Autocheck competitor to carfax?

Darkewolfe

A friend is buying a car. He's not real savvy on car stuff, so I've been making him talk to me about haggling with the used car salesmen, evaluating sales ads, etc. Apparently he found the car he wants, so I told him to get me the carfax report. The car company apparently told him that they don't use car fax, because it's too expensive, but they got him a report through a company called "autocheck." I tried looking online, but don't see much. My opinion is that this is a big negative, but I was wondering if anyone on the forums had an opinion.

Dog

Why doesn't he just get the VIN number and pay for the carfax report himself? If they refuse to give him that information to do his own research, it's not a car/dealership he should want to do business with.

bowen

As far as I can tell they're pretty similar while carfax seems to be a bit more detailed. Generally though, take either with a grain of salt as it's no indication of anything really. Even the best of maintained, high quality cars are going to need repairs. If it runs relatively okay, take for a test drive, it's probably an okay buy.

Dog

bowen wrote: »

As far as I can tell they're pretty similar while carfax seems to be a bit more detailed. Generally though, take either with a grain of salt as it's no indication of anything really. Even the best of maintained, high quality cars are going to need repairs. If it runs relatively okay, take for a test drive, it's probably an okay buy.

I disagree with this completely. A car that runs relatively okay could still have had extensive body work done, been in multiple accidents and had all sorts of issues with it. That's basically a lemon and you're a sucker for buying that car especially if you have the report on it.

Darkewolfe

robothero wrote: »

Why doesn't he just get the VIN number and pay for the carfax report himself? If they refuse to give him that information to do his own research, it's not a car/dealership he should want to do business with.

They provide the VIN. I think running it himself is definitely an option, but I was more concerned over whether a company saying, "Yeah, we won't use carfax, but we'll use autocheck" was a red flag that the dealer was too shady anyway.

Looks like autocheck isn't a complete scam, though, so now it's just back to him haggling over a POS car that they want way too much for.

I looked at some pictures of the car and can tell it's been repainted and had work done on the back. I'm sure it's been in an accident, whether the report says it or not. I just don't know much about looking up a car's history and want to make sure he's not getting COMPLETELY screwed. I mean, it's a cheap old car anyway.

bowen

robothero wrote: »

bowen wrote: »

As far as I can tell they're pretty similar while carfax seems to be a bit more detailed. Generally though, take either with a grain of salt as it's no indication of anything really. Even the best of maintained, high quality cars are going to need repairs. If it runs relatively okay, take for a test drive, it's probably an okay buy.

I disagree with this completely. A car that runs relatively okay could still have had extensive body work done, been in multiple accidents and had all sorts of issues with it. That's basically a lemon and you're a sucker for buying that car especially if you have the report on it.

You could also drive a car with a perfect carfax report off the lot and it could break down and throw a rod or drop a tranny and you're up shit creek without a paddle too. Or the tire could go flat. There is only so much a carfax is going to tell you, which was the gist of my advice.

eatmosushi

My only reservation about trusting any of those websites: What compels anyone to REPORT things to them in the first place? It always seemed like a scam used car dealers could use and go, "oh here look this car's carfax is clear you're good to go"

Durandal Infinity

Experian owns auto check and Ebay uses it a lot. It is a fantastic competitor to carfax as it will tell you EXACTLY the same pieces of information. Same shit different brand

PS. Experian is one of the companies that runs your credit score, they are fantastic record keepers and shovelers when it comes to digging up people's dirt.

End

eatmosushi wrote: »

My only reservation about trusting any of those websites: What compels anyone to REPORT things to them in the first place? It always seemed like a scam used car dealers could use and go, "oh here look this car's carfax is clear you're good to go"

A lot of the information comes to them through government entities like your state's DMV. Thus, police reports, title changes, etc are pretty likely to be in there. Anything other info, the more complete the better, although I don't know if they can really do any verification.

Of course the usual advice still applies: you really want to do a test drive, as well as get an third party mechanic to do a full inspection before you buy a used vehicle.

Beltaine

Carfax and Autocheck are really only good for one thing and that's verifying the mileage on the title is correct, how many owners the vehicle has had, whether or not the vehicle has been salvaged, and if the title is free and clear or still has a lien on it.

All they guarantee is the information on the TITLE. All the other crap is just extra fluff they report if they happen to know the information.

Accidents, repairs, and whatnot can all be done without ever being reported, so it's still up to the BUYER to go over the vehicle (or have a professional do it) to make sure everything looks satisfactory.

Darkewolfe

I appreciate the advice. Since I am not actually the person buying the car, there's only so much outsider advice I can provide regarding evaluating the car as a valid purchase. Just trying to do my duty as friendly support, like checking out the extraneous stuff.