What is a CarFax and Why Should I Ask for One?

Carfax is a web-based service that provides vehicle history reports to consumers and businesses in the United States and Canada. These reports contain information on a vehicle’s ownership history, accident history, service details, title status, mileage readings, and other important details. Carfax obtains this information from a variety of sources, including state motor vehicle departments, police departments, repair facilities, and insurance companies. Carfax reports are often used by consumers and businesses when buying or selling used vehicles to help them make informed decisions about the vehicle’s condition and value.

You should ask for a Carfax report when car shopping because it can provide you with valuable information about the vehicle’s history that you may not be able to obtain otherwise such as:

1. Accidents: The Carfax report will show if the vehicle has been in any reported accidents, which can help you determine if it has any existing damage or if it has been repaired properly. It might also include information like the type of accident or if the airbags deployed.
2. Title history: The report can tell you if the vehicle has a clean title or if it has ever been salvaged, flooded, rebuilt, or had other types of title issues. This information can help you avoid buying a vehicle that may have hidden problems.
3. Ownership history: The report can show you how many previous owners the vehicle has had, and how long each owner kept the vehicle.
4. Maintenance or Service History: The report can show you the vehicle’s maintenance or service history, including how often it was serviced and what repairs were made, along with the facility that completed the repairs. This can give you an idea of how well the vehicle has been cared for and what potential maintenance issues you may face in the future.
5. Mileage: The Carfax report can verify the vehicle’s mileage and can alert you if the odometer has been rolled back or if there are any discrepancies in the reported mileage.
6. Vehicle use: The report can tell you if the vehicle has been used for commercial or rental purposes, which can affect its value.

By obtaining a Carfax report, you can make a more informed decision when buying a used car and can avoid potential headaches and expenses down the road.

Important to Note:

A Carfax report may not provide the entire history of a vehicle. The information on a Carfax report is based on data that is available from various sources, such as state DMVs, insurance companies, and repair facilities, among others. However, not all information may be reported to these sources, and some information may be missing or incomplete. Additionally, some types of incidents, such as minor accidents or routine maintenance, may not be reported to Carfax.

Therefore, while a Carfax report can provide valuable information about a vehicle’s history, it should be used as one tool in your decision-making process when buying a used car, and should be complemented by other sources of information, such as a professional inspection, a test drive, and a review of the vehicle’s service and maintenance records.