Can You Trust a Vehicle History Report?

New cars are expensive. For this reason motorists prefer the significant savings offered by second hand vehicles. However, car owners should be aware of the potential pitfalls that come from purchasing a used car. With that being said, are vehicle history reports trustworthy?

Consumers the UK over believe that a Carfax or AutoCheck report meticulously demonstrate every single aspect of the vehicle’s history. This is simply not the case.

We’re not saying that vehicle history reports are consistently inaccurate or flagrantly false but, they may not be as scrupulously honest as first considered. Both Carfax and AutoCheck obtain information from different sources, from registration records and automotive auctions, not to mention police and fire reports. Little consistency is observed.

These reports can give comprehensive details. From the amount of registered car owners to whether the car has been involved in an accident, or even a flood. Whereas the nature of this information is relevant, it is only relevant if the incidents were reported in the first place.

Should inaccurate or missing information be recorded, Carfax and AutoCheck will forward the data on from other reports. Every year there is a wealth of accidents that aren’t reported to the police not to insurance companies. It is these events that can prove to be the stumbling block in used car ownership.

In addition, it’s not uncommon for vehicles to become scratched or dented only for the owner to quickly run the car to a local dealership and touch up any damage, without reporting the incident. These events aren’t reported to the insurance companies, and therefore aren’t recorded as part of the vehicles history.

Perhaps the more relevant question that car buyers should be asking is are Carfax or Autocheck reports worth the paper they’re printed on? There’s no straightforward answer to this question, however if you’re left in any doubt, consult a professional mechanic who should be able to complete a complete car inspection on your behalf.