Several threads I have read recently have people complaining about something being wrong that wasn't listed in the vehicle history report they aquired for that vehicle. I do feel sorry for anyone that has expensive trouble with a recently purchased vehicle, but none of those reporting companies claim 100% accuracy. They can only report what they can find, and it isn't hard at all to hide detrimental information. These reports should be used as helpful info, not gospel truth. I have bought several used vehicles without ever seeing a report. I am planning to look at a carfax report on the next car that I am intending to buy, but I am still going to look very carefully for any signs of repaired damage myself, even if the report says it is clean. These reports should be just one of many tools you use when looking at used vehicles. If I buy a car that has hidden damage, I will be mad at myself for not checking it out good enough, not mad at a company that gathers information for a fee.

I also have seen a few threads where someone will start a thread asking someone else to run a vin # through carfax. Why would you ask a stranger to do something that you can easily do yourself? :confused: :dunno: It seems to me like it is more trouble to get someone else to do it than to just do it yourself.

Several threads I have read recently have people complaining about something being wrong that wasn't listed in the vehicle history report they aquired for that vehicle. I do feel sorry for anyone that has expensive trouble with a recently purchased vehicle, but none of those reporting companies claim 100% accuracy. They can only report what they can find, and it isn't hard at all to hide detrimental information.
I have said in the past that these reporting companies are only as good as the info they receive to report. Some repair facilities,and insurance companies, DMVs among others are very good at keeping detailed records and reporting items like repairs, damages, changes in ownerships/ type of title issued and so on. What's there to stop an owner from getting a repair "under the table" in a cash transaction that never gets reported or archived? The way the economy is I wouldn't doubt instances of this increasing as people look for less expensive ways to repair their vehicles.

I also have seen a few threads where someone will start a thread asking someone else to run a vin # through carfax. Why would you ask a stranger to do something that you can easily do yourself? :confused: :dunno: It seems to me like it is more trouble to get someone else to do it than to just do it yourself.
That's easy. Mainly because they're cheap and or lazy and don't want to pay for a subscription themselves .Many people don't realize that asking someone to "run an inquiry" like that is actually a violation of Carfax/Autocheck's TOS and AF could get in trouble for that. That is one reason why it is not allowed on this site.

That's easy. Mainly because they're cheap and or lazy and don't want to pay for a subscription themselves. Many people don't realize that asking someone to "run an inquiry" like that is actually a violation of Carfax/Autocheck's TOS and AF could get in trouble for that. That is one reason why it is not allowed on this site.

That is completely moronic. Someone getting ready to spend thousands is worried about a few bucks? :screwy: :loser:

The Carfax report is sometimes wrong and I know an used car dealer that proved it.He sold a guy a car and the guy whom bought the car did a carfax which was wrong,having a mileage problem.This dealer did a title check,an A1 title and it was through 5 dealers with the mileage right.He was taken to court by this guy and it was dismissed with paperwork saying the mileage was right which the judge saw this paperwork brought in by this used car dealer.The judge told the guy to sue Carfax instead

That is completely moronic. Someone getting ready to spend thousands is worried about a few bucks? :screwy: :loser:

Believe it or not ...yes. You should see some of the posts from other members berating the OP asking for a search on a VIN #. They tell them that if they are looking for a vehicle and are that interested in knowing about it's history, they should have the funds to buy their own subscription and do their own searches. Especially like you say, that they are going to spend so much money on a vehicle that they don't want to spend a little extra on a Carfax/Autocheck subscription.