Is that CARFAX report worth the money?
It's one of the things a lot of people do before they buy a used vehicle. They buy a CARFAX report. For $20, CARFAX will give you detailed information about the car's history. But just what do you get for your money?
A CARFAX report is one way to learn more about a used car. But it's not the only way and it's far from foolproof. It doesn't replace taking that car or truck to a mechanic.
Delayed reporting is one of several potential flaws with CARFAX. A class-action lawsuit - settled two months ago - cites other drawbacks:
Most insurance companies do not share information with CARFAX. State Farm and Nationwide give information, but only for total losses.
Local and state law enforcement agencies are not required to cooperate with CARFAX, though some do.
Most of the information comes from state Department of Motor Vehicles offices, service and auto body shops.
According to that preliminary settlement, if you paid for a CARFAX report before October 27, 2006 and you are willing to opt out of any future lawsuits, you're entitled to a free CARFAX report or a $20 voucher toward a car inspection. If you're a member of the class, you'll be notified about the settlement.
So when you look at your CARFAX report, you need to remember that it may be incomplete. CARFAX says if you buy a car and find out it was once totaled in an accident they'll buy it back - but that guarantee doesn't apply to smaller accidents.
This is why it is so important to have any used vehicle inspected by a qualified, independent mechanic before you buy it. Remember that Washington State's Lemon Law does not cover most used vehicles. And you don't have the right to return a vehicle once you buy it. So the time to find out there's a problem is before you buy it. Once you drive off the lot, it won't be easy to get the dealer to fix the problem.
If the dealer won't let you have a mechanic inspect that vehicle – go someplace else.
For More Information:
www.consumerreports.org
A CARFAX report is one way to learn more about a used car. But it's not the only way and it's far from foolproof. It doesn't replace taking that car or truck to a mechanic.
Delayed reporting is one of several potential flaws with CARFAX. A class-action lawsuit - settled two months ago - cites other drawbacks:
According to that preliminary settlement, if you paid for a CARFAX report before October 27, 2006 and you are willing to opt out of any future lawsuits, you're entitled to a free CARFAX report or a $20 voucher toward a car inspection. If you're a member of the class, you'll be notified about the settlement.
So when you look at your CARFAX report, you need to remember that it may be incomplete. CARFAX says if you buy a car and find out it was once totaled in an accident they'll buy it back - but that guarantee doesn't apply to smaller accidents.
This is why it is so important to have any used vehicle inspected by a qualified, independent mechanic before you buy it. Remember that Washington State's Lemon Law does not cover most used vehicles. And you don't have the right to return a vehicle once you buy it. So the time to find out there's a problem is before you buy it. Once you drive off the lot, it won't be easy to get the dealer to fix the problem.
If the dealer won't let you have a mechanic inspect that vehicle – go someplace else.
For More Information:
www.consumerreports.org
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