Review Us On Google Review Us On Facebook Check out what our clients say

There's Something You Might Not Know About CARFAX Reports

Image

The Facts About Carfax

 

Recently, a friend and I were talking about cars. We stumbled upon the subject of Carfax- a well known vehicle history reporting platform that many rely on when they are in the market for a new (to them) vehicle. Mind you, she is quite brilliant, and when it comes to car stuff, she scores better than average. Nothing wrong with that, if you have a friend who knows a few things or a thousand about cars.

 

However, she was surprised when I told her that Carfax doesn’t  always have the intel on a vehicle’s complete history. The information Carfax has and is able to provide to you, is limited to “reported” accidents, repairs, and maintenance. Right about now, you may be scratching your head asking, “Say what?”

 

I’m Marty Ruth, owner of Auto Appraisal Network – Detroit. I managed collision repair facilities in Michigan for more than thirty years. During that time, I learned that not all police departments, dealerships, body shops, or mechanical facilities report incidents and repairs to Carfax.  While the majority of insurance claims are reported, oftentimes repairs paid for in cash don’t always get reported. Feeling a little shocked? Check it out for yourself:

 

This statement is the small print (ah, the small print)  at the very bottom of the Carfax homepage:

“CARFAX Vehicle History products and services are based only on information supplied to CARFAX. CARFAX does not have the complete history of every vehicle. Use the CARFAX search as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection and test drive, to make a better decision about your next used car.”

 

These are things you won’t find on a CARFAX report:  

-Facts about unreported accidents or repairs

-If reported repairs were completed properly or not

-Information about existing warn parts (i.e., tires, hinges)

-The presence of rust or corrosion

 

The good news is that there is a way to find out all the information about a vehicle you’re thinking about buying. An experienced appraiser can tell you all of the above and more. 

 

The best way to better protect yourself from buying someone else’s damaged goods is to hire an experienced appraiser. The amount you spend on a pre-purchase inspection/appraisal is only a fraction of the cost and headache you might experience when you buy a vehicle based solely on the Carfax report. A professional appraiser will provide you with a comprehensive, detailed list of prior and present vehicle conditions, helping you to make a good decision and avoid the hidden gotcha’s. 

 

If you’re in the market for a pre-owned vehicle, don’t rely on the CARFAX report as your only source of information. 

 

Contact Auto Appraisal Network - Detroit  now to schedule your pre purchase vehicle inspection. 

Image
Image
Image

Tags

All blog agreedvalueinsurance makinganinsuranceclaim autoaccident insuranceclaim caraccident mycarisworthless notmyfault classicfun mycarstotaled buyingaclassiccar dreamcarpurchase financeappraisal prepurchaseautoinspection buyingacar buyingamotorcycle diminishedvalueclaim classiccarvalue legendaryvehicles classiccarappraisal sellingaclassiccar whatsmycarworth howmuch honestcarmechanic dreamcars totallossautoclaim Carvana certifiedusedcar preownedvehicles preownedcars collisionrepairs usedcarpurchase buyingausedcar newtoyounewcar total loss collisionrepair autobody carfax bankruptcy debtcollectors collections classiccar dreamcar titlebond cartitle boattitle motorcycletitle harleydavidson classicmotorcycles harleydavidsonclassics customporsche custom911 fastcars customcars LT1porsche ProfessionalAppraiser classiccorvette finanaceappraisal campertitle appraisernearme autoclaim totalloss autoappraisermichigan mycaristotalled mycaristotaled insuranceappraiser appraisalclause independentappraiser totallossclaim carappraisal motorcycleappraisal rvappraisal autoinspector autoinspection carinspector carinspection pre-purchaseinspection prepurchaseinspection Detroitcars Michiganautoinspector historicdetroit michigancarinspector Michiganautoinpsection classiccarinspection classiccarinspector ExpertCarAppraisals righttoanappraisal insurance claim insurance settlement Insurance Adjuster Custom car appraisals

Facebook Feed

On the Road with Marty On the Road with Marty

Happy Holidays! We're open during the holidays for appraisals and pre-purchase inspections.

GET IN THE KNOW BEFORE YOU SPEND YOUR DOUGH! GET IN THE KNOW BEFORE YOU SPEND YOUR DOUGH!

Get a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified appraiser within 24 to 48 hours so you don't miss out on your dream car.

On the road with Auto Appraisal Network Detroit On the road with Auto Appraisal Network Detroit

We're always on the lookout for the coolest rides. We completed a pre-purchase inspection on this professionally restored and customized 1958 Chevrolet Impala at Vanguard Motors in Plymouth for an out-of-state client. It's bad to the bone.

There's Something You Might Not Know About CARFAX Reports There's Something You Might Not Know About CARFAX Reports

If you're on the hunt for a quality car, don't rely on the fox for all the facts.

Never revealed secrets of the wise used car buyer Never revealed secrets of the wise used car buyer

Are you in the market for a used car? You have to read this article

Classic car change time of year Classic car change time of year

"To store or to sell, that is the question"

Auto Appraisal Network - Detroit

Enter Your Zip Code

There's Something You Might Not Know About CARFAX Reports