Carfax Question?

[Rmcky]

Looking to but my son a newer car and found a '99 Nisan Altima that is being sold by an individual and priced reasonably for a car with only 21k miles. It looks and runs great, but when I run the VIN through Carfax it says there are two marks concerning this car. Of course, I have to pay to find out what they are. It has a fairly large scratch on the front bumper facia, that was explained away by the owner as a parking lot accident at school by their 16yo daughter. I buy that explanation, since even though the paint is scraped off over a fairly large area, it looks like something that could be easily done backing out of a parking space. It's not dented at all, but a 6" by 6" or so section on the paint on the front bumper facia is skinned pretty badly. It's obvious it wasn't a front end accident, because of the direction of the scrapes, so I'm not concerned about the airbags having been fired. Additionally, since it happened at a public school, I figure an accident report would have probably been filled out. That would account for one mark, but the other puzzles me. Is it common for Carfax to try to intrigue you into paying for their service, or could this simply be something that was repaired under a factory recall or something like that. This car is expensive enough that I don't want to take an unnecessary chance just to save a few bucks, but if this is one of Carfax's lures, I'd just as soon save their fee. Any advice, especially from anyone who's knowledgeable, would be appreciated.

Thanks, Rick

[caddmannq]

Skip the carfax and pay someone to get that car up on a hoist. Look over the undercarriage well. If she scraped up the bumpers carelessly, she might have run it off the road or something. If the dammage wasn't evident, she might not have told her parents.

Look for scrapes on the oil pan, transmission, muffler, cat, suspension arms, "frame" etc. Check for leaking engine, trans, struts, steering/brake/trans lines or hoses, etc. Look at the back/bottom of the bumpers for signs of more serious damage. Look for signs of acid leakage under the battery, and coolant leakage under the radiator. Look for burnt oil on the exhaust close to the engine.

Look for obvious signs of other repairs, like nuts & bolts with shiney/rusty corners, excess gasket sealer at joints, wire looms not reattached to the bolts, anything that "dangles" or looks non-stock. Check the rubber suspension and exhaust system mounts.

Look for sheetmetal in the door jambs & under the edges of hood and trunk, that looks lumpy or repainted (signs of a serious collision that are not cleaned up as nicely by the body shop as what you can see with all the doors closed.)

Look for uneven tire wear and signs that suspension componants have been straightened/replaced.

[Geotpf]

I've heard that Carfax lists EVERYTHING on thier "we have X of important alerts regarding this vehicle". IE, it was registered in Florida and Maine, it was sold by X to Y, etc. Everything-so you pay the $$$ to find out what it was, and, of course, usually find out it was nothing. I heard this third-hand, though, I haven't actually paid for thier service-but it makes sense. The only way to be sure is, of course, to pay up.

[Rmcky]

Thanks for the advice Guys! This is what I found out. Have a friend who works for a dealership who ran the VIN for me. One notice was that there was a lien against the title because it is finaced and still has a balance. The other was that there was a factory recall concerning tires that didn't even effect this particular car. Sure glad I didn't have to pay for that, since I already knew those things.

Rick

[thekingofpain]

In California cars that have been totaled and "fixed" can be sold, the title is then called a salvage title and is clearly visable when you get that far---alot of private party folks wont mention this till you have looked at and driven the car which may seem perfect to you---then you find out the entire frame and front end from the windshield forward has been grafted on from another vehicle or something worse---beware! not sure if all states require sellers to mention this issue, and repairs can be done pretty well making it difficult for the layperson to notice it, I recently came across a couple of these cars while searching for a vehicle and ended up buying new instead...

[caddmannq]

TKOP: That's why you got to get it up on a lift. You can always spot these things from the underside of the car, if you know what to look for.

Also, if someone totals a car that doesn't have full coverage insurance, or doesn't report it, and has it fixed, then there will be no "salvage title" recorded. That doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

I've watched bodymen weld the front and back of two Chrysler's together to make one new car, and you could not tell when they were done painting the car. Unless you looked undernieth. There was a hand-made seam the full width of the car, right under the front seat.

Also, all the wiring was spliced at that point.

[radio1_mike]

I just bought a used car last month.

Carfax's standard deal is:
$14.99 for one run on a car (input car's VIN).
or
$19.99 for unlimited checks during a 30 day period.

I splurged and spent the extra $5.00. Since I was doing my shopping on the web and most sites usually have the VINs-- it was an easy way to rule out cars for purchase.

A few cars I looked at locally, came from California and Texas, so I ruled them out. A few cars were rentals or fleet cars, I ruled those out, too. I was looking at this Jetta online and found out that was a salvage, did not buy that either.

You get a lot, and I mean a lot of info on the car-- mileage at registration, lien holders, type of registration, odometer fraud, etc...

If anyone is really interested I could post or forward you the CarFax report on the car I did buy- so you can see what type of info is included in said report.

[caddmannq]

Yeah..post it Mike!

[radio1_mike]

Well, I've tried attaching it.

It's an "MHTML" Document. So this forum does not accept anything but pic filetypes. So, I renamed X.mhtml.gif-- and it's too big.

The limit here is 100kb and the document is 200kb.

I can email it to all interested parties, or if someone wants to kindly host the file, we can just link to it.

[radio1_mike]

Hi.

Well, I am just going to post the plain text version of the report. It is not as pretty-- but it has the same info.


CarFax Report Starts Here:


--- historyreport@carfax.com wrote:
> Date: Sat, 04 May 2002 06:11:16 -0500
> From: historyreport@carfax.com
> Subject: Register Your $5,000 CARFAX Guarantee Today on
> VIN:[1B3ES46C8YD651701]
> To: radio1_mike@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
> Please *do not* reply to this message as it is being sent by an automated
> email system! For customer inquiries or questions visit the CARFAX Help
> Center at www.carfax.com/help.
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Your
> CARFAX
> Vehicle History Report
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> CARFAX VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT SUMMARY
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> * GOOD NEWS!
> CARFAX search results confirm this 2000 DODGE NEON/ES (1B3ES46C8YD651701)
> qualifies for the $5,000 CARFAX Clean Title History Guarantee. By
> ordering this CARFAX Report, you have significantly reduced your risk
> of purchasing a vehicle with a costly hidden problem.
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Sect.# Section Name Section Results
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> 1 Vehicle Specifications 1B3ES46C8YD651701
> 2000 DODGE NEON/ES
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 2 Title Check Clean Title History Guaranteed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 3 Odometer Rollback Check No Odometer Rollback Detected
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 4 Problem Check No Problems Found
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 5 Registration Check Checked 7 types of vehicle
> registrations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 6 Vehicle History Details 3 Total Vehicle History Records Found
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> NOTE: CARFAX has not inspected this vehicle. It may have problems that
> have not been reported to CARFAX. CARFAX recommends a vehicle
> inspection by a professional mechanic.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> How CARFAX analyzed this vehicle's history:
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> CARFAX checks the VIN against its nationwide database containing
> over 1.69 billion vehicle history records. The CARFAX database
> includes U.S. and Canadian title and registration activity, rental and
> lease usage, odometer readings from inspection stations, auto auctions
> and other sources.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> SECTION 1 CARFAX VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> VIN: 1B3ES46C8YD651701
> Year/Make/Model: 2000 DODGE NEON/ES
> Body Style: SEDAN 4 DR
> Engine: 2.0L L4 SOHC SMPI 16V
> Fuel: GASOLINE
> Driveline: FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
> Carburetion: FUEL INJECTED
> Cylinders: 4
> Manufactured in: UNITED STATES
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> SECTION 2 TITLE CHECK
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> * RESULT: GOOD NEWS!
> CARFAX search results confirm this 2000 DODGE NEON/ES (1B3ES46C8YD651701)
> qualifies for the $5,000 CARFAX Clean Title History Guarantee. CARFAX
> analyzed this vehicle's title history to determine if any title documents
> were designated or marked with the following problems:
>
> Problem Titles Checked: Results:
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~
> Salvage/Junk-------------------------> No Salvage/Junk Title Found.
> Rebuilt/Reconstructed----------------> No Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title Found.
> Flood Damage-------------------------> No Flood Damage Title Found.
> Damage Disclosure--------------------> No Damage Disclosure Found.
> Manufacturer Buyback (LEMON)---------> No Manufacturer Buyback Found.
> Exceeds Mechanical Limits (EML)------> No EML Found.
> Not Actual Mileage (NAM)-------------> No NAM Found.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> SECTION 3 ODOMETER ROLLBACK CHECK
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> * RESULT: GOOD NEWS!
> CARFAX search results on this 2000 DODGE NEON/ES (1B3ES46C8YD651701)
> did not uncover a potential odometer rollback. CARFAX analyzed this vehicle's
> reported odometer readings to determine if any reading is less than a
> previously reported reading.
>
> Date Reported: Odometer Reading:
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> 12/10/1999 10
> ----------------------------------------
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> SECTION 4 PROBLEM CHECK
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> * RESULT: GOOD NEWS!
> CARFAX search results on this 2000 DODGE NEON/ES (1B3ES46C8YD651701)
> did not uncover any of the following problems:
>
> Problems Checked: Results:
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Accident-----------------------------> No Accident Record Found.
> Salvage Auction----------------------> No Salvage Auction Record Found.
> Failed Emissions Inspection----------> No Failed Emissions Record Found.
> Fire Damage--------------------------> No Fire Damage Record Found.
> Crash Test Vehicle-------------------> No Crash Test Vehicle Record Found.
> Grey Market Vehicle------------------> No Grey Market Record Found.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> SECTION 5 REGISTRATION CHECK
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> FYI: CARFAX search results on this this 2000 DODGE NEON/ES
> (1B3ES46C8YD651701)
> identify the types of state motor vehicle department registrations, other
> than private, that appear in this vehicle's history.
>
> Registrations Checked: Results:
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Lease--------------------------------> No Lease Registration Found.
> Rental-------------------------------> No Rental Registration Found.
> Government---------------------------> No Government Registration Found.
> Taxi---------------------------------> No Taxi Registration Found.
> Fleet--------------------------------> No Fleet Registration Found.
> Commercial---------------------------> No Commercial Registration Found.
> Non-Profit---------------------------> No Non-Profit Registration Found.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> SECTION 6 VEHICLE HISTORY DETAILS
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> The CARFAX database contains a total of 3 vehicle history records on this
> 2000 DODGE NEON/ES (1B3ES46C8YD651701).
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Date: 11/22/1999
> Information Source:
> Massachusetts
> Motor Vehicle Dept.
> Gloucester, MA
>
> General Comments:
> Registered as
> private vehicle
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Date: 12/10/1999
> Odometer Reading: 10
> Information Source:
> Massachusetts
> Motor Vehicle Dept.
> Gloucester, MA
> Title #AT757746
>
> General Comments:
> Title or registration issued
> First owner reported
> First lien reported
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Unreported
> Odometer Reading: 33,978
> Information Source:
> Auto Inventory
> Danvers, MA
>
> General Comments:
> Offered for sale
> at dealership
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
> NOTE: You have significantly reduced your risk of purchasing a vehicle with
> a hidden problem. However, CARFAX has not inspected this vehicle. There
> could be other potential problems with this vehicle that have not been
> reported to CARFAX. CARFAX recommends a vehicle inspection by a
> professional mechanic.
>
> NOTE: Not all titles issued represent a change in vehicle ownership. For
> example, a title could be issued to reflect an address change or correction.
>
> +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
> |THE CARFAX $5,000 CLEAN TITLE HISTORY GUARANTEE |
> +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
> | |
> |A Three-Year, Transferable Protection Plan |
> | |
> |CARFAX's $5,000 Guarantee confirms this 2000 DODGE NEON/ES |
> |(1B3ES46C8YD651701) has a Clean Title History. This certificate is valid |
> |for three years from date of issue, and is transferable! |
> +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
> |$5,000 CLEAN TITLE HISTORY GUARANTEE TERMS: |
> |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
> |VIN: 1B3ES46C8YD651701 |
> |Yr./Make/Model: 2000 DODGE NEON/ES |
> |Issue Date: 05/04/2002 |
> |Expiration Date: 05/04/2005 |
> +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
> |Three-year Protection Plan: |
> |During the next three years, should you discover a problem title in this |
> |vehicle's history which was not included in this CARFAX Report, CARFAX |
> |will pay you 10% of the vehicle's wholesale value up to $5,000! |
> | |
> |Transferable Protection: |
> |This Guarantee is transferable should you sell this vehicle prior to the |
> |Guarantee expiration date. The new owner receives the same protection |
> |plan coverage for the balance of the Guarantee's term. |
> +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
> |CARFAX agrees to pay to the holder of this report 10% of the wholesale |
> |value of the car, up to $5,000, if Section 2 of this report indicates a |
> |Clean Title History and a Problem Title actually exists for this vehicle.|
> |A Problem Title is defined as a passenger motor vehicle ownership |
> |document issued by the state that bears the word or symbol signifying |
> |that the vehicle was salvaged or junked; rebuilt or reconstructed; flood |
> |damaged; disclosed as damaged; bought back by the manufacturer; odometer |
> |exceeds mechanical limits; odometer was not the actual mileage; or any |
> |other symbol or word of like kind. Guarantee Certificate along with |
> |corresponding full report must be presented in order to be eligible for |
> |payment. |
> | |
> |FOR COMPLETE CLEAN TITLE HISTORY GUARANTEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, |
> |please visit http://www.carfax.com/cfm/hctermsanddef.cfm. |
> +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> CARFAX GLOSSARY OF TERMS and DEFINITIONS
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> AUTO AUCTION - Auto auctions provide CARFAX with odometer readings of
> vehicles brought to the auction for sale (and whether or not it sold). It is
> common practice for vehicles to be wholesaled at auctions.
>
> DAMAGE DISCLOSURE TITLE - The title issued when the seller indicates that
> the vehicle has sustained damage as a result of one or more incidents. The
> amount of damage varies by state.
>
> DATE REPORTED - Refers to the date when the transaction occurred.
>
> DEALER SERVICE COMPANY - Dealer Service Companies assist auto dealers manage
> their inventories. These companies offer data services in the areas of mass
> marketing, maintenance notification, unit labeling and advertising. Not all
> dealer service companies report information to CARFAX.
>
> EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS - Many states or counties require annual or biennial
> emissions inspections. Odometer readings are collected at the time of the
> inspection.
>
> EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS - When the seller certifies, under the Truth in
> Mileage Act, that the odometer reading EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS of the
> odometer, usually 99,999 miles.
>
> EXEMPT VEHICLE - The vehicle is over 10 years old, was manufactured before
> 1986, and is exempt from odometer reporting requirements.
>
> FAILED EMISSIONS INSPECTION - The tests and inspections performed at a
> specific emissions check indicated the vehicle was emitting more than
> allowable emissions standards and/or had missing or modified parts. An
> emissions failure, even if the vehicle passes at a future date, generates a
> Failed Emissions Record in the CARFAX database.
>
> FLEET MANAGEMENT COMPANY - Fleet Management Companies provide the management
> of financing, insurance, maintenance and repair of fleet vehicles owned by
> other businesses. Fleet companies are typically self- insured. Vehicles that
> have sustained varying degrees of damage have been reported to CARFAX,
> however not all fleet management companies report information to CARFAX.
>
> FLOOD DAMAGE TITLE - States issue flood titles when a vehicle has been in a
> flood or has received extensive water damage.
>
> GENERAL COMMENTS - CARFAX reports display important information in the
> General Comment section, including potential problems for each transaction.
> Comments will vary, depending on the source of the information.
>
> INFORMATION SOURCE - Refers to the provider or origin of the transaction.
> There are several sources you may see on a report including Motor Vehicle
> Department, Auto Auctions, Salvage Auctions, and Emissions Inspection
> Stations.
>
> LEMON LAW VEHICLE - A vehicle with major problems which has been repurchased
> by or had its price renegotiated with the manufacturer. The state marks its
> official records or issues an identifying title for lemon law vehicles. Laws
> vary by state as to the specific requirements for a "buyback."
>
> LIEN - A lien is an ownership right to a piece of property. When a financial
> institution loans money to someone purchasing a vehicle, the financial
> institution has a lien on the vehicle. Other types of liens include
> mechanics' liens and child support liens.
>
> MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. - Motor Vehicle Departments issue both titles and
> registrations to a vehicle's owner. Each title or registration record which
> appears on a CARFAX report does not necessarily indicate a change in
> ownership. New titles and registrations can be created for name, address and
> lienholder changes; ownership changes; vehicle status changes; registration
> activity; title corrections; and lost titles.
>
> NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE - When the seller certifies, under the Truth in Mileage
> Act, that the odometer reading is NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE. This may occur because
> the disclosed odometer reading was not accurate and verifiable.
>
> ODOMETER ROLLBACK - If a more recent odometer reading is less than an older
> reading, then the odometer may have been "rolled back."
>
> REBUILT/RECONSTRUCTED TITLE - The vehicle sustained damage and was rebuilt
> or reconstructed, then placed back on the road.
>
> REPOSSESSION - When a repossession occurs a vehicle owner fails to make loan
> payments, and the financial institution holding the title takes possession
> of the vehicle.
>
> SALVAGE AUCTION RECORD - Vehicles that are sold at salvage auctions. These
> vehicles have been declared a total loss by an insurance company, are
> recovered stolen vehicles, or have been repossessed.
>
> SALVAGE/JUNK TITLE - States issue salvage titles when an insurance company
> takes possession of a vehicle as a result of a claim. This generally occurs
> after a vehicle has been declared a total loss. States issue junk titles to
> indicate that a vehicle is not road worthy and cannot be titled again in
> that state.
>
> SERVICE PLAN COMPANY - Service Plan Companies market extended warranty plans
> to buyers of both new and used cars as mechanical breakdown insurance.
> Information is collected from service plan companies when they issue
> contracts and when they pay repair claims. Not all service plan companies
> report information to CARFAX.
>
> TITLE ISSUED - A state issues a title to provide a vehicle owner with proof
> of ownership. Each title has a unique number. Each title or registration
> record which appears on a CARFAX report does not necessarily indicate a
> change in ownership.
>
> TOTAL LOSS - An insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss when
> paying a claim for the full value of the vehicle. Insurance companies
> typically take possession and obtain the title of such vehicles.
>
> VEHICLE ID NO. - This 17 character number is unique to each vehicle. It
> identifies characteristics of the vehicle, including manufacturer, year,
> model, body, engine specifications, and serial number.
>
> http://www.carfax.com
>
> WARRANTY 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®
>
> Copyright © 2002 CARFAX, Inc., an R.L. Polk & Co. All rights reserved.
> Generated 04.May.2002 06:11:15
> www.carfax.com
> 05/04/2002 06:11:16
>

End Of Report