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| When buying a used car these days, you can check the vehicle's history before you buy and protect yourself from hidden problems later on. | | When buying a used car these days, you can easily check the vehicle's history before you buy your car. The [[http://www.autocheck.com AutoCheck] vehicle history database contains over four-billion records collected from thousands of public and private sources on more than a half billion vehicles. |
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| ==Obtaining a Report== | | ==Obtaining a Report== |
| At no cost, one may perform a [http://carfax.com/cfm/general_check.cfm?partner=car_8 Lemon Check] and/or [http://carfax.com/cfm/recall_page.cfm Recall Check]. These reports do not contain all of the information that is contained on a full history report. | | At no cost, one may get a [http://www.autocheck.com record summary] or [http://www.autocheck.com/storm flood check] These reports do not contain all of the information that is contained on a full vehicle history report. |
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| Otherwise, one may purchase a single report or purchase an account which allows unlimited reports for a period of time. Most car dealers are also happy to run reports for free on vehicles they have for sale. Thousands of dealers buy the report and then make them available for free to potential car buyers on sites like [http://www.carsdirect.com CarsDirect.com]. | | Otherwise, one may purchase a single vehicle history report or purchase unlimited reports for 60 days. Most car dealers are also happy to run reports for free on vehicles they have for sale. Thousands of dealers buy the report and then make them available for free to potential car buyers on sites like [http://www.carsdirect.com CarsDirect.com]. |
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| Users enter the [[Vehicle Identification Number]] ([[VIN]]) into the website to receive a report. The service will not work for any vehicle that has a [[VIN]] of less (or more) than 17 digits, primarily vehicles that are older than model year 1981. | | Users enter the [[Vehicle Identification Number]] ([[VIN]]) into the Web site to get their record summary, then buy a reports, or they can purchase a subscription for future use when they have their VINs. The database can only be accessed for vehicles that are model year 1981 and later. |
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| ==What's On a Report== | | ==What vehicle history reports contain== |
| Used car history reports contain information which provides a history of ownership (how many, where, when), usage (odometer readings, maintenance/repair events, registration type), title brands (salvage, junk, fire, flood, etc.), and miscellaneous events (accidents, recalls, certifications). In aggregate this information provides one perspective for analyzing the quality and value of a vehicle.
| | They typically provide information about the vehicle's title, registration and usage history. Each report shows the history for that vehicle, such as salvage or junk history; damage from hail, flood or fire; mileage discrepancies or odometer rollback; and gray market vehicles. Vehicle history reports also show lemon history; vehicles designated as rentals, taxis or fleet usage; abandoned or forfeited vehicles; records of theft; and liens that represent ownership interests or unpaid judgments. These reports on accident damage when that information is provided to the database. |
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| * [[car accidents|Accidents]] - Not all accidents are reported and not all reported accidents are included, but a substantial number are listed
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| * Advisories - reports aggregate enough data on most vehicles to infer certain events. When the inference is sufficiently strong, the report can provide an advisory explaining the inference.
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| * Airbag Deployment
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| * Auto Auction - Many vehicles are sold at auction and reports can notify a buyer on these sales
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| * [[Certified Pre-Owned]] Status - Many manufacturers report the cars they certify to CARFAX, a popular use car history reporting service
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| * Dates of activity - Most events shown on the report include a date of the event
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| * Emission Test Results
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| * Frame Damage - In addition to reporting accidents, frequently frame damage is reported
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| * Lease / Lien events
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| * Location - Most records include some indication of the city and state of origin for the event
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| * Maintenance and Service Events - Like accidents, not all are reported, but a significant number are
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| * Non-Branded Lemon - The manufacturer bought back the vehicle as a courtesy instead of due to legal requirement
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| * Odometer Readings - These may include readings or title designations that the readings are not reliable
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| * Odometer Rollbacks - Some rollbacks are certified while other irregular readings are highlighted with suggestion for careful review
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| * Open Recalls - Many manufacturers report their open recalls to CARFAX
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| * Ownership Transfers
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| * Repairs - Like accidents, not all are reported, but a significant number are, particularly when paid by an [[extended warranty]] company
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| * Stolen Vehicles
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| * Title Brands - Official state designations found on the title such as Salvage, Flood, Lemon, and Junk
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| * Title Numbers
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| * Titling Activity - Transfers, renewals, etc.
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| * Vehicle Use - Taxi, Fleet, Commercial, Personal, Rental car, and other uses are reported
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| ==What's Not On a Report==
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| * Personal information such as names, telephone numbers, and addresses of owners are neither collected nor reported.
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| * Events in a vehicle's history that have never been reported (unreported accidents, owner performed maintenance, etc.)
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| ==Where the Information Comes From==
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| The reporting database contains over four-billion records that have been collected over time from a variety of sources.
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| These sources include, but are not limited to:
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| * Auto auctions
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| * Canadian Motor Vehicle Departments
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| * Consumer Protection Agencies
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| * Dealer Inventory
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| * Extended Warranty Companies
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| * Fire Departments
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| * Import/Export Companies
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| * Inspection Companies
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| * Law Enforcement Agencies
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| * Manufacturers
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| * Rental/Fleet Vehicle Companies
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| * Salvage auctions
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| * Service and Repair Facilities
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| * State Inspection Stations
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| * State registration records
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| * State title records
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| * U.S. Customs
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| * U.S. Department of Transportation
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| The [[http://www.carfax.com CARFAX] vehicle history database contains over four-billion records collected from more than 7600 public and private sources. Mistakes and errors, although uncommon, can and do occur. Common causes for report errors include incorrect mileage readings by emissions technicians, owners estimating miles on registration forms, and dealer inventory labels keyed incorrectly.
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| ==Additional Services==
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| * [http://www.carfax.com/used_car_classifieds/hotcars_searchDisplay.cfm CARFAX Hot Listings] - Used vehicle listings and locator
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| * [http://www.carfax.com/vehicle_history/opt2.cfm Safety and Reliability Reports] - Historical safety and reliability information by make and model
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| * [http://www.carfax.com/teen_driving/teen_safety_home.cfm Safe Teen Drivers Program] - Safe Teen Drivers Program
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| ==External Links== | | ==External Links== |
| *[http://www.carfax.com/ Consumer Website] | | *[http://www.autocheck.com/ Consumer Website] |
| *[http://www.carfaxonline.com/ Dealer Website] | | *[http://www.autocheckmembers.com/ Dealer and Commercial Website] |
When buying a used car these days, you can easily check the vehicle's history before you buy your car. The [AutoCheck vehicle history database contains over four-billion records collected from thousands of public and private sources on more than a half billion vehicles.
Obtaining a Report
At no cost, one may get a record summary or flood check These reports do not contain all of the information that is contained on a full vehicle history report.
Otherwise, one may purchase a single vehicle history report or purchase unlimited reports for 60 days. Most car dealers are also happy to run reports for free on vehicles they have for sale. Thousands of dealers buy the report and then make them available for free to potential car buyers on sites like CarsDirect.com.
Users enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the Web site to get their record summary, then buy a reports, or they can purchase a subscription for future use when they have their VINs. The database can only be accessed for vehicles that are model year 1981 and later.
What vehicle history reports contain
They typically provide information about the vehicle's title, registration and usage history. Each report shows the history for that vehicle, such as salvage or junk history; damage from hail, flood or fire; mileage discrepancies or odometer rollback; and gray market vehicles. Vehicle history reports also show lemon history; vehicles designated as rentals, taxis or fleet usage; abandoned or forfeited vehicles; records of theft; and liens that represent ownership interests or unpaid judgments. These reports on accident damage when that information is provided to the database.
External Links
