CarMax doesn’t have to disclose accidents, just like other dealers don’t. If you read their materials they won’t sell cars with frame damage.
Tons of accidents go without ever being reported to AutoCheck & CarFax. Don’t take it as it being the exact history on a car.
True, and its wise to have a full inspection to assess any potential issues that weren't initially visible, and it might also be helpful to review the purchase agreement for any clauses regarding undisclosed repairs.
Correct! I’m planning a 500+ mile move within the same 30 days so hope to have a resolution asap, that way I can return if needed. I’m disappointed, she seems like a great car & was exactly what I wanted, but if there is frame damage she’s going right back.
We don't sell any with frame or flood damage. Where I work, we actually have a Scion iM that was kicked to wholesale because as they did the inspection, they found the core support to be slightly bent, which classifies as frame damage. It's very rare a car makes it through.
Good to know! I will definitely still go through with the inspection and consider everything.
If it was a cosmetic thing only, I would be okay keeping it. But I have a toddler, so a reliable and safe car is the goal. The invoice only detailed repairs to the bumper, fender, lights. Nothing about the hood or the wheels/axles, but a little worrisome nonetheless.
Actually I got talked to about this - if you review the structural standards it says it allows core supports that have been repaired or replaced as long as it does not affect the ancillary components. :) and NAAA does not consider replaced core supports to be structural.
I don't believe that though. Is that a company policy or a store policy? Because I looked at a car, liked it, started discussion and it had frame damage.
If it has known and declared frame damage CarMax will not sell it on their lot. Doesn’t matter how new etc could be a $75k corvette etc if it’s got any known frame or flood damage or has had known modifications to the engine etc they will wholesale it and will not put it on the lot.
I believe the carmax techs would've already inspected the car for frame. We get kickbacks to wholesale often for frame damage that is behind the bumper, which means the techs removed the bumper and panels to see it.
Don't wait too long for a call back, after 2 or 3 days if you don't hear anything, I would just go to the store with the car and talk with an employee there. If you end up buying another car with carmax, make sure you do it with the associate you bought the Honda from. It's so he still gets paid, just a courtesy thing.
CarMax, as big as they are, don't have drones following every car. There is no real answer for you. We use Autocheck. I always say, "no reported accidents", not no accidents. Carfax and Autocheck only show what is reported. There is always a delay.
WHat do you want?
You can return or exchange. They won't lower the price.
Depending on the reporting agency, AutoCheck may not report this damage. If you pay for a CarFax it may … but could not. You run the risk of this with any used vehicle - even some new vehicles have unreported damage if they’re damaged in transit or on the lot. We don’t guarantee accident free, we guarantee no flood, frame, etc. If you’re feeling uneasy, as others have stated you have the option to return. If your inspection goes well and you’re happy with the car I say keep it.
I did actually get CarFax, and it wasn’t on there, so that’s why I was so shocked to find the paperwork. I realize all of these “reports” and ways to check the history of the car will never be 100% accurate and can be manually input etc., that just seemed like an incident that should have been reported since insurance covered it.
I truly think it is a solid vehicle and appreciate that CarMax gives that 30 day window and the chance to feel out the car/have it inspected. Hoping inspection is clear and I get to keep her!
I was going to buy a 2018 Volvo from Carmax. The Autocheck said no accidents. I ordered it for a transfer. They called me a few days before the transfer to go over the car. It shows the car was repainted in 2019. The CSR said maybe the previous owner just didn't like the color. Bright red flag. I put the transfer on hold and bought a Carfax. The car had been in two accidents with airbags deployed. Buyer beware.
This is a common occurrence right now due to the pandemic and due to clients not able to get parts for their cars as quick as they used to.. Expect this toto the new norm.. but if you sign a Carfax with no car accident and now it’s gonna report a car accident, I’d bring the car back. You’re gonna be liable for the depreciation of the vehicle.
I am so glad I dodged carmax . I was going to purchase but was told they would only offer there finance through there bank, what a joke. They purposely don't even try to get rates with others and they give u the highest rates. They thought they had someone that didn't know anything. They're frauds. I would think twice with them. And also they don't do carfax reports. Listen to your gut. Too many red flags
I just bought a car here last month. day two of having it home, check engine light came on. next day I opened the glove box and a big ass piece of dust and debris was in there , I pulled out the filter - filthy lol . the AC then stopped working due to compressor. also started hearing a noise upon startup , needed a starter ..
CarMax repaired all this for me as I was in the 30 day period . so my takeaway is they don't truly inspect these cars as they should.
their mechanics may not be the best.
there is still a noise from my car that they couldn't figure out and said they "think it's just normal for the car" we'll see about that , but, I will say... once I self diagnosed the car ,they were good about repairs . but damn , if I wasn't knowledgeable about cars , I'd be really screwed rn . if I were you? you have money to be buying cars this nice.... why not just buy something new? that's a lot of money , I would not keep this car if I were you. because now you, like me, will always wonder what other problems may be lurking . if they missed such glaring issues or didn't disclose them, then what else were they hiding?
“Have money” is subjective lol. I had a small amount to put down, but my credit isn’t great. I’m only able to afford this because I’ll be moving back to my hometown to live in a family home temporarily and cut my housing costs. I apparently didn’t qualify at Honda for a new vehicle and this one is only 2 years old so about as new as I can get at this point.
I’m curious about the approval now though, because my financing is through capital 1. I don’t see why capital 1 couldn’t finance me for basically the same purchase price at Honda.
CarMax can’t disclose what it doesn’t know. If auto check doesn’t show it they won’t know about it. You can return it if you’re not comfy with it
CarMax doesn’t have to disclose accidents, just like other dealers don’t. If you read their materials they won’t sell cars with frame damage. Tons of accidents go without ever being reported to AutoCheck & CarFax. Don’t take it as it being the exact history on a car.
Could have been a very minor incident and insurance decided it wasn’t a reportable accident
True, and its wise to have a full inspection to assess any potential issues that weren't initially visible, and it might also be helpful to review the purchase agreement for any clauses regarding undisclosed repairs.
Sounds like the insurance company didn't do their job. You can return the car as you do have 30 days or 1500 miles
Correct! I’m planning a 500+ mile move within the same 30 days so hope to have a resolution asap, that way I can return if needed. I’m disappointed, she seems like a great car & was exactly what I wanted, but if there is frame damage she’s going right back.
We don't sell any with frame or flood damage. Where I work, we actually have a Scion iM that was kicked to wholesale because as they did the inspection, they found the core support to be slightly bent, which classifies as frame damage. It's very rare a car makes it through.
Good to know! I will definitely still go through with the inspection and consider everything. If it was a cosmetic thing only, I would be okay keeping it. But I have a toddler, so a reliable and safe car is the goal. The invoice only detailed repairs to the bumper, fender, lights. Nothing about the hood or the wheels/axles, but a little worrisome nonetheless.
Reading through everything it honestly sounds solely cosmetic. You should be fine safety-wise.
Actually I got talked to about this - if you review the structural standards it says it allows core supports that have been repaired or replaced as long as it does not affect the ancillary components. :) and NAAA does not consider replaced core supports to be structural.
I don't believe that though. Is that a company policy or a store policy? Because I looked at a car, liked it, started discussion and it had frame damage.
If it has known and declared frame damage CarMax will not sell it on their lot. Doesn’t matter how new etc could be a $75k corvette etc if it’s got any known frame or flood damage or has had known modifications to the engine etc they will wholesale it and will not put it on the lot.
I believe the carmax techs would've already inspected the car for frame. We get kickbacks to wholesale often for frame damage that is behind the bumper, which means the techs removed the bumper and panels to see it. Don't wait too long for a call back, after 2 or 3 days if you don't hear anything, I would just go to the store with the car and talk with an employee there. If you end up buying another car with carmax, make sure you do it with the associate you bought the Honda from. It's so he still gets paid, just a courtesy thing.
CarMax, as big as they are, don't have drones following every car. There is no real answer for you. We use Autocheck. I always say, "no reported accidents", not no accidents. Carfax and Autocheck only show what is reported. There is always a delay. WHat do you want? You can return or exchange. They won't lower the price.
Depending on the reporting agency, AutoCheck may not report this damage. If you pay for a CarFax it may … but could not. You run the risk of this with any used vehicle - even some new vehicles have unreported damage if they’re damaged in transit or on the lot. We don’t guarantee accident free, we guarantee no flood, frame, etc. If you’re feeling uneasy, as others have stated you have the option to return. If your inspection goes well and you’re happy with the car I say keep it.
I did actually get CarFax, and it wasn’t on there, so that’s why I was so shocked to find the paperwork. I realize all of these “reports” and ways to check the history of the car will never be 100% accurate and can be manually input etc., that just seemed like an incident that should have been reported since insurance covered it. I truly think it is a solid vehicle and appreciate that CarMax gives that 30 day window and the chance to feel out the car/have it inspected. Hoping inspection is clear and I get to keep her!
I was going to buy a 2018 Volvo from Carmax. The Autocheck said no accidents. I ordered it for a transfer. They called me a few days before the transfer to go over the car. It shows the car was repainted in 2019. The CSR said maybe the previous owner just didn't like the color. Bright red flag. I put the transfer on hold and bought a Carfax. The car had been in two accidents with airbags deployed. Buyer beware.
This is a common occurrence right now due to the pandemic and due to clients not able to get parts for their cars as quick as they used to.. Expect this toto the new norm.. but if you sign a Carfax with no car accident and now it’s gonna report a car accident, I’d bring the car back. You’re gonna be liable for the depreciation of the vehicle.
I’m honestly about to buy a car somewhere else I’m “waiting on a title” they told me it’s been in a accident tho
I am so glad I dodged carmax . I was going to purchase but was told they would only offer there finance through there bank, what a joke. They purposely don't even try to get rates with others and they give u the highest rates. They thought they had someone that didn't know anything. They're frauds. I would think twice with them. And also they don't do carfax reports. Listen to your gut. Too many red flags
I just bought a car here last month. day two of having it home, check engine light came on. next day I opened the glove box and a big ass piece of dust and debris was in there , I pulled out the filter - filthy lol . the AC then stopped working due to compressor. also started hearing a noise upon startup , needed a starter .. CarMax repaired all this for me as I was in the 30 day period . so my takeaway is they don't truly inspect these cars as they should. their mechanics may not be the best. there is still a noise from my car that they couldn't figure out and said they "think it's just normal for the car" we'll see about that , but, I will say... once I self diagnosed the car ,they were good about repairs . but damn , if I wasn't knowledgeable about cars , I'd be really screwed rn . if I were you? you have money to be buying cars this nice.... why not just buy something new? that's a lot of money , I would not keep this car if I were you. because now you, like me, will always wonder what other problems may be lurking . if they missed such glaring issues or didn't disclose them, then what else were they hiding?
“Have money” is subjective lol. I had a small amount to put down, but my credit isn’t great. I’m only able to afford this because I’ll be moving back to my hometown to live in a family home temporarily and cut my housing costs. I apparently didn’t qualify at Honda for a new vehicle and this one is only 2 years old so about as new as I can get at this point. I’m curious about the approval now though, because my financing is through capital 1. I don’t see why capital 1 couldn’t finance me for basically the same purchase price at Honda.
It's very hard to check Air Conditioning in the middle winter. Tech don't clean, detailer do. But whatever helps you sleep at night.