Help with analyzing a CarFax Report

[Kirby]

Can anyone shed some light on this? It seems a little odd, but I am no Carfax expert. My Questions:

1. Why no title until 1999 - it's feasible there was a loan from '94 to '99 (5 years) but wouldn't the loan holder still get a title?
2. Look at the Bold dates. What's going on that the recorded mileage was different by 20K miles in 4 days?
3. I have always lived in Pennsylvania. If you move, does a new title get issued by the state you live in? I thought a new title only got issued when a sale took place? The owner claims to be the original owner of the car.

Any other thoughts or suggestions? I have not talked to the owner about this report. My comments are in italics below. I did the xxxxxxx on the title numbers.

Thanks!

Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:


08/12/1994 US Customs
Vehicle exported from
Germany
and imported to
Newark, NJ


01/08/1999 51,251 Pennsylvania (5 years no title???)
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Media, PA
Title #xxxxxxxxxxx
Title or registration issued
Loan or lien reported


01/12/1999 72,090 Pennsylvania (20K miles different???)
Inspection Station
Passed emissions inspection


01/12/1999 Pennsylvania
Inspection Station
Passed emissions inspection


01/31/2001 Pennsylvania (Ok I guess)
Inspection Station
Failed emissions inspection


08/07/2002 112,320 New Jersey (Owner is in NJ. Did he move and get a new title???)
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Trenton, NJ
Title #xxxxxxxxxxxx
Title issued

 

[Tom]

That's what you got from the Carfax? There doesn't seem to be enough info and it's completely different from what I received for mine.

Not sure why there is inconsistency with the mileage other than they might of used another car for the emissions inspection or punched in the wrong number. What I normally look for is if the car has been sold at an auction, involved in any accidents, and how many owners it's been through.

When you move, it will show in the CarFax when the new title has been issued and which state it belongs to. And next to it, there should be some information that shows if there is a lien on it. Maybe since the car is 10 years old, the information isn't really accurate.

 

[Kirby]

That is the information at the very bottom of the report called "Detailed Vehicle History". All of the other stuff (auction, lemon, mileage accuracy, accident records, etc.) show up with the green OK circle.

The top says this:

This convertible has had at least one owner. The first title for this convertible was reported to CARFAX by a Pennsylvania DMV in 1999.
It has had no minor or moderate accidents reported to CARFAX.
It has had no DMV-reported total loss events, like a major accident, fire or flood.
It has a consistent mileage history with no indication of an odometer rollback. The last odometer reading, reported on 08/07/2002, was 112,320 miles.
It was not reported to a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback (LEMON).
Its basic warranty has expired. You may want to discuss an extended warranty with your dealer.

 

[Big Daddy]

Kirby, I am not sure how some states report titles. In Idaho as long as there is a lein they do not issue a title, it is held in "electronic" state. When I sold the 318is Carfax showed it titled in two states, Idaho & Washington. Apparently when I titled her in Washington they never cancelled the Idaho? Any time you change states of registration there will be a title change.

The mileage difference I am not sure about. Like Tom said, did someone punch in the wrong numbers? I agree with Tom, I look for number of owners, Leins, accidents, salvage or restored titles, etc.

One thing to remember though, if the owner did not report an accident, like a guy I know with an M3 (he was rearended and did $10k plus damage) Carfax will not have anything on it. So it is very important to have the car checked out thoughly.

 

[jrt67ss350]

2. Look at the Bold dates. What's going on that the recorded mileage was different by 20K miles in 4 days?
3. I have always lived in Pennsylvania. If you move, does a new title get issued by the state you live in? I thought a new title only got issued when a sale took place? The owner claims to be the original owner of the car.

Kirby, when you move to a new state and register the car in that state, you have to apply for a new title in that state. At least you do when moving from SC to NC (I've looked into it since the insurance is cheaper here than in SC, where I currently have my car registered).

I would imagine that the discrepancy with the mileage is probably a typo from whoever did the emissions testing or from the DMV's reporting.

Edit: Big Daddy beat me to the post!!!

 

[Kirby]

The convertible was an EBay sale. The goofy thing is that I EMail the owner to take a look at it and I never heard back. Only 2 or 3 people bid on it, it went for $6401 which sounds like a deal, but if you can't inspect it, who knows?

Anyhow - here's another question on another car:
'94 325i, 110K miles on a dealer's lot. VERY nice, VERY clean condition inside and out, engine runs wells, sounds quiet and drives nicely. New front rotors/pads. I looked for signs of accident damage, nothing apparent. Dealer said it was a 2 owner car.

I just ran a Carfax. Carfax comes up as a 2 owner car with correct mileage, etc. It does have an acccident report as follows:

New Jersey Police Report - Accident reported involving a rear impact

New Jersey Police Reports:
- Do not include an assessment of damage severity
- Are processed if the estimated damage exceeds $500
- Are released annually to CARFAX in August

When I was looking for damage (before I ran this report) I did open the trunk and look at the inside fender walls, etc. All the glass, including rear, had German logo/language on it, I assumed it was original. I didn't see any clues that indicated damage. I will go back and take a closer look. The dealer (really a big service/repair center who sells a few cars) seemed pretty cool. I think if I asked, he would probably put it on a lift and let me look underneath. Should I assume it was just a minor fender bender?

Any suggestions or thoughts? As I said, the car is VERY nice for the age. Would you buy it based on the information I have at this point? Am I being overly concerned about the accident report?

Thanks....

 

[Kirby]

By the way, he said I could have it for $8,500.