Free Carfax Report?

General discussions not related to the Vibe, Matrix, or any other vehicle. (follow posting rules)
Post Reply
SlammedNiss
Posts: 505
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2002 1:11 pm
Location: Chitholé, KS
Contact:

Free Carfax Report?

Post by SlammedNiss »

So, after owning a Matrix since they were introduced in 2002, I'm considering getting something a little newer with less miles. Which means I'll probably be selling my Xrs in the near future. It would be nice to be able to provide a Carfax for potential buyers, but at $40, I can't really justify the cost. Does anybody here work in the industry that can provide me with a free Carfax? If so, I'd be truly appreciative. If not, I won't be too concerned. Like I said, it's just something that potential buyers always ask for.
2003 Matrix Xrs Automatic - SOLD :'(
2011 Rav4 Sport
SeattleJeremy
Posts: 1170
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:02 pm
Location: Tacoma, WA

Re: Free Carfax Report?

Post by SeattleJeremy »

I followed Samcrac's suggestions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X2CCnKDo70

Here are the links he suggests. Together they work as well as Carfax.
https://www.mycarfax.com/
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/

Also simply googling the VIN can bring up interesting stuff.
*Sold* 06' Vibe Base - Mono Platinum - Manual
Turo'ing 15' BMW 328i Sport - Jet Black - Auto
Daily 19' Toyota Camry SE Hybrid - Galactic Aqua Mica - eCVT
SlammedNiss
Posts: 505
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2002 1:11 pm
Location: Chitholé, KS
Contact:

Re: Free Carfax Report?

Post by SlammedNiss »

Yea, I've searched the alternative sites, but they don't really seem to be as detailed. Many of them will say "8 service records" but if you click to get more details they want $$. Carfax puts everything up in a nice little easy-to-read package so I guess that's why Carfax charges as much as they do. Was just hoping that somebody was "in the industry" and had access to a corporate Carfax acct. with unlimited checks. There was a hack where you used to be able to find a Carfax report ad just hack the url with your own VIN, but that doesn't seem to work anymore.

Like I said, if I can't get one I won't sweat it. Just something nice to add to the listing when trying to sell.
2003 Matrix Xrs Automatic - SOLD :'(
2011 Rav4 Sport
SeattleJeremy
Posts: 1170
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:02 pm
Location: Tacoma, WA

Re: Free Carfax Report?

Post by SeattleJeremy »

That's the same reason why I was worried when I started watching that video originally. Vehicle History does not ask for any money or information, other than the VIN to check. I'm not sure how they are making money, not a bunch of ads, or information entered, but it works.

Here is a random car available for sale near me (alphabetically the first one that came up LOL). The auto trader listing states "Really nice local Washington State trade-in that has been well maintained." Actually looking up that vin, shows a different story.
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/vin-repo ... 6X2A005116

Here's the part of the report where it goes sideways :lol:
2017-07-06 Westchester IL Junk And Salvage SOLD
*Sold* 06' Vibe Base - Mono Platinum - Manual
Turo'ing 15' BMW 328i Sport - Jet Black - Auto
Daily 19' Toyota Camry SE Hybrid - Galactic Aqua Mica - eCVT
SlammedNiss
Posts: 505
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2002 1:11 pm
Location: Chitholé, KS
Contact:

Re: Free Carfax Report?

Post by SlammedNiss »

Found a post on reddit/r/carfax where somebody is offering either Carfax or Autocheck for about $5. Will consider that if nobody is able to provide one here. I guess the next question is which one is better? Carfax or Autocheck?

Here's the post. https://www.reddit.com/r/carfax/comment ... 252986565/
2003 Matrix Xrs Automatic - SOLD :'(
2011 Rav4 Sport
SeattleJeremy
Posts: 1170
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:02 pm
Location: Tacoma, WA

Re: Free Carfax Report?

Post by SeattleJeremy »

As this reddit post points out https://www.reddit.com/r/carfax/comment ... is_a_scam/
It's always a good idea to have a mechanic do a pre purchase inspection (PPI).
*Sold* 06' Vibe Base - Mono Platinum - Manual
Turo'ing 15' BMW 328i Sport - Jet Black - Auto
Daily 19' Toyota Camry SE Hybrid - Galactic Aqua Mica - eCVT
SlammedNiss
Posts: 505
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2002 1:11 pm
Location: Chitholé, KS
Contact:

Re: Free Carfax Report?

Post by SlammedNiss »

SeattleJeremy wrote: Tue May 07, 2019 3:24 pm As this reddit post points out https://www.reddit.com/r/carfax/comment ... is_a_scam/
It's always a good idea to have a mechanic do a pre purchase inspection (PPI).
I completely agree, but that's on the buyer if he/she wants to do that. A Carfax/Autcheck is just a good baseline for info for anybody interested in purchasing the vehicle.
2003 Matrix Xrs Automatic - SOLD :'(
2011 Rav4 Sport
Bookworm
Posts: 764
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Free Carfax Report?

Post by Bookworm »

Frankly, it's difficult to find a mechanic that'll do an inspection on-site, and sometimes extremely difficult to get someone to let you take the car to a mechanic for a check (and the mechanic might be busy).

Luckily, I do enough of my own repairs to spot the really nasty things, so I've never been burned by any of my used cars (knock on wood)
Post Reply