Vehicle History Report Red Flags

In our question to be a completely different kind of car dealership, we’re all about honesty, transparency and giving our customers the power of reliable information here at Landers Chevrolet Cadillac of Joplin. That’s a big part of why the listing for every used vehicle on the Landers Chevrolet Cadillac of Joplin website includes a free report by Carfax.com. Once you’ve found the vehicle you like, just click the “Show Me The Carfax” button on the listing. You’ll receive a fully-detailed report on everything known about that vehicle, from mileage to service records, recall information to major repairs.

Though each Carfax.com report includes convenient pop-ups to alert you to trouble areas in a vehicle’s history, you might be wondering about Vehicle History Report red flags that might pop up. Read on for Landers Chevrolet Cadillac of Joplin’s list of Carfax red flags! And when you’ve done your homework and found the perfect pre-owned vehicle, stop in for a test drive at Landers Chevrolet Cadillac of Joplin, where our commitment to honesty and transparency is second to none!

Accidents with airbag deployment: An airbag deployment in a Vehicle History Report is indicative of a major collision, which could have damaged or tweaked vital structural components or even the vehicle’s suspension or frame. If a Vehicle History Report shows an airbag deployment in a vehicle’s past, that could be a red flag.

Flood or Fire Damage: Ironically, flood and fire damage both involve water — either the water from a flood, or water used to put out a fire. In both instances, moisture can seep into hidden places and crucial components, potentially causing mold, mildew and, worst of all, corrosion in electrical connections that can crop up months or years after the initial damage. If a Carfax report shows flood or fire damage, consider carefully if you want to buy that vehicle.

Salvage Title: For decades, unscrupulous sellers would buy vehicles “totalled” in accidents, piece them back together until they seemed visually okay, then sell them at a huge profit. To fight this trend, many states began stamping the titles of vehicles that had been written off as a total loss by an insurance company as “Salvage.” If a Vehicle History Report shows a so-called Salvage Title, you should probably pass.

Years spent in snowy areas: If you have ever lived in an area of the U.S. that sees a lot of snow in the winter, you’re familiar with what road salt can do to metal. Many older vehicles in those areas are rolling rust heaps, and many of the cars that still look great have the dreaded “tin worm” of rust gnawing away at their frames, floors and body panels. If a Vehicle History Report shows that the vehicle you are considering has spent much of its life in the snowy northern states, look it over carefully for evidence of rust damage.

Ownership by a rental agency or business: Let’s face it: if you don’t own the vehicle you’re driving, you’re probably not going to care for it as well as you would if it was your pride and joy. For that reason, a Vehicle History Report that shows a vehicle as being previously owned by a business or car rental agency is a red flag.

Mileage discrepancies: One of the most valuable things a Carfax report lists are points in the vehicle’s history where its mileage was recorded: when the vehicle was sold, serviced, auctioned and the like. Because these readings were recorded by mechanics and salespeople, they can generally be considered as reliable. If at any point in the vehicle’s history, the Vehicle History Report shows the mileage numbers going down instead of up, or if the digital odometer in the vehicle shows a number lower than one of those listed in the report, that could be indicative of the beet-red flag of odometer fraud.

Are you ready to buy a used car in Joplin? Then stop in today at Landers Chevrolet Cadillac of Joplin, where the online listing includes a free Vehicle History Report! Just click the “Show Me The Carfax” button!