CARFAX for older 911

[Sunroof]

I went onto CARFAX in hopes of obtaining a report on my 1973.5T that I am getting ready to sell. When I plugged in my 10-digit VIN number, the response from CARFAX was as follows:

"The vehicle VIN number is protected by data protection law in Germany, therefore, CARFAX cannot offer information on German vehicles."

To add to this, when I went onto Carhistoryonline to obtain a vehicle report, the requirements were: 17 character VIN number and only cars manufactured after 1981.

So am I screwed here? Suggestions?



Thanks
Bob

[ahh911]

When I looked into this, 1981 was the first year vin was standardized and carfax would reliably report.

[EC900]

True, no history for 10 digit VINs. I did one on one site that promised ANY VIN/ANY CAR and the debited my card for $25 first, then prompt said I’d need 17 digit to proceed. Luckily I was able to get a refund.
I was able to scrounge up some info based on an old repair receipt from PO, that led to contacting the shop that only had 10 yrs of history which when they started computerization and was able to print out 100,000 miles of repairs. Paper records were filed away and not entered and they weren’t inclined to look.
It’s a stretch, but might find some history in the computer at the Porsche dealer if prev owner ever had service, but also keep in mind when the computer age and records began.

CarFax info would be limited to facilities “participating” in their program. Carfax also allows Owners to “add” info that is missing. I bought a set of new tires and the local owned retailer that did not add tires or alignment to any Carfax system, my dealership apparently sold/shared/provided my info Carfax…guess that’s in the fine print when you go to the dealership for service???

[speednme1]

Does not exist

[dw1]

CARFAX is nortiously inaccurate so you are not missing much if you can't get one on an older car.

The CARFAX report only lists those items that were voluntarily listed by repair shops or owners. Very often, shops want cars to be worth more and don't bother reporting repairs, even major ones.

I have personal experience with this. I purchased a certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz from an MB dealer some years ago and a major selling point was its clean CARFAX report. I later found out (via a VIN search by a friend who got a job at MB North America) that a previous owner had a significant accident with the car and it was repaired by an MB dealer in a different state.

The "tell" that made me suspicious was paint thickness measurements, especially that the driver's side rear measured very different than the rest of the car.

[2.7RS]

Yup.

Dealers with their certified pre owned programs don't report and fix everything in house or network.

Car rentals do the same.

So all those cars are Virgins on paper.

All corporate BS.

Consumer at the end gets screwed.

[2.7RS]

I wish all my vehicles didn't exist