Anyone know if there is a big reason to go with CarFax over AutoCheck? I ask because I am car shopping and Car Fax offers 5 checks for the same price as Auto Checks unlimited.. Obviously more is better..

Are there any other better resources?

 

Both are not foolproof or at least CarFax.
I owned a '07 Camry XLE and hit a deer causing $9K in damage and 2-3 months later when I dumped the car,nothing was on Carfax.

 

Autocheck is a lot better, Carfax sometimes doesn't report accidents, they were being investigated for that a while back. Check the internet and you will see.

 

I would still supplement either with a mechanic's inspection and make sure they put it up on a lift to check for damage/rust/etc.

 

I went for Autocheck instead of the pricy carfax for my own online car searching
its more a value instead of the carfax, and they both showed up mainly the same thing
(well, I bought my car and it turned out great)

 

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback.. I think autocheck seems to be the lesser known, but greater value... Like so many things, eh?

bagwell, I will definitely have a mechanic take a look at it as well.. Just want a starting ground..

JOEB427, curious if the accident was reported... Or are mechanics required to report damage and fixes like this?

Thanks everybody!

 

Agreed none of these reports substitute for a thorough inspection.

 

It was reported.
State Troopers were on the scene and a police report was filed.

 

I'm the second owner of my RX300 and Carfax didn't show an accident the first owner had, Autocheck did.

 

If there was an accident with a car, and a customer has deep pockets to get the repairs done, there's a good chance it will never get reported to DMV or insurance company especially if it's a solo loss. Buyer beware. You should have more than a trained mechanic to see the structural condition of a car. Perhaps a recommended body shop or a trained car sales appraiser can look at it thoroughly. A good trained eye can see if a panel or structural item has been repainted, repaired or replaced.

 

Again, the inspection is critical.

I've seen first-hand how even a good dealer cherry-picks what records to include (and exclude) from a Carfax report, it's interesting to say the least. Reporting is just that, nothing more than reporting. I tend to use the reporting mostly for tracking registration history. (Btw, my first hand experience comes from a Porsche I sold on consignment through a reputable boutique dealership).

 

Bumping this thread. It is so important to get the vehicle inspected if you don't know what you are looking for. My buddy wrecked his Evo over a year ago and caused $21,000 in damage. He traded it in last week and here it is for sale with a clean Carfax showing only that the Airbag sensor was replaced.

http://www.newarktoyotaworld.com/inv...E-29954053.htm

 

Did he tell the dealership? If not, i'd feel bad to not tell them.

 

WOW!... that makes me paranoid!

 

Amazing that they have records showing the car was washed/detailed..what a joke.