CARMAX ADVISES HOW TO AVOID FLOOD-DAMAGED CARS

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Laura Donahue
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Trina Lee
Director, Public Relations
(804) 747-0422, Ext. 4197
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Chris Wilmore
Assistant Public Relations Manager, New Media
(804) 747-0422, Ext. 4773
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Elia Imler
Assistant Public Relations Manager
(804) 747-0422, Ext. 4029
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RICHMOND, Va. (September 25, 2009)—In the wake of recent flooding, CarMax, Inc., (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, is advising consumers on how to avoid purchasing flood-damaged vehicles.

“Consumers should be aware that some businesses and individuals may try to sell salvaged and flood-damaged cars without revealing the vehicle history,” said Jason Day, Atlanta region vice president of purchasing for CarMax. “Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers.”

CarMax’s purchasing team offers these ten tips for identifying a vehicle with possible flood damage. If any of these signs are identified, ask further questions to determine if flood damage occurred:

1) Check for a moldy smell inside the car and feel the carpet for dampness

2) Be suspicious of an older car with a brand new interior or carpeting

3) Check for rust under the brake or gas pedals

4) Look for dirt or rust under the dashboard and floor mats

5) Inspect the bolts and screws under the seats for evidence of rust

6) Check the undercarriage for excessive rust

7) Check inside the trunk under the carpet and in the spare tire well area for rust, dirt or sand

8) Look for corrosion, water marks, or a thin brown line on the exterior of the vehicle

9) Check to see if the electrical system works

10) Check the VIN number with AutoCheck or Carfax to see whether a flood claim has been filed or a salvage title has been issued on the vehicle

CarMax provides a free AutoCheck vehicle history report for every used vehicle. CarMax’s nationwide team of more than 800 car-buyers is trained to detect whether a car has flood damage or has been in a major accident. CarMax will not retail any car that has flood or frame damage or an odometer or title discrepancy.

CarMax has five locations in the Greater Atlanta area:

Lithia Springs: 1977 Thornton Road, Lithia Springs, Ga. 30122

Norcross: 1975 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross, Ga. 30071

Southlake: 3100 Mt. Zion Parkway, Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Town Center: 1215 Ernest Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw, Ga. 30144

Roswell: 11450 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell, Ga. 30076

About CarMax
CarMax, a Fortune 500 company, and one of the Fortune 2009 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” is the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., we currently operate 100 used car superstores in 46 markets. The CarMax consumer offer is structured around four customer benefits: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and customer-friendly service. During the twelve months ended February 28, 2009, the company retailed 345,465 used vehicles and sold 194,081 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at http://www.carmax.com/.


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Media Contacts
Trina Lee, Director, Public Relations, (804) 747-0422, ext. 4197
Elia Imler, Assistant Manager, Public Relations, (804) 747-0422, ext. 4029, Twitter: @CarMaxInc 

Please Note:
Our buying team can provide visually compelling demonstrations on possible flood damage indicators.