When it comes to buying a used car, it is crucial to gather information about its history to minimize the risk of purchasing a vehicle with hidden issues. While buying a used car inherently carries some level of risk compared to buying a new car, the consequences can be costly if you end up with a car that has significant problems. In my opinion, CarFax is the best and most accurate VIN evaluation tool available to help mitigate this risk when considering a used car purchase.
CarFax provides several important pieces of information that can assist you in making an informed decision. While it may not be 100% accurate, it is by far the most reliable tool available, short of personally knowing the previous owner who has meticulously kept all the repair records. (Please note that ShouldIFixMyCar is not affiliated with CarFax, and my opinion is not influenced by them.)
For a small fee (or included when using ShouldIFixMyCar.com), CarFax offers the following benefits:
- Vehicle Repair History: CarFax provides information on the car’s repair history as long as the shop reports to CarFax (which most shops do). This is crucial to know if the car has undergone regular maintenance services and if they were performed on time. It also alerts you to any excessive repairs that have been required. If a car has had multiple repairs done to the same system, it should raise a red flag.
- Accident History: CarFax notifies you if the car has been involved in any accidents and provides details about the severity of the damage. A car is never the same after an accident, and depending on the severity and quality of the repairs, it may have lasting mechanical, structural, and cosmetic issues.
- Total Loss Status: CarFax alerts you if the car has been reported as “totalled.” This means that an insurance company has deemed the car to have received extensive damage that is not worth repairing. A totalled vehicle will no longer have the factory warranty in place.
- Airbag Deployment: CarFax informs you if the car’s airbags have been deployed. This is another measure of the severity of an accident.
- Number of Previous Owners: CarFax provides information about the number of previous owners. If a relatively young car has had multiple owners, it is worth questioning why and considering potential issues with the vehicle.
- Odometer Records: CarFax supplies information about any odometer irregularities that may indicate tampering with the car’s mileage.
- Lemon Status: CarFax reveals if the car has been bought back by the manufacturer. While the manufacturer is required to fix the car before reselling it, there is a possibility that the problem(s) may persist. It is essential to assess whether it is worth the risk to buy such a car.
- Warranty Status: CarFax informs you if any factory warranty is still in place, which could offer protection if you decide to purchase the used car.
- Crash Test Information: CarFax provides crash test information, allowing you to assess the safety of the car. If prioritizing safety is important to you, this data can be invaluable when choosing between several car options.
In conclusion, CarFax is a valuable tool for evaluating the worthiness of a specific used car. ShouldIFixMyCar.com automatically runs the VIN for you and provides a detailed report along with our recommendation on whether to proceed with considering the purchase of the car.