
Does CARFAX Show Bumper Replacement? Fender Benders, Claims, and Cash Repairs
Most bumper swaps after parking-lot bumps are paid in cash and never reported. Here's what the history can show and what you have to check in person.

Most bumper swaps after parking-lot bumps are paid in cash and never reported. Here's what the history can show and what you have to check in person.

Sunroof leaks get fixed quietly at glass shops and in driveways. Here is what a history report can tell you and what you have to check by hand.

Transfer case jobs often happen at shops that never report. Here is what the history can and cannot tell you about a used 4x4.

Ball joints wear out, get recalled, and get bent in crashes. The report might log the shop visit, but the pattern around it tells you more.

Tie rods wear out and get bent in curb hits. The report may log the shop visit, but the accident and alignment history around it matter more.

The seller has one key and a vague story. The report won't log the locksmith visit, but it can show the theft and title history that matter more.

A new hybrid battery can be a plus or a warning sign. The report line rarely says which, so here's how to find out before you pay.

New struts at high miles are maintenance. One new strut on a low-mile car, next to a wheel and tie rod, usually means something hit that corner.

A heater core job usually means the dash came out. That's fine when it was done right, and worth a hard look when it sits next to overheating, a head gasket, or a flood.

One worn mount on an older car is routine. Repeat mounts, a full set after an accident, or a mount job right before listing deserve real questions.