CarFax report Question

[kpzerone]

I am looking at a used BMW..

CarFax report shows that the car was serviced at a "Auto Repair Shop" during its warranty timeframe. What does this mean?

XXX Auto Repair "Vehicle serviced"
San Rafael, CA

That particular shop is not "Body Shop" per their explanation but what kind of repair would a regular BMW need and why would it show up in CarFax?

[vegastrashed]

Some sort of repair took place and not necessarily on the body.

[Zed2Zee]

Some sort of repair took place and not necessarily on the body.

well no crap-dont you think the OP knows that-what a useless reply-do you feel the need to reply to as many threads you can-you used to call my posts useless-I have never read anything you said that was helpful-all you talk about is so cal get togethers and comments that are lame and unhelpful.

[vegastrashed]

You little twerp. You don't want to start a flame war with me. I'll eat your crappy ass for breakfast. Loser... Decided you aren't worth the time to flame. Just a friendly reminder to the 5er folks, there is a IGNORE LIST you can add this troll to. Guess who got added?

[abe]

I am looking at a used BMW..

CarFax report shows that the car was serviced at a "Auto Repair Shop" during its warranty timeframe. What does this mean?

XXX Auto Repair "Vehicle serviced"
San Rafael, CA

That particular shop is not "Body Shop" per their explanation but what kind of repair would a regular BMW need and why would it show up in CarFax?


I'll give you a "for instance". I was driving along in my non-BMW and I knew full well that the battery was past its prime. If I didn't drive it for more than 20 minutes I wouldn't be able to start it again without charging it. So I pulled off to a Goodyear and got a new battery.

Perhaps this person needed a quickie repair, such as a battery, or an unscheduled oil-change, and didn't want to wait to take (or tow!) the car to BMW to get it fixed.

Just my guess.

[Eric B]

I thought CARFAX repair histories were based on police reported accidents..no?

I was told once by a dealer salesman that a car that had been in an accident, but not had it reported to the police, would have a clean carfax even if there was damage.

[kpzerone]

I thought CARFAX repair histories were based on police reported accidents..no?

I was told once by a dealer salesman that a car that had been in an accident, but not had it reported to the police, would have a clean carfax even if there was damage.

Is this true? The dealer is insisting that there was no accident, but I know better than taking his words without grain of salt.

I just received a service history on this BMW. Since this is the list of services performed by BMW, there is no entry regarding above repair or any other significant repairs done from BMW, either.

Some things other than regular maintenance are:

1. BMW badges peels off
2. center armrest sticking/jammed
3. drive unit for power head restraint adjustment on front seat occassional failure
4. sound insulation poorly adapted
5. drink holder, front broken

[dihedral]

well no crap-dont you think the OP knows that-what a useless reply-do you feel the need to reply to as many threads you can-you used to call my posts useless-I have never read anything you said that was helpful-all you talk about is so cal get togethers and comments that are lame and unhelpful.

Tell us how you really feel about him. Don't be shy.

[MRV99]

What is your VIN. I may be able to help. I will check it out and see what I get. (not a CarFax)

CarFax and other Vehicle History Reports are based of Incidents which are reported to the state. I developed a competing product(for a public company) and those are the sources that are used for the reports.

You can have a clean report even if a car was in a accident. IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY, BODY SHOP OR NO REPORT IS FILED W/ THE STATE THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING OF THE ACCIDENT. Carfax/Autocheck reports are very good for helping you find a clean car but is is not Full proof. When you are talking high end cars usually the owners will be taking them to reputable body shops and usually will be paid for by Insurance companies due to the cost.

[mike43068]

I ran a CarFax on a car that I was selling. It had a couple thousand dollars of front end work done from a accident. A police report was filed. I got the repairs paid for by insurance at a major shop. Nothing showed up on CarFax about that. Lot's of services done at the dealer were listed but many dealer services were not.

You can't rely on CarFax as the only tool for assessing a car.

[allenman]

I"m a micro sized seller of high end cars. It's a good place to start. Carfax is only a tool, not the Bible--I have consistenly seen errors, but that doesn't mean you should throw a nice car in the trash. You've just got to check each car on its own merit. Find someone with a paint meter, and/or pay an inspection service (like McGoos) the 100 bucks or so. Cheap insurance.