Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title
A Rebuilt/Reconstructed vehicle is a salvage vehicle that has been repaired and restored to operation. These vehicles are often severely damaged before they are rebuilt and refurbished parts are typically used during reconstruction. In most states, an inspection of the vehicle is required before the vehicle is allowed to return to the road.
Manufacturer Buyback or Lemon Title
A DMV or a state agency marks an official document or issues a Manufacturer Buyback/Lemon title when a vehicle has been repurchased by the manufacturer. Not all states issue manufacturer buyback titles and the specific requirements for a lemon law vehicle varies by state.
Odometer Rollback
If a more recent odometer reading is less than an older reading, then the odometer may have been tampered with and "rolled back".
Manufacturer Recall
Automobile manufacturers issue recall notices to inform owners of car defects that have come to the manufacturer's attention. Recalls also suggest improvements that can be made to improve the safety of a particular vehicle. Most manufacturer recalls can be repaired at no cost to you.
Basic Warranty
Most manufacturers offer a basic warranty for new vehicles. These warranties vary by manufacturer and typically last for a certain amount of time and/or a set number of miles.
Not Actual Mileage Title
When the seller certifies, under the Federal Odometer Act, that the odometer reading does not reflect the vehicle's actual mileage. This may occur because the odometer was tampered with, broken, or replaced.
Junk Title
A Junk Title is issued on a vehicle damaged to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle exceeds ~ 75% of its pre-damage value. This damage threshold may vary by state. The majority of states use this title to indicate that a vehicle is not road worthy and cannot be titled again. Some states treat Junk titles the same as Salvage.
Loss Due To Fire Title
The vehicle sustained major damage due to fire. In most states, fire damage titles are issued when the cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation exceeds its fair market value.
Exceeds Mechanical Limits Title
A vehicle with a 5-digit odometer cannot accurately track mileage after 99,999 miles because the odometer rolls over. This title is the result of a seller certifying under the Federal Odometer Act, that the odometer reading EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS of the odometer.
Structural / Frame Damage
In most cases, a vehicle is inspected for structural or frame damage, depending on the body design, after an accident or other incident. All levels of accidents from minor to severe can cause structural / frame damage and in most cases it can be repaired.
Airbag Deployment
Occurs when the driver, passenger or side airbag has been used or deployed during a crash or other incident. If an airbag has been deployed, it must be replaced by a qualified technician. Have this car inspected by a mechanic prior to purchase.
Salvage Title
A Salvage Title is issued on a vehicle damaged to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle exceeds ~ 75% of its pre-damage value. This damage threshold may vary by state. Some states treat Junk titles the same as Salvage but the majority use this title to indicate that a vehicle is not road worthy and cannot be titled again in that state. The following eleven States also use Salvage titles to identify stolen vehicles - AZ, FL, GA, IL, MD, MN, NJ, NM, NY, OK and OR.
Total Loss
An insurance or fleet company declares a vehicle a total loss when a claim exceeds ~ 75% of its pre-damage value or if the vehicle is stolen and not recovered. This damage threshold varies by company. These companies typically take possession and obtain the title. Not all total loss vehicles result in a DMV-reported branded title, like a Salvage or Junk title. See the glossary for more information.
Accident / Damage Indicator
Various events could indicate an accident or damage in a vehicle's history, such as: salvage auction, fire damage, police-reported accident, crash test vehicle, damage disclosure, collision repair facility and automotive recycler records. See the glossary for more information.
Hail Damage Title
The vehicle sustained major damage due to hail. In most states, hail damage titles are issued when the cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation exceeds its fair market value.
Flood Damage Title
States issue flood titles when a vehicle has been in a flood or has received extensive water damage.
Standard Equipment
Power Windows, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, AM / FM Cassette, Power Brakes, Tilt Wheel, 6-digit Odometer
Safety Options
4 wheel ABS, Dual front air bags/active (manual) belts
This CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX and available as of 11/22/09 at 11:41 AM (EST). 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.
GUARANTEED
- None of these major title problems were reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you find that any of these title problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will
buy this vehicle back.
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Registered as lease vehicle
11/17/1997
61,100
California
Inspection Station
Los Altos, CA
Passed emissions inspection
12/01/1997
California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
06/24/1998
67,398
Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
07/08/1999
86,026
Service Facility
Los Altos, CA
Vehicle serviced
07/08/1999
California
Inspection Station
Los Altos, CA
Passed emissions inspection
09/11/1999
California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Healdsburg, CA
Title issued or updated
09/02/2000
91,882
California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Grass Valley, CA
Odometer reading reported
11/13/2000
94,702
Service Facility
Smartville, CA
Vehicle serviced
11/13/2000
California
Inspection Station
Smartville, CA
Passed emissions inspection
11/20/2000
California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Grass Valley, CA
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
07/02/2002
109,690
Service Facility
Smartville, CA
Vehicle serviced
07/02/2002
California
Inspection Station
Smartville, CA
Passed emissions inspection
05/21/2004
125,186
California
Inspection Station
Passed emissions inspection
05/25/2004
125,261
California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
El Dorado Hills, CA
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
09/03/2004
Von Housen Motors
El Dorado Hills, CA
916-567-5100 www.vonhousen.com
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Maintenance inspection completed
05/16/2006
Von Housen Motors
El Dorado Hills, CA
916-567-5100 www.vonhousen.com
Tail light bulb replaced
06/23/2006
146,463
California
Inspection Station
Passed emissions inspection
08/15/2006
Von Housen Motors
El Dorado Hills, CA
916-567-5100 www.vonhousen.com
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
06/04/2007
California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
El Dorado Hills, CA
Title issued or updated
Loan or lien reported
06/13/2007
Von Housen Motors
El Dorado Hills, CA
916-567-5100 www.vonhousen.com
Drive belts checked
Rear brake pads replaced
Chrome/alloy wheels installed
Rear brake rotors resurfaced/turned
Fluid levels checked
Cooling system checked
Brake fluid checked
Brakes checked
Front brake rotors replaced
Front wiper blades/refills replaced
Steering/suspension checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
01/11/2008
Von Housen Motors
El Dorado Hills, CA
916-567-5100 www.vonhousen.com
Vehicle serviced
03/11/2008
Von Housen Motors
El Dorado Hills, CA
916-567-5100 www.vonhousen.com
Exterior light bulbs replaced
Front turn signal/parking bulb replaced
Door check replaced
06/02/2008
Von Housen Motors
El Dorado Hills, CA
916-567-5100 www.vonhousen.com
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Electrical system checked
Crankshaft position sensor replaced
Fuel injection system checked
Fuel system checked
06/21/2008
163,070
California
Inspection Station
Passed emissions inspection
10/27/2009
California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
El Dorado Hills, CA
Title issued or updated
11/10/2009
Von Housen Motors
El Dorado Hills, CA
916-567-5100 www.vonhousen.com
Maintenance inspection completed
11/10/2009
172,000
Online Listing
Vehicle offered for sale
11/22/2009
Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.
No recalls open for repair
SmartBuyer Checklist - I've created a checklist
of specific questions for you to ask the seller about this 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500Sel.
When someone leases a car from a dealer, the dealer actually sells the vehicle to a leasing company. The leasing company then collects payments for the vehicle from the new owner for 24, 36, 48 or more months. A leasing company can be an independent car dealer or a car manufacturer.
New Owner Reported
When a vehicle is sold to a new owner, the Title must be transferred to the new owner(s) at a Department of Motor Vehicles.
Ownership History
CARFAX defines an owner as an individual or business that possesses and uses a vehicle. Not all title transactions represent changes in ownership. To provide estimated number of owners, CARFAX proprietary technology analyzes all the events in a vehicle history. Estimated ownership is available for vehicles manufactured after 1994 and titled solely in the US including Puerto Rico. Dealers sometimes opt to take ownership of a vehicle and are required to in the following states: Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. Please consider this as you review a vehicle's estimated ownership history.
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 on a CARFAX report does not necessarily indicate a change in ownership. In Canada, a registration and bill of sale are used as proof of ownership.
CARFAX DEPENDS ON ITS SOURCES FOR THE ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF ITS INFORMATION. THEREFORE, NO RESPONSIBILITY IS ASSUMED BY CARFAX OR ITS AGENTS FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THIS REPORT. CARFAX FURTHER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CARFAX®