[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Okay. So let's say you go through all the drill without checking the Carfax and there was an accident on there (whether it belongs there or not), or something serious like "engine replaced," or 10,000 mile service performed at 16,000 miles. Smart move? I say no. You guys are throwing the baby out with the bath water.

But the problem is that people consider a Carfax to be the entire inspection process, and one questionable entry causes them to simply disregard a great car. Most of their maintenance entries are painfully vague and incomplete, so people think "this car wasn't serviced". The problem is that most of Carfax's information sources are VOLUNTARY, so very rarely do you get the entire picture. Of course Carfax doesn't want you to realize that.

Here's what I recommend to people - if you are getting ready to pull the trigger, apply the $40 towards a professional mechanic's inspection.