The Benefits of Using Carfax when buying your next car

If you are in the market to buy a used car, using19. Odometer Readings - These may include readings
Carfax as a research tool is worth the investment.or title designations that the readings are not reliable
Carfax' history dates back to 1986 when it worked20. Odometer Rollbacks - Some rollbacks are certified
closely with the Missouri Automobile Dealerswhile other irregular readings are highlighted with
Association, providing vehicle history reports to thesuggestion for careful review
dealer market. By the end of 1993, Carfax obtained21. Open Recalls - Many manufacturers report their
title information from nearly all fifty states. When theopen recalls to Carfax
largest automobile database, the company offered all22. Ownership Transfers
consumers the same instant access to vehicle history23. Repairs - Like accidents, not all are reported, but a
reports that auto dealers, banks and other businessessignificant number are, particularly when paid by an
were already subscribed to.extended warranty company
So what can Carfax provide you?24. Stolen Vehicles
1. When the car was built25. Title Brands - Official state designations found on
2. When and where the car was first registeredthe title such as Salvage, Flood, Lemon, and Junk
3. When the first annual inspection was done26. Title Numbers
4. When the second annual inspection was done27. Titling Activity - transfers, renewals, etc.
5. When the car was registered in a new state28. Vehicle Use - taxi, fleet, commercial, personal, rental
6. When the car was offered for salecar and other uses are reported
7. Accidents - Not all accidents are reported and not allSome information is not available on a report. Personal
reported accidents are included, but a substantialinformation such as names, telephone numbers and
number are listedaddresses of owners is neither collected nor reported.
8. Advisories - Carfax aggregates enough data onThe Downside to Carfax, although small is:
most vehicles to infer certain events. When the1. Accuracy -While most of the time the Carfax
inference is sufficiently strong Carfax will provide anreports are accurate, there can be some instances
advisory explaining the inference.where Carfax is not accurate. If you look at some of
9. Airbag Deploymentthe consumer websites online (Consumer Reports,
10. Auto Auction - Many vehicles are sold at auctionConsumer Affairs), there are reports that some of the
and Carfax reports on these salesinformation Carfax provided was incorrect and ended
11. Certified Pre-Owned Status - Many manufacturersup costing the buyer thousands of dollars.
report the cars they certify to Carfax2. Seller's problems- Picture you're selling your car and
12. Dates of activity - Most events shown on theyou find out that Carfax is listing incorrect information -
report include a date of the eventwhat do you do? Well according to some of the
13. Emission Test Resultsconsumer websites, not much. One site listed one
14. Frame Damage - In addition to reporting accidents,story indicating the seller sent all his car records to
frequently frame damage is reportedCarfax in order for them to update their information.
15. Lease / Lien eventsHowever, Carfax refused. Therefore, it's better to
16. Location - Most records include some indication ofcheck your car's information sooner rather than later
the city and state of origin for the eventto be sure it will not hurt you in the future when you
17. Maintenance and Service Events - Like accidents,sell your own car.
not all are reported, but a significant number areWhile you never can be 100% sure about the
18. Non-Branded Lemon - The manufacturer boughtaccuracy of the Carfax information, it well may be
back the vehicle as a courtesy instead of due to legalworth $30 to find out what is listed. More information is
requirementalways better when you are buying a car.