CarMax Maxcare Review

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An extended auto warranty is a protection plan you can buy from an automaker or dealership to cover mechanical breakdowns. Third-party providers offer similar coverage in the form of vehicle service contracts. We use these terms interchangeably in this article for simplicity.

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Key Takeaways:

  • You can get a CarMax extended warranty for five years or 150,000 miles. It will cover the engine, cooling, steering, drivetrain, suspension, and more.
  • A Carmax Maxcare warranty can cost anywhere from $1,349 to $4,029 depending on your vehicle type, mileage, and deductible chosen.
  • If you buy a vehicle with CarMax you will have limited car warranty protection for 90 days or 4,000 miles.

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

Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.4/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Affordability: 4.5/5.0
Transparency: 5.0/5.0
Customer Service: 4.4/5.0
idée We recommend Endurance as the best warranty provider
  • Best Overall
  • Coverage Plans: 6 options plus maintenance plan
  • Odometer Limit: Unlimited mileage
  • Free Cancellation: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Factory-level bumper-to-bumper plan Free membership for first year
Multiple powertrain/mid-level choices $500 collision discount
Scheduled maintenance coverage Tire repair or replacement
24/7 emergency roadside assistance Total loss protection up to $1,000
Trip interruption reimbursement Key fob replacement and repair
Rental vehicle coverage Endurance mobile app
Towing allowance $250 credit with shopping or dining partners

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 car 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. 

What Does a 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 more parts and systems covered than a typical powertrain warranty, like the climate control and electronics coverage. Other warranty companies 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.

CarMax MaxCare Exclusions List

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, discuss your concerns with a representative. While not an explicit exclusion, the CarMax extended warranty can only be purchased when you buy your car. You must pursue a different option if you want to extend your warranty.

CarMax 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 Limited Warranty

Every vehicle purchased with CarMax has 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. CarMax encourages drivers to visit the nearest CarMax dealership to find out exactly what’s covered.

How Much Is The CarMax Extended Warranty?

CarMax provides an inclusive tool on its website to gauge what you’ll pay for an extended warranty. You can toggle between car makes, deductible options, and average annual mileage to better understand 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 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 pay the total cost upfront or through a monthly payment plan, though this will incur interest. If you are financing your car, the MaxCare warranty plan cost can be added to your monthly payments.

CarMax Extended Warranty Deductible

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.

MaxCare Quotes

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

CarMax Extended Warranty Claims

Unfortunately, CarMax doesn’t provide any public information about its claims process. Ask what this looks like when you speak to a representative and how you will pay for your repairs. You want to avoid expecting your provider to pay the repair shop directly but then find yourself in a reimbursement scenario.

CarMax Extended Warranty 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.

CarMax BBB

CarMax has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but this takes all of CarMax’s businesses into account, not just its extended warranty sector. However, the provider isn’t accredited by the BBB.

Is a CarMax MaxCare Warranty Worth It?

Yes, MaxCare is worth it, depending on your needs. 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, nothing made Carmax stand out against other warranty companies. Available throughout the U.S., CarMax has partnered with RepairPal to give customers access to various repair facilities.

CarMax Extended Warranty: Conclusion

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

CarMax Extended Warranty Competitors

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
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.4/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Affordability: 4.5/5.0
Transparency: 5.0/5.0
Customer Service: 4.4/5.0
idée We recommend Endurance as the best warranty provider
  • Best Overall
  • Coverage Plans: 6 options plus maintenance plan
  • Odometer Limit: Unlimited mileage
  • Free Cancellation: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Factory-level bumper-to-bumper plan Free membership for first year
Multiple powertrain/mid-level choices $500 collision discount
Scheduled maintenance coverage Tire repair or replacement
24/7 emergency roadside assistance Total loss protection up to $1,000
Trip interruption reimbursement Key fob replacement and repair
Rental vehicle coverage Endurance mobile app
Towing allowance $250 credit with shopping or dining partners

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 3.7-star rating out of 5.0 from TrustPilot and a 3.64-star rating from BBB customer reviews.

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

CARCHEX: Best Reputation

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.

CarShield: Affordable Monthly Payments

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 300,000 miles.

If you’re interested in this provider, make sure to read our complete CarShield review. If you can’t decide between CarShield and CARCHEX, read our CARCHEX vs. CarShield review.

MaxCare Warranty: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about the CarMax MaxCare extended warranty:

Is CarMax worth it?

CarMax is worth it if the program will cover the things you need. Its above-average pricing makes it a good choice for many people.

What is not covered with the CarMax warranty?

A CarMax warranty will not cover things such as collisions, overheating, and some corrosion repairs.

How long does a CarMax warranty last?

A CarMax limited warranty will last for 90 days or 4,000 miles.

What is the name of a CarMax extended warranty?

The CarMax extended warranty plan is called MaxCare.

Can you negotiate the warranty at CarMax?

Unfortunately, you can’t negotiate the warranty you get with CarMax. This is not standard with other dealerships.

Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.

  • Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
  • Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
  • Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
  • Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.

*Data accurate at time of publication.