Carfax completeness question

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
10/25/2020 at 19:37 • Filed to: unnecessary jeep shopping with jj

I’m well aware that accidents & repair work listed in Carfax are, at best, a subset of the full history. Shops may not bother reporting things there.

However, the WJ I checked out tonight is shown as being purchased by its 4th owner in 2016, with a lien paid off in April...and the seller told me he’d only owned it for about 6 months, which would be April.

Does Carfax ever entirely miss a transfer of ownership ?

It is, all in all, in pretty good shape, although the Selec-Trac shifter requires weightlifter strength

DISCUSSION (19)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 19:41

Four owners since 2016? That’s not very encouraging.

Just Jeepin' > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/25/2020 at 19:41

No, sorry, 4th owner bought it in 2016.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 19:44

Oh okay.

To answer your question, if the car was not legally/properly retitled when sold, then yes indeed it will not show up on the CarFax.

Just Jeepin' > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/25/2020 at 19:46

The seller seemed a bit ignorant about its current state...for example, one of the rear seatbelts was entirely broken, and he didn’t know it until I pointed out that it was just lying there.

I like the price in general, I like the state of it (except for the fact that it’s dirty and there are a few minor glitches), but something seems slightly off about the whole situation.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 19:47

Trust your instincts. And no, I’m not quoting Peppy from StarFox64 intentionally.

Just Jeepin' > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/25/2020 at 19:48

The problem is my instinct to be cautious has led me to miss every opportunity so far, and some of them were great opportunities.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 19:53

I have the same regrets about almost every car I don’t snag when available, but you’re already setting for a WJ over the XJ — which you clearly wanted more. No need to make rash decisions on something from a seller you don’t trust.

bob and john > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 19:54

Just the whole being ignorant abotu its condition is a HUGE red flag to me (doesnt know a seatbelt is borked? WTF other mechanical issue is he ignoring?)

OR, the car is stolen, papers reprinted / faked, and that would explain the title issue.

Just Jeepin' > bob and john
10/25/2020 at 19:56

I know I would advise someone else to walk away, so I suppose I’ll take my own advice as channeled through wiser souls. Thanks.

Just Jeepin' > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/25/2020 at 19:56

Yep, walking away. Thankfully this combination is a heck of a lot easier to find than a manual XJ.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 20:00

I’m not saying deals/steals don’t exist. But as someone who has bought cars between 300 dollars and several thousand, you often get what you pay f or. And a $2500 WJ may be a regrettable decision.

Alfalfa > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 20:16

I’ve seen carfax miss all sorts of thing on older cars from back when Carfax wasn’t a big thing, but on something less than 30 years old it most likely means the title wasn’t transferred. That could be intentional if the seller wanted to flip it, or it could be further ignorance from someone who maybe has only bought from dealerships and doesn’t know they’re supposed to get the title transferred.

Or ya know, they're just sketch AF in general.

Just Jeepin' > Alfalfa
10/25/2020 at 20:20

He didn’t exactly endear himself to me when he rode along on the test drive without a mask.

Alfalfa > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 20:23

That in itself is what gives me the most concern about planning to buy and sell private party right now. Not just people not wearing masks, but a lso people who want to argue about it.

onlytwowheels > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 20:36

Carfax missed “Sold at Southwest Auction as frame damaged vehicle” that Experian AutoCheck reported on a convertible I was considering.

Just Jeepin' > onlytwowheels
10/25/2020 at 20:41

Interesting, I didn’t know about Autocheck. I like their pricing for multiple reports better than Carfax, so I bought a bundle.

It has the accident that Carfax doesn’t, but doesn’t have the termination of the lien this year or any title transfer.

Garbage in, garbage out.

onlytwowheels > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 20:47

I find the lack of accident information more troubling than the termination of lien. If the title is in hand and in the name of the seller, it should be fine. I could see how a duplicate title or some other title shenanigans could be troublesome though.

facw > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 20:59

I think it’s best to assume Carf ax can miss anything. That is, it’s safe to use it to disqualify a vehicle, but you still have to assume it might be missing things when buying.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Just Jeepin'
10/25/2020 at 22:47

Yes, they can miss a title transfer. https://oppositelock.kinja.com/if-you-were-wondering-about-the-reliability-of-carfax-1833549454