What’s in a Carfax Vehicle History Report?

When you’re in the market for a used car, a vehicle history report is essential for making an informed decision about your next ride.

What does this report mean? What does it highlight? Why is it vital when buying a car? Speck Motors of Sunnyside will break down your car’s history document and reveal why you should get one when viewing pre-owned vehicles!

What is a Carfax History Report?

A vehicle history report is a document that provides a comprehensive overview of the car. It highlights its past with sections about service history, usage type, previous owners, and more!

With crucial details, Carfax goes the extra mile to give you peace of mind and confidence that your next pair of wheels is safe, reliable, and a perfect investment that will last generations!

Now, let’s break down further and explain the different sections of your vehicle history report!

1: Vehicle Overview

One of the most vital sections of your report that many drivers look to first is the vehicle overview. It will highlight the age, value, VIN, make, model, year, and other specifications, like when and where it was sold before it reached our fantastic lot!

Beyond that, many drivers soak in the information that showcases accident and service history. The service records will show routine maintenance, oil changes, tire rotations, and significant repairs like transmission or engine replacements.

Also, you can get a glimpse of any accidents that the vehicle suffered. Whether it was a fender bender or a head-on collision, your vehicle history report will detail the damage, where it is, and more. Accidents can affect the resale value and could be a sign of potential repairs in the future.

Furthermore, this report will proudly show you the odometer, as knowing how many miles a car is on is crucial to whether a driver buys.

Why does showing the odometer matter on a history report? While it’s not common, some sellers will take their used cars and dial back the miles to scam you into buying a vehicle with low mileage when, in reality, it doesn’t.

2: Previous Owner History

The second place drivers look on their report is who owned it before them. Your car’s history document tracks the number of owners and how long they had it.

Why is knowing past owners on a vehicle report vital? If you see that a vehicle had multiple owners in a short amount of time before it made it to Sunnyside, that could be a red flag.

If a vehicle changes hands several times in a short period, it could indicate problems with the car. On the other hand, if it has had a few past owners for a long time, it shows reliability!

3: Title and Registration Status

Your vehicle history report also reveals the legal aspects of car ownership. It covers whether the car has a clean title, meaning it has no serious legal issues and whether it’s registered.

What are the types of titles? If your report has a Salvage Title, the car is a total loss declared by an insurance company after an accident or disaster. While they are often sold at a discount, they also contain significant safety concerns and hidden damage.

A Rebuilt Title is when a salvaged car gets proper repairs and passes an inspection.

Why is registration vital on a vehicle history report? It shows which states the vehicle was registered in and whether it still needs registration for the state you’re in.

4: Usage Type

Before you own a pre-owned vehicle, whether in Sunnyside or throughout the country, it’s vital to know how previous owners used the car and why.

Your history report will show if it was personal, rental, leased, or more to help you make an informed decision.

Why does past usage matter? If a business used an SUV for commercial use, it could have high mileage and more wear and tear than one used for personal drives.

Why Vehicle History Reports Matter

When you want to buy a pre-owned car, you should be able to know and understand the vehicle with complete transparency, whether it’s from a private seller or dealership, to ensure you make an informed decision!

Speck Motors of Sunnyside offers free reports on our certified used cars and other fantastic benefits to provide you peace of mind on your purchase and eliminate the headache when you’re in the market for pre-owned vehicles.

For more information or to view our certified pre-owned lot, visit Speck Motors of Sunnyside in Sunnyside, WA, today!