Clean CARFAX Report in Shawnee, OK
Whether you’re selling your current model or in the market to buy a used one, the condition of that vehicle is vital to its sale. The simplest way to determine a car, truck, SUV, minivan or hybrid’s value is a CARFAX Vehicle History Report, a (typically) complimentary report that you can request from the dealer (like us) or find for yourself online. But what goes into a CARFAX report? What determines when it’s “clean?” These are all great questions, and the team here at Joe Cooper Dodge Jeep is ready to answer them so that you can sell, trade or purchase your next vehicle with confidence.
What goes into a CARFAX report?
There are several factors that CARFAX uses to determine the vehicle’s worth, which can make a big difference in securing the purchase or sale of a vehicle. The VIN of the car will bring up every record from different databases (local shops, dealerships, etc), pulling all available information that it can get about the vehicle’s history. Below are the points of information that you’ll cover in your vehicle’s CARFAX:
Any Damage To the Vehicle
A good-looking vehicle doesn’t guarantee that there hasn’t been any damage before. From accidents to manufacturer defects, the CARFAX report will detail any exterior, interior and engine damage that has occurred. Plus, if the airbags have been deployed, there will be a record of that, too. Stay away from vehicles that have been totaled in an accident.
Odometer History
Each service record will have the model’s odometer reading, and CARFAX will record any discrepancies in the numbers from record to record. Especially if it’s an older model, there may be a chance that the odometer was changed, but if the numbers are consistent, you can trust that CARFAX caught any potential errors.
Any Issues With Titling
CARFAX will have an alert on the report of any issues with the vehicle’s title. Titles prove ownership, so if it’s absent or there are inconsistencies with it, we recommend walking away from the deal. Don’t buy from a private seller who can’t prove that they own the car. (You won’t run into that problem here at Joe Cooper Dodge Jeep.)
"Lemon Status"
A vehicle will gain “lemon status” when a manufacturer has recalled or repurchased it due to major manufacturing issues. While incredibly cheap, it’s best not to purchase a car, truck or SUV that has been recalled since it has flawed safety and utility.
Records of Previous Owners
You’ll receive a detailed account of the number of owners the model has had over the years. It’s a good idea to know since different owners will vary in degrees of stress they’ve placed on the model, how clean they’ve kept it and how frequently they brought it in for service. For example, a used rental car might be a risky investment since you won’t have an idea of how many drivers it’s had over the years.
Any Service or Maintenance Records
The bulk of information on a CARFAX history report are the service records. Maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, regular inspections, etc. provide insight into the care that the vehicle received from each owner (if there’s more than one), and whether any major repairs were handled in a timely manner.
Any Warranties Still Valid
While it all depends on the age of the model, there could be some warranties that are still valid. CARFAX will let you know, and since some maintenance costs are covered under new car warranties (or any service plans the owner may have purchased), it would be an added benefit to buying the used model.
Model-Specific Safety Information
Safety is very important in the automotive industry — with good reason. CARFAX will provide crash-test information on the specific make and model, like safety recalls, features, etc. Read over this section carefully for added peace of mind in your potential investment.
A Clean CARFAX Report
So, what makes a CARFAX report clean? No serious problems in everything from the title to accident history. If you’ve been the only owner of your current model and have properly serviced it regularly with no major accidents, then selling your vehicle should be a breeze. (We would happily take it off your hands!) And if you’re in the market for a quality used vehicle, ask for a CARFAX Vehicle History Report before making your final decision.
If you have any questions about the CARFAX reports that we offer with our used inventory, please feel free to contact us directly or stop by Joe Cooper Dodge Jeep at 4940 N Automall Drive, Shawnee, OK 74804 . As always, we look forward to serving our customers from Shawnee, OK, and throughout Tecumseh, Seminole and Choctaw.