Used Car - Carfax & accidents

[janette]

We are shopping for a car for my DD; pretty much decided on a Rav4 '07 or '08. The price ranges are from $15K to $19K for these models. Of course I don't want to pay over $15K.

Found an '08 for just under $15k; mileage not bad really only noticeable things were a few scratches on the back bumper and tires not great. It is what we want for the price we want.

Carfax checked out; was a rental but no damage or accidents reported.

I had my nephew check it out (he knows more about cars) and he found that the hood has been repainted and one bumper replaced. Sounds like it has been in an accident to me.

I think I can bring it in to a body shop and have them tell me the severity of the accident. My biggest worry is that the airbags deployed and that would be a deal breaker for sure.

Would you bother with the body shop or just walk away? I have a deposit on the car but it was contingent on mechanic checking it out.

Did a web search and found that carfax can be iffy on accident reporting. Anyone have previous experience with this?

 

[GoodFairies]

I do not have experience with Carfax. However, for the price you have in mind, you could purchase a new Toyota car and not have the hassle of dealing with a used car and it's potential issues. The Toyota Rav4 is the most uncomfortable vehicle I've ever been in. It is cramped and the seats are extremely uncomfortable for periods of driving over 20-30 minutes.

 

[ilovepcot]

Did a web search and found that carfax can be iffy on accident reporting. Anyone have previous experience with this?

You're correct. Not all accidents make it into the carfax report.

 

[EdiePA]

Have to disagree. I've owned a Rav4 for three years and love it. I drive it on six hour trips frequently and find it completely comfortable. I think being up higher than a regular car helps, too.

Don't know if I'd purchase a car that was in an accident, though.

Edie

 

[The Mystery Machine]

First off, Carfax is only going to work if the accident was reported. You can pay out of pocket and avoid it.

Well your list is too damning for our tastes. Needs tires, replaced bumper, repainted hood, & was a rental? Keep shopping.

For 15,000 you can get a brand new car with a warranty.

What is the mileage? If it is more than 50,000 walk away.

 

[tinatark]

CarFax gets their accident records from State reported data - we bought a car recently, had a clean carfax but when we got the dealer records, there had been a pretty substantial repair at the dealership.

If you can figure out where (city) the car was maintained, you can call the Toyota dealership there for service records.

 

[dakcp2001]

I'd walk away, who knows what else you do not know about. As soon as I found one inconsistency, Id leave it be. A car accident has to be reported to the police and insurance for it to make it to the carfax report.

Carfax isn't perfect, but it is an excellent resource and I would never buy a car without running the carfax first. SOunds like this car is already a PITA, move on and keep looking...