Carfax vs epic vin reports ?

[195910]

Hello Everyone,

Just ordered an "EPIC VIN" vehicle report on a 97 S500, but it does not seem to provide the ownership history. Shows 1st registration in 12/96 and salvage title in 10/18.
The positive aspect of the report is that it shows pictures from the damage.

Would the carfax report show the ownership information? I don't think its a single owner car for 22 years.

 

[gsxr]

Hello Everyone,

Just ordered an "EPIC VIN" vehicle report on a 97 S500, but it does not seem to provide the ownership history. Shows 1st registration in 12/96 and salvage title in 10/18.
The positive aspect of the report is that it shows pictures from the damage.

Would the carfax report show the ownership information? I don't think its a single owner car for 22 years.

Is this car located in USA? Carfax or AutoCheck will not show owner details, but will show title and registration events... but only for states which document these. Some states do not have annual registration (nor annual emission testing) and some do not require mileage reporting either. So, the data varies a lot depending which state(s) it was in. Also, when passed around through dealers, there may be no records of the dealer transfers (because they typically do not apply for title, nor register the car, so they technically aren't counted as "owners").

If you can send me the VIN, I can look up AutoCheck... I think @canyoncarco has access to Carfax.

 

[195910]

Is this car located in USA? Carfax or AutoCheck will not show owner details, but will show title and registration events... but only for states which document these. Some states do not have annual registration (nor annual emission testing) and some do not require mileage reporting either. So, the data varies a lot depending which state(s) it was in. Also, when passed around through dealers, there may be no records of the dealer transfers (because they typically do not apply for title, nor register the car, so they technically aren't counted as "owners").

If you can send me the VIN, I can look up AutoCheck... I think @canyoncarco has access to Carfax.

Hi Dave,

Thank you for the Clarification. Its a CA car, imported to the gulf: WDBGA51G7VA339519
Smacked right in the left headlight and indicator. No airbags were deployed and it was derivable.

 

[gsxr]

This was an all-CA car, which is great. AutoCheck shows possibly 2nd owner as of 2015. Also shows a total loss due to collision in 2018. No records afterwards. See attached. Did EpicVIN show all this info?

Photos here, probably the same form EpicVIN:

1997 MERCEDES-BENZ S 500 | WDBGA51G7VA339519 | 46329968 | Recce.Autos

1997 MERCEDES-BENZ S 500, VIN: WDBGA51G7VA339519, Lot: 46329968, Sold: 2018-10-24 ➡️ MARTINEZ (CA) | Odometer not available

recce.autos

 

[195910]

Hi Dave,

Yes these are the same pictures. Autocheck shows the ownership record and confirms its a 2 owner vehicle (19 years + 4 years) until the crash in late 2018. Then exported to the Gulf.

The pictures show the extent of the damage, no frame damage but the fender and headlight housing cavity was affected. Most of the car is factory paint but the trunk lid, front bumper and headlights were converted to EU spec.