HOW TO INTERPRET HISTORY REPORTS

History reports are a great resource and I highly recommend obtaining one through the dealer or private party seller. If either party is reluctant to offer one I would be concerned. I recommend obtaining your own if not provided to you by seller, especially private party.

Carfax and Autocheck are the two most commonly used history reports. They are both great resources, but data can be inconsistent from one to another at times. For example, one may show an accident as minor damage and the other might reflect moderate or severe. This is not common, but can happen. If you have any concerns about the information on the report I recommend asking the seller for clarification or a physical inspection.

Most accidents reported through insurance or a police report will appear on a history report. You will typically see one of three levels of damage reported.

• Minor damage - This may be something as simple as a bumper or small levels of paintwork.
• Moderate damage - This may be more involved including multiple panels painted or replaced.
• Severe damage - This typically indicates major damage and possibility of structural damage or airbags deployed.

Title brands are highly alarming. They indicate a known problem with with the vehicle. I recommend steering clear of these. Some examples include:

• Salvage/Rebuilt title - This vehicle has been damaged beyond reasonable repair. It has been a total loss, and bought by someone that likely rebuilt it including structural components.
• Lemon Law Buyback - This is a vehicle that has been reclaimed by the manufacturer due to a mechanical issue that cannot be resolved. Please check your local and state laws regarding lemon law.
• Not Actual Miles - This indicates the miles on the history report or odometer are not accurate.