Autocheck vs Carfax

[Bushwack]

I'm curious if anyone has a preference between the two or feels one is more accurate than the other. I've used both and have found discrepencies when running the same VIN (based on my experience, Autocheck lacks historical info such as change of ownership but seems more accurate when it comes to salvage reports).

[D-a-n-i-e-l]

I would not put much weight in either. Here is why:

Yes they will give you a history of accidents and totals. That is where their usefullness stops. These only report items that go through a DMV, reputable business, or insurance company. The things people are looking for and considering "bad" on these reports are things that were fixed correctly. So it drives the price of a perfectly good car down and does nothing for the things you shoud look out for. The reports do not tell you is a back yard mechanic or dirty dealer half A$$ed a repair job on their own, trying to hide it. So using one of these reports to make drop the price on a vehicle or avoiding buying one is not the best move for the general consumer.

Now I can see these being usefull from a colectors point of view, but that is where I would stop with their use.

Sorry for jacking your intial question.

[SeanR]

I hate these two services! I went to Jiffy Lube for an oil change for a Fiero that had 180xxx miles. They assumed the car was so clean and nice they put into their system the mileage was 80,xxx. You can guess what happened next. The report said someone rolled the odometer back! :mad:

[D-a-n-i-e-l]

Let me guess... Either the one at Four Corners or the one by Burger King in Covington. I have had issues with both. One even tried to tell me that the vehicle manufactures all made it manditory to use full synthetics. I used to bring goverment cars in for service to them because I had no choice in where to go due to the Fed up contract they had. Any way they are not autherised to use upgraded oil.

[Bushwack]

I'm not implying that either one is 100% accurate. In California, whenever you get a smog test the odometer reading is often inputted incorrectly. When replacing a cat converter, some shops make it a matter of record with the DMV. I had heard through a third party that Ed's Body and Paint (a large, SoCal business with numerous locations that went BK three years ago) would report to the DMV cars undergoing repairs that had severe damage (not insurance related). But regarding the purchasing of a car (especially sight-unseen), these reports are valuable. I was wondering if anyone favored one report over the other.

[SeanR]

Let me guess... Either the one at Four Corners or the one by Burger King in Covington. I have had issues with both. One even tried to tell me that the vehicle manufactures all made it manditory to use full synthetics. I used to bring goverment cars in for service to them because I had no choice in where to go due to the Fed up contract they had. Any way they are not autherised to use upgraded oil.

Maple Valley Jiffy Lube. They've typically been a good location. One time they gave me Pennzoil high mileage and it oozed out of every tube and gasket like water. I drove back down there and they gave me a free oil change using standard Pennz. I just walk in and say basic basic basic and they get the hint and do the bare minimum. Last time I went in, it was staff turnover again. Depends when you go there.

[charlie1]

Their is a method in place to correct mileage that was not accurately entered into the CarFax system. I had a similar problem about 3 years ago on my 89 Riviera. You can contact them for assistance and I suggest you get it corrected. I had to provide 2 service receipts one before and one after showing dates and mileage on the receipts. It can be done.

GOOD LUCK

[Guest tomt]

All interesting reading: And Daniel, that was something that I hadn't heard of. My question is would salvage due to hurricane show up on either.

[D-a-n-i-e-l]

Only if it was reported through dmv shops or insurance.

[charlie1]

Some dealers including their body shops report directly to Carfax all work they do. My 99 Riviera had a rock hit the roof. I took it in and paid cash to have it repainted. It was shown on Carfax. What I like to do is run a Carfax report on all my cars once a year or every 2 years at the most to see what is listed on the reports. If is incorrect you really must correct it to maintain the value of your car. On my 89 the dealer made a midstake and put in 189K miles when it was only 89K miles.

Edited December 24, 2012 by CHAS1
additional info (see edit history)

[Dashmaster]

I have used both and found some service records missing from one verses the other. But the information I use is where they have been registered. It will give you an idea of what it may have been used for, and also eliminates flood related vehicles based on where they were registered,  not from their reports of flood damage. I have only used them when I am considering an auction vehicle. I have not used them in awhile so not sure how they might have changed.

[Guest tb3]

my 2010 lucerne was a one owner car before me. 

lots of info was on the carfax, all oil changes, etc....

nothing about it being wrecked though.

however, I did find evidence of some over spray and even some masking tape that was missed underneath near the bumper.

it had definetly been involved in some sort of accident, I just have no idea how major or minor