Here at Carvana, we’re happy to offer a 7-Day Money Back Guarantee to all our customers. A money-back guarantee helps ensure your new (used) car meets your expectations — or allows you to return it if something’s wrong. But what should you actually do with your car during a money-back guarantee? Whether you’re buying from us or another dealer that offers similar assurances, we’re here with some tips to help ensure your car purchase goes smoothly.

Understanding Your Car Return Policy: How it Works with the Money-Back Guarantee

Carvana and various other dealerships commonly offer a money-back guarantee to help bolster customer confidence and provide peace of mind. Basically, you can think of a money-back guarantee as a 3+ day grace period (ours is 7 days), where you can return the car for a full refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations. 

Understanding your car return policy is the first step to leveraging this service. If you buy a car with a money-back guarantee, familiarize yourself with the specific terms and conditions of the car return policy. That includes any exclusions or additional fees you may not get back, even if you return the car while the money-back guarantee is valid. For example, dealerships may not reimburse delivery fees if you got the car delivered, or mechanic’s fees for repairs or evaluations done at a private shop. They may also be unable to accept the return if the car was modified, damaged, or altered after purchase.

Key Checks to Perform on Your Car During the Money-Back Guarantee Period

Use your money-back guarantee period to explore the features and functionality of your new vehicle thoroughly: 

  1. Test Drive on Different Terrains: Experience the car’s performance on various terrains. Test-driving can give you a feel for how the car handles, accelerates, brakes, and sounds in different driving conditions. You’ll also want to take a test drive during the day and night to ensure the vehicle’s lights, visibility, and handling are up to snuff, even with limited visibility.
  2. Try All the Features: From the HVAC to infotainment to driver assistance systems like the backup camera or blind-spot monitors, test out every feature you can. Discovering that a feature like heated seats doesn’t work because you bought the car during the summer is never a great feeling. 
  3. Check for Exterior and Interior Damage. Most people give a used car a once-over at the dealership or on delivery, but it’s worth giving everything a bigger once-over (or twice, or thrice-over). Look for paintwork inconsistencies, torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged upholstery, and ensure all doors, windows, and the trunk open and close smoothly. When buying a used car, you can probably expect some minor imperfections, like paint scratches, but checking for major damage is always a good idea!
  4. Check Under the Hood: While not everyone is mechanically inclined, checking under the hood for any obvious issues, like leaks, corrosion, or disconnected wires, can be helpful. 
  5. Fuel Efficiency: Monitor your fuel consumption. If you’re getting significantly fewer miles per gallon (MPG) than you “should,” it may indicate an underlying issue. 

Potential Red Flags: Making Sure Your Vehicle’s Mechanically Sound

While you’re testing your new car, keep an eye (and nose, and ear) out for these more serious issues that could indicate substantial problems:

  1. Unusual Noises: Don’t ignore irregular sounds like rattling, grinding, squeaking, or whining. They could hint at possible mechanical issues.
  2. Warning Lights: Never disregard any warning lights on your dashboard. They’re there to alert you of potential problems that need immediate attention.
  3. Odd Smells: If you notice any peculiar smells, they could be signs of issues such as oil leaks, burning, or electrical faults.
  4. Inconsistent Handling or Braking: Should the car veer to one side while driving or braking, there might be an alignment issue or a problem with the brakes.
  5. Excessive Oil Consumption: If the vehicle seems to consume oil at an accelerated rate, it could be a sign of engine trouble. Don’t ignore it — check it out! That brings us to:

Utilizing Professional Services to Evaluate the Car’s Condition

To ensure you’re not missing any hidden issues, consider bringing your car to a trusted mechanic for a thorough inspection. They can help identify potential problems that would escape an untrained eye. Although bringing your car in for a checkup may incur additional short-term expenses, it’s a great way to protect yourself long-term. 

Making the Decision: When to Use a Car Return Policy

If you’ve been following the steps in this article, you should have a pretty comprehensive understanding of your new car’s condition. If the vehicle passes all your checks (and possibly those of a professional), congratulations are in order! You’ve made a sound investment.

However, if you’ve identified issues with the vehicle or believe the quality is lacking, you may want to consider returning it. Keep in mind: Money-back guarantees should safeguard your satisfaction — use it if you’re not content with the product you purchased.

In Conclusion…

By being proactive and thorough during the money-back guarantee period, you can save yourself from potential problems down the line and ensure that your car is a good investment. Remember, a car is more than just a means to get from point A to B; it’s an investment in your safety and lifestyle. The more diligently you test during the money-back guarantee period, the happier you’ll be in the long run. Safe travels!