Carvana and CarMax Return Policy: Return Windows and Warranties
Online car buying comes with a test-own period instead of a test drive. The fine print on fees, miles and warranties decides how useful it is.
Carvana lets buyers return a car for any reason within 7 days of delivery for a refund minus shipping fees, and CarMax offers a 10-day money-back guarantee, according to their own pages as of November 2026. Carvana adds a 100-day/4,189-mile limited warranty, and CarMax a 30-day limited warranty, with longer terms in some states.
These return windows are company policies, not legal rights. Most states give no general right to cancel a car purchase, so the written terms are what count.
How do Carvana and CarMax compare?
The table summarizes the published terms. Both companies can change them, so read the current policy and your purchase contract before you buy.
| Term | Carvana | CarMax |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | 7 days from delivery, any reason | 10-day money-back guarantee |
| Refund | Purchase refunded, less shipping fees | Check mileage limits and conditions in the guarantee terms |
| Limited warranty | 100 days or 4,189 miles, whichever comes first | 30 days, no mileage limit and no deductible |
| Warranty deductible | $100 at a preferred repair shop, $350 at others | None on the limited warranty |
| State differences | Check the terms for your state | 60 days/3,000 miles in CT, MN, RI; 90 days/4,000 miles in MA, NJ, NY |
Sources: Carvana limited warranty and certified program pages; CarMax warranties page and 2026 company releases. Carvana says its 4,189-mile cap comes from an average of 41.89 miles a day for 100 days.
How does a return actually work?
You start the return within the window, the company inspects the car, and the refund goes back through the original payment and loan channels.
- Read the return terms the day the car arrives, and note the exact deadline and any mileage cap.
- Have an independent mechanic inspect the car in the first few days. The return window is the time to find problems.
- Run the VIN for open recalls and a history check. Our guide to free vehicle history checks lists the free tools.
- Start the return through your account or by calling, and get a written confirmation with the date.
- Return the car in the same condition, with keys, manuals and any accessories.
- Ask how the loan will be unwound and how long the refund of your down payment takes.
If you traded in a car, ask in advance and in writing what happens to it on a return, since it may already have been resold.
What does a return cost?
Carvana refunds the purchase less shipping fees. Delivery charges, registration fees already paid to the state and any damage or excess mileage can also affect what you get back under either company’s terms.
Financing complicates returns. If the loan was arranged through the seller, the company usually cancels it. If you used an outside lender, you may need to ask that lender to reverse the loan, so check with it before you buy.
Why do title and registration delays happen with online purchases?
Online sellers must move titles and registrations through each buyer’s state, often from another state’s paperwork, and delays can leave buyers on temporary tags.
State dealer laws set deadlines for passing the title to the buyer. In Illinois, Carvana admitted in a January 2023 settlement with the Secretary of State that it had violated state law by not transferring titles on time, after its dealer license had been suspended. If your temporary tag is about to expire:
- Contact the seller in writing and ask for the title status and a new temporary tag.
- Do not drive on an expired tag; it can lead to a ticket or a tow.
- File a complaint with your state DMV’s dealer licensing unit and the state attorney general.
Our guide to transferring a car title explains how titles normally move in a sale.
What about automaker online stores?
Several automakers let you configure and reserve a new car online, but in most states the sale itself is completed by a franchised dealer, which sets the price, fees and any return policy.
New-car sales almost never come with a no-questions return. Get any return promise in writing on the purchase agreement. If a new car has a serious defect, state lemon laws, not return policies, are the usual remedy.
Can I return a car bought from a regular dealer?
Usually not, unless the dealer offers a written return policy or state law gives a specific right. Very few states give a short cancellation right, and only in limited cases.
Our guide to car buyer rights after a purchase covers state rules on cancellation, used car warranties and “as is” sales.
Bottom line
Carvana’s 7-day and CarMax’s 10-day guarantees are useful only if you use the time: get an independent inspection, run the VIN and read every fee in the return terms. Keep all messages in writing, and if a title or registration stalls, go to your state DMV and attorney general.
FAQ
Can I return a Carvana car after 7 days?
The money-back guarantee ends 7 days after delivery. After that, a mechanical problem may be covered by the 100-day/4,189-mile limited warranty instead.
Does CarMax’s warranty have a mileage limit?
CarMax describes its standard limited warranty as 30 days with no mileage limit. Some states have longer warranties with mileage caps.
Do I get the shipping fee back if I return a Carvana car?
Carvana says it refunds the vehicle less shipping fees, so expect delivery charges to be kept. Read your purchase agreement for the exact amount.
Is an extended service plan refundable if I return the car?
Usually a plan bought with the car is cancelled with the sale. Confirm the refund in writing when you start the return.
