why carfax sucks

[Dave]

I just looked at the title for my 90 325i, and when Kentucky issued it, they put the wrong mileage on it. I accurately reported it as 185k, and the title says 105k.

So, I am guessing any carfax on it is now going to have big red ROLLBACK warnings on it.

Given that its on this old car, its not a big deal - it'll probably be parted out somewhere down the line instead of sold as a whole, given its age, but its just another example of why carfax can be misleading.

[doucy2]

yea they gave my car a rollback when the cars odo broke and then was immediately reapaired what crap.

[nando]

it's still useful though, even if the information isn't perfect. it stopped me from buying a salvaged title ix years back, and knowing what I know now about E30s that car would have been a nightmare.

[Dave]

Yes, its still useful, but what if this happened on a newer car with some value - buyers would run from it through no fault of the owner.

[JRKOUPE]

........its useful sure but its very lmtd.
I just found out during some car searching that if there is no police report /accident report then it will not be on a carfax.

[nando]

well of course not, you think people are going to report an accident on their title by themselves?

I looked at a 2003 WRX for a buddy that had been wrecked, there was obvious welding in the trunk (quite shitty too), bent shit in the front end, bent rocker panels, and the trunk didn't line up and rubbed on the fenders.. but the carfax was clean and the salesguy swore up and down that it had never been in a wreck. it was his personal car that he was trying to sell, and by the way he drove it when he took us for a test ride I knew he was a lying SOB.

you still have to do your homework, and even with the limitations it's still worthwhile IMO to pay for carfax when you are looking for a used car.

[JRKOUPE]

well of course not, you think people are going to report an accident on their title by themselves?

I looked at a 2003 WRX for a buddy that had been wrecked, there was obvious welding in the trunk (quite shitty too), bent shit in the front end, bent rocker panels, and the trunk didn't line up and rubbed on the fenders.. but the carfax was clean and the salesguy swore up and down that it had never been in a wreck. it was his personal car that he was trying to sell, and by the way he drove it when he took us for a test ride I knew he was a lying SOB.

you still have to do your homework, and even with the limitations it's still worthwhile IMO to pay for carfax when you are looking for a used car.

sorry, I didnt mean that......




I meant that most people assume if a car is fixed by body shop and pd for by ins co, then it would be on cfax....but its not. I never knew that......and most dont. So..its ez to have a clean cfax on a very dmgd car.

[parkerbink]

What do you want for 20.00?

It is a tool that combined with intelligence helps make an informed decision on a particular vehicle.

[DarkWing6]

A lot of you guys have seen my bro's old black 4 door.......yup, clean title when we had it shipped off to the crusher.

For those of you that never saw it he got t-boned by a lady doing about 30mph and crushed the whole side. Cops never showed because they were too busy. Could have easily had a half ass repair done for $1k and sold it free and clear.

[Dave]

What do you want for 20.00?

It is a tool that combined with intelligence helps make an informed decision on a particular vehicle.

The intelligence part is the problem.

Lets say this was on a one or two year old car - and it mistakenly shows a rollback - in the minds of 95% of those who use Carfax, it might as well be branded salvage.

Lets face it, people are stupid and lazy.

[parkerbink]

The intelligence part is the problem.

Lets say this was on a one or two year old car - and it mistakenly shows a rollback - in the minds of 95% of those who use Carfax, it might as well be branded salvage.

Lets face it, people are stupid and lazy.

Of course you are right. I'd do something about it but I am too stupid & lazy.


lol