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CARFAX History
1984
  • CARFAX is founded by Ewin Barnett III
1986
  • With just 10,000 vehicle history records and a vision, Barnett markets the CARFAX vehicle history report
  • CARFAX works with its first dealer subscribers, who receive CARFAX reports via fax
1987
  • CARFAX works with its first auction customers

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1993
  • 60 Minutes reports on how CARFAX helps consumers during the used car buying process
  • CARFAX reaches a data milestone - receives title data from nearly all 50 states
  • Blackburn Marketing Services purchases CARFAX
  • Dick Raines is announced as CARFAX president
  • The CARFAX headquarters office is established in Fairfax, Virginia
1994
  • The CARFAX vehicle history database reaches 100 million vehicle history records
1996
  • CARFAX launches Carfax.com, which offers consumers access to CARFAX Vehicle History Reports
1998
  • Carfaxonline.com is launched, enabling dealer subscribers to easily run CARFAX Reports online
  • For the first time, CARFAX partners with a vehicle manufacturer – Mercedes-Benz
  • The free CARFAX® Lemon Check® is launched
  • CARFAX partners with AOL Autos
1999 2000
  • CARFAX launches a $20 million campaign to educate consumers on how to avoid risks involved in buying used cars
  • MSN Autos partners with CARFAX
2001
  • CARFAX launches the CARFAX Problem Car Alert
  • Cars.com partners with CARFAX
  • The CARFAX Affiliate Marketing Program is launched
  • CARFAX becomes an American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) Affinity Partner
2002 2003
  • CARFAX opens a new data center in Columbia, Missouri
  • The Washingtonian recognizes CARFAX as one of the ‘Great Places to Work’ for the first time
2004
  • The CARFAX vehicle history database surpasses three billion vehicle history records
  • The CARFAX Buyback Guarantee is introduced
  • CARFAX Hot Listings® launches, helping consumers to locate great used vehicles for sale
  • American Honda Motor Co. chooses CARFAX for their Honda and Acura Certified Pre-owned (CPO) programs
  • Vehicle service records are included in CARFAX Vehicle History Reports
2005
  • CARFAX buys back its first vehicle under the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee program - a 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  • Structure/frame damage data is added as a feature on CARFAX Vehicle History Reports
  • CARFAX partners with AutoTrader.com to provide instant access to CARFAX Vehicle History Reports
  • Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., selects CARFAX as a key component in the Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUV) and Scion CPO programs
  • The Washingtonian recognizes CARFAX as one of the ‘Great Places to Work’ for the second consecutive time
  • The free CARFAX Flood Check™ is launched
2006
  • CARFAX introduces a new Vehicle History Report and launches the CARFAX1-Owner™ program
  • CARFAX sponsors the first CARFAX 250 NASCAR Busch Series Race at Michigan International Speedway, won by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
  • AutoNation names CARFAX the best innovative partner for 2006
  • Chrysler Group incorporates CARFAX Vehicle History Reports in its Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle (CPOV) program
  • CARFAX moves its headquarters office from Fairfax, Virginia to Centreville, Virginia
2007
  • CARFAX reaches another data milestone – 34,000 data sources
  • The CARFAX vehicle history database reaches five billion vehicle history records
  • CARFAX announces a carbon neutral effort through partnerships with The Conservation Fund and Carbonfund.org
  • GM incorporates CARFAX Vehicle History Reports in the certification process for GM Certified Used Vehicles
  • Denny Hamlin wins the CARFAX 250 NASCAR Busch Series Race at Michigan International Speedway.  The event makes history as the first-ever carbon neutral stock car event. 
  • The Washingtonian names CARFAX as one of the ‘Great Places to Work’ for the third consecutive time
  • Dealer Specialties and AutoUpLinkUSA partner with CARFAX to provide dealers with new dynamic window labels containing vehicle history information
  • The free CARFAX Air Bag Check is launched
2008
  • CARFAX partners with Yahoo! Autos
  • Dealers begin using CARFAX Auction Quick Check to better evaluate auction units prior to purchase
  • New partnership with AutoMercado.com expands access to CARFAX Vehicle History Reports for the Hispanic community
  • CARFAX becomes the preferred provider of vehicle history information for the BMW and MINI NEXT™ certified pre-owned programs
  • The National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA) honors CARFAX with an Achievement in Consumer Education (ACE) award for educating consumers about the dangers of flood damaged vehicles
  • Carl Edwards wins the CARFAX 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race at Michigan International Speedway
  • CARFAX sponsors its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car - the No. 28 entry driven by Travis Kvapil
2009
  • The CARFAX vehicle history database reaches six billion vehicle history records