ALT-1 The Importance of Reading Carfax Reports
You just spent the day haggling with over-confident, arrogant, pushy salespeople for the best deal on the vehicle of your choice. You should be excited, but you get this nagging feeling in your gut as you drive away from the lot. Have I made a mistake? What was that noise? Is this normal? So many things rush through your head as you hope your transportation investment pays off. Then you realize there was something you forgot to do...check the Carfax.
-Has the car been in an accident?
The Carfax report you failed to look up would have described to you any major collision damage in the vehicle's history. Even the type of damage would most likely be listed. This would have been valuable information. Certain collision damage can be repaired to like new condition. Most structural damage ends up causing problems far down the road-even after a professional repair job.
-Was your "new" ride full of flood water?
A vehicle that has been in a flood can be cleaned up and put right back on the road in most cases. This doesn't mean it will problem free. An engine that has been filled full of water may run fine, but will often have bearing trouble sooner rather than later. The same goes for other important pieces such as electrical components, transmission, and/or differentials. Some of these parts may not fail for quite some time after such an event, but it is likely that something will fail. Not only can the aftermath of a flood be destructive to the car's working components, but it can be hazardous to your health. Mold and mildew can reside in the vehicle after even the best of cleanings. This can cause you to become ill and you may never know why. Chronic illness (even death!) can be linked to exposure to mildew and mold. Don't take the chance! Read your Carfax report.
-Are there inaccuracies with the paperwork of the car?
People will often "fudge" paperwork in order to deceive the buyer. Odometer fraud is a continuing problem in the world of used vehicles. One will be more likely to determine if the new purchase is on the up-and-up with a used vehicle report from Carfax. If you ask your salesman for a copy of the Carfax report and end up with an attempt to change the subject as your answer, you may want to shop elsewhere. It is also possible to use a Carfax report as leverage to shrink the price of the vehicle if you are brave enough to take on the problems you may face down the road with a previously damaged vehicle.
Reading the Carfax report before you buy can save you time, money, maybe even your life!
