Do You Have a Clean CARFAX®?
Clean CARFAX® Report in Lafayette, LA
Considering a vehicle upgrade? Ready to trade in your current car? If you said yes to one or both of these questions, the Giles Subaru team is here to help. We stock a wide range of used cars, trucks and SUVs here at our dealership, and we also happily accept trade-ins. An important tool that we use to value the used vehicles we buy and sell is the CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™. To help you understand what goes into this report — and what makes a vehicle’s report “clean” — we’ve put together a guide below.
What goes into a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™?
Once a VIN is entered into the CARFAX® system, a Vehicle History Report™ is compiled for the vehicle. Records from a variety of databases are pulled together to show the vehicle’s history. Below is some of the information the report will include (if records are available):
Any Damage To the Vehicle
It’s crucial to know if a vehicle was ever involved in a bad accident before purchasing it. Looks can be deceiving, as a used car can look great from the outside while containing hidden imperfections. This is why a CARFAX® report shows any prior accidents and/or damage a used car has experienced, including times the airbags were deployed (if any), if there’s any structural damage or if the vehicle was ever considered to be totaled.
Odometer History
The report will show the car’s exact mileage, which can be helpful in the rare case that the vehicle has a manual odometer that has been altered. In this case, you might believe the car has been driven less than it actually has, so getting the exact mileage is crucial.
Any Issues With Titling
A vehicle’s title proves its ownership, and title issues are a red flag in any car sale. If you’re buying a used car from a private seller and the title can’t be located, or if there are any other issues with it, we recommend walking away from the sale. The used cars we sell here at Giles Subaru have no title issues.
"Lemon Status"
If an auto manufacturer recalls or repurchases a model due to critical issues, the model takes on “lemon status.” When checking a CARFAX® report, make sure the vehicle you’re looking at doesn’t have this status to avoid making an unwise investment.
Records of Previous Owners
It’s helpful to know how many people have owned a vehicle. For instance, if you’re looking at a used car that used to be a rental, you’ll have no idea how the car was treated by each renter, how much stress was put on the car and whether it was kept clean. Keep an eye out for cars that have had a small number of owners, especially those that have been regularly serviced, as these cars are likely to be in great shape and well cared for.
Any Service or Maintenance Records
If a car was regularly serviced, you’ll see a history of oil changes, tire rotations and other routine maintenance in its Vehicle History Report™. You’ll also see notes on any issues the car experienced and how they were resolved.
Any Warranties Still Valid
A used car might still be covered under warranty, depending on its age, and the CARFAX® report will be able to tell you if so. Whether or not the car’s original warranties are still active, you can count on getting our limited powertrain warranty on any used car you purchase here at Giles Subaru!
Open Recalls
You’ll also find specific information on whether the model has any open recalls. These are typically not serious enough to warrant “lemon status,” but you’ll want to have them addressed by a dealership’s service department if you choose to buy a used car with a recall.
A Clean CARFAX® Report
So, now that you know what goes into a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™, the question remains: What does a “clean” report look like? In short, a clean report will have no major accidents reported, a small number of owners listed, no title problems and a history of regular maintenance. If your current car has a clean report, you can expect to get a higher offer from us for it than you would if it had a questionable history. If the used car you’re considering from our inventory has a clean report, then congratulations — you can feel confident that you’re making a great investment!
If you have any questions about the CARFAX® reports that we offer with our used inventory, please feel free to contact us directly or stop by Giles Subaru at 6141 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503. As always, we look forward to serving our customers from Lafayette, LA, and throughout New Iberia, Abbeville, Youngsville and Broussard.
