Getting a Carfax is a good idea, but it only shows limited information, which is information regarding work that was done by a reporting company or agency.
It doesn't show that Billy Bob went down to the local junkyard or parts store and tried to install a different kind of transmission in his car himself, or and stronger rearend with his neighbor who said he used to work on cars back in high school (35 years ago).
Have a mechanic check it out also dude!!!
I got a Carfax once for a Mercedes I bought, the Carfax came back fine, 3 weeks later I had blown that thing up on the highway. I eventually just sold it for a lost because the repairs were too expensive and were not worth it. :banghead:
I know, I know I didn't list the Benz among the previous cars I owned in the other post somewhere on this forum but I lost count and track so consider this as a correction and maybe I will find that post and edit it...