Rep Power: 0

Hi, I am looking for someone with a carfax subscription to help me out. I have 2004 Civic I bought last fall and I was always suspicious that it was in an accident no-one was mentioning (the body looks like someone drive it through a bush and then kind of smoothed it out). At 30,000 miles for 10,000, I liekd the deal and was desperate for a car.

Today I finally saw it, a welded spot on the door frame, unmistakable. The two pieces had been completely separated. Proof, in my mind, that there had been an accident. The guy gave me a carfax at the time, but it didn't list anything. He assured me that to his knowledge, nothing had ever happened to the car. I hate that I am a sucker.

I'm trying to see if something came up. I can't find the copy I got. I don't feel like paying the $35.

Anyone?

Thanks,
Natasha

 
Rep Power: 191

Gimme the VIN and I can run an AutoCheck for you. Not exactly the same as CarFax, but better than nothing .

 
Rep Power: 191

Also, there is a likely chance that it was in an unreported accident, which would result in a clean CarFax/AutoCheck, even if it was in an accident :\.

 
Rep Power: 812

carfax is pretty useless compared to a keen eye. many things never get reported to carfax even legit body work done thru insurance. if you only rely on carfax then it will be a big mistake. you can have a clean record but the car may have been in a flood, have all sorts of engine related problems, or was beat on all the time.

 
Rep Power: 0

Hey, I somehow thought I would get an email telling me that someone answered, so I never looked at this again!
If you are still out there and could still get me a carfax I would be soooooo happy.

The VIN is 1HGEM21354L071182 . It is a 2004 Honda Civic. Now, at 40,000 miles, I am having some kind of transmission/ clutch issue. I swear this car has been through something not listed....

Thanks, if you are still out there!

Natasha

 
Rep Power: 518

Like others said, a clean report means absolutely nothing. A bad report means more than a clean report.
A pre-purchase inspection is worth far more than a Carfax report.

You need a mechanic now, not a Carfax. Carfax won't help you fix the car. It's your car now, you own all of it-- and all the problems that came with it.

If you want to know if it has had bodywork done, go to a good bodyman. The good ones can almost always tell if bodyshop work has been done to it.
Apparently you already found evidence of something, and I'm sure a good bodyshop can take care of your car for you.

/Snark

 
Rep Power: 188

Does the car run good? any noticable issues....even if it was in an accident it can still forfill your needs as a DD..Cars get broke then get fixed..Unless its a P.O.S then i would not jump to you geting screwed just cause it was in an accident..Check the framing under the car too..

 
Rep Power: 191

Its got a clean AutoCheck (and an autocheck score of 87, with most similar vehicles falling in the range of 58-73). Here's a copy/paste, it's not as pretty as looking at the website, but there's nothing on it to see anyway.



AutoCheck.com
Your AutoCheck Vehicle History Report
2004 Honda Civic VP
Report Run Date: 2011-12-28
Report Summary

Class: Mid Range Car - Lower
Engine: 1.7L I4 MPI
Country of Assembly: United States
Vehicle Age: 7 year(s)
Calculated Owners: 3

VIN: 1HGEM21354L071182
Year: 2004
Make: Honda
Model: Civic VP
Style/Body: Coupe 2D

This vehicle's AutoCheck Score



The AutoCheck Score is a summary of your vehicle's history. It lets you compare similar vehicles with ease.
About the AutoCheck Score
This vehicle qualifies for Buyback Protection
buyback

Safeguard your investment with AutoCheck Buyback Protection. It reduces the risk in buying a used vehicle.
About Buyback Protection

AccidentCheck
Reported accidents: 0

Title and ProblemCheck
Your vehicle checks out!

OdometerCheck
Your vehicle checks out!

Last Reported Odometer Reading: 32,848

Vehicle Use and EventCheck
Specific vehicle use(s) or events reported
View Full History

AccidentCheck

Not all accidents / issues are reported to AutoCheck.

checks_out Your Vehicle Checks Out! There have been no accidents reported to AutoCheck for this 2004 Honda Civic VP (1HGEM21354L071182). AutoCheck receives its accident data from government sources and independent agencies, and based on the information available to us, we have found that no accidents have been reported on this vehicle.

Title and ProblemCheck

checks_out Your Vehicle Checks Out! AutoCheck's database for this 2004 Honda Civic VP (1HGEM21354L071182) shows no negative titles or other problems. When reported to AutoCheck, these events can indicate serious past damage or other significant problems, and disqualifies the vehicle for AutoCheck Buyback Protection. Check the Vehicle Use and EventCheck for reported accidents that can affect vehicle safety and value.

0 Problem(s) Reported: 15 Title/Problem areas checked:
image No abandoned title record
image No damaged title or major damage incident record
image No fire damaged title record
image No grey market title record
image No hail damage title record
image No insurance loss title or probable total loss record
image No junk or scrapped title record
image No manufacturer buyback/lemon title record
image No odometer problem title record
image No rebuilt/rebuildable title record
image No salvage title or salvage auction record
image No water damaged title record
image No NHTSA crash test record
image No frame/unibody damage record
image No recycling facility record
OdometerCheck

checks_out Your Vehicle Checks Out! AutoCheck examined the reported odometer readings reported to AutoCheck for this 2004 Honda Civic VP (1HGEM21354L071182) and no indication of an odometer rollback or tampering was found. AutoCheck uses business rules to determine if reported odometer readings are significantly less than previously reported values. Not all reported odometer readings are used. Title and auction events also report odometer tampering or breakage.
0 Problem(s) Reported: Mileage Date Reported
image 35 07/12/2004
image 30,342 06/30/2010
image 31,042 08/02/2010
image 31,049 08/04/2010
image 32,840 09/27/2010
image 32,848 09/27/2010
Vehicle Use and EventCheck

image Information Reported! AutoCheck shows additional vehicle uses or events reported to AutoCheck for this 2004 Honda Civic VP (1HGEM21354L071182). This includes reported vehicle uses such as rental or lease, and events such as whether the vehicle has been reported to have had a loan/lien or a duplicate title issued. Other events show if the vehicle has a reported accident and how many calculated accidents or if it has been reported stolen or repossessed. It is recommended to have pre-owned vehicles inspected by a third party prior to purchase.
0 Event(s) Reported: 6 Vehicle uses checked:
image No fleet, rental and/or lease use record
image No taxi use record
image No police use record
image No government use record
image No livery use record
image No driver education record
2 Event(s) Reported: 9 Vehicle events checked:
image No accident record reported through accident data sources
image No corrected title record
image No duplicate title record
image Emission/safety inspection record(s)
image Loan/Lien record(s)
image No fire damage incident record
image No repossessed record
image No theft record
image No storm area registration/title record
Full History

Below are the historical events for this vehicle listed in chronological order. Any discrepancies will be in bold text.

Report Run Date 2011-12-28 15:56:00.204 EST

Vehicle: 2004 Honda Civic VP (1HGEM21354L071182)
Event date Location Odometer reading Data Source Details
07/12/2004 CA
35
Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
07/13/2004 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
07/14/2004 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Lien Reported)
07/14/2008 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/22/2009 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
07/29/2009 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
06/30/2010 CA
30,342
State Agency PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
08/02/2010 CA
31,042
State Agency PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
08/04/2010 CA
31,049
Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
09/08/2010 SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
09/27/2010 CA
32,840
Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
09/27/2010 CA
32,848
State Agency PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
11/24/2010 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Lien Reported)
12/02/2010 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/28/2011 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Lien Reported)
05/06/2011 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
07/01/2011 OAKLAND, CA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank You!!!!! It looks like no matter what I will be paying for a new clutch on a 40,000 mile Honda, which is insane to me, but it's good to know at least there is nothing on record.

Dealership wanted to charge me $1700 for the new clutch. LOL!!! I can't believe that. getting quoted $700 at independent shops, which still makes me mad considering my 4 year extended warranty I got for nothing apparently.

Living and learning.....

 
Rep Power: 0

I am going to have a mechanic check out the framing and everything. I don't know if I got screwed. But, clearly the previous owner did something insane to my poor destroyed 40,000 mile clutch....

 
Rep Power: 518

Someone that can't drive a stick can roast a clutch in a matter of seconds. Same goes for damaging a transmission.

The lifespan of a clutch depends entirely on the driver. You don't know how the previous owner drove it, or how many kids learned how to drive a stick in that car. LOL

Yeah, 1700 seems way high for a basic clutch job on that. I'd want to see a very detailed estimate before I say that though......maybe that is a trans overhaul???? No, that wouldn't be high enough..... wtf are they trying to get you for? What is their labor rate per hour?

Warranties almost never cover wear and tear items. A clutch is one of those items.
Many extended warranties are not worth a whole lot.
Some aren't worth a flying ****. They can find a way to weasel out of covering damn near anything.
A few are really good. Honda Care is pretty good at covering the important stuff, but I really doubt they would cover the clutch.
It's all in the wording of the contracts, and how your problems are presented to the warranty company.
I think many people would be better off banking the cost of the contract, then if you never need to use it--you win!

/My opinions. YMMV.