I just found something out that is distressing . . . Three weeks ago, I traded in my 2003 MCS on a new MCS. The dealer told me that they would not be able to sell my car at the dealer because it had been in an accident. In Dec. of 2004, I was rear ended and that pushed me into the car ahead of me. There was $5500 damage to the car. The dealer fixed the car and it looked great. Anyway, I was just playing around online and I found my old car on a reputable dealer's lot. I know it is the same car because the VIN matches. They have a Carfax on it, which states that it was never involved in an accident. I can't believe it because I thought Carfax was a good source. Do you think I should do anything about it? What should I do? The car is a great car, and I am sure whoever buys it will love it and not have any problems, but that is not honest! Thanks for your advice.

Jonathan

 

i would just leave it alone.

i heard on the news that carfax doesn't currently reflect accidents on
their reports if the vehicle is registed in IL or something... anyone know
details on this?

 

Few years ago I traded a generation one Miata for a Camry for my wife. Miata had 165K miles on it.

Son found that car on Carfax a few months later - with 100,000 rolled OFF of the odometer! Carfax isn't the last word on used cars...

 

For sure Carfax isn't the last word. I traded in my 02 MC that had been in an accident. $17,000 worth of damage. Nothing ever appeared on Carfax about it!

 

The thing that makes me mad is that the dealer led me to believe that I would never be able to sell the car because it was in an accident. The car was a lease and I went in intending to by the car out of the lease . . . but I ended up purchasing a new one. The dealer offered to buy my car out of the lease etc. etc. I was thinking about buying the car and then selling it because the buy-back was less than the car was worth. During the "negotiations" they found out it was in an accident, and told me they wouldn't be able to sell it at the dealer and all and that whoever I would sell it to would be able to find out it was in the accident. I am just disheartened about the dishonesty! Just when you think you can trust them . . . I guess I was naive. . .

 

I *think* that the term "accident" refers to a repair that is some % of the total value of the car. I'm sure this differs from state to state. But in Virginia when you sell a car, or buy a used car, there is a document that you sign certifying to them that the car hasn't been in an accident that exceded (25%??) of the value of the vehicle.

I.E. being in a fender bender that required a new bumper skin, wouldn't qualify as an "accident" in some states.

It's probably dis-honest for the dealer to sell that car and say it wasn't in an accident (especially if you disclosed it when you sold it). But gee, a dis-honest used car dealer, I'm SHOCKED I say, SHOCKED!

Re-read your posts a bit more:
$5,500 is probably pushing it on % cost of vehicle.
Did you get hosed on the lease?

 

The entire left side of my 2002 Golf was sideswiped and it never showed up on CarFax (and I reported that to the police, too).

 

so it looks like they forgot the u in their company name... CarFaux

 

 

eak...well this is depressing

 

Well I guess there is no point in wasting money on carfax before buying a used vehicle

 

probably not.

that sounds better.

 

So if i can just convence some one to buy bumble only looking at the carfax report than I can get top dollar.

 

you advertised your damage already. you have to ship it overseas (or another planet)
in un-NAM territory.


btw, i think you're handling your situation very well. goodluck on your future MINI.

 

Carfax is only as good as what insurance/police reports to the DMV and associated institutions.

I wouldn't discount a Carfax report, but I would still have a car inspected by a qualified mechanic to see if the report appears to match up with the car.

-Paul!