Short Answer: CarMax buys vehicles in all sorts of conditions, including those with the check engine light on. CarMax sends cars with severe damage and serious issues to auctions, so your car may not end up being sold back to the public. Also question is, is it illegal to sell a car with a check engine light on?
You can sell your car with the check engine light on, but you won't get as much for it. You can sell your vehicle in any condition as long as it is your's legally. Just be sure that you have the buyer sign something stating that they understand that they are buying the car in 'as-is' condition.
One may also ask, does CarMax give you good money for your car? CarMax is the biggest seller of used cars in the U.S. and has more than 120 stores spread nationwide. The company will evaluate your car for free and make you an offer that is good for seven days. If the dealer insists on low-balling you, you can always just sell the car to CarMax.
Likewise, does CarMax buy cars with issues?
Yes, they will. CarMax purchases all makes and models, in all kinds of conditions. So, for that car with engine issues, the car with the “check engine light” on, you will have a buyer. CarMax looks at the full condition of a car and has an extensive appraisal process.
Should I buy a car with a check engine light on?
NO. Unless you are a mechanic or know enough that you are confident about diagnosing check engine lights, have read the codes and have figured out what is wrong and can fix it yourself and the car becomes a good deal as a result.
Related Question Answers
How can I tell if my check engine light has been reset?
Press Read or Enter on the scanner depending on the scanner model that you have. Scroll down to I/M Readiness menu and select it. Look at all the systems. If most of them say NOT READY, it means the check engine light was recently reset. Can a mechanic turn off the check engine light?
So, with a hand held scanner, or a blue tooth scanner for your smart phone, you can erase the light yourself, and avoid paying a mechanic to just to scan your vehicle or turn off the check engine light. Can you tell if codes have been cleared?
The simple answer is no. While some codes may not be cleared, some may not actually be cleared. Also, most scanners only read ecm or pcm codes. The transmission, airbag and body computers may contain codes that are not read or cleared during this process. Can a car dealer sell a car that won't pass emissions?
In California, a vehicle must pass a smog test before it can be sold. So the dealerships will sell vehicles that have not passed smog and tell you to go take care of the smog test yourself. Often, they will assure you that the vehicle will pass with no problems. How long does it take for the check engine light to come back on after reset?
How many miles need to be driven to reset check engine light for inspection? After you clear the computer, you need to drive up to 100 miles to give it a chance to monitor all the sensors and register the results. Sometimes it may be completed in about 50 miles. Are check engine light codes stored?
Resetting your check engine light And if emissions tests or inspections are required in your state, a check engine light will make the car automatically fail. In some cars, the code is stored in the computer system, even if the light isn't illuminated. Is it illegal to clear car codes?
Clearing codes is not illegal. Here's what probably happened. They (autozone) got a nice $500 scanner are while back. When they started pulling codes for free the repair shops that buy from them, who charge for the service, said if you don't stop we will buy parts from someone else. Is CarMax a ripoff?
As far as CarMax goes, its not a scam. Lots of dealerships claim to be "one-price" dealerships, meaning they do not negotiate on their prices. I just bought from carmax actually. They have a thirty-day warranty on most of their cars if not all of them. Is selling to CarMax worth it?
Carmax is a great place to sell your car because they don't get a lot of trade-ins and will usually offer you more for it than a dealer would. It's not a good place to buy a car for the same reason—they have to overpay to keep their inventory stocked. Forget about KBB & Edmunds—-they don't write checks. Does CarMax take cars that don't run?
CarMax will purchase that non running vehicle, but don't expect a large sum of money. Chances are that your non running car will be sold in an auction. With their extensive appraisal process, you can count on making some money from the sale of that car. Can I negotiate with CarMax?
No, they wont. CarMax will not negotiate and I always found them to be much higher than other used car dealers by a significant factor. How does CarMax appraise?
A CarMax salesperson will greet you at the store. Tell them you are considering selling your car to them and want an appraisal. The salesperson will take your car keys and hand them over to the appraisers. While you wait, the salesperson will offer to show you cars to buy, if you want. How much will CarMax give you for your car?
The average unit garners a little less than $900 in profit. Subtract Carmax's seller fee of about $200, and you're looking at only about a $700 spread on average between what Carmax will offer you, and what a large free market will pay for your vehicle. Does CarMax require down payment?
A down payment is the amount of money you put down at the time of your purchase. Some dealerships require a down payment, but at CarMax, making a down payment isn't a requirement. But it is important. That's because it reduces that amount you'll need to finance and your monthly payment amount. How do I sell my car to CarMax?
A CarMax salesperson will greet you at the store. Tell them you are considering selling your car to them and want an appraisal. The salesperson will take your car keys and hand them over to the appraisers. While you wait, the salesperson will offer to show you cars to buy, if you want. Does CarMax buy cars with over 100 000 miles?
Third Turning Point: 100,000 Miles For example, CarMax, the used-car store, will buy cars with 100,000 miles on them, but it won't resell them to consumers. It will send them to used-car auctions, where other dealers might buy them at deeply discounted prices. Does cleaning your car increase trade in value?
Cleaning up your car can do wonders for its value, Glover says. “A good detailing job might cost about $50, but it could increase your car's value by several hundred dollars.” A thorough cleaning may help you get the book value for the car, but don't expect to get more for your vehicle than it's worth. How long does a car appraisal take at CarMax?
We recommend taking your vehicle to CarMax for its first appraisal. Show up early and you can get in and out in about 30 minutes. CarMax will give your vehicle a detailed inspection, along with a written appraisal that's good for up to seven days. Does CarMax give you more for your car?
CarMax is the biggest seller of used cars in the U.S. and has more than 120 stores spread nationwide. The company will evaluate your car for free and make you an offer that is good for seven days. If the dealer insists on low-balling you, you can always just sell the car to CarMax. Does CarMax give free appraisals?
Sell your car, simply Stop by anytime we're open or schedule your fast, free appraisal in advance. Our offer is good for 7 days and stays the same whether you trade in or simply sell. You can take payment, apply to trade-in, or give yourself a week to think about it. Are CarMax prices fair?
As the company says on its website, you get a fair price up front without having to negotiate for it. Carmax lists the Kelly Blue Book value of the vehicle and then its no-haggle price, which is usually slightly less. Can you negotiate with CarMax when selling a car?
Re: Selling a car to CarMax They do not haggle. An alternative is to use the Carmax quote in negotiations with a car dealer when you buy a new car. You might get the dealer to increase their offer a little over the Carmax price. Does CarMax pay KBB?
Per KBB, assigning the vehicle fair condition, it's "worth" $2500. You can, however, get an estimate at Carmax (they give it to you in writing) and then take it around to other places that buy cars and haggle based on the Carmax price. 
