SEVEN VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT RED FLAGS

As we here at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC can attest, the internet has changed almost every aspect of the way cars are sold. One way things have definitely been changed for the better is the introduction of the Vehicle History Report. First created by Carfax in Columbia, Mo., way back in 1985, the online Vehicle History Report has since become a vital tool when considering a pre-owned vehicle. Each report contains crucial information including major accidents the vehicle may have suffered, vehicle maintenance reports, where the vehicle has been since new, accurate and verified odometer readings at various points in the vehicle’s life and more.

As part of our commitment to honest deals and transparency at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC of Bentonville, every pre-owned vehicle listing on our website includes a free, instant Carfax.com report. Just look for the “Show Me The Carfax” button in the listing. Click it, and you’ll instantly be taken to a no-cost, fully-detailed report on everything known about that vehicle. That commitment to honesty and access to data through free Carfax reports on every pre-owned vehicle we sell is shared by all the dealerships in the McLarty Daniel Auto Group.

Once you’ve located a pre-owned vehicle you want and get the Carfax report, though, what are some Vehicle History Report red flags that might pop up? Well, McLarty Daniel Buick GMC is here to help. Read on for our list of Carfax red flags. And when you’ve found that perfect, Carfax-approved vehicle and are ready to take it home, come see us at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC!

Accidents with airbag deployment: Airbags are designed to deploy in major accidents to prevent injury to the occupants inside. If a Vehicle History Report shows an accident with airbag deployment, that could be a red flag alerting you to structural issues that could compromise the reliability or even the safety of the vehicle.

Accidents with major damage: If you drive long enough, chances are you’re going to get into an accident. Depending on the accident, the damage can be severe, including warped front and rear crumple zones, damaged suspension components or bent frame members, some of which can’t be completely repaired, even by the best body shop. For those reasons, major structural damage from an accident should be regarded as one of the reddest of red flags you can find in a Vehicle History Report.

Flood and Fire Damage: Tens of thousands of vehicles suffer damage from fire and flooding every year, with many being rebuilt and resold. But water and fire-fighting chemicals don’t mix well with today’s delicate engine, electrical and computer systems, which makes flood or fire-damaged vehicles — even if they’ve been visually repaired and look great — a ticking time bomb that could cost you plenty in the long run. If you see flood or fire damage in a Vehicle History Report, beware.

Salvage Title: To help stop the scourge of unscrupulous sellers rebuilding and reselling crashed vehicles with damage so severe they’ve been written off by insurance companies as a total loss, many states have forced severely damaged vehicles to bear a “salvage title” to alert potential buyers. If the Vehicle History Report shows a salvage title, you probably don’t want that vehicle.

Years spent in snowy or coastal areas: Salt is the enemy of metal, causing corrosion, pitting and damage that can go undetected for years, even as the dreaded steel cancer eats away at components and body panels. If a Vehicle History Report shows that a vehicle has spent an extended period of time in an area near the ocean, or in a snowy state which uses extensive road salt every winter to keep the highways safe, be sure to inspect the undercarriage and body panels carefully for evidence of rust damage.

Ownership by a business or rental agency: In general, a vehicle owned by a private owner is going to be better maintained and cared for than a vehicle driven by people who rented it, or employees of a business that owns that vehicle as a company car. If the Vehicle History Report shows the vehicle as a former fleet or rental vehicle, tread carefully.

Reported mileage that’s higher than the displayed odometer reading: One of the invaluable things a Vehicle History Report can show you is the verified odometer reading at various points in the vehicle’s life, including service appointments, when the vehicle was sold, and more. If any of the mileage readings in the Vehicle History Report are higher than the mileage displayed on the digital odometer of the vehicle, it could indicate odometer fraud. That makes it a very serious red flag. Are you ready to buy a used car in Northwest Arkansas? Then stop in today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, where the online listing of every pre-owned vehicle on our lot includes a free, instant report by Carfax! Just hit the “Show Me The Carfax” button on each listing!

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