Beware of CARFAX

[RCglider]

http://www.carfax.com

Beware:
This service is a ripoff and doesn't give accurate and complete information.

I used Carfax to check the history of an auctioned Honda CRV I bought about 4 years ago. I replaced the entire driver's side of it: both doors/door frames, left front suspension, rear left side suspension. The title noted this at the time of sale.

Last year it was in a minor accident.

According to Carfax, the car had no history of accidents other than the one form last year.

I also checked another car I have that had major body damage and it was listed clean as well.

Don't waste your money on this.

Next spring I'll be in the market for a 1 year old Toyota Tundra and was going to use this service. I appreciate the heads up, dude.

[Jeffro]

Originally posted by RCglider
http://www.carfax.com

Beware:
This service is a ripoff and doesn't give accurate and complete information.

I used Carfax to check the history of an auctioned Honda CRV I bought about 4 years ago. I replaced the entire driver's side of it: both doors/door frames, left front suspension, rear left side suspension. The title noted this at the time of sale.

Last year it was in a minor accident.

According to Carfax, the car had no history of accidents other than the one form last year.

I also checked another car I have that had major body damage and it was listed clean as well.

Don't waste your money on this.

Did you get a refund on their misreports?

[RCglider]

Originally posted by Jeffro
Did you get a refund on their misreports?

CARFAX Disclaimer:

CARFAX DEPENDS ON ITS SOURCES FOR THE ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF ITS INFORMATION. THEREFORE, NO RESPONSIBILITY IS ASSUMED BY CARFAX OR ITS AGENTS FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THIS REPORT. CARFAX FURTHER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CARFAX®




CARFAX ONLINE MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

If the CARFAX report you order on this vehicle does not meet your expectations, CARFAX will honor the Carfax 100% Money-back Guarantee and refund your money online - every penny.

The following Terms and Conditions apply to this Guarantee:

Single CARFAX Report purchasers qualify if:

* You have not, nor has any member of your household, received a refund from CARFAX within the last 12 months.
* Your refund is requested within 30 days of purchase.


30 days Unlimited CARFAX Reports purchasers qualify if:

* You have not, nor has any member of your household, received a refund from CARFAX within the last 12 months.
* Your claim is made before running your second CARFAX Report.
* Your refund is requested within 30 days of purchase.

------------------------------------------
So, if you use it more than one time, you're screwed.

I used it several times, but got suspicious because every car I checked was clean which led me to check my cars.

uhm, carfax only works if the car has all its papers, and if the person reports if it was in an accident.....

[Buliwyf]

used carfax many times and it was accurate.

[RCglider]

How do you know it's accurate? I know it isn't accurate because my own vechicles weren't listed for their accidents prior to I bought them which I knew about.

My Honda was totaled. I replaced the entire left side. If that isn't a major accident I don't know what is. Another car had major rear end damage.

Plus, recalls aren't recorded and neither are mechanical repairs.

As far as I'm concerned the only thing it's good for is tracing how many owners it's had. I guess I expected too much.

Good info...thx Glider. I like the new avatar, but the old one was great too

They coulda rammed someone and bribed the people in the other car not to report it to the cops. My mother's cars have been in many wrecks that haven't been reported so of course for the cars she had CarFax wouldn't be accurate...


It relys on people reporting their car wrecks to the police.

Originally posted by Wally[EGG]
uhm, carfax only works if the car has all its papers, and if the person reports if it was in an accident.....

Then I wouldn't buy any cars from me.

Originally posted by RCglider
How do you know it's accurate? I know it isn't accurate because my own vechicles weren't listed for their accidents prior to I bought them which I knew about.

My Honda was totaled. I replaced the entire left side. If that isn't a major accident I don't know what is. Another car had major rear end damage.

Plus, recalls aren't recorded and neither are mechanical repairs.

As far as I'm concerned the only thing it's good for is tracing how many owners it's had. I guess I expected too much.

Just curious, but did you report the accident? And you were the one that did the work?

I believe it was stated above, but carfax relies on the insurance companies and the car repair shops to report these facts. If this is not done, then carfax will not be accurate.

Not that it matters to you in the slightest as you own the car, it just affects the person that may want to buy it in the future.

[RCglider]

Originally posted by Attica
Just curious, but did you report the accident? And you were the one that did the work?

I believe it was stated above, but carfax relies on the insurance companies and the car repair shops to report these facts. If this is not done, then carfax will not be accurate.

Not that it matters to you in the slightest as you own the car, it just affects the person that may want to buy it in the future.

The Honda was purchased at auction "as is". I repaired it. It had 15,000 miles on it at the time. It saved me about $7000 doing it this way. Dealer auctions are a nice little club that keeps the public out so prices can be kept low for the dealers. Yes, it's a scam.

And you're right, it would affect the person that may buy it in the future and that's the problem.

Originally posted by RCglider
The Honda was purchased at auction "as is". I repaired it. It had 15,000 miles on it at the time. It saved me about $7000 doing it this way. Dealer auctions are a nice little club that keeps the public out so prices can be kept low for the dealers. Yes, it's a scam.

And you're right, it would affect the person that may buy it in the future and that's the problem.

Thats why you have the car checked out by a good mechanic. Of course mine missed things that are now showing up 9 mo. later [2001 Ram] . But Caveat Emptor.

Off topic but something I meant to bring up....

Does anyone know of a site I can go to to get current list prices of used vehicles? I want to buy a used Toyota Rav4 off a guy (been stored in a garage for 5 years) but think his asking price is a bit high.

[Evan]

http://www.kbb.com

The authority on car pricing. Anyone buying or selling a car should really look at this site first (or pick up the actual current book).