CARFAX, through Vehicle History, is the most reliable source of information on used vehicles. CARFAX helps thousands of buyers every day to make the best purchase decision and avoid costly hidden problems. CARFAX helps the professional sector by providing confidence and transparency in sales to both official dealers and second-hand vehicle sales.

CARFAX now has millions of records in its vehicle database, thanks to its suppliers, collaborators and different data sources such as: traffic headquarters, government offices, police agencies, maintenance and repair workshops, car dealerships and many more car cover outdoor.

What is a CARFAX vehicle report?

The CARFAX vehicle report is generated from a vehicle database that is constantly updated. CARFAX vehicle history information is displayed in a comprehensive, easy-to-read report for all users. Just by checking the license plate, it is possible to obtain the CARFAX vehicle report, which contains several types of records on a vehicle.

Check the vehicle report by sample registration to know its format clearly summarized and easy to understand.

CARFAX is a neutral source that shows vehicle information transparently and that benefits both consumers and sellers. CARFAX highly recommends that no vehicle be purchased without first checking your History.

With vehicle history everyone benefits

Both buyers, sellers, dealers and advertising portals of used cars benefit from checking a car for registration and get all the information of the vehicle , so there is less chance of committing, or being a victim of fraud. Buy a car with more confidence when checking that a vehicle has no hidden problems. On the other hand, professionals make sure not to incorporate vehicles with risks to their stock and thus speed up sales, providing transparency and confidence with the CARFAX vehicle report.

HOW TO KNOW THE REAL MILEAGE OF A CAR

Current statistics show that about 30% of used vehicles have a negative history. Mileage manipulation is one of the most common types of fraud in the used car sales process. However, customers with the right information can protect themselves from fraud when buying a second-hand vehicle. A vehicle with a history of damage or mileage manipulated represents a high risk to the buyer, this directly affects the safety, durability, price or residual value of the car. The poor economic growth in Europe has led to the market of used vehicles has grown considerably in recent years. Buyers usually make cheaper investments, but sometimes they forget the risks involved in buying a second-hand car. This growth in the purchase and sale of used vehicles shows the need of consumers to combat fraud with the aim of making purchases and sales safer in the short, medium and long term.

HOW TO DETECT MILEAGE MANIPULATION?

e first way to detect the handling of the odometer is to compare the mileage records taken in the maintenance, repair or ITV performed to the car with the odometer reading . Maintenance, repairs or inspections done to the vehicle usually show kilometer readings. Any anomaly or inconsistency in the mileage data in any of these documents can be a sign of manipulation and fraud. The CARFAX Histories of the Vehicle are another alternative to obtain information on the mileage of a car. CARFAX collects readings and mileage records of millions of vehicles, thereby being able to detect and alert consumers of inconsistencies in mileage and possible fraud. It is also important to control the use and wear of the vehicle. Details such as brakes, pedals or wheels help us see if these elements are consistent with the mileage. For example, a car with a mileage of less than 20,000 km normally has the wheels fitted at the factory. We can also check the oil changes, in the car there is usually an adhesive or a lubrication card where the last oil change and the reading of kilometers on that date is indicated. The interior of the car is also an important indicator. Examine the steering wheel wear, handbrake, gear lever, pedals or seats and compare them with the odometer visible on the odometer. In case the vehicle has a mechanical speedometer, it must be checked if the numbers are correctly aligned and if they are correctly legible. If they are not, there are jumps or variations between the numbers, clearly it can be a sign of manipulation and fraud in the mileage. You should inquire about the number of previous owners that the vehicle has had and compare it with the mileage readings. An excessive number of owners can hide odometer manipulation or other types of fraud. The number of owners is information that can also be found in the CARFAX Histories of the Vehicle. It is clear that if the dashboard panel has been replaced, there is damage to the odometer or parts that normally should not be replaced have been replaced, they can be signs of mileage manipulation. We generally recommend a mechanical inspection of the vehicle.

THE CARFAX HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE

real car kilometers

An effective way to increase your safety and learn more about a second-hand car is to consult the CARFAX History of the Vehicle. CARFAX is the world leader in vehicle history and allows both buyers and sellers to know the life history of a car. Each CARFAX history can include information such as inconsistencies in mileage, number of previous owners, defects of the vehicle, its use, information on maintenance and repairs with mileage records, inspections, etc. In addition, CARFAX offers an estimate of the average mileage to help avoid fraud. Before buying a used car, obtain the CARFAX History of the Vehicle, or ask the seller of the car whether professional or private. The information available can prevent the buyer from making a bad investment. Since CARFAX works closely with national and international ministries, with general traffic directions or concessionaires, the CARFAX Historias information is neutral and reliable, being accessible to all potential buyers and sellers. All the information we collect is detailed in an intuitive reading report, with the aim of providing a real first impression of the vehicle and thus increase security in the purchase process. With CARFAX Vehicle Histories dealerships and sales can show total transparency and confidence to your potential customers. In addition, buyers can make a better purchase decision with the help of information in the CARFAX vehicle history. According to the study carried out by CARFAX in cooperation with Ganvam, 8% of vehicles in Spain have inconsistencies in mileage, this represents almost 2 million vehicles in circulation. Of these, 56% are private cars and 87% are more than ten years old. For this reason, always remember to check the history of a car through the CARFAX report, which will help you make a better purchase decision.

ENVIRONMENTAL DISTINCTIONS OF THE DGT

CARFAX SHOWS YOU THE ENVIRONMENTAL BADGE IN WHICH A CAR IS CLASSIFIED

Since 2015, vehicle owners in Spain receive an environmental badge sent by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT). The purpose of this measure is to classify vehicles in order to be able to positively discriminate against less polluting vehicles. Likewise, it is intended to establish low emission zones in city centers and promote the use of vehicles that use alternative energies. The National Plan for Air Quality and Protection of the Atmosphere 2013-2016, establishes as regards the main cause of polluting emissions, that nitrogen is the most harmful element for the health of people and for the environment. Therefore, it has proposed a classification of vehicles based on the levels of pollution they emit. In addition to the above, the Euro 6 regulations on polluting emissions from vehicles specify that, since September 2015, all new cars and vans that are sold and registered in Europe are cleaner. To do this, the Euro 6 regulation limits emissions of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particles. In large cities such as Barcelona or Madrid, almost all eco-labels have already been sent because in these cities there have recently been several restrictive episodes of circulation due to high pollution. Vehicles with no distinctive environmental will face certain restrictions of the DGT, this means that the most polluting vehicles may be prohibited from circulating in certain areas during the days when the concentration of carbon dioxide or nitrogen is especially high. During 2017, the DGT will continue sending environmental labels to the rest of the Spanish provinces.

Environmental label of an example CARFAX report shows you

Now the CARFAX vehicle report shows you, among other relevant vehicle information, the environmental badge in which a car is classified. Checking the information on the environmental label in the CARFAX report is important since, in order to drive through certain areas, the vehicle must have a valid environmental label or an exceptional permit, otherwise you will not be able to access that area. Acquire the CARFAX vehicle report on this page.

TYPES OF BADGES

ENVIRONMENTAL BADGE ZERO EMISSIONS (BLUE)

This sticker of the DGT corresponds to all electric vehicles, both battery and extended range or plug-in hybrids or fuel cell. Electric vehicle like this receives a label Environmental badge ZERO emissions (blue)

ECO BADGE (GREEN AND BLUE LABEL)

This DGT label corresponds to hybrid plug-in vehicles with autonomy <40km, vehicles powered by natural gas, hybrid non-plug-in vehicles (HEV), vehicles powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or natural gas (CNG and LNG).

ENVIRONMENTAL BADGE C (GREEN)

The ecological label C corresponds to passenger cars and light gasoline vans. For gasoline vehicles that have been registered since January 2006 and for diesel since 2014. Both vehicles with more than eight seats and freight vehicles, registered as of 2014 and either gasoline or diesel, they are creditors of this label of the DGT.

DISTINCTIVE B (YELLOW)

The ecological label B, is for passenger cars and light gasoline vans registered from January 2000 and diesel from January 2006. Also, this sticker of the DGT corresponds to vehicles of more than 8 seats and the transportation of gasoline or diesel goods, registered as of 2005. Remember that if you want to know which environmental distinction has the car of your interest, consult it directly in the CARFAX vehicle report.

VEHICLES WITHOUT ECO-LABEL

Holders of the oldest and most polluting vehicles will not receive a sticker from the DGT. The forecast is that these vehicles can not access the low emission areas that are currently in certain cities, in the days of greatest contamination.

WHERE SHOULD THE STICKER OF THE DGT BE PLACED?

The placement of the DGT sticker is voluntary, but it is advisable to place the adhesive particularly in the lower right corner of the front windshield or elsewhere on the windshield where visibility does not diminish. The administrations with mobility and environmental competences have the power to access at any time the registration of vehicles of the DGT and to know the environmental classification and the type of ecological label that corresponds to each vehicle. Approximately 20 million vehicles registered in Spain do not have a sticker from the DGT because they pollute too much. This is almost 60% of the country’s vehicle fleet. If you want to know how much you pollute your car, we recommend you visit the following link on environmental classifications. In case of requiring a duplicate of the ecological sticker either for loss, theft or loss, it is possible to process it from any Provincial Traffic Headquarters (by appointment) and a fee of approximately € 10 will be charged, as reported in the Instruction document of the DGT labels . Likewise, if you consider that you have received the wrong DGT label, you can request an appointment at the nearest Traffic Office.