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I am looking at a 981 from a used car dealer that specializes in Porsches. They made some claims about the car that conflicted with the carfax. OK a carfax is not always 100% accurate and often a salesman just talks. I kept asking for records to verify there claims. They sent me some the ones on the left. I had further questions about 40k services. He said yes it was done. I responded politely but informing him that it wasn't in the records he sent. I got back "I'll dig them up". This was Monday I didn't hear from them all week and then Friday got what's on the left of the picture attached. They seem to line up pretty close the vin numbers match and car details at the top(the 5-28-2022 mileage is off typo?). The thing possibly really alarming is that the dealer number don't match and there is nothing in the left report from 2021 where there is a maintenance record and documentation on the right These reports are new to me so my question is can there be there be a logical explanation for this numbers not matching and the records on one report but not the other. I work with graphic designer so I know the insane power of photoshop and taking a perfect service record and photoshopping to look like it's for another car would be simple enough for an average person to do. Thanks for the help!
Last edited by Ndh; Feb 10, 2025 at 01:25 PM.
Reason: clarity
Well -- The carfax is usually the inaccurate one. The dates and mileages should line up though.
I agree that this information is useless. Deduct the price of the 40K service / 80K service (PDK flush or whatever you want / spark plugs) from the price of the car ... if that’s what leverage you are looking for)
Anyway -- Is the thing on the left from a Porche dealer? Comparing these two datasets is a good way to build a picture of the service history, but without the actual receipts, it’s tough. But you’ll get close. What happens in that dealer “tool” on the left if you hit “Documentation” under the dates -- and click in further. This is the Porsche system? Is that the actual service receipt? That’s what you need to see.
I doubt a dealer would be able to photoshop anything like this. BTW. They’re too dumb. That dealer # is not some “official number” btw. I wouldn’t be surprised if carfax has another # or there’s data mismatch. I don’t think it’s fraud mate. You’re right to be slightly suspicious though.
I can't quite tell if that was a serious statement, but it's more like 50% at best. It's pretty reliable with crash history and insurance stuff, maintenance records are incredibly hit or miss.
If the dealer was going to the effort of photoshopping service records, why wouldn't they make the dealer info match? It really seems like you're overthinking this.
Is it the same dealer on the carfax. When I was searching for my cayman. I would call the dealer on the carfax and provide the vin and ask what was done. Often what was done was not listed on carfax or had more detail. For example, I just bought a 21 Macan S. The carfax said electrical system but nothing else. Called the dealer and found out it was a Bose speaker that was changed under warranty. Also found out they changed the PDk shifter because the leather came apart and they did an oil change. None of that was on the carfax, just electrical system checked. Maybe have a friend call the dealer with the vin and ask what was done and see what they say.
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Could this be dealer fraud?
