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Carfax - Inaccuracies

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Carfax • Ohio Appeals Court Rejects Class-Action Settlement With Carfax • Public Citizen Objects to Carfax Settlement • CARFAX: Not Always All the Facts • How Can Used Car Buyers Protect Themselves? • CARFAX Settles Class Action Lawsuits • How To Contact CARFAX • CARFAX History --- Consumer Complaints • "Unlimited" Service • Inaccurate Reports • Refund Policy • Advertising Claims • Sellers' Complaints

Brent of Pleasanton, CA January 4, 2008

Brent of Pleasanton CA (01/04/08)
This started on 12/15/2007. I attempted to trade in my 2000 VW Jetta at a local BMW dealership, they of course ordered a vehicle report to determine the trade in value of the trade-in. The report showed that the Jetta had suffered structural and frame damage. This was a shock. It had been in a few fender bender accidents but nothing major. After contacting Carfax.com regarding the source of the record they refused to divulge any information. I sent them the insurance repair estimate along with the repair records that were specific to the incident that they had referenced, neither of the reports mentioned any damage to the frame. What more can I do? They have way too much power with no responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the reports that they are selling.

As of today, we have not resolved this situation. I am not in a position to have an inspection done nor do I believe that I should be required to do so. Carfax.com is the reason I am not able to get a fair value for my trade-in or a private party sale.

Lisa of Stanford, CA December 19, 2007

Lisa of Stanford CA (12/19/07)
I bought a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder believing it had not been in an accident due to relying on Carfax records. I then went to sell the car about 1.5 years later (I got a local job and was no longer relocating cross country and didn't need the big vehicle), and Carfax records had changed. All of a sudden their report showed the record of an accident. The accident had occurred years prior to my buying the car. The first record check they did for me--the one I relied upon in deciding to purchase the vehicle--was wrong.

Adding to Carfax's remarkably effective method of devaluing my vehicle, the new Carfax records simply said accident. Despite the availability of details of the accident, Carfax took no responsibility for publishing these details. (I finally got a hold of the accident report from the DMV.) Carfax took no responsibility for helping a potential buyer understand the extent of the damage (or lack thereof) that was caused. They basically threw the information out there that was easiest for them to obtain.

They had no regard for the impact the information would have nor did they feel responsible for providing details that would help a person interpret the information. They were not apologetic. They were all but IMPOSSIBLE to reach. (I doubt this is an accident, pun intended.) All potential buyers assumed the worst about the car. Carfax claims to offer a service, but what they offered me was a complete disservice.

I lost 4,000 when I re-sold my car 1.5 years later. This money was to be part of a downpayment on a home. (I am still renting.) Carfax single-handedly devalued my vehicle. No other organization I have ever worked with in my life has cost me so much money.

Steven of Lake Elsinore, CA November 5, 2007

Steven of Lake Elsinore CA (11/05/07)
I am trying to sell my truck. When I bought it used, from a dealer, 3 years ago, I ran a Carfax on it, and it was perfectly clean. Now 3 years later, I can't sell it because a potential buyer ran a Carfax on it, and it has multiple reports of accidents and frame damage. I had no idea about any accident or frame damage. HAD I known, I never would have bought it. Now I am stuck with a truck I can't sell because of Carfax.

Vincent of Axworth, AL October 23, 2007

Vincent of Axworth AL (10/23/07)
I paid Carfax 29.00 for so called "unlimited use" but cannot log-on even though I just bought the "service". My Password is absolutely correct. THIS IS OUT AND OUT FRAUD.

I missed out on buying a car because their Website didn't work. What they are doing is CRIMINAL.

Sue of Tucson, AZ October 20, 2007

Sue of Tucson AZ (10/20/07)
I bought a 2005 Nissan Altima with about 25000 miles and a clean Carfax report. It has had problems since I drove it away. A Nissan mechanic said, there was a bad accident evidenced by the fact that the motor mounts were re-welded and there is metal in the transmission system. I'm looking at about 5,000 in repairs--money I don't have.

I'm to be inconvenienced by whatever action I have to take to get this car fixed. I spent 200 to have the Nissan mechanic check it out plus 170 registration fees.

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