Return Policy

Most used cars at Maxim Autos are sold AS IS, with the protections Illinois law builds in for every retail buyer. We do not offer a 3 day, 7 day, or 30 day money back return window. We are not Carvana. We are a local Skokie dealership that puts five star reviews on the line with every sale, and we want every customer to leave with the right car the first time.

That is why our entire policy is built around what happens before you sign, not after.

1. Our Standard: AS IS Sales With Statutory Protections Built In

Every used vehicle at Maxim Autos is offered for sale with an FTC Buyer's Guide displayed in the window. The Buyer's Guide tells you whether that specific vehicle is being sold AS IS or with a written warranty. The default at Maxim Autos is AS IS.

AS IS means you accept the vehicle in its current condition once the sale closes. It does not mean you have no protection at all.

The covered components are: engine block, head, all internal engine parts, oil pan and gaskets, water pump, intake manifold, transmission and all internal transmission parts, torque converter, drive shaft, universal joints, rear axle and all internal rear axle parts, and rear wheel bearings.

If a covered component fails within the 15 day or 500 mile window, the customer is responsible for a deductible per repair as set by Illinois statute. We handle the rest at our authorized repair facility.

Vehicles exempt from the statutory protection (sold pure AS IS):

• chevron_right Vehicles with more than 150,000 miles at the time of sale
• chevron_right Vehicles with a rebuilt or flood branded title
• chevron_right Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 8,000 pounds or more
• chevron_right Antique or collector vehicles as defined by the Illinois Vehicle Code

When a vehicle is exempt, the FTC Buyer's Guide and the sales contract both say so plainly. There is no surprise.

2. When a Written Warranty Applies

We do not promise blanket warranty coverage on our inventory. When a written warranty does apply to a specific vehicle, the exact terms (what is covered, the time and mileage window, any deductible, and the authorized repair facility) appear on that vehicle's FTC Buyer's Guide and on the sales contract you sign.

If the Buyer's Guide for a specific unit is checked AS IS, the unit is sold AS IS plus the Illinois statutory floor described in Section 1 (when not exempt). We do not offer a separate Maxim Autos branded warranty product, and we do not certify vehicles. Any vehicle described as "certified" anywhere on this site or in any listing is incorrect and should be reported to us so we can correct it.

3. Spot Delivery and Financing Contingency

If you take a vehicle home before financing is fully finalized, that is called spot delivery. The sale is conditioned on the lender approving the financing at the contracted terms.

If financing is not approved at the contracted rate and term, Illinois law is clear:

• chevron_right The sale unwinds.
• chevron_right We return your full down payment.
• chevron_right We return your trade in vehicle, or its value if it has already been sold or wholesaled.
• chevron_right You are not required to bring more money to the closing.
• chevron_right You are not required to accept a higher rate or longer term.
• chevron_right You are not required to find a cosigner.

This is the only scenario in which a Maxim Autos sale unwinds under Illinois law. If your financing is approved at the original contracted terms, the sale is final.

4. What We Do Not Offer

To make sure no customer is confused about what they are buying:

• chevron_right No 3 day, 7 day, or 30 day money back returns. Once a sale is finalized at the contracted terms, the vehicle is yours.
• chevron_right No test drive at home return window. All test drives happen on or near the lot, before purchase.
• chevron_right No exchange or swap program. We are not a national online retailer. We do not maintain swap inventory.
• chevron_right No buyer remorse refunds. Illinois has no statutory cooling off period for vehicle purchases at a dealer's place of business. Federal cooling off rules do not apply to vehicle sales at a dealership.

We tell you this up front because it is the truth, and because customers who understand it before signing have a better experience than customers who do not.

5. Your Pre Purchase Inspection Right (Use It)

Every customer is welcome to have any Maxim Autos vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic of their choice before signing the purchase agreement. We encourage it. We will hold the vehicle for a reasonable inspection appointment.

This is the strongest consumer protection available in any used vehicle purchase, anywhere. A pre purchase inspection from a third party mechanic will tell you more about a specific vehicle than any return policy ever could.

If you want to use this option, ask any sales associate or call (847) 510-8947 and we will coordinate.

6. Issues After Purchase

If something on the vehicle does not feel right after you take delivery, contact us first. Call (847) 510-8947 or stop by the lot. Many concerns are quickly resolved when we have the chance to look at the vehicle ourselves.

If the issue falls within the Illinois 15 day or 500 mile statutory powertrain protection and the vehicle is not exempt, we follow the statutory process and bring the vehicle into compliance. If the issue is outside that scope, we will tell you honestly whether it is something we can help with as a courtesy, what it would cost, or whether it is the kind of normal ownership cost that comes with a used vehicle.

What we will not do is ignore the call. The five star reputation Maxim Autos has built is not an accident, and it does not get protected by avoiding hard conversations.

7. Implied Warranty Disclaimer (Required FTC Language)

The information you see on the FTC Buyer's Guide for each vehicle is part of the sale contract. Spoken promises by any salesperson are difficult to enforce. Get all promises in writing.

For vehicles sold AS IS that are not subject to the Illinois 815 ILCS 505/2L statutory protection, the following applies as required by federal regulation (16 CFR Part 455):

For vehicles where Illinois law provides the 15 day or 500 mile statutory powertrain protection, the implied warranty of merchantability cannot be disclaimed during that window, and the contract will say so in conspicuous boldface text.

For all vehicles, we disclaim every other implied warranty to the maximum extent permitted by Illinois law and the Uniform Commercial Code.

8. Contact

If you have a question about this policy or a specific vehicle, please call before you visit so we can have everything ready.

Thanks,
The Maxim Autos Team