Do you have a clean CARFAX?
Whether you've been wanting to sell your old vehicle or you've been looking to buy something pre-owned, the history of a vehicle is important. In the automotive industry, obtaining a CARFAX report is a critical step in the purchasing process. When you're trying to sell your vehicle, you want the best price, and an important factor in determining a car's value is based on its CARFAX report. Do you know if your car has a clean CARFAX? To learn more about what these reports are, keep reading.
What goes into a CARFAX report?
Whether you're buying or selling, a CARFAX report can make a big difference in securing a sale or not. Any vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can bring up records from various databases, gathering information about the history of the vehicle. Below is some of the information you can find using CARFAX.
Any Damage to the Vehicle
Although a pre-owned vehicle may have a perfectly pristine exterior, there's no guarantee that the car hasn't been damaged in the past. That could include accidents or any other injury the vehicle has experienced since it was first manufactured. If the airbags have ever been deployed, you'll find a record of that. You typically want to avoid a used vehicle that has seen major damage.
Odometer History
To be positive of the mileage, CARFAX includes information on the odometer. While unlikely, if it's an older vehicle with a manual odometer, there's always a chance it has been altered. This becomes a problem because you'd believe that a vehicle hasn't been driven as much as it actually has.
Any Issues with Titling
Ownership of a car, truck or SUV (or any other vehicle) is proven by the title, so if it's absent or there are issues with it, you should probably walk away from the deal. Don't buy from a private seller who can't prove that they own a vehicle.
"Lemon Status"
When a dealer recalls or repurchases a vehicle because of major problems, that vehicle gains "lemon status." It's best not to buy a vehicle that has been recalled, as it could have potential future issues.
Records of Previous Owners
A good idea is to find out how many people have owned a particular vehicle. With a used rental car, for example, there's no way of knowing who has driven it, what kind of stress was put on the vehicle or how clean it was kept. Fewer owners (especially owners who kept up with maintenance) shows that the vehicle may be a better investment in the long run.
Any Service or Maintenance Records
If a vehicle has been maintained, you'll be supplied with or should be able to find a record of oil changes, tire rotations and regular checkups performed over the years. These records from CARFAX can provide insight into any issues the vehicle may have experienced and whether or not these problems have been taken care of.
Any Warranties Still Valid
Depending on how old a car is, CARFAX can tell you if the vehicle still qualifies for any warranties. Because some maintenance may be covered under one or more warranties, this could be an added bonus of buying a used vehicle.
Model-Specific Safety Information
With CARFAX, you can also find the details for crash-test ratings on the specific make and model of the vehicle. Included in this information are safety recalls and other relevant safety information. A potential buyer may want to know this about a vehicle for added peace of mind on the road.
A Clean CARFAX Report
What does it mean to have a clean CARFAX? There have been no major problems reported. If you're selling your vehicle and have properly maintained it (and haven't been in any major accidents), you should be in the clear. If you're buying a pre-owned vehicle, an important step would be to take a good look at everything on the CARFAX report before you make your final decision.
If you have any questions about the CARFAX reports that we offer with our used inventory, please feel free to contact us directly or stop by Parks Lincoln of Gainesville at 3333 North Main Street , Gainesville, FL 32609. We look forward to serving our customers near Alachua, Starke, Ocala and Lake City.