Carfax.com Expands Vehicle History Database With Alabama Accident Data.

Business Editors

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2000

Carfax.com, the Internet's leading provider of vehicle history information, announced their national database of more than one billion vehicle records is growing by half-a-million Alabama accident records.

Carfax.com will be adding thousands more records from the state of Alabama to their database in the near future.

Consumers across the country now have access to detailed collision information on thousands of cars that have been involved in accidents in the state of Alabama. Carfax already provides accident data from Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Vermont and Wyoming. While many states, including Alabama, issue salvage titles for cars and trucks that are seriously damaged, less severe damage--not resulting in a branded title--can still impact the value and safety of a used car.

The accident information being added to the Carfax.com database may reveal less severe damage in a vehicle's past which might have otherwise gone unreported to the consumer. This means car buyers need not rely solely on the honesty of the used-car seller. Additionally, other valuable information in a Carfax.com report, such as flood damage, odometer fraud or salvage history, can help consumers make informed buying decisions.

As a result of Carfax data, Gene Abramov of Kansas City protected himself from a bad deal. "I was about to spend $20,000 on a car," explains Abramov. "The person selling the car told me that his sister owned the car, and he bought her out of her lease. After running a Carfax report on the car, I discovered the car had been wrecked and repainted."

When shopping for a used car, consumers should ask the seller to provide a detailed vehicle history report. Carfax certified dealers can provide free reports to consumers. A list of participating Carfax dealers can be found at http://www.Carfax.com. If a seller does not offer a report, consumers can visit Carfax.com to purchase unlimited access to the company's database for 60 days for $19.95. Individuals who purchase and receive Carfax reports that confirm a clean title history automatically receive the "Clean Title History Guarantee" worth 10% of the value of their vehicle up to $1,000. Used car dealers interested in signing up for the Carfax service should call 1-800-444-0145. Carfax, Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Southfield, Michigan, based R.L. Polk Company.