We are often asked about the accuracy of Carfax reports.  While it is true that Carfax may not know every detail about a car's history, it is undoubtedly the most used resource when looking to purchase a pre-owned vehicle.   Opponents of the Carfax reporting service are quick to point out that not all accidents are reported.  They also note that body shops are not required by law to submit repairs either.  Most insurance companies, however, do see to it that covered repairs are made available to the reporting service.  Still, most consumers cringe when they know that their fender bender will show up on their Carfax history.  They worry about the negative impact it will have when looking to sell or trade their car in down the road.  In this sense, many people worry about Carfax having a negative impact on their car's value.

So how can Carfax help IMPROVE the value of your car?

Think of it this way...what do you look for when purchasing a pre-owned car?  If you are like most people you would desire a car that was well cared for.  You would want to make sure that it was regularly serviced, right?  So it stands to reason that you should care for your own car and make sure that your efforts to do so are well recorded.  The simplest way to do that is to have your car serviced by a garage that reports all maintenance activity to the reporting giant.

Many dealerships and quick oil change shops don't submit maintenance records to Carfax.

It is interesting that many garages aren't integrated with Carfax.  Even new car dealerships don't necessarily participate when it comes to reporting maintenance services that were performed.   You also may find it surprising that even the nation's largest quick lube chains don't participate either.  In the end, that can cost you money when it's time to sell your car.

So where should I get my vehicle serviced?

The good news is that there are plenty of reputable service facilities across the country.  When looking for a new garage, pick one with strong reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.  Then, before making your appointment, ask them if they are willing to provide you with an updated copy of the Carfax report showing that the services were performed.  That way you will have indisputable documentation about the care that your car has received and you can be sure that it accurately reflects your car's history.  If your garage won't provide the report, that's a big red flag and should definitely cause you to take pause.