Statistics show that Americans purchased over 12 million used cars, trucks, and SUVs in 2022. Unfortunately, not all those vehicles had the quality that buyers wanted. Most experts estimate that 1% of all new cars ultimately get labeled lemons, a status given because they have repeated and unfixable problems. And that only accounts for new vehicles.
Cars get into accidents. Some owners drive them hard and don’t keep up with regular maintenance. And a few unscrupulous sellers misrepresent the facts of the vehicle they’re trying to sell to avoid losing money. One good way to protect yourself from buying a problem car is to ask to see the CarFax report.
What Is a CarFax Report?
At Huffines Hyundai Plano, we can’t stress enough how important it is to see the CarFax report before you purchase a used vehicle. The CarFax report contains the entire vehicle history, from ownership to accidents and even title status. If you’re buying a used car, whether from a dealership or in a private sale, the CarFax report can help you spot a problem vehicle before it becomes your problem.
For example, say you’re looking to buy a car manufactured in 2004 that the current owner admits he purchased from someone else. However, the current owner insists the vehicle was never in an accident because that’s what the previous owner told him. Your CarFax report can confirm this or identify any previous accidents.
Just because a car was involved in an accident doesn’t make it a bad car. Many owners have the repairs done by qualified mechanics to factory specifications. In theory, the vehicle should be sound. However, the price should reflect that accident history. In this scenario, you should be able to negotiate a lower price if you still want the car. In addition, there may be a particular area on the vehicle you want a qualified technician to examine to ensure no underlying problems exist.
What Information Comes in the CarFax Report?
Widely considered the most comprehensive vehicle history report, the CarFax report pulls from over 112,000 sources. CarFax receives information from every U.S. and Canadian motor vehicle agency. And they get reports from government agencies, such as police and fire departments, as well as auction facilities, fleet management companies, rental agencies, insurance companies, and collision repair facilities. Reports are generated using the vehicle identification number and go back to 1981 model-year vehicles. Here are a few items you can expect to see on a CarFax report:
- Airbag deployments and other accident indicators.
- Title information.
- Any flood damage.
- Point of impact and severity of scale for damage events.
- Lemon history.
- Number of owners.
- Any service records.
- Vehicle purpose — e.g., taxi, rental, or lease.
- Total loss accident history.
- Odometer reading.
- State inspection results.
You also get information regarding recalls and if the vehicle was repaired correctly. Any existing liens on the vehicle will also appear on the CarFax. If you buy a used car with a lien on it, the lienholder can repossess the vehicle, and you have no recourse other than to contact the seller and sue for your money back. However, if they fail to clear the lien, they probably won’t pay you either. You might not even find them.
CarFax Buyback Guarantee
One significant benefit of purchasing a CarFax is the buyback guarantee. If your CarFax report doesn’t include a branded title from the department of motor vehicles for salvage, fire, flood damage, or odometer issues, yet these were later proven to exist, CarFax may buy back the vehicle at the same price you paid for it. A branded title confirms that these damages or situations occurred and, in some cases, the vehicle can’t be resold.
Can You Rely on CarFax Reports?
No vehicle history report can be 100% accurate, but Carfax produces the most comprehensive information in the industry. That means that, in most cases, you know what you’re getting when you view the CarFax report. Still, we encourage buyers to have any used vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic before purchasing it.
Sometimes, an accident never gets reported to an agency because the owner didn’t want to pay a deductible or experience a premium hike but still made the necessary repairs. In this situation, the accident or repairs wouldn’t appear on the CarFax. Car owners may have also ignored problems or damage or repaired the issue themselves. In these cases, no record exists. That’s another good reason to have a mechanic inspect any used car you’re considering.
Huffines Hyundai Used Car Inventory in Plano
As a volume dealer in Plano, Texas, Huffines Hyundai Plano has an expansive inventory of pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs from nearly every brand. We offer the most competitive prices in the region and will happily show you the CarFax report. We have over 40 vehicles that CarFax confirms had only one owner. You can see the CarFax online for our used cars by clicking on the CarFax button.
We also have dozens of Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) cars, trucks, and SUVs on our lot. You’ll find Elantra sedans in SE, SEL, and Limited trims loaded with features you’ll love. Our CPO inventory includes the popular Sonata sedan with turbocharged power and sleek exterior style. We also have a selection of SUVs, including the Hyundai Tucson, Kona, and Santa Fe, equipped with the latest in-vehicle tech people are talking about. Many of our CPO vehicles are late models with very few miles, making them an excellent investment.
Any of our CarFax one-owner cars instill confidence that you’re buying a quality car. And even with a multiple-owner car, the CarFax report gives you all the necessary vehicle history to make an informed buying decision.
Test-Drive a Pre-Owned Vehicle Today
We have the most extensive inventory in Plano if you’re ready to park a reliable used car in your driveway. We recommend you start the process by shopping our virtual inventory and checking out the CarFax report. Then, when you’ve selected a few vehicles worth a second look, you can visit us at our Coit Road facility. One of our friendly, professional used car specialists will show you your preferred cars and let you take your favorite for a spin.