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John S.

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John S.

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Aug 27

The Most Boring Car in America Almost Fooled Me

A silver Chevy Malibu, priced like the deal of the year. Then I ran the VIN, and the odometer would not hold still.

The Most Boring Car in America Almost Fooled Me

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John S.

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Jul 18

1 in 9 Cars in This County Got Stolen Last Year. Or Did They?

America’s official car theft capital is a farm county of 55,000 people. One of them married my sister. Briefly.

1 in 9 Cars in This County Got Stolen Last Year. Or Did They?

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John S.

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Mar 25

Best Car History Report Services in 2026: Carfax vs Alternatives

I tested 10 VIN report services with real paid reports, side by side. So where do they actually differ?

Best Car History Report Services in 2026: Carfax vs Alternatives

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John S.

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11h ago

Buying a Car With a Lien: What 196 Real Checks Showed

Nearly half the used cars people checked had a loan or lien record. Here’s how to buy one without inheriting someone else’s debt

Buying a Car With a Lien: What 196 Real Checks Showed

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John S.

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3d ago

Salvage Title: What It Means, From 196 Real Checks

What the brand really says about a car, how it gets on the road again, and what 196 recent vehicle checks turned up

Salvage Title: What It Means, From 196 Real Checks

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John S.

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Sep 30

My Friend’s Carfax Bill Went From Monthly to Weekly. Your Next Used Car Will Feel It.

A Missouri dealership. The same hundred reports. Since September 1, about $2,000 a month.

My Friend’s Carfax Bill Went From Monthly to Weekly. Your Next Used Car Will Feel It.

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Best Vehicle History Reports

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John S.

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Sep 9

The Cybercab Certified Itself. So Did Your Used Car

Nobody inspected it before it picked up its first passenger. Nobody inspected yours either.

The Cybercab Certified Itself. So Did Your Used Car

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Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs

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John S.

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Aug 28

I Ran the VIN on Every Car on My Street

The pickup at the end of my street has an airbag that could kill whoever sits in the passenger seat.

I Ran the VIN on Every Car on My Street

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Best Vehicle History Reports

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John S.

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Jul 14

The Nicest Truck on the Lot Had Been Underwater. The Paper Never Said So

A clean Texas title can hide a car that drowned in a hurricane. Here’s how the washing works, and the one record it can’t touch.

flood-damaged used car with a clean Texas title

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John S.

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Jul 9

Your Used Tesla Comes With an Open Federal Investigation. The Katy Case Shows Why That Matters

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the Tesla that drove into a house in Katy, Texas at 73 miles an hour, and I argued the scariest part…

Your Used Tesla Comes With an Open Federal Investigation. The Katy Case Shows Why That Matters

John S.

John S.

15+ years in used cars. • I break down VIN reports • Compare what they actually reveal • Tested 12 providers side by side

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