Beginning of Carfax
CARFAX started with a vision -
to create a one-stop source for vehicle history information for buyers
and sellers of used cars.
Working closely with the Missouri
Automobile Dealers Association, CARFAX first
offered the early version CARFAX Vehicle History Report to the dealer
market in 1986. These reports were developed with a database of just 10,000
vehicle records and were distributed via fax machine. By the end of 1993,
CARFAX obtained title information from nearly all fifty states and was
ready to begin offering the service nationally.
In December of 1996, CARFAX launched
CARFAX
offering consumers the same instant access to vehicle history reports
already available to used car dealers. While continuing to experience
exceptional growth of both resources and customers, CARFAX caught the
attention of a global leader in information services.
In the fall of 1999 CARFAX became
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the R.L. Polk & Co a private firm owned
by the Polk family since 1870 when Ralph Lane Polk founded the business.
R.L. Polk is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan and operates on every
major continent.
CARFAX Today
Over the years, CARFAX enhanced its system for obtaining, assembling and
retrieving data. Utilizing the unique 17-character vehicle identification
number (VIN) found on vehicle dashboards and title documents, CARFAX's
system can generate a detailed history report or background check on any
used car or light truck instantly.
CARFAX has also been prominent
in the media. In February 1993, the national television show 60 Minutes
reported on how the CARFAX Vehicle History service benefits consumers.
Not soon after CARFAX was featured on Dateline, Good Morning America and
a host of radio shows, newspaper articles and local television news stations.
Beginning in 2003, CARFAX launched the "Truth About Used Cars"
ad campaign to show consumers the value of CARFAX Vehicle History Reports.
Since used cars don't talk, CARFAX is there to do the talking for them.
Today CARFAX is constantly expanding
database contains more than two billion unique records compiled from more
than 4,000 different public and private sources including motor vehicle
departments in the United States and Canada, vehicle inspection stations,
auto auctions, fleet management and rental agencies, automobile manufacturers
and fire and police departments.
CARFAX.com receives more than 1.83
million visitors each month while Carfaxonline,
the commercial website for CARFAX, services the needs of more than 25,000
automobile dealer subscribers.
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CARFAX
Terms
VIN: The Vehicle ID Number (VIN) can be found on dashboards
and title documents. All cars and light trucks built after 1981 have a
unique 17-character VIN that contains valuable information about that
vehicle's history.
Shopping Tip: To check used vehicles while you shop, be sure to ask the
dealer/seller for the VINs.
TITLE CHECK
Salvaged? Lemon? Flooded? Rebuilt?
Salvage File
A full CARFAX Report can uncover if this vehicle was damaged in a major
accident or wreck. These damaged cars are often sold to buyers without
disclosing the problem past.
Lemon File
Many states across the country have Lemon Laws to protect consumers from
buying a bad car. A full CARFAX Report can help you avoid these problem
cars.
Flood File
Flood damaged cars are often moved to other states and sold to unsuspecting
buyers. Don’t get caught buying one of these waterlogged vehicles
- order a full CARFAX Report.
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title
The vehicle sustained damage and was rebuilt or reconstructed, then placed
back on the road.
ODOMETER CHECK
Fraud? Rolled Over? Rolled Back? Broken?
Odometer File
Odometer rollback fraud costs car buyers thousands. A full CARFAX Report
can identify potential odometer fraud before you purchase.
Not Actual Mileage File
Is the odometer showing the actual mileage? Odometers often malfunction
and no longer record the proper mileage reading. Learn the true mileage
of the vehicle by ordering a full CARFAX Report.
PROBLEM CHECK
Accident File
Major accident damage severely affects the safety and resale value of
a vehicle. Don't make a costly mistake - order a full CARFAX Report to
avoid buying a rebuilt wreck.
Salvage Auction Record
Vehicles classified as "totaled" by insurance companies are
often sold at auction to be reconstructed and put back on the road.
Fire Damage
CARFAX receives information on vehicle fires from most US jurisdictions.
These events are usually not the result of an accident and are taken from
the actual fire department reports compiled at the scene.
Stolen Vehicle Record
Law enforcement officials have notified other government agencies that
an owner has reported a vehicle missing. This vehicle may have since been
legitimately recovered.
REGISTRATION CHECK
Lease
Vehicle was registered but not owned by the driver
Rental Car File
Rental cars are driven by many people under various driving conditions.
A full CARFAX Report will uncover a vehicle's rental car history.
Taxi/Police
Vehicle registered as a taxi, "for hire" or law enforcement
vehicle.
Fleet Vehicle
Vehicle was registered or sold to a company that manages vehicle fleets. |
