Yes, Carfax does work for motorcycles. Thousands of motorcycles are sold every day without a thorough investigation of their accident history. That’s where cheap Carfax reports become a handy source.
According to Wikipedia, Carfax has collected over 35 billion records from 151,000+ sources, including DMVs, insurance providers, and repair shops. However, motorcycle data remains limited, often missing key maintenance or accident history. Therefore, it is necessary to check your motorcycle’s Carfax report before buying any used one.
This article will guide you on whether Carfax works on motorcycles or not. Let’s dive into it.
How Carfax Works for Motorcycles
It is simple, just like a car has an accident and repair history, a motorcycle does too. The report will help you understand the accident history, functional damage, title change, or any serious issues with the bike.
Every motorcycle is tracked via its 17-digit VIN, which is unique to that bike. When a mechanic logs a service or a title is issued, that VIN gets recorded, which Carfax then uses to build a history profile.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Carfax report for motorcycles may be less comprehensive than that for vehicles. It is because not all independent repair shops or private sellers report maintenance or service history.
Steps to Check the VIN for a Motorcycle
Here are the steps to follow to decode the VIN for a motorcycle:
- Copy the VIN of your desired motorcycle. For this case, we are decoding VIN for a Kawasaki Prairie 400.
- Go to Carfax VIN Decoder tool and paste the VIN in the dialog box.
3. The VIN decoder tool will display all the details regarding the motorcycle.
By doing this, you can decode any VIN number of a motorcycle within seconds for free.
What Information Does a Motorcycle Carfax Report Include?
There are important elements in a motorcycle Carfax report, which you should acknowledge before buying a used bike. A Carfax report for motorcycles provides a snapshot of the bike’s history, using data tied to its VIN. Here’s what it typically includes:
- Title Status: This section typically shows if the title of the motorcycle is clean, repaired, or rebuilt.
- Accident History: It includes any past accidents involving a motorcycle. These are sourced from police or insurance reports.
- Previous Owners: Generally stated as “Ownerships.” It will provide information about the lists, the number of previous owners, and the location where the bike was registered.
- Registration Locations: Tracks the states where the motorcycle has been titled and registered over time. A Carfax report showing multiple state registrations can raise this red flag. Check out the Carfax report sample if you are having any confusion.
Is It Worth Getting a Carfax Report for a Motorcycle?
Yes, everyone looking to buy a used motorcycle should obtain a Carfax report. However, you should also acknowledge how to read a Carfax report for any vehicle or motorcycle. Let’s check out the pros and cons of the Carfax report for a bike.
Pros:
- A Carfax report for motorcycles can highlight major red flags, helping you make an informed buying decision.
- It helps confirm what the seller says about ownership, mileage, or service history.
- It saves time by giving the overall overview of the bike you are buying.
- It gives you better negotiation power if you find a fault or red flag in a motorcycle Carfax report, or walk away.
Cons:
- Any motorcycle repairs, especially from private shops or DIY owners, aren’t reported to Carfax. This can often lead to the safety and performance of the motorcycle.
- When it’s your turn to sell, the lack of service history or unexplained issues might make buyers wary or reduce your bike’s resale value. So, be careful with it.
Final Verdict
A Carfax report for a motorcycle can help you identify potential issues with the bike and enable you to negotiate a more favorable price. Our free VIN decoder tool helps you decode any bike VIN for free. Simply copy the VIN and run it on our tool to check information.
FAQS
Does Carfax report on motorcycles?
Yes, it does. Copy your VIN and run it on the VIN decoder and the Carfax report tool. It shows bike accident history, title change, ownerships, and other red flags if found.
Does Carfax Show Motorcycles Report?
Yes, it does show. However, some of the information in the Carfax report may be missing or incorrect because sellers or previous owners do not report it.
