If you're wondering if a Carfax record is created when you get an estimate for paintless dent repair, the answer is no. There's no need for one - and there's certainly no reason why a shop would report an inspection of damages to Carfax. So if you're looking to get your dents fixed without any hassle, go ahead and schedule an appointment with a Paintless Dent Repair shop today!
For example, if you were to hit a telephone pole with your own car and take it to a local Paintless Dent Repair shop for an estimate, this would not appear on the vehicle's Carfax report. Even if the damage was repaired, it wouldn't be recorded on Carfax.
This is how Carfax describes the information that is reported and by whom:
CARFAX does not have the complete history of every vehicle. A CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX. Other information about the vehicle, including problems, may not have been reported to CARFAX.
What & How Does Carfax Report?
Other Carfax Questions Answered
Carfax obtains its information from a variety of sources, and there is no assurance that everything will be recorded. Hopefully, the answers to some of your questions can be found below.
Is Cosmetic Damage Reported to Carfax?
If you're concerned about every little cosmetic repair you make to your car being recorded on Carfax, you can relax.
One of the most fantastic aspects about having your car fixed by Paintless Dent Repair is that the condition will be identical to before it was damaged once the work is completed. The manufacturer's original paint warranty remains intact as long as there was no paint damage, such as scratching, lifting, bubbling, or chipping.
Does Carfax have information about accidents?
If an incident has not been reported to a source to which Carfax does not have access, it will not be recorded on the report.
In reality, only a small number of automobile body businesses and Paintless Dent Repair establishments report any info to Carfax. If they do, the repairs are generally recorded as "Vehicle serviced."
If the incident was reported to an insurance company and there was a police report, and if the damage was so catastrophic that the automobile was labeled "totaled," it's likely to show up on Carfax.
What DOES show up on vehicles Carfax?
Please keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed to appear on your Carfax report, which adds to the confusion.
Previous wrecks that have compromised the frame, structural integrity of the vehicle or whether or not the airbags have been deployed or the most common thing to show up on Carfax but here are some other things that may show up on the report:
- Odometer records.
- DMV branding of a title due to flooding, fire or salvage.
- Lemon status or cars that have been recalled or repurchased by dealers due to major issues.
- A history of previous owners and whether the vehicle was used as a rental, leased or corporate car.
- Service and maintenance records.
- Dealer warranty information.
- Safety recalls and reliability ratings.