CarFax: Would you consider this a red flag?

**ruxCYtable** · 09-08-2011, 08:41 AM

So I found a vehicle I really like. It has everything I want and the price is right.

Got the CarFax and it is technically clean -- no accidents, title issues or major repairs -- but the car has had three owners in three years. The last two owners were for 7 months and 3 months. Although there were no major repairs, the car had two upholstery repairs in its history.

So of course my first thought is some heinous crime occured in the vehicle and there have been dead bodies in it.

Would this be a red flag for you?

**CarrollCyclone** · 09-08-2011, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by ruxCYtable

So I found a vehicle I really like. It has everything I want and the price is right.

Got the CarFax and it is technically clean -- no accidents, title issues or major repairs -- but the car has had three owners in three years. The last two owners were for 7 months and 3 months. Although there were no major repairs, the car had two upholstery repairs in its history.

So of course my first thought is some heinous crime occured in the vehicle and there have been dead bodies in it.

Would this be a red flag for you?

What kind of vehicle is it? I could see a lot of ownership changes if it was a gas-guzzler and it ended up costing the owner more at the pump than they thought.

**benjay** · 09-08-2011, 08:43 AM

Not just dead bodies.... dead hookers most likely. You don't want any part of that.

**Naughtius** · 09-08-2011, 08:44 AM

I think someone caught someone else doing the nasty in it, so had no choice but to dump it. Probably their parents.

**4429 mcc** · 09-08-2011, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by ruxCYtable

So I found a vehicle I really like. It has everything I want and the price is right.

Got the CarFax and it is technically clean -- no accidents, title issues or major repairs -- but the car has had three owners in three years. The last two owners were for 7 months and 3 months. Although there were no major repairs, the car had two upholstery repairs in its history.

So of course my first thought is some heinous crime occured in the vehicle and there have been dead bodies in it.

Would this be a red flag for you?

Could be a leased car...with a couple broken contracts or from a rental place.

**CtownCyclone** · 09-08-2011, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by benjay

Not just dead bodies.... dead hookers most likely. You don't want any part of that.

Wait, you're buying Delaney's old car?

**drmwevr08** · 09-08-2011, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

Could be a leased car...with a couple broken contracts or from a rental place.

If you have doubts, and you seem to have some reason to do so, don't do it. I overlooked a carfax gap and although is hasnt bitten me other than cosmetically, I'm pretty sure my van had some damage repaired that has become obvious in the years I've had it. There are a lot of cars out there.

**Scott34** · 09-08-2011, 08:55 AM

I'd be careful, upholstery could be a sign it had or has flood damage.

**cyfan964** · 09-08-2011, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by benjay

Not just dead bodies.... dead hookers most likely. You don't want any part of that.

Call girls!

(I hope someone gets this reference)

**M6WS6** · 09-08-2011, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

Could be a leased car...with a couple broken contracts or from a rental place.

Usually the title software stuff like Carfax etc tell you if it was leased or a rental. Or at least the last vehicle I purchased had that it was a one owner lease..

**Stewo** · 09-08-2011, 09:06 AM

I'd steer clear. There are a million cars out there. Carfax is only 100% accurate when 100% of the incidents are reported.

**ruxCYtable** · 09-08-2011, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by drmwevr08

If you have doubts, and you seem to have some reason to do so, don't do it. I overlooked a carfax gap and although is hasnt bitten me other than cosmetically, I'm pretty sure my van had some damage repaired that has become obvious in the years I've had it. There are a lot of cars out there.

Sounds like good advice. I have "reasonable doubt" and there's no reason to chance it as there will always be other cars. I'm moving on!

**jdoggivjc** · 09-08-2011, 09:07 AM

Could have always been where the owner sold it to a dealer, who sold it to a middle-man who put it up for auction, where the current seller purchased it. It's a similar scenario to the last car we purchased - the previous owner "leased" the car in Michigan, turned it in, was put up for auction, the dealer in Illinois purchased it at auction, and we bought it from the dealer.

**ruxCYtable** · 09-08-2011, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Stewo

I'd steer clear. There are a million cars out there. Carfax is only 100% accurate when 100% of the incidents are reported.

This is kind of what I have been thinking. Some people talk about CarFax like it is gospel but it can only be taken as such if everyone who owns or works on the car is completely honest and reports everything honestly. In my current case, it was helpful sort of by using deduction so I would have to say I'm glad I saw the report.