Thanks for the post. I looked at the vehicle from the outside (the owner wasn't there) and it looks pretty good. When I do the actual check with the owner, I'll print your post so I can go step-by-step.
I did do the CarFax check. The concerns I have are that it was purchased in NJ, it was in an accident in NY, and it is now in PR (outside of the US). It was checked for 8 types of registrations (I don't know what this means) but it's only had one owner. And it has 43K miles. This is all according to carfax. Here's the report:
************************************************************************ Report Generated for Joe Hernandez For Personal Use Only
A CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX. Other information about this vehicle, including problems, may not have been reported to CARFAX. Use this report as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection and test drive, to make a better decision about your next used car.
Good News -- Vehicle qualifies for the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee! No severe problems (major accidents, fire, flood damage, major odometer problems or lemon history) were ever reported by a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562). If you find that any of these severe problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back.
CARFAX Talking CarTM The story of this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562) according to our interpretation of the information reported to CARFAX: This sedan has had 1 owner in New Jersey. It was originally registered as a corporate fleet vehicle. It was owned by a company that manages its own fleet of vehicles. These vehicles are typically used by smaller companies like banks or firms for business purposes. It was involved in an accident in New York that was reported to the police. It has had no DMV-reported total loss events, like a major accident, fire or flood. It has not been reported by a DMV as having an Exceeds Mechanical Limits or Not Actual Mileage title. It has a consistent mileage history with no indication of an odometer rollback. The last odometer reading, reported on 04/08/1999, was 10,566 miles. It was not reported by a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback (LEMON). Its basic warranty has expired. You may want to discuss an extended warranty with your dealer. Go to the Detailed Vehicle History for the complete history and a glossary of terms.
Report Summary
- ACCIDENT CHECK
Total Loss Check No Severe Accidents Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee! Other Accident Indicators Accident Indicator Reported
- MILEAGE ACCURACY CHECK
Truth-In-Mileage Check No Odometer Problems Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee! Odometer Rollback Check No Potential Odometer Rollback Found Mileage Consistency Check No Inconsistent Odometer Reading Found
- LEMON CHECK® No Mfr. Buyback Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
- OWNERSHIP CHECK
Number of Owners 1 Estimated Owner(s) Type of Owners Originally Registered as a Corporate Fleet Vehicle
- RECALL CHECK LEXUS Does Not Report Recalls to CARFAX
- WARRANTY CHECK No Coverage Remaining on Basic Warranty. Interested in an Extended Warranty? DETAILED VEHICLE HISTORY 7 HISTORY RECORDS REPORTED Tell us what you know about this vehicle
Year/Make/Model: 1998 LEXUS ES 300
Body Style: SEDAN 4 DR Engine: 3.0L V6 SFI DOHC ALUM Fuel: GASOLINE Driveline: FRONT WHEEL DRIVE Manufactured in: JAPAN Safety Equipment: 4 wheel ABS, Dual air bags front and sides/active (manual) belts
Standard Equipment: Power Windows, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, AM / FM Cassette, Power Brakes, Tilt Wheel, 6-digit Odometer
Total Loss Check:
GOOD NEWS! No severe damage events were ever reported by a DMV for this
1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562). If you find that any of the following severe problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!
Salvage Title Loss Due To Fire Title Junk Title Flood Damage Title Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title Hail Damage Title Dismantled Title Canadian Total Loss
Other Accident Indicators:
This 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562) had accident indicators reported to CARFAX from its sources. This section checks for accidents and/or related damage reported from many public and private sources. Not all accidents are reported to CARFAX. A vehicle inspection completed by your dealer or professional mechanic is recommended.
No Salvage Auction Record Reported No Crash Test Vehicle Record Reported No Fire Damage Record Reported No Airbag Deployment Record Reported No Frame Damage Record Reported No Damage Disclosure Record Reported Police Accident Record Reported No Collision Repair Facility Record Reported
Accident Indicators Detail: Date: Source: Detail:
12/09/1999 New York Police Report Accident Reported Vehicle involved in crash with another motor vehicle
New York Police Reports: Do not include an assessment of damage severity Are processed if the estimated damage exceeds $1000 Are released to CARFAX approximately 3 months after the accident date
According to the National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2003 edition, 12% of the 243 million registered vehicles in the U.S. were involved in an accident in 2002. Over 90% of these were considered minor or moderate. CARFAX depends on public and private sources for its accident data. Each one of these sources has different processing times. CARFAX can only report what is in our database on 10.Jul.2005 13:52:33. New data will result in a change to this report. Not all accidents are reported to the Police. Tell us if you know of other fender benders, accidents or damage.
Truth-In-Mileage Check:
GOOD NEWS! No major odometer problems were ever reported by a DMV under the Truth-In-Mileage Act for this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562). If you find that any of the following odometer problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!
Not Actual Mileage Title - issued by DMV when the owner discloses mileage fraud or a broken odometer. Exceeds Mechanical Limits Title - issued by DMV when the owner discloses an odometer rollover.
Odometer Rollback Check:
CARFAX found no odometer rollbacks for this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562). Rollbacks reported in this section originate from readings collected by a DMV or other verifiable source.
Mileage Consistency Check:
CARFAX found no inconsistent odometer readings in the mileage history of this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562).
Date: Mileage:
03/17/1998 10
04/08/1999 10,566
Do you know this vehicle's current mileage? Tell us and help protect others from mileage fraud.
GOOD NEWS! No manufacturer buyback was ever reported by a DMV for this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562). If you find that a manufacturer buyback was reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!
Ownership History:
CARFAX estimates that this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562) had 1 owner(s). CARFAX analyzed this vehicle's title history and other supporting events to identify potential ownership transfers. In compliance with the U.S. privacy laws, CARFAX does not collect or report owner names or addresses.
Estimated Owners: Date: Location:
1st owner 03/17/1998 New Jersey
CARFAX AdvisorTM The cost of ownership varies by vehicle. Go to Edmunds.com to check the recommended service schedule and estimated costs for this vehicle.
Types of Owners:
This 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562) was checked for 8 types of registrations.
No Personal Use Registration Reported Fleet Registration Reported No Lease Registration Reported No Commercial Registration Reported No Rental Registration Reported No Non-Profit Registration Reported No Taxi Registration Reported No Built to Non U.S. Standards Record Reported
Do you have information about how this vehicle was used or driven? Tell us what you know.
LEXUS does not report recall information for specific vehicles to CARFAX. Go to the CARFAX SAFETY & RELIABILITY REPORT for recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 1998 LEXUS ES 300. You can also contact an authorized dealership or LEXUS at 1-800-255-3987 to find out if this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562) still has recalls that require repair.
For your convenience, CARFAX has estimated the remaining original manufacturer warranty coverage based on information reported to us on this
1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562). Please confirm remaining factory warranty and extended warranty options with your dealer. Interested in an extended warranty?
Estimated start date of warranty: 03/17/1998 Last reading reported on 04/08/1999: 10,566 miles Recalculate with current mileage Today's Date: July 10, 2005
Type of Coverage: Original Warranty: Estimated Remaining Coverage: Basic 48 months or 50,000 miles Coverage expired Drivetrain 72 months or 70,000 miles Coverage expired Emissions 24 months or 24,000 miles Coverage expired Corrosion 72 months or unlimited mileage Coverage expired Transferable Transferable at no cost Same Roadside Assistance 48 months or unlimited mileage Coverage expired Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint 72 months or 70,000 miles Coverage expired Specific Components 96 months or 80,000 miles 9 months or 69,434 miles Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. First two maintenance services are at no charge. Alignment and wheel balance are limited to 1 years or 20,000 miles. Basic warranty includes surface corrosion and batteries.
CARFAX Warranty Check provides an estimate of this vehicle's remaining warranty coverage. It does not take into account some vehicle history events. For example, major accidents resulting in Salvage or Junk titles that may void the original manufacturer warranty or ownership transfers that may decrease warranty coverage. This warranty information is only valid for vehicles manufactured for sale in the US. Complete warranty coverage information is available for this vehicle at the LEXUS web site.
CARFAX searched more than 3 billion records from over 5,300 sources and found 7 record(s) for this 1998 LEXUS ES 300 (JT8BF28G8W5035562).
Date: Mileage Reading: Source: General Comments:
02/26/1998 NICB Vehicle manufactured and shipped to original dealer
03/17/1998 10 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Dept. Oakhurst, NJ Title issued or updated First owner reported
03/17/1998 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Dept. Oakhurst, NJ Registered as corporate fleet vehicle
04/08/1999 10,566 New York Inspection Station New York City Area Passed safety inspection
06/21/1999 New York Motor Vehicle Dept. Title issued or updated
12/09/1999 New York Police Report Case #9-642013 Accident Reported Vehicle involved in crash with another motor vehicle
09/21/2001 Puerto Rico Motor Vehicle Dept. Bayamon, PR Title #5678832 Title or registration issued
Tell us what you know about this vehicle
Detailed Vehicle History Definitions:
Accident CARFAX receives information on accidents in most states when an official police report is filed. The level of detail in the accident record varies by state depending on the state's accident report requirements. CARFAX recommends you obtain a vehicle inspection from your dealer or an independent mechanic for any car involved in an accident.
First Owner When the first owner(s) obtains a title from a Department of Motor Vehicles as proof of ownership.
Fleet Vehicle Vehicle was registered or sold to a company that manages vehicle fleets.
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CARFAX BUYBACK GUARANTEE
If you find that any of these severe problems were reported by a Department of Motor Vehicles and were not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back.
Severe Damage: Odometer Problems: Lemon History: Salvage/Junk
Rebuilt/Reconstructed
Dismantled
Fire/Flood/Hail
Canadian Total Loss Exceeds Mechanical Limits
Not Actual Mileage Manufacturer Buyback
Your CARFAX Buyback Coverage: Vehicle: Transferable Coverage: Activation:
1998 LEXUS ES 300 JT8BF28G8W5035562 07/10/2005 - 07/10/2006 REQUIRED -- ACTIVATE TODAY!
Activation Required
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Terms and Conditions Apply CARFAX agrees to buy this vehicle back from the holder of this Vehicle History Report if the report indicates the vehicle qualifies for the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee and a Branded Title, as fully defined in the Terms and Conditions, actually exists for this vehicle. YOU MUST REGISTER TO ACTIVATE THIS FREE GUARANTEE
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