inyquest

How reliable are CARFAX and AUTOCHECK?

Is one better then the other?

defeated

It's been a while since I used both of them together, like a couple of years, but I seem to remember that we weren't real happy with Autocheck compared to Carfax. I believe it was some minor point, like service records. Carfax didn't report all of those, but they had hits Autocheck didn't.

McNitt

I actually just bought a used 2010 g37x yesterday and have spent a lot of time getting familiar with both. The easy answer is that they are the same, but with minor differences. It is absolutely worth paying for both (often times dealers provide them both for free) if you are buying from an individual. There may be some information provided on AutoCheck that isn't provided on Carfax, and vice versa. I once bought a used IS250 and the Carfax report was clean, but the AutoCheck report listed frame damage - for some reason the auto body that repaired the car after a horrible accident didn't report it to CarFax.

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

The important thing to keep in mind is that not all repairs/accidents get reported to either, even major ones. I know this first hand. My last car sustained significant damage ($10K+), which never showed up on carfax or autocheck. It can be a useful tool, but not all inclusive.

Redpit

iTrader: (2)

I second what Jsolo said. The only thing I have to add is my personal experience. When I bought my first G35 it came with a clean carfax. 4 years later I go to trade it in and it came back with major structural damage that occurred 6 months prior to my purchase. Basically reducing its value by 1/3. Crappy lesson to learn, but I will not, nor should you, ever fully trust one of these services.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

There can also be a lag time from a repair to when it actually gets on the Carfax or Autocheck database. If someone's quick about dumping a recently repaired car they may beat the report

telcoman

You mean for attracting suckers?

Sandy Damaged Vehicles Sold on Used Car Lots - ABC News

“CarFax estimates that over 100,000 Sandy-damaged vehicles are now back on the road across the United States.”


Telcoman

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

Use either. I've found Autocheck to be a little bit better. But as I've preached a thousand times and will continue to do, pay $100 -$150 and have a experienced, trained, professional mechanic perform a complete pre purchase vehicle inspection.

I also posted links to some really good videos on YouTube that show you what to look for yourself when buying a used car. I don't really feel like searching and linking to the thread right now.

telcoman

+1

If it sounds too good to be true it usually is

Telcoman

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

Check out this week's ABC The Lookout. They had a segment on how thousands of cars from the flood last fall are ending up in used car lots all over the country.

Ironically enough, the one vehicle profiled had a clean bill of heath from autocheck but had flood flags on carfax.

inyquest

I also saw this
Flood-damaged cars: How to spot one - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

inyquest

This one is very timely as the CFA lists auto issues #1 on their top 10 list this year:
Governor's Office of Consumer Protection

No, if you sell a car "as is" you don't have to disclose a problem unless asked typically. Buyer beware-- consumers should have a trusted mechanic inspect any used car before purchasing the vehicle.
Check It Out ! Car, Consumer Ed

This is a good web site for consumers to check:
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System

This adds some context:
Ask Consumer Ed | Car dealer falsely claimed no prior wrecks

State Warns of Flood-Damaged Vehicles Being Sold in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy | Press Releases | Governor's Office of Consumer Protection

Damage like this does not necessarily show up on a title in every state. This is a question for the Department of Revenue to answer if you walk down that road:
CARFAX® - Avoid Car Flood Damage | Water Can Cause Hidden Auto Damage