Show Me the CARFAX

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
Dual front air bags/belt system unknown
CARFAX Vehicle History Report
1997 MITSUBISHI 3000 GT
VIN: JA3AM44H0VY003388
HATCHBACK 2 DR
3.0L V6 FI
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
Standard Equipment | Safety Options

Branded title
Branded Title: Salvage
3 or more previous owners
Previous owners
Registered as a personal vehicle
Personal vehicle
Service information available
Service records available
Vehicle history information available
Detailed records available
Last reported odometer reading/mileage
Last reported odometer reading
The CARFAX Xpert
This CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX and available as of 2/09/10 at 12:47 PM (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.

Ownership History

The number of owners is estimated
Owners 1-2 Owner 3 Owner 4
Year purchased 1997  2006  2006 
Type of owner Personal --- ---
Estimated length of ownership 8 yrs. 6 mo.  1 month  2 yrs. 5 mo. 
Owned in the following states/provinces California  California  California 
Estimated miles driven per year 8,395/yr --- ---
Last reported odometer reading 72,266   75,659   101,674  

Title History

CARFAX guarantees the information in this section
Owners 1-2 Owner 3 Owner 4
Salvage | Junk | Rebuilt | Fire | Flood | Hail | Lemon No Problem Alert!
Problem Found
Alert!
Problem Found
Not Actual Mileage | Exceeds Mechanical Limits No Problem No Problem No Problem

Alert! Severe problems were reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This vehicle does not qualify for the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee.

Additional History

Not all accidents / issues are reported to CARFAX
Owners 1-2 Owner 3 Owner 4
Total Loss
Total loss reported on 08/07/2006.
No Issues Reported
Total Loss Reported
No New Issues Reported
Structural / Frame Damage
No structural / frame damage reported to CARFAX.
No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported
Airbag Deployment
No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX.
No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported
Odometer Rollback
No indication of an odometer rollback.
No Issues Indicated
No Issues Indicated
No Issues Indicated
Accident / Damage
DMV title problems reported. Accident reported on 06/14/2006.
Accident Reported
Severe Damage
Severe Damage
Manufacturer Recall
No recalls still require repair.
No Recalls Reported
No Recalls Reported
No Recalls Reported

Detailed History

Owner 1
Purchased: 1997
Type: Personal
Where: California
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 11/30/97 - 12/8/99
(2 years)
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
Not Reported     NICB   Vehicle manufactured
and shipped to original dealer
11/30/1997   23   California
Motor Vehicle Dept.  
Odometer reading reported
12/11/1997     California
Motor Vehicle Dept.  
Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Registered as
personal vehicle
08/31/1999   23,607   California
Inspection Station
San Diego, CA  
Passed emissions inspection
10/18/1999   25,505   Service Facility
Carpinteria, CA  
Vehicle serviced
10/18/1999     California
Inspection Station
Carpinteria, CA  
Passed emissions inspection
12/08/1999   26,389   Auto Auction   Sold at auction
in Pacific Southwest Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle
02/09/2000   26,892   Dealer Inventory
San Luis Obispo, CA  
Vehicle offered for sale
 
Owner 2
Purchased: 2000
Where: California
Est. miles/year: 7,300/yr
Est. length owned: 2/26/00 - 6/22/06
(6 yrs. 3 mo.)
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
02/26/2000   26,904   California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
San Luis Obispo, CA  
Odometer reading reported
05/01/2000     California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
San Luis Obispo, CA  
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
01/22/2004   49,414   California
Inspection Station  
Passed emissions inspection
12/02/2005   68,403   California
Inspection Station  
Failed emissions inspection
05/08/2006   72,146   Todey Mitsubishi Hyundai
Ventura, CA
805-650-8118
 
Exhaust system checked
Transmission serviced
05/08/2006   72,266   California
Inspection Station  
Passed emissions inspection
06/14/2006     California
Police Report  
Accident reported
in Long Beach
 
Owner 3
Purchased: 2006
Where: California
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 6/22/06 - 8/7/06
(1 month)
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
06/22/2006   75,496   California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Fairfield, CA  
New owner reported
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
08/07/2006     California
Motor Vehicle Dept.  
TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE
Title or registration issued
to insurance company
10/31/2006   75,659   California
Inspection Station  
Passed emissions inspection
 
Owner 4
Purchased: 2006
Where: California
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 10/31/06 - 4/14/09
(2 yrs. 5 mo.)
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
10/31/2006     California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Orange, CA  
New owner reported
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
09/25/2007   83,915   California
Inspection Station
San Gabriel, CA  
Passed emissions inspection
09/27/2007     California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Monterey Park, CA  
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
10/07/2007     California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Temple City, CA  
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location
04/14/2009   97,800   Online Listing   Vehicle offered for sale
10/30/2009   101,674   California
Inspection Station
Alhambra, CA  
Passed emissions inspection
02/09/2010     Mitsubishi Motors   No recalls open for repair
Print This Page Print this CARFAX Report and take it to your pre-purchase inspection
 
 

Glossary

Accident / Damage Indicator
CARFAX receives information about accidents in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Different information in a vehicle's history can indicate an accident or damage, such as: salvage auction, fire damage, police-reported accident, crash test vehicle, damage disclosure, collision repair facility and automotive recycler records. Not every accident or damage event is reported and not all reported are provided to CARFAX. Details about the accident or damage event when reported to CARFAX (e.g. severity, impact location, airbag deployment) are included on the Vehicle History Report. CARFAX recommends you obtain a vehicle inspection from your dealer or an independent mechanic.
  • According to the National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2007 edition, 7% of the 245 million registered vehicles in the U.S. were involved in an accident in 2005. Over 75% of these were considered minor or moderate.
  • CARFAX depends on many sources for its accident / damage data. CARFAX can only report what is in our database on 09.Feb.2010 11:47:42. New data will result in a change to this report.
California Police Reports:
  • Do not include an assessment of damage severity
  • Are required if the estimated damage exceeds $500
  • Are released to CARFAX approximately 6 months after the accident date
Failed Emissions Inspection
The emissions check performed during a vehicle inspection indicated the vehicle was emitting more than allowable emissions standards and/or had missing or modified parts. Repeated failed emissions records can indicate engine problems and CARFAX recommends you have the vehicle inspected.
First Owner
When the first owner(s) obtains a title from a Department of Motor Vehicles as proof of ownership.
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.
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.
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.
Total Loss Vehicle
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. This may occur when an insurance company's definition of a total loss is different than the state DMV's definition for a branded title or when the owner of the vehicle is a self-insured company, like a fleet or rental company.
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®