A Carvana buyer purchased a 2020 BMW 330i on October 6, 2026, only to discover it had several problems. Just a few days later, they took it to a BMW service department to have it checked over.
The buyer explained in a Reddit post that BMW recommended that they replace the tires, brakes, and rotors, with the work totaling $3,300. They then contacted Carvana on the sixth or seventh day of the return period.
They said that a Carvana representative told them to have BMW open a repair claim with SilverRock, Carvana’s warranty company, and the buyer uploaded the original BMW inspection sheet during the call.
The buyer dropped off the car on the following Tuesday, said that it was still at the dealership, and wondered if they should or could return the car. Redditors had something to say about the whole situation.
Redditors Argue About the BMW’s Brake Rotors
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Some people in the comments were questioning the $3,300 estimate, especially the brakes. One person said there was no reason to replace the rotors, while another disagreed, saying they wear down just like other brake parts.
A few people even got into an argument about how long rotors should last. One insisted they could last the entire life of the car, but another pointed out that they have a minimum thickness and can eventually wear down too much.
BMW has posted a service bulletin explaining that its brake rotors have a minimum thickness stamped on them. That number is used to determine whether the rotors need to be replaced when new brake pads are installed.
One commenter suggested taking the BMW to an independent mechanic who specializes in German cars instead of paying dealership prices.
Carvana’s Inspection Checklist Includes Tires and Brakes
Carvana’s published 150-point inspection checklist includes checks for tire tread depth, brake pad thickness and brake rotor thickness. It also calls for checking tires for uneven wear and cracks in their sidewalls. The checklist says tires need at least 5/32 of an inch of tread, and brake pads should have at least 5 millimeters left, with a separate check for rotor thickness.
One Redditor brought up their recent experience selling a truck to Carvana. They said the employee took a few pictures, checked the odometer, loaded the truck onto a trailer and handed over a check. The whole thing only took about five minutes.
Other Carvana Buyers Share Their Return Experiences
According to Carvana’s return policy, the day a customer receives their vehicle counts as day one. The company requires customers to request a return before 8 p.m. Eastern on the seventh day. Carvana’s 100-day limited warranty excludes tires, brake pads, and rotors because they’re considered wear items.
Several Redditors had stories about getting more time to decide whether to keep their cars. One person said they were waiting for a repair estimate and only asked Carvana for two extra days. Instead, they got another seven days, with the new dates appearing on their dashboard and in their text messages.
Another person had a problem with their vehicle on day five. They said Carvana extended the return period another week and even paid for all the repairs.
One woman said her husband was able to exchange a car on day 14 after it failed a state inspection. She recommended picking out another vehicle before contacting Carvana so the exchange could be handled more quickly.