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<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: MLS 2026 Installation and System Setup > System Information Setup > 3rd Party Interfaces > CARFAX Services and Utilities |
MLS 2026 includes fully integrated support for the CARFAX Service Network.
This service is provided at no cost to participating repair facilities and offers several valuable features, including:
•VIN decoding
•Vehicle identification
•Service history retrieval
•QuickVIN license-to-VIN lookup
•Customer retention and marketing support
•Free advertising exposure through CARFAX reports
Participation is voluntary, but highly recommended for automotive repair facilities.
Modern VIN decoding has become extremely complex due to:
•Multiple engine configurations
•Trim packages
•Regional variations
•Manufacturer changes
MLS 2026 utilizes the CARFAX database to provide highly accurate vehicle decoding information directly within the system.
In return, participating shops agree to submit:
•Vehicle identification information
•Labor/service descriptions
for serviced vehicles.
The MLS 2026 system automatically transmits only limited service information, including:
•Vehicle VIN
•License plate and state (when applicable)
•Service date
•Mileage
•Labor/service descriptions
•Shop identification information
The system does NOT transmit:
•Parts pricing
•Labor pricing
•Customer financial information
•Payment information
•Inventory data
•Internal accounting information
This information is transmitted securely by the MLS Auto Updater system directly to CARFAX servers.
No outside computer gains access to your MLS system or local network.
By participating in the CARFAX Service Program, your business receives:
•Free VIN decoding services
•Access to CARFAX vehicle history information
•Service history retrieval
•Free shop advertising on CARFAX reports
•Participation in CARFAX customer loyalty programs
•Increased customer confidence
•Additional exposure to prospective vehicle buyers
Many consumers specifically look for vehicles with documented service histories.
CARFAX activation is handled directly within MLS 2026.
Go to:
Tools → CARFAX Setup
You will then:
1.Review the CARFAX participation agreement
2.Select Agree or Decline
3.Press the Activate button
Once activated:
•VIN decoding becomes available
•Service history retrieval becomes active
•Automatic reporting begins
The MLS Auto Updater system:
•Tracks completed vehicle service records
•Collects eligible service information
•Automatically transmits updates to CARFAX
This process runs automatically in the background.
No manual exporting or uploads are required.
The server computer should remain operational continuously so the updater can perform these tasks automatically.
In summary, participation means:
•Your shop agrees to submit vehicle service history information to CARFAX
•CARFAX provides free VIN decoding and service history access
•Your shop information may appear on CARFAX reports
•Customer personal information is not transferred
This creates a valuable exchange of information that benefits:
•Repair facilities
•Vehicle owners
•Vehicle buyers
MLS 2026 also supports:
•QuickVIN lookup
This feature can translate:
•License Plate + State
into:
•Vehicle VIN information
automatically through the CARFAX network.
When entering a new vehicle:
1.Enter the license plate number
2.Enter the registration state
3.Leave the VIN field blank
MLS 2026 will:
•Contact the CARFAX servers
•Retrieve the VIN
•Decode the vehicle
•Confirm the Year/Make/Model
•Populate the vehicle information automatically
This greatly reduces data entry time and improves accuracy.
You may also manually decode a VIN.
After entering the VIN:
1.Press the VIN Decode lookup icon
2.MLS 2026 contacts the CARFAX decoding service
3.Available vehicle configurations are displayed
4.Select the proper model/submodel
5.The vehicle data is automatically stored
Because manufacturers frequently change configurations, it is always important to visually verify the decoded information against the actual vehicle.
MLS 2026 can retrieve available CARFAX service histories for vehicles in the database.
This information may include:
•Prior services
•Service dates
•Mileage records
•Repair summaries
•Reporting facilities
Service history access is available from:
•Vehicle Edit screens
•Open Workorders
•Vehicle Analysis screens
Look for the:
•CARFAX button
•Service History option
The information is retrieved live through the internet connection.
When viewing vehicle analysis information on an open workorder, MLS 2026 can also include:
•CARFAX service history details
•Vehicle configuration data
•Prior repair information
This can assist service writers in:
•Identifying overdue maintenance
•Recommending additional services
•Verifying prior repairs
•Improving customer communication
CARFAX also offers customer retention and loyalty services.
These programs may provide:
•Maintenance reminders
•Recall notifications
•Online service history access
•Follow-up reminders
Participating repair facilities receive:
•Shop branding exposure
•Customer reminder visibility
•Referral opportunities
This service is provided by CARFAX directly.
Contact your CARFAX representative for additional details regarding available programs.
The CARFAX integration is designed specifically to:
•Protect customer privacy
•Limit transmitted information
•Prevent outside access to your network
MLS 2026 only transmits the information necessary to maintain:
•Vehicle history records
•VIN decoding services
•CARFAX reporting functionality
No direct outside access to your databases is permitted.
•An active internet connection is required
•The MLS Auto Updater service must be running
•VIN decoding accuracy depends on manufacturer data
•Vehicle modifications performed outside factory specifications may not decode correctly
•CARFAX participation is optional, but strongly recommended for automotive repair facilities