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Question on a strange Carfax check

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Morrie, Sep 17, 2004.

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  1. Morrie

    Morrie Karting

    Nov 4, 2003
    207
    Sarasota/Asheville
    #1 Morrie, Sep 17, 2004
    Has anyone ever seen a Carfax report come up completely empty? I just looked at one on an 83 308. There is no info on any registration or ownership changes.
    Absolutely nothing. I don't know what to make of it.
     
  2. PassionIsFerrari

    PassionIsFerrari Formula 3

    Aug 15, 2004
    2,454
    #2 PassionIsFerrari, Sep 17, 2004
    I would recheck the VIN.
     
  3. Lrob

    Lrob Karting

    Aug 13, 2004
    96
    Fairfield, CT
    Full Name:
    Larry Roberts
    #3 Lrob, Sep 17, 2004
    I think I read somewhere in another thread that a Euro car may come up empty in Carfax. Check the archives. And, of course check the VIN.
     
  4. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 8, 2002
    6,530
    Full Name:
    Fred
    #4 ILuv4Res, Sep 17, 2004
    Agree.....Possibly Euro car, check VIN.
     
  5. Bandit

    Bandit Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2003
    493
    Central MS
    Full Name:
    Mike B.
    #5 Bandit, Sep 17, 2004
    I believe Carfax information only goes back to around to the early 90's in some areas, so if the car hasn't changed hands in quite a while it is possible it won't show up in a search.

    Does Carfax at least identify it as the correct model? I think the euro cars come back as an invalid VIN, not blank.
     
  6. Morrie

    Morrie Karting

    Nov 4, 2003
    207
    Sarasota/Asheville
    #6 Morrie, Sep 19, 2004
    The VIN is valid as a US car. Myra at Ferrari of North America told me this isn't the first time she has seen this happen. She confirmed the car was sold new in Newport, CA in 83.

    I think you are correct that it could have been sold before Carfax records started, and never changed hands. The 308 registry has it as being offered on Ebay in 2003, but doesn't say if it sold there or not. It is a very nice car and I plan to buy it, but I'm concerned about how someone might feel if I ever decide to re-sell it. I guess that shouldnt be my first consideration.

    I'll do a complete major service and fix other thimgs the PPI revealed, so will build a history from that point.
     
  7. Morrie

    Morrie Karting

    Nov 4, 2003
    207
    Sarasota/Asheville
    #7 Morrie, Sep 19, 2004
    The VIN is valid as a US car. Myra at Ferrari of North America told me this isn't the first time she has seen this happen. She confirmed the car was sold new in Newport, CA in 83.

    I think you are correct that it could have been sold before Carfax records started, and never changed hands. The 308 registry has it as being offered on Ebay in 2003, but doesn't say if it sold there or not. It is a very nice car and I plan to buy it, but I'm concerned about how someone might feel if I ever decide to re-sell it. I guess that shouldnt be my first consideration.

    I'll do a complete major service and fix other thimgs the PPI revealed, so will build a history from that point.
     
  8. PhilB

    PhilB Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 17, 2004
    2,338
    Southern New Jersey Shore
    Full Name:
    Phil
    #8 PhilB, Sep 19, 2004
    Use Carfax as a help, but Carfax is not the "end all". It often contains inaccurate and missing information. I bought a BMW once that CarFax said was clean. Three years later when I sold the car, the new buyer ran a CarFax and it indicated that my car was in a collision 6 months before I bought it. I always wondered why the report I ran 3 years earlier didn't show this info, even though at the time the colision took place 6 months before I bought the car.

    Phil
     
  9. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,560
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    #9 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Sep 19, 2004
    Don't they have some sort of guarantee to guard against that?
     

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