View Full Version : What do you make of this CARFAX report?
I'm still looking for a B8 S4, and this is a report on a vehicle that meets most of my criteria. There is a lot more info on this report than I am used to seeing and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, it looks like this vehicle has been maintained regularly, but I am concerned by all the items that are "checked" and "replaced". Does this indicate perhaps some underlying issues I should be concerned about? For instance, the "trim" was checked on multiple occasions and "repaired" several times. A/C compressor and thermostat replaced at around 30k - I thought the thermostat issue was only for 2010 vehicles. Back up camera installed, twice - I'm not sure I understand what's going on there...
So, just looking for opinions from others who might be better equipped to decipher this report. All the random items being checked makes me think there are issues. But maybe that's just routine reporting during regular maintenance. Thoughts?
http://i.imgur.com/xOr5Jlr.png
http://i.imgur.com/7PBDlmG.png
roger v
05-24-2014, 12:42 AM
Looks fine.
name.goes.here
05-24-2014, 03:36 AM
Looks like the car has some issues.
TexasDfwS4
05-24-2014, 04:24 AM
Looks like an accident or something that made the dealer adjust the panels and it looks like the electrical system might have problems. My first S4 was in an accident and the dealer (stealer) did there fancy footwork to the carfax and it never showed the accident. I think the way they went about it was to buy the car on paper before the body shop had a chance to report the damage, and it help that the body shop was right next door to the dealer.
afig367
05-24-2014, 04:25 AM
Seems OK. Thermostats on the 2010s are a known issue.
Don't read too much into anything that is just "checked." That often indicates an owner who really cares about the car and wants to make sure things are in working order.
emitz584
05-24-2014, 04:47 AM
It's fine. They fixed an issue with the brakes that was most likely recommended by AoA/dealership, but everything else looks routine.
She just looks like she's been around the block a couple of times at first glance, lol
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Intrepid One
05-24-2014, 04:49 AM
It looks to me like an owner who wanted to maximize his warranty coverage on trim items, etc..It really doesn't indicate any major drivetrain issues. Personally, I don't see anything on there that would scare me very much at all.
RickFLS4
05-24-2014, 04:50 AM
My CarFax also has a lot of "checks" because that's what they do when you have AudiCare. As far as repairs, the thermostat was a known issue as stated above and all the trim, interior trim, glove box, etc. repairs should be minor and an indication of an owner with a high standard. The only one that gives me a little pause is the headlight replacement at 23k miles. If I were buying the car I might be interested in knowing why that was necessary as it could possibly be an indication of an accident or electrical issue but might just be bad headlights and nothing more than that.
If you are buying from the original owner or an Audi dealer you should be able to get further details on any item on the report. I have a binder with details of every service performed on my car and suspect this owner did as well. Since all service was performed at Audi dealers, an Audi dealer should also have more information,
b8audis4
05-24-2014, 05:46 AM
I would check autocheck as well. A lot of times those aren't always accurate. I know on my 335i when I traded it in, Everytime I had radar detector and laser jammer work done it listed it just as service.
cspcrx
05-24-2014, 08:00 AM
Interesting that a backup camera was installed twice. May have been a supper picky person who was never happy with anything!
SwankPeRFection
05-24-2014, 09:16 AM
It's had a few issues... possible gremlin car. I'd skip it unless it's super cheap or something, but I'd still skip it. I remember seeing a few like this when I was shopping for mine. I went right past them. I don't mind seeing the thermostat stuff, but electrical and interior body panel replacements, especially more than once like the backup camera, tend to depict issue car... like either the owner is beating up on them or there's a gremlin in it that they can't figure out. Everything else looks OK for the most part and normal maintenance stuff.
blackfunk
05-24-2014, 10:25 AM
My 2010 needed to have the camera replaced as it shorted out and on occasion wouldn't turn on. I had to take it in about 3 times before it actually was fixed.
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RickFLS4
05-24-2014, 10:40 AM
I've had interior trim repaired / adjusted twice in my car already - once for a speaker-related TSB and another when the radio volume control broke and needed replacement of control unit. I wouldn't necessarily conclude there are serious problems due to trim repair. Is the car CPO'd and being sold by a dealer? Just get the details on the repairs if so and make a judgment from there.
MrFunk
05-24-2014, 04:10 PM
I'd want to know why the headlights were replaced...
I'd want to know why the rear camera was installed twice.
Seems like an ok amount of work done for a 4 year old car. Mine is 3 years old and has had 0 warranty work in comparison though.
If it was a screaming deal or the perfect car otherwise, I'd be inclined to do a little digging. It's not though, so I think I'll skip it. Thanks for the input.
b8audis4
05-24-2014, 05:28 PM
It seems fine. How much is it?
It's a 2011, not CPO. Asking price is around $36k. Premium Plus, 6MT, 18" wheels, nav, alcantara, no sports dif, Meteor Grey. Listed at Audi Auto Gallery in LA if anybody is interested.
blackfunk
05-25-2014, 03:55 AM
Too high. I'd pass unless there's a lot of wiggle room on the price.
RickFLS4
05-25-2014, 04:14 AM
It's a 2011, not CPO. Asking price is around $36k. Premium Plus, 6MT, 18" wheels, nav, alcantara, no sports dif, Meteor Grey. Listed at Audi Auto Gallery in LA if anybody is interested.
In that case, it's odd it isn't certified. An Audi dealer selling a non-CPO Audi (that isn't too old to certify) would be a bigger red flag for me than anything on the CarFax. Dealers pick up cars at auction to certify and make money selling the CPO warranty. Even if it was in an accident they can CPO it, so if uninterested in more digging and negotiating, good idea to skip it and find another one.
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IVRINGS
05-25-2014, 06:35 AM
Not always true. The S model cars most dealers don't do since owners are looking to mod, but it could be simple that an aftermarket part or wrong tires are on the car for a CPO. Tossing away brand new rubber just cause it wasn't Audis choice is a waste. My dealer has done it, but every deal depends on the each customer.
Dr Chill
05-25-2014, 07:50 AM
Looks like the car was a headache for the previous owner. Why would you want someone else's headache, unless it is CPO and priced right?
infinkc
05-25-2014, 08:17 AM
In that case, it's odd it isn't certified. An Audi dealer selling a non-CPO Audi (that isn't too old to certify) would be a bigger red flag for me than anything on the CarFax. Dealers pick up cars at auction to certify and make money selling the CPO warranty. Even if it was in an accident they can CPO it, so if uninterested in more digging and negotiating, good idea to skip it and find another one.
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It may be tuned, why they won't certify it. I've seen some at Audi that were certified all the way for sale, but they removed the CPO cause they found out it was tuned.