CarFAX - useful tool or urban hype?

I've bought quite a few cars, all but one of them used (some very VERY used). In some cases a CarFAX report was in the glovebox, or in the dealership file. During my last round of insantity (ie buying cars) I decided it would be good to pay the $25.00 and get a CarFAX account. The cost was basically non-existant compared to the prices of the sports cars I was shopping for.

After selling our ML320 some years ago, following a parking lot incident where it was nearly totaled (hit by an old lady while parked) my faith in CarFAX was not high. The damage was more than 3/4 of the vehicles value and we barely avoided it being considered a total. When I checked the CarFAX report on it later, the accident never appeared! That did not make me feel so good. So when I bought the subscription this time around I kept this in mind, knowing that if something DID show up.. well.. it must mean something.

Fast forward a week and I'm running my first report on prospective 1995 993 Carrera. Hm.. odometer questions... and WHOA!! I wiring harness recall! YIKES! Thanked the seller and went on my way.

Another week down the road I find a gorgeous 1997 993, all black. Went to drive it an check it out. Spectacular car, low mileage, nice upgrades. Drove just a little 'funny'. Thanked the seller, asked to jot down the VIN. Came back to the office and ran it through CF. WHOA!!! Not only had it been totaled once (Salvage title issued) but again a few years late (when a JUNK/DISMANTLED title was issued). Oh... wow! Sure.. something during the test drive did tell me the car had a problem but.. I never would have guessed it's sorted history. Thank goodness too since my desire to own that black beast was pretty strong. I never went back.

Another week had gone by and oddly enough that first 993 was still on the lot. Which was very surprising consider it's bargain basement price (the lowest price 993 in the country according to Autotrader.com at the time). Went back again, this would the 4th time I'd driven the car.

With CarFAX report in hand.. and knowlege that I'd have to get at least some work done.. I went back, found that it was actually a pretty solid car and made the deal. Two days later I was at the Porsche dealer having the recall taken care off with no out of pocket expense to myself. Water under the bridge.

You never know with a used car. The engine could explode tomorrow and I'd be back at square one. But I feel that the small cost of the CarFAX subscription is worth the price. Next round of auto-purchasing will include a renewal of my CarFAX account.

CONCLUSION: Not perfect, but worth the price.