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Carfax© glossary

See also the "Vehicle History Report" article

Term	Description
Abandoned	Any vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer of a type subject to registration, whether lost, stolen, abandoned or otherwise unclaimed, which has been abandoned on a public highway, public property or elsewhere within the state, including private property.
Accident Data	Accidents are reported by state agencies, police departments and other sources and varies from state to state. It is recommended to have pre-owned vehicles inspected by a third party prior to purchase.
Assembled	The vehicle has been reported as being assembled by a non-manufacturer. The vehicle may have been adjusted or built from a kit.
Assignment	The transfer of a property claim, property right, or property interest from one person or entity to
Auction Announced as Broken Odometer	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the odometer is not functioning properly or no longer accurately records the distance that the car has traveled.
Auction Announced as Exceeds Mechanical Limits	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the actual mileage/kilometers is greater than the odometer allows to be recorded. This commonly occurs with vehicles that have five-digit odometers that have exceeded 99,999 miles. Auction Announced as Exempt A wholesale Auto Auction has reported the vehicle exempt from normal or mandatory odometer laws.
Auction Announced as Fleet/Lease	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported the vehicle as a fleet or leased vehicle. Fleet and leased vehicles are often in good condition. Fleet companies have vehicle care guidelines. A vehicle used by a company for an executive is an example of a fleet vehicle.
Auction Announced as Flood Damage	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that a flood has damaged the vehicle. The vehicle was involved in a flood or may have endured water damage.
Auction Announced as Frame Damage	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the vehicle has frame damage, which can weaken the structure of the vehicle.
Auction Announced as Grey Market	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the vehicle was manufactured in another country and may not meet U.S. safety and/or environmental standards.
Auction Announced as Manufacturer Buyback/Lemon	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the manufacturer repurchased the vehicle or the vehicle may have ongoing mechanical or drivability problems
Auction Announced as Municipal Use	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that a federal, state or local government agency previously used the vehicle.
Auction Announced as Not Actual Miles	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the actual mileage is different than the odometer reading.
Auction Announced as Odometer Rollback	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported a possible odometer rollback. This means the odometer has been tampered with or adjusted.
Auction Announced as Odometer Rollover	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported a possible odometer rollover. This commonly occurs with vehicles that have five-digit odometers that have exceeded 99,999 miles.
Auction Announced as Repaired/Replaced Odometer	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the odometer has been repaired or replaced.
Auction Announced as Repossessed	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the lien holder has repossessed the vehicle.
Auction Announced as True Mileage Unknown	A wholesale Auto Auction has reported that the vehicle's actual mileage is unknown.
Brands or Branded	Words or symbols on the vehicle's official title issued by the state DMV that signify the vehicle's status or condition. Examples of brands include, junked, salvaged, lemon, rebuilt or reconstructed vehicles; flood, hail, or fire damaged vehicles; totaled vehicles; vehicles with odometers that have been rolled back or exceed mechanical limits; stolen or abandoned vehicles.
Bond Released	Monetary bond that was required by a government agency was returned to the owner or importer.
Bonded	The vehicle required posting of a bond in order to register or place a title on the vehicle
Canadian Renewal	Vehicle had registration renewal event reported by Canadian DMV.
Commercial	The vehicle was registered and used for business purposes (such as a delivery truck, taxi or car rental).
Corrected Title	The State DMV has issued a corrected title for the vehicle.
Damaged	The vehicle has sustained significant damage to the body and/or mechanical components. Damage Disclosure This brand was issued because the vehicle's seller indicated the vehicle was damaged
Dealer Plates	The vehicle has a license plate registered to an auto dealer.
Driver Education	The vehicle has been used to train individuals to develop driving skills.
Duplicate Title	The vehicle had a duplicate title issued by the DMV.
Emission/Safety Inspection	An approved emission testing station has inspected the vehicle to measure the amount of pollutants the vehicle emits into the environment.
Exceeds Mechanical Limits	The actual mileage/kilometers are greater than the odometer allows to be recorded.
Excluded / Exempt	Vehicle is generally exempt from normal/mandatory odometer law for the following reasons:
Federal Government	The United States federal government used the vehicle.
Grey Market	The vehicle was imported into the country and may not meet U.S. safety and/or environmental standards.
Gross Weight Exemption	The vehicle has been exempted from the odometer law after exceeding a certain gross weight.
Hail Damage	The vehicle was damaged significantly by hail.
High-speed Crash Test Vehicle	Vehicle was subjected to a crash test at relatively high speeds and vehicle could have sustained significant damage.
Independent Inspection	The vehicle was inspected by an independent agency other than a state DMV.
Independent Inspection/Theft Deterrent Equipped	The vehicle has been inspected by an independent agency other than the state DMV and found to be equipped with an anti-theft device
Insurance Loss	This vehicle suffered an insurance loss due to theft or accident.
Junk	The vehicle's parts have been salvaged for reuse and the remainder of the vehicle has been destroyed or scrapped. This vehicle has been declared a total loss, is not road worthy and should not be titled again for use on the road.
Lease	Vehicle was registered as lease vehicle.
Lemon	If after a reasonable amount of attempts the authorized dealer is unable to conform a new vehicle to any of its applicable express warranties, the manufacturer shall either provide its customer with a new vehicle of a like model line, if available, or otherwise comparable vehicle as a replacement, or accept the return of the vehicle from its customer and refund to its customer the purchase price paid for the vehicle less a reasonable allowance for use of the vehicle. Lemon laws vary in the states that have enacted them. Lemon laws may not exist in all states.
Lien	A lien is the legal right to take and hold or sell the vehicle of a debtor as security or payment for a debt. Normally, a vehicle will have a lien due to a loan or unpaid repair bill against the vehicle.
Livery Use	The vehicle has been used "for hire" to transport people.
Local Government	The vehicle has been used by a local government agency.
Major Damage Incident	The vehicle has had a major damage incident reported by an independent source.
Manufacturer Buyback	The manufacturer has repurchased the vehicle.
Mileage Discrepancy	There has been an error in a current or previous odometer reading.
Motor Change	The vehicle has had its original motor replaced.
Municipal Use	The vehicle was used or owned by a federal, state or local government agency.
NHTSA Crash Test Vehicle	The vehicle was used for NHTSA crash testing to measure the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.
Non Compliance	The vehicle does not meet governmental vehicle requirements revolving around safety and/or environmental standards.
Non Profit	The vehicle was registered to a "not for profit" entity.
Not Actual Miles	The actual mileage on the vehicle is reported to be different than the odometer reading.
Odometer Problem	The vehicle has odometer-related problems. These may include discrepancies such as not actual miles, a broken odometer, exceeding a vehicle's mechanical limits, a mileage discrepancy, or suspect miles.
Odometer Rollback Evidence	The odometer mileage reported to the DMV on a given date was less than the mileage previously reported. This is an indication of an "Odometer Rollback."
Previous Damage	The vehicle was previously reported as damaged.
Rebuilt/Rebuildable	The vehicle was a salvaged vehicle that was refurbished with new or used parts. An affidavit of repair from the rebuilder or individual making the repairs, stating what repairs were made to the vehicle and that the vehicle is now rebuilt and road operable, may be required to obtain a rebuilt/rebuildable title. These vehicles must also pass a state safety inspection before being allowed back on the road.
Reconditioned	Repair or renovation has restored the vehicle.
Reconstructed	Reconstructed vehicles lose all identity as to make and model and do not carry the original make, year, and VIN. They usually have been reconstructed from various vehicles.
Recycled	Vehicle was reported as scrapped or major components removed by a recycling facility.
Registration/Renewal	The vehicle had a registration renewal event reported by a state DMV.
Rental/Fleet	The vehicle is or was operated as a rental vehicle, or has been assigned to a pool of vehicles usually owned/leased and operated by a rental or fleet company.
Reported at Auto Auction	The vehicle's odometer reading has been reported from an Auto Auction.
Repossessed	The creditors or lessors have invoked legal authority to seize the vehicle due to default on a loan or lease.
Salvage	A salvage vehicle is a vehicle that has been wrecked or damaged beyond repair; declared a total loss by the insurer; or declared a total loss by reason of theft. When an insurance company as a result of a total loss settlement acquires a vehicle, the insurance company must apply for a Salvage Certificate. If the owner retains possession of a salvage vehicle, the owner must obtain a Salvage Certificate before receiving a total loss statement from the insurance company.
Salvage Auction	An auction has reported the vehicle as a salvaged vehicle. The extent of damage is unknown, and the vehicle may or may not be severely damaged.
Salvage Correction from DMV	The state has corrected a title that was previously branded as "salvage".
Scrapped/Destroyed	The vehicle has been reclaimed for its metal content.
Service Contract Issued	An independent service contract company has issued a service contact on the vehicle.
Special Constructed	The vehicle was altered from the manufacturer's original design.
Suspect Miles	The state or other authorized officials have identified that the vehicle's mileage is suspect due to odometer tampering or other incidents.
Theft	The vehicle was stolen from its legal owner.
Theft Insurance Claim	An insurance claim was filed because the vehicle was stolen.
Theft Recovered	The vehicle was previously reported as stolen and has been recovered.
Water Damage	Any vehicle Title issued to an insurance company due to payment of a claim for flood damage sustained. If issued to a licensed rebuilder, who possesses or acquires a vehicle that is designated as, or for which evidence or information of a "flood vehicle" has been provided, the vehicle is considered a salvage vehicle and designated on an Application for Salvage Certificate in an insurance company or licensee's name.