Carfax

Seller should provide CarFax. You should ask for it.
It is only $10 for 1-time, which is what seller should have done.

 

I have come to the conclusion that CarFax is overrated for the following reason: my wife and I were looking for an newer, used Accord for her and found one on a "lot" for a good price and the right miles. This was located in an indoor showroom and the car looked great, however, once we got the car outside to test drive it, we saw that the whole right rear quarterpanel had been repaired/replaced, yet the CarFax report stated the car had had no accidents. Needless to say we did not buy the car. CarFax is only good if the accident is reported to the DMV. Obviously, not everyone does that.

 

Carfax isn't good for much. It takes a pretty big crash or special circumstances before anything shows up on Carfax. Insurance agents have a better system, but then we don't have access to it.

Tom

 

Here is what you should do.
Get the VIN number from the dealer.
Call you insurance agent and tell them you are buying this VIN and can they please run a "CLUE" report.

Insurance companies operate the CLUE database, and all accidents having an insurance claim, totals or salvage are reported in this database.

Beleive me, this is a lot more than is reported to DMV.

When I bought my son a Toyota Corolla, I did not know this, and the seller provided me with a clean report from a Carfax competitor. When I went to insure it, the insurance co said it had been wrecked three times at $2 or 3 K each and the rates would be higher as a result.

Get your agent to check the CLUE.

 

Carfax accuracy depends on the state and reporting time. Google searching show lots of inaccuracies and complaints regarding Carfax. One TV station report: Is that CARFAX report worth the money? | KOMO-TV - Seattle, Washington | Consumer News
And from Consumer Reports:
ConsumerReports.org - CarFax sued over vehicle-history reports 1/07