by "bobbe17" (rob-runte)
Published 02/15/2017 at 17:09
by "bobbe17" (rob-runte)
Published 02/15/2017 at 17:09
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STARS: 2
My friend has been trying to sell his Viper for a few months as he has purchased a Focus RS (hopefully I’ll get to drive it this summer). He has a very interested party that is now having second thoughts since he found a possible accident in the Carfax.
When my friend bought his Viper in 2012, there were no accidents in its history however the Carfax now shows that there was an accident involving towing in 2010. It also states that this entry was added in 2016.
Has anyone ever seen a late entry like this? He’s now trying to figure out what this accident involved in the hopes of talking the potential buyer back into it. He’s the third owner and bought it from a dealer so it’ll be extremely difficult to get into contact with the original owner.
So far he’s tried going through Carfax with no success. I also suggested he call the dealership that the Viper was serviced at before and after but he said they weren’t able to look anything up. Any more suggestions?
VIN is 1B3JZ69Z66V101510
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
02/15/2017 at 17:17, STARS: 0
Can he have a PPI done and offer that to ease the concern from the prospective buyer?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/15/2017 at 17:19, STARS: 1
That happened to me. My PO was unaware of any accident history (2nd owner) but it showed up when I ran a report. Sure enough the rear drivers side quarter panel had been repaired, the color (and quality) of the paint is off and its clearly visible. Thats also the only part of my entire truck with body rust.
"bobbe17" (rob-runte)
02/15/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0
Sounds like the guy has been pretty detailed on all of his requests so unless he knows what the towing was, he could be out.
"bobbe17" (rob-runte)
02/15/2017 at 17:24, STARS: 0
Did the report say what the damage was or were you just able to figure it out from the noticing signs of the repair?
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
02/15/2017 at 17:26, STARS: 0
Carfax is great and horrible at the same time.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/15/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 0
figured it out. but the report mentioned a general area
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
02/15/2017 at 17:29, STARS: 2
It’s a freaking Viper. I find it hard to believe the dealer doesn’t have any record of a Viper being worked on.
ETA: 2006 Viper, new battery in ‘09, and then 5 months later it gets towed and inspected. I would think AAA was called because the car would not start. Maybe bad alternator? He should see if the alternator has been replaced.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
02/15/2017 at 17:32, STARS: 0
From a Viper to a Focus? Is this a come-to-his-senses moment?
"E92M3" (E46M3)
02/15/2017 at 17:52, STARS: 0
That’s an unusual progression (from a Viper to a Focus).
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
02/15/2017 at 17:54, STARS: 0
Also an aftermarket alarm would drain the battery as well - ask if it has one of these. That could explain the tow and service.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
02/15/2017 at 17:55, STARS: 0
FWIW I just checked the Autocheck on it and there is no accidents reported. Seems odd for one to have it and one to not have it.
"Rico" (ricorich)
02/15/2017 at 18:21, STARS: 0
Why would you need to report that to your insurance company though? Even if it was roadside assistance I find it hard to believe it would be listed as an accident.
"Racin'Jason001" (racinjason001)
02/15/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0
That thing has a recall.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
02/15/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 1
From my understanding shops are obligated to report work or accidents in certain situations. Plus, if the tow were not free the owner may have attempted to have insurance cover the tow if applicable, meaning it was reported.
"Rico" (ricorich)
02/15/2017 at 18:27, STARS: 0
Hmm that seems plausible. But damn 4 years later?
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
02/15/2017 at 18:30, STARS: 0
True that does seem odd. Sounds like the current owner needs to call the previous and/or first owner. The dealership should still have a record of who they purchased the Viper from.
"bobbe17" (rob-runte)
02/15/2017 at 19:18, STARS: 0
That’s a good thought, go through the dealer to try to contact the original owner. I’ll suggest the battery draining possibility to him and see if he can connect it to anything.
"bobbe17" (rob-runte)
02/15/2017 at 19:19, STARS: 1
Thanks for checking that. Very interesting indeed that it didn’t show up there.
"bobbe17" (rob-runte)
02/15/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 1
We all thought the same thing. He was just ready for a change, he had a very American car and wanted to try something more European.
"TheSRTgreg - Needs a mode to drift" (thesrtgreg)
02/15/2017 at 19:27, STARS: 1
Hello all, I am OP’s friend and soon(?) to be ex-viper owner. I have nothing but more mystery or frustration to add so to address what has been asked here:
- Yes I am going from a Viper to a Focus. I came from a Neon if that helps?
- Buyer contacted AZ state records department who has no record of this ‘accident’. Strange... How did Carfax get wind of this then??
- I called the dealership that serviced the car around that time and they have nothing more than the usual oil changes.
- I have no way to contact previous owners... AZ dealership would not give out customer information (must be HIPAA laws!).
- PPI is a logical next step... does not solve buyer’s risk of reduced resale though.
- Does not have an aftermarket alarm nor does the dealer say an alternator was replaced.
- Thanks E92Matt for autocheck... Is there any way you can send me a copy of that to share with buyer?
- I am fairly mechanically inclined and my dad has a lift. I have seen in and around this car probably everywhere. I also did bodywork for a while. I can testify that IF any work was done on this car it was done damn well because I see no signs of accident.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
02/15/2017 at 19:53, STARS: 0
No worries. I work at a credit union and we use Autocheck so feel free to ask if you need a VIN checked.
"GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo" (jackolson)
02/15/2017 at 21:30, STARS: 0
Have your friend call CarFax they get shit wrong all of the time.
"TheSRTgreg - Needs a mode to drift" (thesrtgreg)
02/15/2017 at 21:45, STARS: 1
Hey, I am OP’s friend, could you by chance send me a copy of the Viper’s report?
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
02/15/2017 at 22:59, STARS: 2
So he bought a Ford?
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
02/15/2017 at 23:22, STARS: 0
Sure thing. What’s your email? I will send it while I am at work tomorrow.
"TheSRTgreg - Needs a mode to drift" (thesrtgreg)
02/16/2017 at 07:51, STARS: 0
Musclecarman269@hotmail.com
- Thanks!
"TheSRTgreg - Needs a mode to drift" (thesrtgreg)
02/16/2017 at 07:52, STARS: 0
Well it is built in Saarlouis, Germany...
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
02/16/2017 at 08:53, STARS: 0
Got it. No worries. Remember to go in and edit your post to delete the email now so it’s not out there for all to find.
"PS9" (PS9)
04/25/2017 at 08:31, STARS: 0
Can you check this VIN?