty Companies

We reviewed the industry’s top extended auto warranty providers, and here are our featured picks.

Best Overall

Best for Used Cars

Low-Cost Plans

Endurance

CARCHEX

Select Auto Protect

Get Quote

Get Quote

Get Quote

(866) 990-3410

(866) 950-7122

(860) 294-4933

Key Features of the CarMax Extended Warranty

CarMax Limited Warranty

What Does the CarMax Extended Warranty Cover?

What’s Not Covered With MaxCare?

Bonus Benefits

CarMax Extended Warranty Cost

What Do the Claims & Quotes Processes Look Like?

CarMax Extended Warranty Customer Reviews

Our Final Thoughts on the CarMax Extended Warranty

Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties

Endurance: Best Overall

CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars

CarShield: Most Affordable

Key Features of the CarMax Extended Warranty

CarMax has been in business for about 26 years and has quickly become a leader in used car sales. The MaxCare extended car warranty is standard with one warranty coverage option and a few additional perks. Based on our research, there wasn’t anything that made Carmax stand out against other warranty companies. Available throughout the U.S., CarMax has partnered with RepairPal to give customers access to a variety of repair facilities.

CarMax has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, the provider isn’t accredited by the BBB.

CarMax Limited Warranty

Every vehicle purchased with CarMax comes with a limited warranty for 90 days or 4,000 miles, regardless of the car’s existing manufacturer’s warranty. The limited warranty protects your vehicle’s major systems, plus hundreds of parts and labor. To find out exactly what’s covered, CarMax encourages drivers to visit the nearest CarMax dealership.

What Does the CarMax Extended Warranty Cover?

CarMax only offers one coverage plan with standard protection services. Referred to as the MaxCare plan, the CarMax extended warranty can stretch up to five years or 150,000 miles. Here is what’s covered:

Engine

Cooling

Steering

Drivetrain

Electronics

Suspension

Transmission

Climate control

In essence, you’re getting a few more parts and systems covered than a typical powertrain warranty, like the climate control coverage and electronics coverage. Other warranty companies tend to offer additional, comprehensive options that mimic a new car’s bumper-to-bumper warranty. While these coverage plans are generally more expensive, you want to ensure your extended warranty covers high-cost repairs.

What’s Not Covered With MaxCare?

The CarMax extended warranty, like any vehicle service contract, has some limitations on covered repairs. Coverage is exclusionary, so CarMax will list everything not protected under warranty in your MaxCare contract. Some of the biggest limitations are:

Collisions

Overheating

Maintenance parts

Some corrosion repairs

Repairs caused by misuse

Aftermarket accessories or equipment

Common maintenance services, such as oil changes or replacing wiper blades and coolant, will not be covered either.

When you receive your contract, make sure to discuss any concerns you have with a representative. While not an explicit exclusion, the CarMax extended warranty can only be purchased when you buy your car. If you want to extend your warranty

Bonus Benefits

Alongside your CarMax extended warranty purchase, you get a few additional perks. These include:

24/7 emergency roadside assistance

Rental car reimbursement up to $40 a day for up to seven days

$50 discount deductibles depending on where your car is serviced

CarMax Extended Warranty Cost

CarMax provides an inclusive tool on its website to gauge what you’ll pay for an extended warranty. You’re able to toggle between car makes, deductible options, and average annual mileage for a better understanding of your expected MaxCare costs.

For example, a 2015 Nissan Altima SL with 30,000 miles on the odometer would cost between $1,629 and $1,689 for a five-year, 75,000-mile extended warranty. This plan includes a $50 deductible. From this baseline, you can then switch between the different variables to find a plan you’re interested in.

To cover the cost of your MaxCare extended service plan, you can choose to pay the full cost up front or choose a monthly payment plan, though this will incur interest. If you are financing your car, the MaxCare service plan cost can simply be added to the monthly payments you already make.

CarMax offers four deductible choices: $50, $100, $200, and $300. Along with your deductible, your car’s make, model, age, and mileage will all affect your CarMax extended warranty plan cost. Because the provider only sells used cars, you may see higher extended warranty prices than usual.

What Do the Claims & Quotes Processes Look Like?

You can only get a MaxCare quote when you purchase your car. After that, the CarMax extended warranty isn’t available.

Unfortunately, CarMax doesn’t provide any public information about its claims process. Make sure to ask what this looks like when you speak to a representative as well as how your repairs will be paid. You don’t want to expect your provider to pay the repair shop directly, but then find yourself in a reimbursement scenario.

CarMax Extended Warranty Customer Reviews

Most auto warranty providers have mixed reviews, including CarMax. From our research, CarMax customer service is hit or miss. Some customers never have an issue after multiple years of coverage. Others wanted to give CarMax zero stars if they could on review websites.

Like we mentioned above, the BBB gave CarMax an A+ rating, but this takes all of CarMax’s businesses into account, not just its extended warranty sector.

Our Final Thoughts on the CarMax Extended Warranty

CarMax has a great reputation for selling used vehicles and for fulfilling warranty claims. The CarMax extended warranty is an affordable choice for coverage. However, the coverage itself is very limited with only one plan. Overall, CarMax is a good choice if you’re happy with the limited coverage. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive plan, there are better options available for a used car warranty.

Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties

With any car, it’s always smart to get quotes from multiple providers before you purchase an extended warranty. Below, we’ve listed our top recommendations with used cars in mind.

Endurance: Best Overall

Endurance car warranty offers some of the best coverage plans in the industry. With six tiers of coverage, a variety of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties can be catered to your unique needs.

Endurance is also an industry favorite by customers from the BBB and TrustPilot. This provider holds a 4.2-star rating out of 5.0 from TrustPilot 3.59 stars from BBB customer ratings.

For more information, our Endurance review explains dives deep into cost and plan details.

CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars

In our research, we’ve found CARCHEX to be the best option for high-mileage cars. With term limits that extend up to 10 years or 250,000 miles, CARCHEX’s extended warranty is hard to beat. The company offers five different protection options to ensure you’re choosing the extended warranty you want and can afford.

Read more about this provider in our full CARCHEX review, and get a free quote for your vehicle below.

Best for Used Cars

Get Quote

(866) 950-7122

Top-rated provider with unmatched customer service and affordable coverage

CarShield: Most Affordable

We also know extended warranties for used or older cars can get expensive. CarShield is known for its affordable protection plans across the board. The company offers six coverage options and maximum term limits extending up to 200,000 miles.

If you’re interested in this provider, make sure to read our complete CarShield review. You can also get a free, personalized quote below. If you can’t decide between CarShield and CARCHEX, read our CARCHEX vs. CarShield review.

Most Affordable

Get Quote

(877) 265-5123

A well-known provider, providing extensive coverage at a favorable price Range