CarFax Accuracy? NOT

[superba]

Hi,

A couple of years ago I was looking to buy a new Audi or Mercedes 300SD and
subscribed to Carfax, mostly because they had a special deal.  In fact, I
subscribed to them more than once.  I checked out lots of cars; it was fun
if I weren't getting serious.  I found that Carfax's accuracy and
completeness in most cases just doesn't cut it.  For example, on a diesel
that requires no smog check in California, there's no record of mileage.
The best you can hope for is that the car was reregistered by entering the
state or being resold.  The odometer reading then is supposed to be
accurate, but I found even that is suspect.  On gas cars with any age on
them, you're on your own.  If they've changed hands more than once, you
might get a break.

You can get marginally accurate information on things like a salvage title
instead of a regular one.

The most glaring error that seemed to occur half the time was that the
mileage would stay the same, or close to it, from recording to recording.
What did they do?  Garage the car for a couple of years?  In a workshop?
Trying to sell it?  Who knows.

Carfax can be helpful, but is no replacement for good old due diligence.  I
almost bought a car in Houston, Texas, sight unseen on eBay.  Duh.  A fit of
prudence came over me and I emailed the seller asking some pointed
questions.  The right front window was missing along with various and sundry
other little things like door handles, etc.  Dodged that bullet.

Carfax is not the end all to investigation of cars for sale.  Caveat Emptor!

Cheers!

Jim Jordan

>  Message: 4
>  Date: Wed, 05 Feb 2003 19:17:57 -0700
>  From: Steve Sherman <spsherm at attglobal.net>
>  Reply-To: spsherm at attglobal.net
>  To: quattro <quattro at audifans.com>
>  Subject: CarFax Accuracy?
>
>  Found what I think (thought) was an excellent 91 200 20v, and pulled a
>  carfax report on it.  It came up clean, except that from the emissions
>  inspection reports (which include mileage) it looks like the speedo/odo
>  was replaced in '97.  Mileage was 34k in 95;  97 inspection it was 1600.
>   Mileage goes up reasonable from the "replaced" 97 number thru
>  the present.
>
>  Current owner may not have known (I told him I was going to pull a carfx
>  report and he did not mention anything).  My questions for the list are:
>
>  1. Any reason to doubt carfax reports?
>
>  2. Assuming carfax is right, what is an extra 40K miles worth off a car
>  (83K vs 123K miles)?
>
>  TIA