VIN check

[kenpo154]

Can anyone check a vin # for me and let me know of any records on an insight?

[budomove]

If you are in America, call American Honda, and they will tell you the repair history, 1 800 999 1009

for collisions and such, you need to run a carfax.

frank

[boogetyboogety]

No offense nor accusations meant for kenpo154, I just wanted to throw this out there... I know this is NOT necessarily what he/she asked...

I was once told by an attorney friend the Carfax legal people sometimes fish in car forums for a VIN # check from someone who has a Carfax subscription, to see if they can trap someone into doing it in violation of the subscriber agreement, and for potential prosecution...

One giveaway: Low number of posts...

And surprisingly enough, in checking other forums from time to time (Porsche, BMW, Corvette, and other places I frequent), every once in a while someone does pop up and asks for just that service. So I guess it does happen from time to time... Usually the request is rapidly squelched by suspicious, knowing members, but sometimes someone will say "send me a PM" and I just cringe at the potential legal exposure the poor responder may face...

Again, no offense to kenpo154, I just know it was an honest request for help, consider this just a friendly heads-up for those who may not know about the Carfax goings-on... if you do have a Carfax subscription, don't use it to find out information for a third party, or do so at your financial peril...

[kenpo154]

Sorry if i offended anyone, i did not think it was a big deal.I will get a carfax.

[budomove]

don't worry about it, we know you're honest.

it is something to be careful about.

hope your insight is clean

definitely call american honda too to get repair and product update history, also call them with your info if you do buy it, and they'll have you in their system for the future. they will let you know about any warranteed updates that may still need to be done on the car.

frank

[bagwell]

I wouldn't waste your money on CARFAX if you're looking for accurate info anyway -- there's nothing making body shops report damage to a car.

[dberns]

Originally Posted by bagwell

I wouldn't waste your money on CARFAX if you're looking for accurate info anyway -- there's nothing making body shops report damage to a car.

ALSO... Carfax [tm] is limited to official state records and the participating
repair shops and insurance companies.

Note that it does NOT get records from a whole bunch of states, period,
so is a good place to start, but much, MUCH, more limited than
they claim.

ah...
"Carfax was sued because while their database used
to contain complete information from all fifty states,
they lost access to complete police accident records
from 22 states and the District of Columbia from the
National Crime Insurance Bureau database in 1998.
Consumers were never told that some crashes from
these states may not appear in the database. "
http://suealtmeyer.typepad.com/clevelan ... index.html

[The Thin Man]

Hey Kenpo.

I really am shocked at how much people bag on Carfax here.
No, repair shops aren't obligated to report on repairs (I think the insurance company is the one doing that anyway) and calling Honda will tell you if the warranty stuff was done. However, I still think CF is a great service and a very solid piece of mind for any owner. I've seen stuff on CF that calling the car manufacturer will never tell you. Plus, it's sure a whole lot more accurate then crossing your fingers, sprinkling fairy dust over your car and hoping you've got a good purchase (so says one member below).
Keep your eye out, Kempo, someone will be kind enough to pop your VIN into their account and give you a report.
Oh, and for the record, I don't work for Carfax or anything even close to the automotive industry. But watch out! Those guys are lurking around in message boards just waiting to discontinue your account