Is Carfax worth $25?

rdln · Mar 10, 2005

Vehicle history report for a vehicle i am interested in shows 10 records. What are these likely to be. how is this information reported to the website?

I am sure if it was in a collision and "Joes's bump and paint" fixed it, its not likely to be reported correct?

thanks,

buckle97 · Mar 10, 2005

What are these likely to be. 

About a year ago I was thinking the same thing as you. Is it REALLY worth it? I was looking to buy a 1999 Jeep Wrangler and I put the VIN # in Carfax and it showed 7 records. I didn't think that was too many but I convinced myself to pay the fee to see the truth. That $25 saved me a HUGE mistake. The Jeep had five reported owners in the previous 15 months /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Not dealerships trading the vehicle, actual personal owners. I questioned the seller about this high turnover via email and he never returned any emails thereafter.

My advice: spend the $25, it IS worth it.

Lawrence

btolle · Mar 10, 2005

I "think" they go by reports from insurance companies. If that is correct and someone paid out of their pocket to have it repaired it would not show up.

10 records would be of concern to me. Most folks will keep a vehicle for 3 or 4 years these days so a 10 year old vehicle would only show 3 or 4 records.

Bill Tolle

ShaleniFarm · Mar 10, 2005

Browse some of the car message boards. I always see someone offering free carfax reports. I guess you can get an unlimited number for some time period.

Just a thought...

hazmat · Mar 10, 2005

Worth every penny - less than an average tank of gas costs.

I used mine to get some extra $$ off my truck. It was a rental unit (Hertz?). While I figure that Hertz probably does better maint than the average Joe, nobody knows how many different drivers it had...

Hakim · Mar 10, 2005

The Carfax report also would reveal things like a "recovered stolen" vehicle (total write-off by insurance company -- you decide if you want to own it; if so, pay almost nothing).

Also will show "salvage" vehicles, whicjh may be two cars welded together into "one" after "totalled" accidents (yes, it is done more than you think).

Also, record of recalls for that vehicle ...

and more stuff like that.

I would NEVER by a car from an unknown buyer (unless it was quite an insignificant amount of money) without getting a Carfax report. I think it is a great bargain, and will definitely tell you if there are terrible things being hidden; and if it is clear, you can purchase without anxiety -- as well as knowing you'll have good resale value down the line.

Carfax +++

PBinWA · Mar 10, 2005

Yes - Carfax is really useful. It's nice to know the true history of your vehicle. Even so called "reputable" dealers rarely disclose the true history of used cars.

Money well spent in my opinion.

Moon · Mar 10, 2005

( Also will show "salvage" vehicles)

Exactly, and once a car has a salvage title it should stick with the car, but when crossing state lines the 'salvage' part is sometimes omitted. A would be buyer posted on another forum that carfax saved him from buying one which used to have a salvage title in AK, but in Mississippi the title showed normal. If it hadn't been for carfax he would not have found this out until it was to late.

Moon of Ohio

rdln · Mar 10, 2005

Yes Hakim, A local Used car dealer has a reputation for doing this.

Thanks guys, for the heck of it, I ran s/n of other similar trucks, same year and all found 10 reports to be slightly above average. considering they are 2002 MY all of the reports cant be that significant.

acarfaxing away i go.

buckle97 · Mar 10, 2005

it is done more than you think 

I have always wondered about those "dealerships" that have one acre full of cars for sale and 20 acres of junk cars missing half of their parts. I would never buy a car from a place like that, unless it was an insignificant amount of money /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

Lawrence