Carfax ?????
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 167
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Carfax ?????
I have had my new used F150 Super Crew for more that two weeks and to date, still love the truck. While looking for a used truck, I did use and register for a 1 month CARFAX account. Today, they emailed me requesting my input about my experience for a "My CARFAX Story" The following is my reply....
Dear Carfax,
First of all, there are few other options to use as a resource to investigate a vehicles’ history other than to use CARFAX, unless you know the vehicles’ original owner personally. Although I used CARFAX to review potential purchases, I have also learned that you have to use the information you provide with shaded skepticism. I say this because I did review VIN’s of vehicles that I knew were involved in auto accidents but no record was evident in your reports. And yes, enough time had passed (9 or more months) to have this information incorporated into your reports. I believe your product provides a false hope/view of a vehicle’s condition. Nothing
replaces original maintenance records. Too many of your “ONE OWNER VEHICLES” show an in service date and nothing until they are traded at the auction. This often reflects 12,000 – 20,000 miles or more. The period between the in service date and the now newly available used vehicle is blank. Where has it been? How was it cared for? Where was service (any service) provided?
Used car dealers use the available “remaining factory warranty” to their advantage. They purchase a lower mileage vehicle from the auction, give it a quick once-over, wash it, and place it on their lot for SALE. Yes, they provide a free CARFAX, especially when it provides a positive view of the vehicle. Should a problem arise, CARFAX is not responsible, the Used Car Dealer is not responsible but the “remaining factory warranty” is and usually covers the issue. No one is accountable except for the vehicle manufacturer, leaving everyone else free and clear to count their money on the way to the bank.
Now, would I recommend CARFAX?,,,,,, I would say a reserved YES. With nowhere else to initially turn to, except for real first hand knowledge, it is a starting point but by no means is the final word to choosing a used vehicle for purchase.
Chances are, this My CARFAX Story will never be seen in print anywhere as it does not reflect the “WOW, CARFAX IS THE GREATEST”attitude. Sorry but it just does not! Buying a used car is like buying snake oil from the snake oil salesman. They ALWAYS have the BEST used cars (and of course no one else could) and are the most selective when they purchase their CLEAN, ONE OWNER, LOW MILEAGE vehicles for their inventories. Let’s face it, there aren’t that many select used cars in the entire world for each used car dealer to have been that selective and to have the best. If they were that selective, each would have only one or two vehicles available for sale and the not-so-trustworthy used car lot would be FULL of the non-select used vehicles with riddled histories.
Regards,
What has been your experience????
Dear Carfax,
First of all, there are few other options to use as a resource to investigate a vehicles’ history other than to use CARFAX, unless you know the vehicles’ original owner personally. Although I used CARFAX to review potential purchases, I have also learned that you have to use the information you provide with shaded skepticism. I say this because I did review VIN’s of vehicles that I knew were involved in auto accidents but no record was evident in your reports. And yes, enough time had passed (9 or more months) to have this information incorporated into your reports. I believe your product provides a false hope/view of a vehicle’s condition. Nothing
replaces original maintenance records. Too many of your “ONE OWNER VEHICLES” show an in service date and nothing until they are traded at the auction. This often reflects 12,000 – 20,000 miles or more. The period between the in service date and the now newly available used vehicle is blank. Where has it been? How was it cared for? Where was service (any service) provided?
Used car dealers use the available “remaining factory warranty” to their advantage. They purchase a lower mileage vehicle from the auction, give it a quick once-over, wash it, and place it on their lot for SALE. Yes, they provide a free CARFAX, especially when it provides a positive view of the vehicle. Should a problem arise, CARFAX is not responsible, the Used Car Dealer is not responsible but the “remaining factory warranty” is and usually covers the issue. No one is accountable except for the vehicle manufacturer, leaving everyone else free and clear to count their money on the way to the bank.
Now, would I recommend CARFAX?,,,,,, I would say a reserved YES. With nowhere else to initially turn to, except for real first hand knowledge, it is a starting point but by no means is the final word to choosing a used vehicle for purchase.
Chances are, this My CARFAX Story will never be seen in print anywhere as it does not reflect the “WOW, CARFAX IS THE GREATEST”attitude. Sorry but it just does not! Buying a used car is like buying snake oil from the snake oil salesman. They ALWAYS have the BEST used cars (and of course no one else could) and are the most selective when they purchase their CLEAN, ONE OWNER, LOW MILEAGE vehicles for their inventories. Let’s face it, there aren’t that many select used cars in the entire world for each used car dealer to have been that selective and to have the best. If they were that selective, each would have only one or two vehicles available for sale and the not-so-trustworthy used car lot would be FULL of the non-select used vehicles with riddled histories.
Regards,
What has been your experience????
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Carfax is useful for funding out if the car was a previous salvage or flood vehicle. It can tell you if someone altered the mileage as well. Beyond that I don't find those reports too useful. You still have to look over the vehicle and get a mechanic to go over it as well if you want to be more certain.
The best advice is buyer beware!
The best advice is buyer beware!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Circleville, Ohio
Yeah Carfax is pretty much a gimmick. I went to look at a 2000 Civic at a car lot yesterday and they showed me the clean carfax. As soon as I lifted the hood I clearly saw that the hood and the fender were not original since they didnt have the OEM VIN tag on them. When I pointed that out to the salesmen he told me again there was nothing on the Carfax. I told him that they are a joke because the only thing they will inform you of is if it has been totaled for whatever reason. Minor fender benders dont usually show up on there. I did end up buying the car because it appeared nothing else had been replaced other than probably the bumper and the work and paint looked like a quality job was done on it. At reduced price obviously.
Carfax WILL tell you if it has been totaled, salvaged, rebuilt or whatever but thats about it. Even the service record is a joke. If a vehicle has been totaled, usually you will know it right away without a Carfax.
Just my $.02 and experience.
Carfax WILL tell you if it has been totaled, salvaged, rebuilt or whatever but thats about it. Even the service record is a joke. If a vehicle has been totaled, usually you will know it right away without a Carfax.
Just my $.02 and experience.