{"id":2565,"date":"2016-04-15T19:35:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-16T00:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.usagencies.com\/?p=2565"},"modified":"2024-06-11T10:44:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T17:44:52","slug":"do-vehicle-history-reports-tell-you-everything-about-a-used-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usagencies.com\/blog\/auto-insurance\/do-vehicle-history-reports-tell-you-everything-about-a-used-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Vehicle History Reports Tell You Everything About a Used Car?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whenever you\u2019re about to buy a used car from a dealership, you\u2019re likely to be offered a chance to view a Vehicle History Report to seal the deal. For obvious reasons, knowing the history of a used car before you put any money down on it can be to your advantage. Even more so, if the vehicle is being sold by a private party and you\u2019d rather not take their word for it.<\/p>\n

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\nCarfax \u2013 A valuable resource<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most popular of these reports is Carfax. And, it can be a valuable resource to help you determine if that so-called \u201cslightly used\u201d, red convertible you\u2019ve got your eye on has had multiple owners, been involved in any accidents, had major costly repairs, as well as whether all regularly scheduled maintenance has been performed.<\/p>\n

But, do vehicle history reports tell you everything about a used car? Well, before we answer that \u2013 let\u2019s first list what a Vehicle History Report (VHR) is supposed to tell you:<\/p>\n

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  1. Past Owners<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Not only should the report indicate how many owners the vehicle has had, but it should also list the odometer readings at the time the vehicle changed hands. This can provide clues to the location where the vehicle was driven \u2013 in snow or warm climate \u2013 as well as the number of miles and how hard it was driven by each owner.<\/p>\n

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    1. Liens of the vehicle<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      You may not know unless you see the VHR that you\u2019re purchasing a vehicle with a lien. Should an existing loan remain unpaid, you could have the vehicle repossessed with no recourse on your part, if the seller disappears after the sale.<\/p>\n

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      1. Title & accident history<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Before agreeing to buy a vehicle, a title check can help you determine that the person selling the vehicle is the actual owner. Furthermore, it should alert you to any accidents, flood damage, theft recovery or salvage title branding ahead of your purchase.<\/p>\n

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        1. Faulty odometer settings and rollback<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          By having a printout of odometer readings at various stages of ownership and when scheduled maintenance was done, you\u2019ll know if the odometer is correct or if the seller has tinkered with the settings to give the appearance of low mileage.<\/p>\n

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          1. Your state\u2019s Lemon designation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Not that many cars qualify for your state\u2019s Lemon Law, but some do and it\u2019s good to know if the manufacturer or dealership has repurchased it, only to resell it to an unsuspecting soul or the guy now trying to sell it to you.<\/p>\n

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            1. Safety recall<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Some reports may also include additional information, such as if the vehicle is currently under recall for a defective airbag or other safety issue and, if the work has been performed.<\/p>\n

              Currently, there are five services from which to obtain history reports on a vehicle you intend to buy:<\/p>\n