Say no to carfax very informative video inside.
03-24-2009, 08:04 PM
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Say no to carfax very informative video inside.
Been looking for a TL or a TSX still trying to decide but, was told by a buddy of mine to use auto check instead of carfax. Man was he right. I have found at least 10 or so cars with damage from big to small dealers.
Then he sent me this video from a Canadian news organization called Marketplace (video link here). Its a great video and note what the carfax guy says toward the end of the video
. I will defiantly be taking my next vehicle not only to a dealer for inspection but to a body shop. Carfax should be sued. Experian Auto check FTW!!!
Then he sent me this video from a Canadian news organization called Marketplace (video link here). Its a great video and note what the carfax guy says toward the end of the video
. I will defiantly be taking my next vehicle not only to a dealer for inspection but to a body shop. Carfax should be sued. Experian Auto check FTW!!!
03-24-2009, 08:36 PM
#2
Thats messed up. My friend had a similar incident. He bought a used 2001 Honda Civic LX coupe with a clean carfax report. Later he turned the car in for timing belt change and other regular checkup. Mechanic was surprised, he told him and even showed him an example of a craptastic welding. Front sub-frame and rear lower control arms were welded. From now on No Carfax, take car to a mechanic and get it checked out.
03-24-2009, 08:42 PM
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WOW! I watched that whole video and thank you very much for that! I bought a TL that had been paited on the rear quater panel but the carfax said nothing. I wonder what Autocheck would say about it? Great find and thanks for sharing!
03-24-2009, 08:55 PM
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These dealers are shady as hell!!! I was messing around on auto trader and found an 05 g35 coupe for 17.9 with 23k miles. Dealer has a clean carfax posted but I did an autocheck and found frame damage.
I emailed the dealer how he could justify the price. His reply......Don't buy it. Thanks. HELL NAW! Don't buy from World Auto in GA!!!!!
I emailed the dealer how he could justify the price. His reply......Don't buy it. Thanks. HELL NAW! Don't buy from World Auto in GA!!!!!
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03-24-2009, 09:20 PM
#8
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i dunno i don't see how they are so wrong though. they try to get the most information on vehicles.
They never claim to have the full history of all cars.
And there was never any checks done the opposite way to see if carfax had info that Experian didn't.
still just seems biased to me
the dealers may not have known themselves either.
And wtf is up with the guy and the RL, there is a sticker missing from the top of the bumper so it's probably been replaced. wtf, maybe the sticker came off somehow. And the weather stripping is loose, well maybe someone was doing stuff in the trunk(replacing tailight bulbs etc..) and had to remove/replace the weather stripping...
whole video seems to just try and poke holes in everything. if you look at any company hard enough, they will be flawed
Just my
tho
They never claim to have the full history of all cars.
And there was never any checks done the opposite way to see if carfax had info that Experian didn't.
still just seems biased to methe dealers may not have known themselves either.
And wtf is up with the guy and the RL, there is a sticker missing from the top of the bumper so it's probably been replaced. wtf, maybe the sticker came off somehow. And the weather stripping is loose, well maybe someone was doing stuff in the trunk(replacing tailight bulbs etc..) and had to remove/replace the weather stripping...
whole video seems to just try and poke holes in everything. if you look at any company hard enough, they will be flawed
Just my
tho
03-24-2009, 09:23 PM
#9
A year ago My local Toyota Dealer was ready to sell me a 2007 Honda Civic EX 5 speed for $13K with only 7K miles. Back then price for those cars was around 16-17K OTD with clean carfax(dealer price). I told him I'll come tommorow with down payment and all other documents required, I went there next day, he told me that he already sold the car for $15K and he told me 'secret' about that car that it was in front end collision(sp?) and was fixed without insurance involved.(it was dealers sons car). I don't trust any dealer anymore, always get a good mechanic involved in car purchase.
I felt so sorry for who ever bought that car.
I felt so sorry for who ever bought that car.
03-24-2009, 09:52 PM
#12
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Wow, that video is eye-opening but not entirely surprising.
+1 on giving the Carfax rep a smackdown....though what did we expect him to say?
+1 on giving the Carfax rep a smackdown....though what did we expect him to say?
03-24-2009, 10:04 PM
#14
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I ran an Autocheck on my S2000 just as an experiment. It came out clean, just like the Carfax. 
Then again, I had it inspected, it had all original body panels when I bought it last year, and it checked out then.
I think a better idea than ignoring Carfax is to run a check on AutoCheck AND Carfax because one might have information that the other doesn't. It only adds to your being an informed consumer.
Then again, I had it inspected, it had all original body panels when I bought it last year, and it checked out then.I think a better idea than ignoring Carfax is to run a check on AutoCheck AND Carfax because one might have information that the other doesn't. It only adds to your being an informed consumer.
03-24-2009, 10:16 PM
#17
where is....
I ran an Autocheck on my S2000 just as an experiment. It came out clean, just like the Carfax. Then again, I had it inspected, it had all original body panels when I bought it last year, and it checked out then.
I think a better idea than ignoring Carfax is to run a check on AutoCheck AND Carfax because one might have information that the other doesn't. It only adds to your being an informed consumer.
Then again, I had it inspected, it had all original body panels when I bought it last year, and it checked out then.I think a better idea than ignoring Carfax is to run a check on AutoCheck AND Carfax because one might have information that the other doesn't. It only adds to your being an informed consumer.
03-25-2009, 01:32 AM
#22
Say what you will about Carfax, but the plain truth is that used cars in general pose a major consumer risk. A used car purchase should be handled with extreme caution that most people don't bother taking...especially if it's a car sitting on a lot. Used cars that end up on lots are some of biggest pieces of junk you'll find...the original owners knew damn well that trying to sell the smashed and repaired car privately exposes them, or at the very least poses a moral dilema they don't want to deal with. Therefore many cars like the one's in the video end up getting traded in on purpose, since many dealers will miss body repair work on a quick used car appraisal, and virtually nobody has a guilty conscious about lying to a dealership (or ommiting information, as the case may be.)
I personally hate used cars. Harder than you think to find a car that's been well taken care of and free of sad stories.
I personally hate used cars. Harder than you think to find a car that's been well taken care of and free of sad stories.
03-25-2009, 11:49 AM
#25
Buying a used car does pose a risk to the buyer. However, if you do your homework, you'll be OK. Repaint traces are very easy to spot. If a car has 0 repaint, most likely the car hasn't been in a wreck at all.
In regards to Carfax, I've been buying used cars without Carfax or Autocheck and the cars have been OK.
Another thing, did you know that even new cars can have body repair and the dealer isn't obligated to tell you? Except frame damages of course. That's why I still inspect the paint and all the panels of all new cars I buy before I take delivery. Personally, I've found new cars on dealer lot with repainted quarter panels, replaced door, etc.
In regards to Carfax, I've been buying used cars without Carfax or Autocheck and the cars have been OK.
Another thing, did you know that even new cars can have body repair and the dealer isn't obligated to tell you? Except frame damages of course. That's why I still inspect the paint and all the panels of all new cars I buy before I take delivery. Personally, I've found new cars on dealer lot with repainted quarter panels, replaced door, etc.
03-25-2009, 12:30 PM
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. Just kidding. Check the video part when the guy gets his check from the dealer he clearly says
03-25-2009, 01:09 PM
#29
Another thing, did you know that even new cars can have body repair and the dealer isn't obligated to tell you? Except frame damages of course. That's why I still inspect the paint and all the panels of all new cars I buy before I take delivery. Personally, I've found new cars on dealer lot with repainted quarter panels, replaced door, etc.
With a new car you can also ask the dealer about any damage documented and repaired at the distribution facility or while held in dealer inventory. Most buyers would never think to ask, and there's nothing stopping the dealer from lying to you about it, but it's good to ask none the less.
03-25-2009, 09:22 PM
#30
best bet is to run a vin past your insurance agent. they will know about any and all claims made against car
03-25-2009, 09:32 PM
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Since December '08, I've since switched my business from Carfax to Autocheck. Mostly for price reasons. BUT, if there is a vehicle that was involved in a collision and there was no police report, neither Carfax OR Autocheck will pick it up. The main difference between the two is that Autocheck also pulls reports from the dealer auctions, and if the auction were to pre-inspect a car at the seller or buyers request and state previous damage or repair in their inspection, Autocheck would pick that up and Carfax would not.
03-25-2009, 10:02 PM
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Just watched the video...I posted above before even watching, and most of what I said accurately descibes what it is in reality. As a dealer, I do not rely on carfax reports to know about damages, or even autocheck. I use it only to trace it's history for anything else. Anything on the vehicle itself, I MUST touch the car and go over it in detail. Aside from the "touch" test, I also use a paint meter to determine the thickness of the paint. It's a good guide to use and determine what panels had been repainted, and where there's body filler. It's not cheap at over $700, but it's definately paid for itself many times over. It's also useful for me when looking at a car at night when I can't see it well enough to see the paintwork...
03-25-2009, 10:09 PM
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i dunno i don't see how they are so wrong though. they try to get the most information on vehicles.
They never claim to have the full history of all cars.
And there was never any checks done the opposite way to see if carfax had info that Experian didn't.
still just seems biased to me
the dealers may not have known themselves either.
And wtf is up with the guy and the RL, there is a sticker missing from the top of the bumper so it's probably been replaced. wtf, maybe the sticker came off somehow. And the weather stripping is loose, well maybe someone was doing stuff in the trunk(replacing tailight bulbs etc..) and had to remove/replace the weather stripping...
whole video seems to just try and poke holes in everything. if you look at any company hard enough, they will be flawed
Just my tho
They never claim to have the full history of all cars.
And there was never any checks done the opposite way to see if carfax had info that Experian didn't.
still just seems biased to methe dealers may not have known themselves either.
And wtf is up with the guy and the RL, there is a sticker missing from the top of the bumper so it's probably been replaced. wtf, maybe the sticker came off somehow. And the weather stripping is loose, well maybe someone was doing stuff in the trunk(replacing tailight bulbs etc..) and had to remove/replace the weather stripping...
whole video seems to just try and poke holes in everything. if you look at any company hard enough, they will be flawed
Just my
thoThere was one time I was taking in a trade on a 2006 Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Eyeball and feeling test showed no paint work. I whipped out the paint meter and the passenger's side rear door showed an inconsistent reading to the rest of the car. But the panel looked so perfect, showing no sign of being painted visually. Both carfax and Autocheck showed nothing. I was convinced that the car might have had that door refinished at the factory or port because it either had a flaw on it or was damaged in transport. That one really had me confused...
03-26-2009, 01:15 AM
#34
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good to know, that sux about carfax.. :-/
Shoofin, is there such a thing as "legit" in the car biz?
neuronbob, congrats on the CTS-V! would love to see pix.
Shoofin, is there such a thing as "legit" in the car biz?
neuronbob, congrats on the CTS-V! would love to see pix.
03-26-2009, 11:01 AM
#35
as someone looking to buy a used car right now i found the video fairly useful.
too bad autocheck didn't help at all for me. I checked about 10 cars through carfax and then through autocheck. not once did autocheck show me any information at all that is more useful and sometimes showed me less information than carfax did.
waste of $25 bucks...
i'll assume autocheck is better for canadians because all the acuras in canada have frame damage.
too bad autocheck didn't help at all for me. I checked about 10 cars through carfax and then through autocheck. not once did autocheck show me any information at all that is more useful and sometimes showed me less information than carfax did.
waste of $25 bucks...
i'll assume autocheck is better for canadians because all the acuras in canada have frame damage.
03-26-2009, 11:09 AM
#36
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I only conduct my business the right way. I do not like to take in cars that have a history that isn't to my satisfaction. I don't hide anything from my customers. Most definately appreciate it...Can't please everybody, but those that I have pleased, are more than happy with my service.
P.S. Delivered a RR Sport this morning as a "surprise" to my customer's wife, she was beyond happy, and especially appreciated my taking the time to show her the car in and out, something they say they have never experienced from dealing with brokers like me. You know that they will be bringing up my name to all their friends and family....
P.S. Delivered a RR Sport this morning as a "surprise" to my customer's wife, she was beyond happy, and especially appreciated my taking the time to show her the car in and out, something they say they have never experienced from dealing with brokers like me. You know that they will be bringing up my name to all their friends and family....
03-26-2009, 11:21 AM
#37
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https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/neuronbobs-official-cts-v-appreciation-thread-6mt-v-wagon-10-yrs-old-pg-46-a-716744/ so another thread isn't hijacked with the V.... LOL!
And kudos to folks like Shoofin who do the car business the right way. I hate buying cars even though I do it more often than many, and when you have good relationships with the sellers/brokers, as well as good inspectors when buying used, it makes things much easier.
And kudos to folks like Shoofin who do the car business the right way.
I hate buying cars even though I do it more often than many, and when you have good relationships with the sellers/brokers, as well as good inspectors when buying used, it makes things much easier.
03-26-2009, 11:26 AM
#38
Say what you will about Carfax, but the plain truth is that used cars in general pose a major consumer risk. A used car purchase should be handled with extreme caution that most people don't bother taking...especially if it's a car sitting on a lot. Used cars that end up on lots are some of biggest pieces of junk you'll find...the original owners knew damn well that trying to sell the smashed and repaired car privately exposes them, or at the very least poses a moral dilema they don't want to deal with. Therefore many cars like the one's in the video end up getting traded in on purpose, since many dealers will miss body repair work on a quick used car appraisal, and virtually nobody has a guilty conscious about lying to a dealership (or ommiting information, as the case may be.)
I personally hate used cars. Harder than you think to find a car that's been well taken care of and free of sad stories.
I personally hate used cars. Harder than you think to find a car that's been well taken care of and free of sad stories.
03-26-2009, 11:51 AM
#39
Senior Moderator
I only conduct my business the right way. I do not like to take in cars that have a history that isn't to my satisfaction. I don't hide anything from my customers. Most definately appreciate it...Can't please everybody, but those that I have pleased, are more than happy with my service.
P.S. Delivered a RR Sport this morning as a "surprise" to my customer's wife, she was beyond happy, and especially appreciated my taking the time to show her the car in and out, something they say they have never experienced from dealing with brokers like me. You know that they will be bringing up my name to all their friends and family....
P.S. Delivered a RR Sport this morning as a "surprise" to my customer's wife, she was beyond happy, and especially appreciated my taking the time to show her the car in and out, something they say they have never experienced from dealing with brokers like me. You know that they will be bringing up my name to all their friends and family....
