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| - CarMax tried to sell me a 2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV for $44k that had been wrecked at least once and probably twice. The rear tailgate hatch appeared to have been replaced and did not fit right because the body was likely tweaked (so much so that there was no gap on one side and a large gap on the other, and the taillight had been broken by the hatch opening and closing), other panel / bumper gaps indicated a rear-end collision, the front passenger side quarter panel had been shoddily bondo'ed and repainted (with overspray) and numerous other body panels had been partially or completely repainted (more overspray and rough paint.) Two out of the four shocks were leaking, one front and one rear, which would have required all four to be replaced, and numerous interior panels had been removed and not properly reinstalled for some unknown reason (red flags!) and the skid plate under the engine was missing, as were other bolts here and there.
I will say that my sales person was embarrassed and apologetic after I brought the vehicle back from an inspection by a licensed service center, and she refunded the money I paid to have this tragedy transferred from California. She said that if a vehicle is "inspected" by another CarMax then the receiving / local CarMax doesn't reinspect the vehicle. Might want to look at changing that policy! Also, the entire vehicle inspection program might need tweaking, to say the least, if both mechanical and structural issues as bad as these can make it through the CarMax process.
I will think twice before I look at CarMax as a dealer that I'd buy a used car from in the future. Buyer beware, and I highly recommend getting an independent shop to inspect any vehicle before purchasing it.
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