Do your research before you buy that used car.
A Carfax used-car history report is a must for anyone looking to purchase a pre-owned vehicle. The popular used-car history reporting agency provides valuable information, such as accident history, odometer readings and number of vehicle owners. A single CARFAX vehicle history report costs $34.99 (as of 2010), but there is no need to spend money for it. If you know where to look, you can get a Carfax history report for free. The free report provides the same information as the paid report.
Locating Member Dealerships
Go to carfaxonline.com to find dealerships that subscribe to the Carfax reporting system in your area. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and insert your ZIP code. The website will display a listing of dealers in your area. This also comes in handy if you are out of town and decide to shop for a vehicle. All you need is a ZIP code and you can locate all membership dealers in the area.
Tips for Negotiating
Visit the subscriber dealership and start shopping for a car. The dealer may not voluntarily offer a free Carfax history report, but as part of the negotiating process ask the dealer to throw in a free report. If the dealer balks at providing a free Carfax report, take your business elsewhere. Any dealer worth its salt would prefer to hand out a free report than lose a potential car sale.
Shopping Online
Spend time browsing the Carfax online database. Go to carfax.com (different website than carfaxonline.com) and look through the online database to find a used car in your area. Each car listed in the database has a "Free Carfax Vehicle History Report" link. By clicking the link, you can view the entire report online. If you're still interested in the vehicle, print out the free report and take it with you to the dealership. It's a great negation tool.
Dealership vs. Private Sale
Obtaining a free Carfax vehicle history report is easier to do when purchasing from an auto dealership. It is not impossible, however, to obtain one from a private seller. If the seller truly wants to sell the car, it would behoove him to purchase one copy of the Carfax history report, make copies and provide a copy to each potential buyer. It's a small price for the seller to pay if he truly wants to sell the car.
Car-Buying Tools
Keep in mind that the Carfax report is just one of the many tools used to determine whether a car is worth buying. While it's a good tool to have, it should not be the only tool used when buying a car. Having a qualified mechanic inspect the car and taking an objective test drive is also important.
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