What I look for in a CARFAX before buying a used car (free checklist inside)

Hey folks sharing the quick checklist I use when reading a CARFAX so you don’t miss red flags: • Title status: any “salvage/rebuilt/flood” mentions : walk away. • Mileage math: look for steady climbs; sudden drops/plateaus can mean odometer issues. • Ownership pattern: lots of owners in short time = potential money pit. • Use type: “rental,” “commercial,” or “rideshare” = higher wear; price accordingly. • Service cadence: oil/fluids every ~5–10k mi; gaps = neglect. • Accident wording: “airbag deployed,” “structural damage,” “frame damage” are big ones. • Emissions/inspection gaps: can hint at periods off the road or out-of-state flips.

I turned this into a one-pager you can print when you go see a car. If helpful, I also run a tiny tool that lets people pull CARFAX reports for $3.99

Comment your red flags….