The Carvana Return Policy gives U.S. buyers seven calendar days to request a return on an eligible vehicle. The day you receive the car counts as day one, even if it arrives late in the day. Carvana says you must notify an Advocate before 8 p.m. EST on day seven. You can complete the return at a later appointment once you’ve started it on time.
Before deciding, check your odometer and purchase agreement. Carvana charges $1 per mile over 400 miles, keeps any original shipping charge, and refunds a separate home delivery charge if one applied. If you traded in your old vehicle, Carvana keeps it even when you return the car you bought.
Carvana Return Policy at a Glance
| Policy Detail | Current Rule |
|---|---|
| Standard return window | Seven calendar days, including the day you receive the vehicle |
| Deadline to request a return | Before 8 p.m. EST on day seven, as stated in Carvana’s policy |
| How to start | Call or chat with a Carvana Advocate and arrange a return appointment |
| Vehicle condition | The car must remain in the condition you received it, subject to the policy’s accident, damage, modification, and lien restrictions |
| Mileage charge | $1 per mile driven over 400 miles |
| Original shipping charge | Nonrefundable on a return or exchange |
| Separate home delivery charge | Refundable on an eligible return under the guarantee |
| Refund timing | Usually 10–15 business days after the return appointment is completed, depending on bank processing |
| Exchanges | Up to two. The third vehicle has no 7-Day Money Back Guarantee once you accept it |
| Trade-in | Carvana keeps the trade-in and treats it as a sale if you return your purchase |
Carvana’s Help Center lists separate rules for the return deadline, refund processing, shipping and delivery charges, and trade-in settlement.
Understanding the Carvana Return Policy
The seven-day clock starts when you receive the vehicle, whether you take delivery or pick it up. For example, if you receive it on Monday, Monday is day one and Sunday is day seven. Check your Carvana dashboard for the deadline tied to your order. If your last day falls on a Sunday, contact an Advocate early. Carvana lists shorter Sunday Advocate hours than its hours for the rest of the week.
You can request a return if the car simply turns out to be a poor fit. Carvana says an otherwise eligible vehicle can be returned regardless of how you paid for it. The payment method can still affect how the transaction is unwound, especially if you used an outside lender or included a trade-in.
Vehicle Condition and Mileage Rules
Carvana can refuse a return or exchange if the vehicle has been in an accident, sustained damage, or been modified or otherwise altered from the condition in which you received it. Its policy also restricts additional liens or other claims against the vehicle. Financing tied to the original purchase is treated separately from a new lien placed on the car afterward.
The 400-mile allowance applies to miles you drive during the guarantee period. Going over 400 miles triggers a charge of $1 for each additional mile. For example, driving 435 miles would result in a $35 mileage charge on an otherwise eligible return. Photographing the odometer when you receive the car gives you a reference if you’re close to the limit.
How to Return a Car to Carvana
- Check your deadline. Sign in to your Carvana account and open the dashboard for the vehicle you want to return.
- Call or chat with an Advocate. Say that you want to initiate a return under the 7-Day Money Back Guarantee. Keep a copy of the chat or note when you spoke with Carvana.
- Confirm the handoff and refund details. Ask the Advocate where the appointment will take place, what to bring, and which charges will be refunded. If you financed the car or traded in another vehicle, ask how those amounts will be handled.
- Complete the return appointment. An Advocate will guide you through the paperwork. A co-signer does not have to attend. Keep the completed paperwork for your records.
The request must be made within the guarantee period. The appointment can take place afterward. If the first available appointment falls after day seven, get confirmation that Carvana recorded your return request on time.
Which Charges Does Carvana Refund?
Check the wording on your order summary. Carvana uses shipping for transporting the car to a location near you and delivery for bringing it from that local location to your home. An order can include both.
| Charge | How Carvana Handles It |
|---|---|
| Original shipping charge | Carvana keeps this charge, if one applied, when you return or exchange the vehicle |
| Separate home delivery charge | Carvana refunds this charge on an eligible return under the guarantee |
| Mileage over 400 miles | Carvana charges $1 for each mile beyond 400 |
Carvana starts processing an eligible refund after the return appointment is complete. It usually takes 10–15 business days for the funds to reach your bank account, depending on bank processing. If you exchange the car, eligible funds from the previous order may appear as a credit applied to the replacement purchase.
Carvana says it cancels registration and financing as part of the return process. If you used an outside lender, confirm with Carvana and the lender how the loan will be settled and what to do about any payment due while the return is being processed.
What Happens to Your Trade-In?
Carvana keeps your trade-in if you return the vehicle you purchased. It treats the trade-in as a sale at the price stated in your agreement. If you still owe money on the old car, Carvana applies that amount to the loan first and pays you any remaining balance. If the loan payoff exceeds the agreed trade-in price, you owe the difference.
For example, if Carvana agreed to pay $12,000 for your trade-in and the loan payoff is $9,000, the remaining trade-in equity is $3,000. If the payoff is $14,000, you owe the $2,000 difference. If you exchange your Carvana purchase instead, Carvana applies the trade-in to the replacement transaction.
How Carvana Vehicle Exchanges Work
Contact an Advocate before placing an order for the replacement. Carvana treats an order placed independently as an additional purchase. To complete an exchange, you must request it, select the replacement, and finish the online purchase steps within the active guarantee period. The vehicle handoff can be scheduled for later.
Carvana allows up to two exchanges, for a total of three vehicles. If you accept the third vehicle at your appointment, it has no 7-Day Money Back Guarantee. Inspect that car at the appointment and raise any concerns before accepting it.
What to Do If the Car Arrives Damaged or Has a Defect
If you find damage at delivery or pickup, document it and tell the Advocate promptly. For cosmetic imperfections that weren’t disclosed in the listing, Carvana lets you submit up to three concerns through My Cars during the guarantee period. SilverRock reviews qualifying concerns. The review can exclude disclosed imperfections, issues within Carvana’s vehicle standards, and damage that occurred after you received the car. If you want a return, contact an Advocate separately before the return deadline.
For mechanical or electrical problems, Carvana’s used-vehicle limited warranty lasts 100 days or 4,189 miles, whichever comes first. SilverRock handles claims for covered repairs. If a shop diagnoses a problem, have it contact SilverRock for approval before repair work begins. If the seven-day return period has ended, check whether the issue qualifies under the limited warranty or any remaining manufacturer coverage.
What to Do If Carvana Denies the Return
Ask the Advocate which condition led to the denial. If the issue is the deadline, compare the date you received the car with your dashboard and the timestamp of your return request. If it involves damage, gather any delivery photos and the condition details from the listing. For an exchange, confirm whether the vehicle was your third accepted car. If the decision stands and the car has a mechanical or electrical problem, check your warranty coverage for a repair claim.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Delivery Day Count as Day One?
Yes. The day you receive the vehicle is day one, regardless of the time it arrives. The guarantee runs on calendar days, so weekends count.
Can I Return a Carvana Car After Driving More Than 400 Miles?
Yes, if the car otherwise qualifies for return. Carvana charges $1 for every mile you drive beyond 400 miles.
Can I Return a Carvana Car After Seven Days?
You can complete the handoff after day seven if you started the return before the deadline. If you first contact Carvana after the deadline, the standard guarantee has expired.
Do I Get My Down Payment Back If I Return the Car?
An eligible return includes refundable amounts you paid toward the purchase. If your down payment included trade-in equity, Carvana handles that portion under its trade-in settlement rules. Any original shipping charge is nonrefundable, and excess mileage can result in a charge.
How Long Does a Carvana Refund Take?
Carvana says an eligible refund usually reaches your bank account within 10–15 business days after the completed return appointment. Count from the handoff, even if you opened the return request several days earlier.
Does a Replacement Vehicle Get a Seven-Day Return Period?
The second vehicle can be covered by the guarantee. The third vehicle, received after a second exchange, has no 7-Day Money Back Guarantee once you accept it. Check the active deadline in your account before requesting another exchange.
Conclusion
If you plan to return a Carvana vehicle, check your dashboard and contact an Advocate before 8 p.m. EST on day seven, counting the day you received the car as day one. Keep confirmation of your request if the handoff is scheduled for later. Before the appointment, check your mileage and review the order summary so you know which charges to expect back. If you included a trade-in, ask for a breakdown of the equity or loan payoff. Carvana keeps the old vehicle, so that settlement is a separate part of deciding whether to return or exchange your purchase.