pappaone
colorado
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Joined: 10/31/2007
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Has anyone ever used Carfax to check the VIN number of a used MH they were interested in purchasing? If so what were the results? I did a search on the VIN number of the MH we are looking to purchase and it came back with ..6 records found in the CARFAX Vehicle History database.. is this normal or is it worth further investigating?
Thanks to all
Rich
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henchman
Cardinal, Ontario
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Joined: 06/01/2006
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When I purchased my 91, there were only 2 records. Not much information, but is a prudent step none the less! Only $29.99 for unlimited over 1 month, so if you are looking at many units, you can run as many as you want.
Ian
1991 Winnebago Warrior 30eu
OLD RIG
2006 Chevy Uplander 3.5l
2005 Jayco Sport 165 18' 3500lbs loaded
Putnam WD w/800lb bars
Acar friction type sway control
Hoppy digital display brake control
BALANCED tires! (Please everyone, balance your tires!)
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Horsedoc
Dixie --- N. Georgia
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Joined: 09/30/2002
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Not on a motorhome, but we used it when purchasing a 4 door Geo tracker toad. I believe it was something like $25. It was fairly helpful in that it tracked the vehicle from where it was first registered some place around NY through a couple of owners and finally to the last owner here in Georgia. The good news was that it showed no accidents or salvage title information.
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Joined: 12/23/2007
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We did a CarFax on our RV prior to buying it. It basically told us where it had been originally purchased, the number of owners, and mileages at each transfer of ownership.
Had there been problems, it would supposedly be included, but I know that not everything is sent in to them. We had a minivan that had over $7000 worth of repairs in an accident we had, and a later check with CarFax didn't show anything other than our original purchase.
The fun thing with CarFax, is that you pay a single price for as many car checks as you like....just enter the VIN information. That was how we did the later check on the van.
As to the "records" they are telling you about....they may not be any more than the purchases and transfers of title that I mentioned earlier. These are still considered "records", so it doesn't mean that there was a problem with the RV...just that they were able to put together information on that particular vehicle.
I would recommend spending the money...it's worth it.
Good Luck!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie 
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 
The Pets
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turninghawk
Gatlinburg, TN
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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At our dealership we offer free Carfax reports online to people who might be doing nothing more than browsing. Carfax reports are good, but not infallible. Bear in mind that Carfax reports only include information from REPORTED incidents. If you back into your mailbox or run off the road and graze a light pole, and never report it to the police, it will NOT show up on a Carfax report, ever. All in all it's a good way to check the vehicle history, but unfortunately no company can offer 100% accurate information 100% of the time.
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chastho
arkansas
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Joined: 07/27/2005
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In my case it was a waste of money. They will give you a free check then it will come back saying there are several issues that may be serious, after I paid them for the report there was nothing in it except when and where it was sold. I emailed them and complained, their reply was I should be glad there were no serious reports. That was not the issue, the free report indicated there was, just to get the money. When I told them that was false advertising I got my money back.
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pkunk
Questa, NM
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Joined: 12/28/2007
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I've used Carfax a number of times and usually it's just a mundane history. Once, though, on a pickup I was about to buy for my son, the report was for a vehicle totaled due to flooding. We passed.
1989 Allegro, 30 ft., 454 CI 4 BBL, 3 spd.auto, 125gal.gas tank,85g.water & 85 grey &75 black holding tanks. 3-12v Optima 31m coach batteries
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firstimer
Washington state
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Joined: 04/10/2007
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Be aware it can take a few months for an incident to show up on a Carfax. I know two people that bought cars with a clean carfax, only to turn dirty after they made the purchase.
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MudChucker
Winnipeg Manitoba
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Joined: 03/07/2008
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carfax is junk, its not reliable.. there is no law that says that anyone has to report to them...I can find you all kinds of cars that should have rebuilt titles, but have clear titles on carfax...
2006 Springdale 292BHLS
2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 6.0
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ThunderingQuiet
In Your Mind
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Joined: 12/20/2007
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MudChucker wrote:carfax is junk, its not reliable.. there is no law that says that anyone has to report to them...I can find you all kinds of cars that should have rebuilt titles, but have clear titles on carfax...
I'll agree with you on that. I checked my wife's 99 Pontiac GTP before we sold it. We purchased the car new. We live in Georgia, but CarFax reported that our car was evolved an accident in IL and repaired there. We have never been to IL with any of our cars.
I contacted them to get the information corrected - guess what? CarFax NEVER responded imagine that! I don't trust anything from CarFax.
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