What a Carfax Report Can Tell You (and What It Can’t)
A Carfax report is a document that shows a car’s history. It lists details like accidents, repairs, and owners. People use it to check if a car is safe and worth the price. RunBidSell, a company that buys junk, used, or damaged cars, relies on these reports too. They help the company figure out a car’s condition before making an offer.
Why You Should Care About Carfax Reports
Carfax reports help buyers and sellers make smart choices. Buyers can spot problems like past crashes. Sellers can show the car’s good history to get a better deal. A 2022 study from the National Automobile Dealers Association says 70% of used car buyers look at history reports. This proves how much these reports matter.
What’s Inside a Carfax Report
A Carfax report has key sections. Each part tells you something different about the car. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Accident History: Lists any crashes and how serious they were.
- Ownership History: Shows how many owners and how long they had the car.
- Service Records: Tells you about repairs and maintenance like oil changes.
- Title Information: Shows if the title is clean or if the car was salvaged.
These details give you a clear picture of the car.
Accident History Explained
The accident history tells you if the car has been in crashes. A car with many accidents might have hidden damage. For example, a 2019 Ford Focus with two crashes could have a bent frame. That makes it less safe. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says cars with big accidents are 20% more likely to have issues. Check this part closely.
What Ownership History Reveals
Ownership history shows how many people owned the car. A car with one owner for 10 years might be in good shape. A car with four owners in three years might have problems. Imagine a 2017 Chevy Malibu. One owner and 60,000 miles sounds better than three owners and the same miles.
Service Records and Car Care
Service records show how well the car was maintained. Lots of records mean the owner took care of it. Few records might mean neglect. A 2021 J.D. Power study says cars with full service histories sell for 10% more. Buyers like knowing the car got regular care.
Title Information Basics
Title information tells you the car’s legal status. A clean title means no major damage. A salvage title means the car was totaled by an insurance company. A rebuilt title means it was fixed after being totaled. Salvage cars are cheaper but riskier. Edmunds says rebuilt title cars lose 20% to 40% of their value.
How to Use a Carfax Report
Reading a Carfax report is simple. Look at the title first. Is it clean or salvage? Then check for accidents. Next, see how many owners it had. Finally, look at service records. If you see a salvage title or lots of crashes, be careful. It’s a quick way to spot trouble.
Questions People Ask About Carfax Reports
- Are Carfax reports always right? They’re good but not perfect. Some accidents don’t get reported. A mechanic’s check helps too.
- How do I get one? You can buy one for $39.99 or get five for $59.99 on the Carfax website.
- Does a clean report mean no problems? No. It just means no big issues were reported. Small problems might still exist.
A Story of a Smart Choice
Sara wanted a 2020 Nissan Altima. The Carfax report showed no accidents and a clean title. She was excited. But her mechanic found rust under the car. It wasn’t on the report because it wasn’t from a crash. Sara passed on the car and saved herself trouble. This shows why you need more than just the report.
Selling Your Car with a Carfax Report
A Carfax report helps when you sell a car. It proves you’re honest. A clean report can boost the price. If there’s an accident, explain it. Maybe it was a small fender bender that got fixed. A 2020 AutoTrader survey says 60% of buyers trust sellers with a clean report more.
RunBidSell and Carfax Reports
RunBidSell checks Carfax reports when they buy cars. A car with a clean title and good records might get a higher offer. A car with a salvage title or lots of accidents might get less. Knowing this helps you understand their price.
Tips for Using Carfax Reports
- Check the report before you buy any used car.
- Watch for red flags like many owners or crashes.
- Use it with a mechanic’s inspection.
- Share it with buyers if you’re selling.
What Carfax Reports Miss
Carfax reports don’t catch everything. Some crashes or fixes don’t get reported. New problems might not show up yet. For example, a car hit last month might look clean on the report. Always test drive and get a mechanic to look at it.
How Carfax Reports Change Car Prices
A Carfax report affects a car’s value. A 2018 Toyota Corolla with a clean report might cost $14,000. The same car with a salvage title might drop to $8,000. Kelley Blue Book says cars with accidents lose 10% to 20% of their worth. This matters when you buy or sell.
Real Numbers Behind Carfax Reports
Data shows how common issues are. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 6 million car accidents happen each year in the U.S. Not all make it to Carfax. About 10% of used cars have salvage titles, per a 2023 Carfax study. These numbers help you see the risks.