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CARFAX

CARFAX1,2 is a data-sharing service that keeps records on vehicle histories. It offers a free VIN code decoder and basic summaries of maintenance works done on vehicles. You can also buy detailed information for repairs and maintenance as well as accident history.

Your customers can download the CARFAX app on their mobile device for making reviews of your shop and receive notices for upcoming preventative maintenance, license renewals and recalls from manufacturers for their vehicles.

Using CARFAX when selling or buying vehicles has some benefits because it greatly improves decisions on the aftermarket. In fact, it can increase the resell value of vehicles from $500 to $1,000. Vehicles with a CARFAX history worth more! For more information about the CARFAX services, please visit their website.

Some CARFAX services like the VIN decoder and the CARFAX vehicle history reports are integrated to GEM-CAR. In this user manual, you will find the information on how to configure and use these services.

!!! Important: update to GEM-CAR 14.0.0 when available !!!

Please note that, after the update to GEM-CAR 14.0.0, the CARFAX module will start to use your V2V organizationnumber and a new server. For users running anterior versions of GEM-CAR, this means that, after august 1st 2021, data sharing between GEM-CAR and CARFAX will fail and the VIN decoder will stop working. To avoid this situation, please make sure to update GEM-CAR to the latest version.

Furthermore, when using a CARFAX services or doing the first end-of-day procedure for the first time after the update to GEM-CAR 14.0.0, a new CARFAX data sharing agreement will have to be accepted so you can resubscribe to the service. If you do not accept the agreement, the CARFAX module will be disabled.

Configuration

The CARFAX module will be enabled by default after the update to GEM-CAR 14.0.0, but you need to resubscribe to it. It this case, all you need to do is step 4 below. However, if it has been disabled or it is not working, follow all the steps below to configure or enable it.

  1. Configure your V2V organization number in the GEM-CAR settings.
  2. Activate Option 42 - Activate the VIN internet search in the GEM-CAR General information settings.
  3. Activate Option 127 - Use CARFAX in the GEM-CAR General information settings.
  4. When using CARFAX services or doing the next end-of-day procedure for the first time, the new CARFAX agreement will pop up. Enter your name and e-mail and accept the agreement to resubscribe to CARFAX and finish the configuration.

Disable CARFAX for specific customers

To disable CARFAX for specific customers, follow the steps below.

  1. Access the Customer management configuration window going to Customer management > Customer management in the GEM-CAR Main menu.
  2. Select a client.
  3. Select the Additional information tab.
  4. Check the Do not send invoices from this customer to CARFAX box.
  5. Click on the diskette button to save.

Use CARFAX services

Vehicle history

Follow the steps below to use the vehicle history feature of CARFAX.

  1. From the Point of sales, load a customer profile and his vehicle.
  2. Click on the Vehicle file button.
  3. From the Vehicle maintenance window, select the General information tab.
  4. Verify if there is a VIN in the VIN # field. If the field is empty, enter the VIN for the vehicle in this field.
  5. Click on the CARFAX button.
  6. Follow the CARFAX instructions onscreen to use the service.

VIN decoder

Follow the steps below to use the CARFAX VIN decoder feature.

  1. From the Point of sales, click on the Vehicle file button.
  2. From the Vehicle maintenance window, select the General information tab.
  3. Enter the VIN in the VIN # field. If the format of the VIN is valid, it will turn to green.
  4. Hit enter on your keyboard.
  5. When prompted, answer yes to import the vehicle’s information from CARFAX.
  6. Select a model on the list and accept.
  7. Check the options to be transferred and accept.
  8. The appropriate fields will be populated in the Vehicle maintenance window.
  9. Make modifications, if need be, and click on the diskette button to save when you are satisfied.

Related topics

  1. CARFAX is a trademark of CARFAX Canada ULC. ↩

  2. CARFAX is a trademark of CARFAX Inc. ↩