Message on Carfax from Patriot Auto Sales

Hi Folks, my name is Toney Perry and I am the General Manager of Patriot Auto Sales. We’ve researched a little information (below) that you should know about Carfax. Until Patriot Auto Sales, you may not have been offered a better way to purchase a used vehicle. Many of you are still in the dark accepting the age old salesmen games (since 1924). You’re hearing every reason on why there is not a Carfax provided for the vehicle you are thinking about purchasing. You’re being told that Carfax is not the “Silver Bullet” and if you like the car, buy it anyway. Some of you were recently required to pay for a Free Carfax by a salesman. Here’s a free tip, “When the vehicle is a “1” Owner, the Carfax is Free”. When it’s not, well I believe those of you taking time to read this can figure it out. Everyday the Patriot Auto Sales inventory gets larger as we search for near perfect “1” Owner - Accident Free (reported by Carfax) vehicles that are right for you and your loved ones. At Patriot Auto Sales, EVERY Carfax is FREE. Come visit and experience liberation in purchasing from Patriot Auto Sales. We don’t sell you a car, it’s your choice to purchase. You can trust a Patriot.

History of Carfax

In 1984 Carfax was founded in Columbia, Missouri by a computer expert named Ewin Barnett III. Barnett was initially trying to combat odometer fraud. By working closely with the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, in 1986 he offered the early version Carfax vehicle history report to the dealer market. These reports were developed with a database of just 10,000 records and were distributed via fax machine. By the end of 1993, Carfax obtained title information from nearly all fifty states. In December 1996, the company's website was launched to offer consumers the same vehicle history reports already available to businesses. In the Fall of 1999, Carfax became a wholly owned subsidiary of R.L. Polk & Co.

Carfax Products and services

Carfax offers several free products and services and charges a fee for more comprehensive reports.

Free products and services

The company offers four free vehicle research services—Lemon Check, Record Check, Recall Check, and Problem Car. While these services are helpful, they do not contain all of the information provided in a full Carfax vehicle history report.

Additionally, the company offers Hot Listings, which provides a free search of local used cars for sale, including access to Carfax reports. Finally, the company provides Car Safety and Reliability Ratings, which provides access to reviews and other data from sources such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, J.D. Power and Associates, IntelliChoice and others.

Vehicle history reports

The Carfax Vehicle History Report is the company's core product. Users purchase either a single report or create an account for building multiple reports for different vehicles, allowing consumers to utilize Carfax over a period of time as they search for a vehicle. Additionally, buyers can request Carfax reports free-of-charge from auto dealers, and some automakers routinely provide Carfax reports as part of their pre-owned vehicle programs.

Carfax Information sources

Carfax has access to seven billion records from more than 20,000 sources, including motor vehicle departments for all 50 U.S. states and all 10 Canadian provinces. The company's information sources include U.S. state title and registration records, auto and salvage auctions, Canadian motor vehicle records, rental and fleet vehicle companies, consumer protection agencies, state inspection stations, extended warranty companies, insurance companies, fire and police departments, manufacturers, inspection companies, service and repair facilities, dealers and import/export companies. Although Carfax continuously expands its database and resources, some information is not allowed to be provided. Under the 1994 Drivers Privacy Protection Act, personal information such as names, telephone numbers and addresses of current or previous owners are neither collected nor reported. Carfax does not have access to every facility and mistakes are sometimes made by those who input data. In the event information is disputed but cannot be verified, Carfax allows consumers and dealerships to add information to its reports.

We provide you with their most comprehensive report available on any vehicle that you are interested in purchasing.