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Vehicle history reports

GasBuddy Blog -- For those who are looking to purchase a used car anytime in the future, one thing always comes to mind- vehicle history reports. While these reports may provide you with a sense of security, they don't always reveal everything in a vehicle's past history.

We've been taught to ask for a vehicle history report, even pay upwards of $40 to find out where a car has been, if its a lemon, if its been wrecked, etc. But there's no substitute from having a neutral mechanic check it over. The last thing you want to find out is that the used car you just purchased has been in a massive wreck, leaving the question of structural integrity in the air.

I have a new avenue for folks who are sick of paying big bucks for little in additional...

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Submitted Mar 15, 2010 By: PD

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CLM06 Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,684 Points:1,112,215 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:52:53 AM Ignore CLM06 Report Abuse Even mechanics aren't right every time they can tell you it's OK to buy a used car and it could break down a week later. Had two mechanics disagree on a car one yes one no.
niceguytx Champion Author Houston Posts:8,941 Points:1,744,810 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:49:40 AM Ignore niceguytx Report Abuse Good info!
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,926 Points:628,095 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:49:38 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Neutral mechanic, that would be my choice
Lizzylou Champion Author Stockton Posts:4,515 Points:1,500,700 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:49:00 AM Ignore Lizzylou Report Abuse OLD NEWS!
FBI2991 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,572 Points:413,205 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:48:46 AM Ignore FBI2991 Report Abuse I always have my mechanic check out any used car I'm interested in
PurduePete86 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:910 Points:639,540 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:47:32 AM Ignore PurduePete86 Report Abuse History report on my newly purchased 3 owner car congratuled me on finding a one owner car. totaly useless. Accident reports are hit or miss depending on states that report or keep record.
cnet1 Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,443 Points:411,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:43:45 AM Ignore cnet1 Report Abuse whatever
baitmn Champion Author New Orleans Posts:3,998 Points:1,126,975 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:42:12 AM Ignore baitmn Report Abuse why pay when you can get some of the stuff for free.
ACTown All-Star Author Oregon Posts:883 Points:711,090 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:41:45 AM Ignore ACTown Report Abuse OK
GoBlazers Champion Author Washington Posts:2,794 Points:398,910 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:39:31 AM Ignore GoBlazers Report Abuse Leftover article from yesterday?
captngasTN Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,735 Points:425,240 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:38:43 AM Ignore captngasTN Report Abuse Might not be the final answer but is still a good resource.
Dennisjk Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,604 Points:1,035,015 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:37:50 AM Ignore Dennisjk Report Abuse I agree, go with a reliable mechanic and pay him a few bucks to inspect the car. There are a lot of things that may never get to the history report.
CptnCanada Champion Author Saskatoon Posts:2,753 Points:412,000 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:36:20 AM Ignore CptnCanada Report Abuse They can only report on what they know.... and even that is not reliable.
Dipstick1 Champion Author Amarillo Posts:5,115 Points:1,472,815 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:35:54 AM Ignore Dipstick1 Report Abuse If it's been in a massive wreck and wasn't fixed properly, you should know it by looking.
tazdriver Champion Author Huntsville Posts:4,892 Points:1,179,000 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:30:16 AM Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse Might cause people to take care of their cars
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,532 Points:506,015 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:28:05 AM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse $4.95 sounds a lot better than $40 for a report. The labor for a mechanic to check out the car would be more like $100 per hour in Northern Virginia.
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:2,667 Points:539,390 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:27:41 AM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse I have had a mechanic that my friend knew look at some used vehicles before for me and give the vehicle a clean bill of health for me.
goldilox88 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,238 Points:621,555 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:25:21 AM Ignore goldilox88 Report Abuse My friend needs a new car. Was looking at Toyota!
sleepyt Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,386 Points:418,085 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:20:21 AM Ignore sleepyt Report Abuse My problem is finding a reliable mechanic who will look at a new car for only $75 bucks.
fire@53 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:7,061 Points:1,825,400 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:20:01 AM Ignore fire@53 Report Abuse This is another option for the car buyer.
rx7racerca All-Star Author Calgary Posts:656 Points:251,260 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:19:16 AM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse +1 that mechanical inspection by your own mechanic is your best defence. I've seen a number of vehicle history reports myself that lacked key information, and I've certainly known of people getting burned when the history report they ordered didn't reveal major accidents, falsified mileage, or flood damage.
jony Champion Author Florida Posts:2,938 Points:822,900 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:17:29 AM Ignore jony Report Abuse yesterday's news, what's new?
Daveyfudd All-Star Author Jackson Posts:868 Points:211,400 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:17:25 AM Ignore Daveyfudd Report Abuse Best piece of paper you can get next to a mechanic. Works for me.
byoftDad Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,040 Points:753,895 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:16:40 AM Ignore byoftDad Report Abuse If the car is not serviced at the dealership who is going to report defects to add to the history?
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:4,729 Points:1,644,800 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:15:30 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse $4.95 for a history on a vehicle is not that bad. Good investment..
raleightom All-Star Author Raleigh Posts:765 Points:215,710 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:14:50 AM Ignore raleightom Report Abuse I used the Carmax report for maybe $10 and everything there seemed to be true right down to left over damage from it's only accident. Was lucky and it turned out that the report was very accurate despite the owner swapping out the battery, windshield wipers and tires the night before the sale.
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,250 Points:573,385 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:12:39 AM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse As computers and disc space become ever cheaper we'll find all sorts of information to store.
UMassLowell Veteran Author Dayton Posts:425 Points:216,570 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:10:36 AM Ignore UMassLowell Report Abuse It used to be the only way you knew you were getting a good vehicle was to buy new. Now that Toyota has shown its ugly face, one cannot even depend on a new vehicle. If you have an auto mechanic that you trust, by all means bring your intended purchase there.
Zinnoil Champion Author Florida Posts:18,901 Points:2,139,725 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:09:49 AM Ignore Zinnoil Report Abuse A look by a qualified person always beats a piece of paper.
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:3,466 Points:644,765 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:09:10 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse This is only as accurate as people are honest!
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,928 Points:1,407,385 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:08:46 AM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse Much better than nothin...
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,809 Points:1,853,530 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:07:41 AM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse As with any report, it is only as accurate as those whom want to report it.
bell05 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,326 Points:901,205 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:07:25 AM Ignore bell05 Report Abuse This will be a good site when all come aboard. Don't think you can beat a good mechanic.
netman044 Champion Author Texas Posts:3,844 Points:646,060 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:06:21 AM Ignore netman044 Report Abuse If a vehicle hasn't been totaled by an insurance company or been involved in a recall by the manufacturer, your aren't going to find out a lot about it.
rippinusoff Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,464 Points:511,440 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:06:19 AM Ignore rippinusoff Report Abuse Very true, I know people who don't want a police report just so it stays out of CARFAX... no accident report on file means no trace of a crash.
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,107 Points:1,499,340 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:05:56 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Report and mechanic's the best you can do...
abbylady Sophomore Author British Columbia Posts:137 Points:309,070 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:05:53 AM Ignore abbylady Report Abuse I have always had it looked over first by a mechanic. It usually costs around 100.00 but worth it in the end.
Marty_P Sophomore Author Baton Rouge Posts:188 Points:580,250 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:04:48 AM Ignore Marty_P Report Abuse Good info; will bookmark for an impulse pre-owned vehicle purchase.
Helms Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:4,234 Points:1,223,750 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:04:21 AM Ignore Helms Report Abuse wonderful things that....providing they are trustworthy and accurate
Sam195 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:3,205 Points:616,325 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:03:24 AM Ignore Sam195 Report Abuse Always good to have the history for a used car.
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,609 Points:1,352,725 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:01:57 AM Ignore tobasco Report Abuse This better pay for itself.
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,132 Points:1,008,285 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:01:08 AM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse Good info to know.
MG_Sputnik Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:3,218 Points:1,027,755 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:01:05 AM Ignore MG_Sputnik Report Abuse If you want to go fast, buy a Toyota.
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,820 Points:650,695 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:00:44 AM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse A good mechanic can tell you far more than any report.
206awd250 Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,250 Points:427,880 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:00:31 AM Ignore 206awd250 Report Abuse Should always check out the car if you buy used.
VetteFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:4,851 Points:1,062,445 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 8:59:56 AM Ignore VetteFan Report Abuse Old news but good news.
condé Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,391 Points:1,315,930 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 8:58:33 AM Ignore condé Report Abuse Don't I know.... I got one of those hidden problems not reported....
VTROCK Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,966 Points:422,780 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 8:58:30 AM Ignore VTROCK Report Abuse It's a good tool for anyone that is considering buying a used vehicle. You can't have too much information.
DWME Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,113 Points:215,775 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 8:58:16 AM Ignore DWME Report Abuse Give me my mechanic's input anytime. Its worth a lot more than a VHR.
Texrider49 All-Star Author New Haven Posts:644 Points:214,465 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 8:56:49 AM Ignore Texrider49 Report Abuse you should always have a used car check out by a 3rd party mechanic
RocketmanC99 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,263 Points:440,180 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 8:56:21 AM Ignore RocketmanC99 Report Abuse Kind of makes you feel sorry for used car salesmen.
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,203 Points:657,530 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 8:55:09 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse Another avenue to help the consumer make an informed decision.