| If you are in the market for a new car make | | | | One very intelligent way I have heard of people |
| sure you go through the right steps before | | | | using their CARFAX report to get a lower price is |
| making a purchase. Finding a car that is right for | | | | noting the date the car's lease ended and how |
| you is the first step, and of course you need to | | | | long the car has been sitting on a dealer's lot since |
| find financing. The next step is checking out the | | | | the expiration date. No dealer is trying to sit on a |
| used car to make sure it is in good shape before | | | | car, rather it is sitting because no one else would |
| buying. The most reliable way to check a car's | | | | buy it for that price either. Now you have the |
| history is to obtain a CARFAX report and then | | | | control and can offer any price you deem fair. |
| have a trusted mechanic check it out. | | | | Despite the countless advantages a car history |
| So what is a CARFAX report you ask? Using | | | | report from CARFAX offers, it is not completely |
| each vehicle's title and VIN number, CARFAX | | | | foolproof. Thieves will be thieves and so they are |
| compiles a detailed car history report on every | | | | always searching for a way around the law and |
| vehicle manufactured after 1981. A car history | | | | how not to get caught. Odometer fraud still |
| report will tell you all kinds of information such as: | | | | happens and closely looking at a CARFAX report |
| previous accident reports, lemon history, | | | | will only tip you in the right direction. Also, |
| emissions inspection history, the previous use of | | | | accidents with damage totaling less than $1000 |
| the vehicle (rental, taxi, etc) whether the title was | | | | often go unreported, and thus will not appear on |
| salvaged and so much more. | | | | the vehicle report. Something else to keep in mind |
| Many used car buyers quickly dismiss the thought | | | | is that VIN numbers were not available on |
| of buying a CARFAX report because of the | | | | vehicles made before 1981, and thus a CARFAX |
| money, but let's get real, the $25 spent on a | | | | report would not be useful. |
| quality vehicle history report is the best | | | | In addition to obtaining a detailed vehicle history on |
| investment you will ever make. There are | | | | a used car, it is also a great idea to have a |
| thousands, no probably millions, of drivers who | | | | trusted mechanic give a car a thorough inspection. |
| wished they had spent the measly $25 to look | | | | Most auto shops have a list of items to look for |
| into a car's history instead of spending thousands | | | | in a used car to ensure they are in good condition |
| of dollars on a car that has a damaged history, | | | | and as advertised. A quality mechanic will certainly |
| salvaged title, or is even a lemon! | | | | notice any damage to the car that may have |
| It truly is unbelievable the amount of history | | | | gone unnoted in the vehicle history, and will allow |
| CARFAX is able to report to you on each vehicle. | | | | you to make an informed decision before buying |
| The vehicle history will report if the car has been | | | | a used car (another investment that is well worth |
| stolen, salvaged, or auctioned. It will also alert you | | | | it in my opinion.) |
| if the car has been flooded (or even registered in | | | | It seems safe to say that spending $25 for a |
| a flood disaster area), been in an accident (the | | | | thorough report on a used car would be well |
| report will even show if the airbags have been | | | | worth the money in the long run. CARFAX |
| deployed), totaled, deemed a lemon, and how the | | | | reports offer an array of information that will |
| car has been used (taxi, lease, rental car, | | | | prove helpful in making a decision on whether or |
| government, or certified pre-owned.) In addition | | | | not to buy a used car. In fact, the vehicle history |
| to accident reports the vehicle history will give | | | | report could even help you negotiate a fairer price |
| odometer readings throughout its history, alert | | | | on the car of your choice. Don't try and cut |
| you to vehicle recalls, the number of previous | | | | corners because the consequences could be |
| owners, where the car was purchased and sold, | | | | costly. |
| service records, and show the car's standard | | | | Jake Newberry is a salesman for NuStar Motors, |
| equipment and associated reliability ratings. | | | | a used cars Sacramento dealer. Jake knows |
| Knowing the history of a car you are buying is | | | | firsthand that taking a few precautionary steps |
| fantastic information to protect the buyer from | | | | before buying a used car can save you money in |
| paying too much for a damaged vehicle, but | | | | the long run, and he recommends a CARFAX |
| another great advantage of a CARFAX report is | | | | report to all used car buyers. |
| that it gives you solid evidence for negotiation. | | | | |