RICHMOND, Va. (May 20, 2011) - 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.

"Many people think about the electrical damage to cars when flooding occurs, but the long-term negative effects can be much more significant," said Stephan Kintz, CarMax purchasing manager in Memphis, Tenn. "Car shoppers need to be aware that rust, mold and mildew can impact the vehicle's reliability and safety, and simple repairs cannot restore the vehicle to peak condition."

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 900 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 history, frame damage, or an odometer or title discrepancy.

About CarMax
CarMax, a member of the FORTUNE 500 and the S&P 500, and one of the FORTUNE 2011 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 105 used car superstores in 51 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, 2011, the company retailed 396,181 used cars and sold 263,061 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.

Media Contacts
Britt Farrar, Manager, Public Relations, (804) 747-0422, ext. 3473, Twitter: @CarMax
Michelle Ellwood, CarMax Public Affairs, (804) 747-0422, ext. 4139, Twitter: @CarMaxCares

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