How do I run a carfax on a Grey Market Car

[jet911]

I'm looking at a 79SC with the vin of 9119302686. It's a grey market car. I've heard that if you put WPOZZZ in front of the number, that is the actual vin. The problem is it is only 16 digits. I believe Carfax needs 17. Help!

[Oh Haha]

The WPOZZZ serial number started in 1981. Try just using the actual VIN and see what happens. If it doesn't work, then add the WPOZZZ?

[speeder]

Carfax only works on 17 digit, (1981-up?), cars. So in this case, the ROW doesn't matter. On newer ROW cars I am pretty sure that it does not work either.

[jet911]

That's sort of what I thought. Thanks for the quick responses!

[SpeedracerIndy]

Originally posted by speeder
On newer ROW cars I am pretty sure that it does not work either.

It worked on mine. The records start when the car was imported into the US.

[TerryH]

Originally posted by SpeedracerIndy
It worked on mine. The records start when the car was imported into the US.

ditto

... one slight problem is carfax interprets kilometers as miles in the reports. So if your RoW has a km/h instead mph speedo, you need to take that into consideration.

[kycarguy 935]

CARFAX Check Results

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) you entered, 9119302686, is invalid. Please check the number for accuracy and try again below.


The letters "I", "O" and "Q" never appear in a VIN.
The VIN must be exactly 17 characters in length.
The vehicle year must be 1981 through the present.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cars need to be a 81 or newer to check. I dont know if there are any way to check pre-81 cars. I would like to know that too if anyone knows.

[jet911]

As metioned above, if you enter WPOZZZ in front of the vin, it may work. Anyway since it is a 79, maybe carfax just won't run it.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Straight from the source:

Q: Why can I not obtain a CARFAX Report on vehicles made before 1981?

A: We are unable to provide you with vehicle history information for vehicles manufactured prior to 1981, when the 17 character VIN became standard. The 17 character VIN is the code that is used to access CARFAX’s vehicle history information database.

To our knowledge there are no sources from whom pre-1981 vehicle history information is available readily. You could try to contact vehicle-specific clubs or groups focused on older vehicles.

We wish we could have helped you more. Please let us know if there is anything else CARFAX can help you with.

So if it's before 1981, you're out of luck

[jet911]

SpeedracerIndy - Thanks for the final answer!

[kycarguy 935]

Yes thanks SpeedracerIndy. Good information to know.