Don't trust Car Fax and here is why.
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,242
Likes: 55
From: Wherever she takes me.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Western NC
Unfortunately, many people don't understand that these reports are merely a compilation of what has been reported. If repairs or accidents are not reported, they may not appear on the Carfax. Furthermore, if incorrect info is reported, that may show on the report.
In the case of a 10 year old car we sold recently there was a report that the Carfax showed the car was a 2 owner car and the mileage had been rolled back. We submitted dealer records to show where they incorrectly reported mileage at the time they made some repairs and the wife's name changed when we married. Carfax corrected their records and supplied a "clean" record for the new owner.
Nothing beats an inspection by a competent mechanic!
In the case of a 10 year old car we sold recently there was a report that the Carfax showed the car was a 2 owner car and the mileage had been rolled back. We submitted dealer records to show where they incorrectly reported mileage at the time they made some repairs and the wife's name changed when we married. Carfax corrected their records and supplied a "clean" record for the new owner.
Nothing beats an inspection by a competent mechanic!
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: The Netherlands
Unfortunately, many people don't understand that these reports are merely a compilation of what has been reported. If repairs or accidents are not reported, they may not appear on the Carfax. Furthermore, if incorrect info is reported, that may show on the report.
In the case of a 10 year old car we sold recently there was a report that the Carfax showed the car was a 2 owner car and the mileage had been rolled back. We submitted dealer records to show where they incorrectly reported mileage at the time they made some repairs and the wife's name changed when we married. Carfax corrected their records and supplied a "clean" record for the new owner.
Nothing beats an inspection by a competent mechanic!
In the case of a 10 year old car we sold recently there was a report that the Carfax showed the car was a 2 owner car and the mileage had been rolled back. We submitted dealer records to show where they incorrectly reported mileage at the time they made some repairs and the wife's name changed when we married. Carfax corrected their records and supplied a "clean" record for the new owner.
Nothing beats an inspection by a competent mechanic!
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
They can be very inaccurate.I rebuild wrecks on the side.I repaired a model year vehicle and put it up for sale.I always take pics and show buyers and inform of what was damaged. this car was rolled.It was a rental and was self insured I guess.The people ran a car fax and said it was clean....Made a believer in them to not trust everything you hear or read.lol! They bought the car . 
Ps...since it wasn't not totaled it kept the factory warranty..good selling point..
Ps...since it wasn't not totaled it kept the factory warranty..good selling point..
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Moncton, NB
My father bought and Audi in Tampa back in 2009 clean carfax and Audi preowned certified and was only a year old after about two months the paint started chipping off the hood and upon further inspection we determined that the hood had been repaired as well as the front passenger door. That was when we first realized carfax doesn't really mean anything
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