Why should I get a CarFax on a vehicle I want to buy?
Imagine you get your dream car only to later learn that it has maintenance issues or other problems. Fortunately, you can avoid this if you get a CarFax report before buying the vehicle.
Then, you'll save yourself time, money, and frustration.
Read on to learn why you need to get a CarFax report.
What a CarFax Report Covers
When considering why you should get a CarFax report, you should consider what it will tell you. The report should include the title, insurance data, and its current mileage.
You can also learn about the vehicle's accident history and ownership history. A good CarFax report may also cover maintenance records and past odometer readings.
CarFax collects data on vehicles from auto auctions, repair facilities, and police and fire departments. It also gets some of its data from motor vehicle agencies in the United States and Canada.
Why This Matters
Why is getting a CarFax important? You should learn as much as you can about the vehicle history before you buy a car. If you buy a used car, you don't want to find out later that the car needs a lot of maintenance or has other issues.
When looking at a car history report, consider everything it contains and look for red flags. For example, if the car was in a bad accident, that could affect its resale value now and for you if you decide to sell it in the future.
You also might want to think twice about buying a car that's had a lot of owners. If people sell the car often, that could be a sign that something is wrong with the car.
What Vehicles Have CarFax Reports?
Sadly, not all vehicles will have a CarFax report, but a lot will. Most vehicles made within the last 40 years will have a report that you can look at before you buy the car.
Knowing if the vehicle you want to purchase has a CarFax can give you peace of mind. Then, you will be able to look at it to determine if it's going to be a good choice.
You won't have to waste your money or get a loan on a car that won't work for you. If a car doesn't have a good history report, you can continue shopping around.
How to Get a CarFax Report
You'll need to obtain the car's vehicle identification number (VIN), which you can usually find on the windshield. Then, you can get on your computer and fill out a form online.
A vehicle history report will cost you around $30 if you buy one at a time. However, you can shop in bulk if you want to compare cars, and you can get three reports for around $60.
Another option is to contact the owner and ask them for a copy of the car history report. This can be a good way to save money, but beware of sellers giving out fake reports just to try and make a sale.
Get a CarFax Report Now
Are you looking at buying a car? Before you make that purchase, consider if you can get a CarFax report for it.
Then, you can make sure the car doesn't have a long history of accidents or other suspicious activity. You'll feel better about your purchase, and you can drive comfortably.
Before you waste time car shopping, use our tool to find vehicles for sale.