CarFax is a joke! How does it reallly work?
10-16-2002, 08:01 AM
#1
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CarFax is a joke! How does it reallly work?
I just bought a used A4 and I had them check it out on CarFax at the dealership and I checked when I got home and it was clean. No accidents, nothin. But I also had the car checked out by CarMax and they showed me where the doors were repainted, front left fender was replaced and front end had been repainted. Fortunatly there was no frame damage or mechanical troubles.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't CarFax supposed to show whether this car was in an accident or taken to a body shop? Because this car has definitly had some work done to it. The car was a great deal but I could have negotiated more with the price had I known it had body work done to it.
Even though I had it checked out once I'm going to have the suspension checked out by the Audi dealership or something before I release this seller while it's under warrenty. I'd appreciate you're suggestions and info on CarJoke!
Shawn
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't CarFax supposed to show whether this car was in an accident or taken to a body shop? Because this car has definitly had some work done to it. The car was a great deal but I could have negotiated more with the price had I known it had body work done to it.
Even though I had it checked out once I'm going to have the suspension checked out by the Audi dealership or something before I release this seller while it's under warrenty. I'd appreciate you're suggestions and info on CarJoke!
Shawn
10-16-2002, 08:04 AM
#2
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It's only really usefull if there was stuff affecting
the title, or other similar recores, i.e. salvage title (which has served me well in the past). But many accidnets aren't reported - settled without insurance or whatever....
so obviously it's no substitute for having a qualified mechanic check the car out before you buy it.
a
so obviously it's no substitute for having a qualified mechanic check the car out before you buy it.
a
10-16-2002, 08:10 AM
#5
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CarFax is completely useless unless the car was declared a total and salvaged.
It can only find salvage titles.
My old car was involved in several cosmetic accidents and CarFax searches yielded nothing on it's VIN. CF is a total scam IMHO.
My old car was involved in several cosmetic accidents and CarFax searches yielded nothing on it's VIN. CF is a total scam IMHO.
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10-16-2002, 08:31 AM
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CarFax works like this (more)...
Besides having access to DMV salvage & odometer records, the only accident information they obtain is through local law inforcement - NOT insurance companies. If an accident was bad enough to warrant a full-blown police report because car(s) had to be towed from the scene or there were personal bodily injuries, only THEN would CarFax have that information to pass on. So... since most accidents are relatively minor & don't require rollbacks or ambulances, those cars aren't picked up by CarFax. Basically, if it was never totalled or an odometer statement fouled with, it won't be picked up by CarFax... a totally bogus service, IMO.
10-16-2002, 08:33 AM
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car fax saved me on several cars I was going to look at
all of them involved salvage titles or odometer fraud. On the other hand Carfax was very good at confirming that there wasn't any odometer fraud or inspection problems. Your expectations were to high. Carfax is a cheap quick check on a car you are interested in but it certainly is not a substitute for a proper inspection. Most private and professional sellers know that Carfax has limited use and take advantage of it.
