A CarFax report is a very useful document when selling or buying a used car. The cost of a CarFax report ranges from about $44.95 for a simple vehicle history report to about $60.95 for a history report that also includes lien information. As part of a used car purchase transaction, a CarFax report is just as important as a pre-purchase inspection. Here’s how you can get a CarFax report for free, or at least without paying for it yourself.
Ask the seller to provide the CarFax report
Whether the seller is a private individual or a professional used car dealer, they can provide you with a recent CarFax report for the vehicle they’re selling. This is an important document in the transaction, as Protégez-Vous magazine has noted. Some classified ad websites even offer sellers the option to display the CarFax report directly with the listing, saving buyers a step.
Have the price of the CarFax report deducted from the sale price
If the seller does not provide a CarFax report when negotiations begin, you can request that the price of the report be deducted from the final purchase price of the vehicle. This price reduction should be clearly indicated in the sales contract that formalizes the transaction.
Order a CarFax report easily
Ordering a CarFax report is quick and easy. It can be ordered online using the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and is immediately accessible. It provides valuable information such as maintenance records, odometer readings, major accidents, and lien status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a CarFax report replace a mechanical inspection?
No, a CarFax report tells you about the vehicle’s documented history, but it doesn’t replace a physical inspection by a professional to assess the vehicle’s actual current mechanical condition.
Does a clean CarFax report guarantee the car has no problems?
No, a clean report simply means no incidents were reported to CarFax’s data sources. Minor incidents repaired with cash, without an insurance claim, may never appear on file.
Article reviewed by Guillaume Eckerl, founder of PeachyCar.ca, a mobile pre-purchase vehicle inspection service in Quebec.
