Car in wreck previously.......carfax checks out?

[Paul0088]

Hi all,

Just discovered today that my 04 focus seems to have been in an accident previous to my purchasing the car. I bought it certified pre-owned from the dealership and was provided a carfax that showed no accidents. I was getting my oil changed today and the guy doing it asked if the car had ever been in an accident. I replied that it hadn't to my knowledge. He pointed out a couple of spots that looked like they had been repaired. After leaving I decided that I'd take it to a body place and see what they had to say. The guy at that shop looked at it and could tell immediatley that the car had had signifigant repairs done to the front end. I went to the dealership and talked to the GM and am currently waiting to hear back. Just wondering if anyone has had this happen to them in the past and what came of it? Also if anyone has any general advice about the situation. Thanks in advance

-Paul-

[ax0n]

Carfax isn't perfect. My 1995 escort showed clean but when I had the driver's side door apart there was evidence of lots of bondo work. My suggestion is to not sweat it too much unless the damage or the repairs are causing other problems.

[Gun5]

yep carfax is a joke.. i have had cars that say 1 owner, they arn't or they havn't been wrecked.. Wrong again.. 5 cars so far of mine that i'v proved them wrong

[Scorpion]

Just for giggles, give me your vin, I'll run it for you on carfax...let's see if they gave you a fake one!

[Paul0088]

VIN # 3FAFP37354R124574 Appreciate the check

[jordanr1987]

it could also of been a home repair job or somewhere that doesnt register repairs maybe?

[Paul0088]

Yeah that's what the auto body guys said. If it's not brought into the dealership or a repair shop then it won't show up. There was a sticker painted silver on the underside of the hood hiding the name of the aftermarket hood. Someone obviously was trying to hide the job. The thing that gets me is that the dealership certified the car and part of their 116 point inspection is supposed to cover things like unusual paint or misalignment. I find it hard to believe that an oil guy could pick this out but a certified technician couldn't. Maybe they just overlooked it but in my mind this type of thing shouldn't happen when buying certified pre-owned from a dealership!

[Random]

Originally Posted by Paul0088

Hi all,

Just discovered today that my 04 focus seems to have been in an accident previous to my purchasing the car. I bought it certified pre-owned from the dealership and was provided a carfax that showed no accidents. I was getting my oil changed today and the guy doing it asked if the car had ever been in an accident. I replied that it hadn't to my knowledge. He pointed out a couple of spots that looked like they had been repaired. After leaving I decided that I'd take it to a body place and see what they had to say. The guy at that shop looked at it and could tell immediatley that the car had had signifigant repairs done to the front end. I went to the dealership and talked to the GM and am currently waiting to hear back. Just wondering if anyone has had this happen to them in the past and what came of it? Also if anyone has any general advice about the situation. Thanks in advance

-Paul-

I know this is wrong... but my I have been guilty of doing something like this. My boss at a car dealership gave me the wrong carfax for a car I was selling. It showed it was clean, but in fact the car had been in a wreck. They bought the car and never knew.... I would double check your car for sure.

Good luck!

[Random]

Originally Posted by Paul0088

Yeah that's what the auto body guys said. If it's not brought into the dealership or a repair shop then it won't show up. There was a sticker painted silver on the underside of the hood hiding the name of the aftermarket hood. Someone obviously was trying to hide the job. The thing that gets me is that the dealership certified the car and part of their 116 point inspection is supposed to cover things like unusual paint or misalignment. I find it hard to believe that an oil guy could pick this out but a certified technician couldn't. Maybe they just overlooked it but in my mind this type of thing shouldn't happen when buying certified pre-owned from a dealership!

Ah.... depending on the dealership the 116 inspection is not preformed. Just skimmed over... it is truly sad but true. I speak from first hand exp.

Just giving you insight... I would get a third eye from a trusted mechanic.

Kyle

[Paul0088]

Thanks for the info Random......I am just trying to plan my next move. I am going to talk to some legal councel on Monday and see what they say. When a dealership says that they will perform a 116 point inspection and then doesn't, or half asses it, that's unsat. When a customer buys a Certified Pre-owned car they are doing so for reassurance that there are no "major" problems with the vehicle. In my mind, this is a clear case of misrepresentation and bored-line Fraud. I've had a multitude of issues with the vehicle including a $1200 fix of the evaporator case because it was leaking into the vehicle. I also noticed my lights flicker while on the highway and there are strange noises coming from the car. I'm unsure of the exact legal code in the state of texas under consumer protection as it pertains to auto purchase, but I think that it is worth taking a look at. I'm not the kind of person that enjoys taking people to court, but I am also not one to allow something like this to happen. Hopefully the dealership will do what's right and that can be avoided all together.

[Random]

Originally Posted by Paul0088

Thanks for the info Random......I am just trying to plan my next move. I am going to talk to some legal councel on Monday and see what they say. When a dealership says that they will perform a 116 point inspection and then doesn't, or half asses it, that's unsat. When a customer buys a Certified Pre-owned car they are doing so for reassurance that there are no "major" problems with the vehicle. In my mind, this is a clear case of misrepresentation and bored-line Fraud. I've had a multitude of issues with the vehicle including a $1200 fix of the evaporator case because it was leaking into the vehicle. I also noticed my lights flicker while on the highway and there are strange noises coming from the car. I'm unsure of the exact legal code in the state of texas under consumer protection as it pertains to auto purchase, but I think that it is worth taking a look at. I'm not the kind of person that enjoys taking people to court, but I am also not one to allow something like this to happen. Hopefully the dealership will do what's right and that can be avoided all together.

Well said, I agree with you. Its never fun to take people to court and can be time consuming. But it looks like you have a strong case atm. Sorry to hear this and good luck to you.

Cheers,
Kyle

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Originally Posted by Paul0088

When a dealership says that they will perform a 116 point inspection and then doesn't, or half asses it, that's unsat.

Who's to say they didn't "inspect" it, determine indeed that it was repaired, found the repair to be correct, and moved on to the next item on the inspection list? If I had to guess (and I am), I'm betting that you don't have any legal grounds for suit. Hopefully I'm wrong...

[Paul0088]

If they did indeed find that it had been in an accident that should have been included on their report. The bottom line is that the cars value is certainly not the same having been in an accident. If I were to sell it to someone else I would have to disclose that to the person I was selling it to. My guess is that you would do the same. Obviously I would not be able to get the Fair Market Value of the car given its history. The parts that were used are not OEM ford parts which should have raised red flags. In the state of Texas (and many other places I would imagine) it is illegal to misrepresent something as "checked/inspected clear of major defects" when in fact there are. They may have inspected the car and missed it but that doesn't release them from their obligation to the consumer to sell good products at a fair value. I'm going to continue to look into it and see where it goes....thanks for the replies!

[Sphoo7]

Originally Posted by Paul0088

VIN # 3FAFP37354R124574 Appreciate the check

03/24/2004 NICB Vehicle manufactured
and shipped to original dealer

05/03/2004 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Robstown, TX Registered as
personal vehicle

06/08/2004 55 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Robstown, TX
Title #22720538133091819 Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed
First owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection

09/06/2005 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
College Station, TX
Title #22720538133091819 Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location

09/05/2006 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
College Station, TX
Title #22720538133091819 Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location

09/07/2007 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Robstown, TX Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location

01/29/2008 45,424 Champion Ford Mazda
Corpus Christi, TX
361-994-6200
www.autonation.com/ Vehicle offered for sale

01/31/2008 45,583 Champion Ford Mazda
Corpus Christi, TX
361-994-6200
www.autonation.com/ Vehicle serviced
Pre-delivery inspection completed
Four tires mounted and balanced
Safety inspection performed

02/12/2008 45,610 Dealer Inventory
Corpus Christi, TX Vehicle offered for sale

03/22/2008 45,648 Champion Ford Mazda
Corpus Christi, TX
361-994-6200
www.autonation.com/ Vehicle sold

03/28/2008 45,649 Champion Ford Mazda
Corpus Christi, TX
361-994-6200
www.autonation.com/ Vehicle serviced
Window tint installed

04/16/2008 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Corpus Christi, TX
Title #17830239543085846 Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection

welcome. -Eric

[Random]

Its a good source, but I wish it was 100%.

[Paul0088]

Well I am going to talk to a lawyer tomorrow to see if I have good reason to pursue this case. I've visited the dealer twice now and both times was dissatisfied with their ability to handle the situation. I'm neither unreasonable nor am I looking to gain from this endeavor. I just think that the dealership should own up to their mistake and do what is right by the customer. Mainly getting me into a car that has not been in a wreck at a simiar value.

[Sphoo7]

Originally Posted by Paul0088

Well I am going to talk to a lawyer tomorrow to see if I have good reason to pursue this case. I've visited the dealer twice now and both times was dissatisfied with their ability to handle the situation. I'm neither unreasonable nor am I looking to gain from this endeavor. I just think that the dealership should own up to their mistake and do what is right by the customer. Mainly getting me into a car that has not been in a wreck at a simiar value.

keep us posted on it.. I'm curious how it goes.