Heads up about Carfax

[Gatafly]

Just a heads up for everyone about Carfax. I am going to have a car buying and leasing company find me a 4runner. I am using them because I know them and trust them to find me a good deal. The guy there that I have known for years warned me about Carfax and told me things I did not know. He said about the only thing Carfax is good for is to determine correct odometer reading. . . . and that can be off also. No one is required to report maintenance to Carfax and the only ones that will report consistently are new car dealers, DMV and Rapid Oil Change. When they look at cars to buy they have to use a device that can measure paint thickness to know if a car has been in an accident or not because most all body shops do not report to Carfax. So, just a heads up to not put too much trust in them.

If anyone knows different feel free to share, but these guys have been in the business for over 30 years and are very meticulous about the vehicles they buy and have found many many discrepancies with Carfax. Anyway, just wanted to share since I keep seeing people pointing out a "clean" Carfax report when looking to buy a t4r.

 

[jwyshrek]

I can see that being true for minor fender benders, but isn't a law in most states that if the damage is more than X number of dollars, it has to be reported to the DMV/DOT???

I'd be more concern with major frame/body damage than a minor fender bender type damage...

 

[jjklongisland]

I can see that being true for minor fender benders, but isn't a law in most states that if the damage is more than X number of dollars, it has to be reported to the DMV/DOT???

I'd be more concern with major frame/body damage than a minor fender bender type damage...

Carfax is still a good way to get somewhat of a history on a vehicle. It will show all dealer repairs, any insurance reported damage, and prior ownership. Great to know if a taxi cab company owned the vehicle prior or if it changed hands 13 times. I have always had good luck with them. I find that Autocheck has even more info. It might not be flawless but its all we got and most likely will only get better and more accurate as technology continues to grow.

 

[Uneek]

On my old car it was in an accident that was reported to insurance. Carfax never picked that up when I ran my VIN.

 

[BWXT]

I had the carfax run on my Xterra before I bought it and it showed nothing. When I removed the front bumper and plastics to install a winch, I found multiple pieces had labels on them with the shipping address of the dealership that I bought it from. Obviously, these pieces were replaced by that dealership, likely after trade-in. If an accident isn't reported to an insurance company, it will not be on carfax. Think about how many people bang their vehicles up and just fix it themselves, or have mechanic friend fix it.

Also, something to note is that the dealership informed me that when a customer requests a carfax, the dealer has to pay for it. I can understand why they wouldn't want to aid a company that claims a free service to consumers, but is making money off of dealerships that have to eat the cost. And look at their advertising. They portray dealers who don't comply as shady crooks from whom you shouldn't buy a car. Quite a racket if you ask me.

 

[Uneek]

I think Carfax is only accurate if the accident is reported to DMV, insurance claim doesn't show up.

 

[Gatafly]

This is why I started this thread and am glad for people's input to help show everyone that Carfax can not be trusted. I do like being able to see how many owners a car has had and if there has been fleet ownership. I am searching for a 4runner now and not once has a Carfax shown a timing belt change even when done by the dealership.