Auto Auction - Auto auctions provide Carfax with odometer readings of vehicles brought to the auction for sale (and whether or not it sold). It is common practice for vehicles to be wholesaled at auctions. 
Damage Disclosure Title- The title issued when the seller indicates that the vehicle has sustained damage as a result of one or more incidents. The amount of damage varies by state. 
Date Reported - Refers to the date when the transaction occurred. 
Dealer Service Company - Dealer Service Companies assist auto dealers manage their inventories. These companies offer data services in the areas of mass marketing, maintenance notification, unit labeling and advertising. Not all dealer service companies report information to Carfax. 
Emissions Inspections - Many states or counties require annual or biennial emissions inspections. Odometer readings are collected at the time of the inspection. 
Exceeds Mechanical Limits - When the seller certifies, under the Truth in Mileage Act, that the odometer reading EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS of the odometer, usually 99,999 miles. 
Exempt Vehicle - The vehicle is over 10 years old, was manufactured before 1986, and is exempt from odometer reporting requirements. 
Fleet Management Company - Fleet Management Companies provide the management of financing, insurance, maintenance and repair of fleet vehicles owned by other businesses. Fleet companies are typically self-insured. Vehicles that have sustained varying degrees of damage have been reported to Carfax, however not all fleet management companies report information to Carfax. 
Flood Damage Title - States issue flood titles when a vehicle has been in a flood or has received extensive water damage. 
General Comments - Carfax reports display important information in the General Comment section, including potential problems for each transaction. Comments will vary, depending on the source of the information. 
Information Source - Refers to the provider or origin of the transaction. There are several sources you may see on a report including Motor Vehicle Department, Auto Auctions, Salvage Auctions, and Emissions Inspection Stations. 
Lemon Law - Most states have a lemon law to protect consumers from having to keep a car that has recurring problems. If someone buys a new car with major problems, and the manufacturer fails to repair the defect in a certain amount of time, the manufacturer may be required to refund the consumer's money by buying the vehicle back. 
Lien - A lien is an ownership right to a piece of property. When a financial institution loans money to someone purchasing a vehicle, the financial institution has a lien on the vehicle. Other types of liens include mechanics' liens and child support liens. 
Manufacturer Buyback (LEMON) Title- The title issued when a vehicle with major problems has been repurchased by a manufacturer. State laws vary as to the requirements for a "buyback." 
Motor Vehicle Dept. - Motor Vehicle Departments issue both titles and registrations to a vehicle's owner. Each title or registration record which appears on a Carfax report does not necessarily indicate a change in ownership. New titles and registrations can be created for name, address and lienholder changes; ownership changes; vehicle status changes; registration activity; title corrections; and lost titles. 
Not Actual Mileage - When the seller certifies, under the Truth in Mileage Act, that the odometer reading is NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE. This may occur because the disclosed odometer reading was not accurate and verifiable. 
Odometer Rollback - If a more recent odometer reading is less than an older reading, then the odometer may have been "rolled back". 
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title - The vehicle sustained damage and was rebuilt or reconstructed, then placed back on the road. 
Repossession - When a repossession occurs a vehicle owner fails to make loan payments, and the financial institution holding the title takes possession of the vehicle. 
Salvage Auction Record - Vehicles that are sold at salvage auctions. These vehicles have been declared a total loss by an insurance company, are recovered stolen vehicles, or have been repossessed. 
Salvage/Junk Title - States issue salvage titles when an insurance company takes possession of a vehicle as a result of a claim. This generally occurs after a vehicle has been declared a total loss. States issue junk titles to indicate that a vehicle is not road worthy and cannot be titled again in that state. 
Service Plan Company - Service Plan Companies market extended warranty plans to buyers of both new and used cars as mechanical breakdown insurance. Information is collected from service plan companies when they issue contracts and when they pay repair claims. Not all service plan companies report information to Carfax. 
Title Issued - A state issues a title to provide a vehicle owner with proof of ownership. Each title has a unique number. Each title or registration record which appears on a Carfax report does not necessarily indicate a change in ownership. 
Total Loss - An insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss when paying a claim for the full value of the vehicle. Insurance companies typically take possession and obtain the title of such vehicles. 
Vehicle ID No. - This 17 character number is unique to each vehicle. It identifies characteristics of the vehicle, including manufacturer, year, model, body, engine specifications, and serial number. 
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