MOUNT ARLINGTON, N.J. -

The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance recently released the findings of the vehicle history report survey that centered on improving the data correction process and standardizing history report wording.

The survey was conducted by the alliance’s Standards Committee, and after results were gathered and analyzed, IARA was able to determine seven conclusions from the results.

Interestingly enough, in the data correction part of the survey, IARA concluded that “state and auction information should take precedence over a third-party report,” while also determining that most respondents believe data should be corrected within 24 hours.

These were just a few of the findings that came out.

Offering some overall commentary on the survey, IARA said the 83 respondents who participated gave the alliance a significant amount of feedback that should prove helpful.

“The IARA Standards Committee is especially pleased about the participation from representatives of companies across the industry,” the alliance noted.

“Input from companies like those who are members of the IARA, both consignors and auction companies, and many other notable companies make these responses that much more valuable. The time and thoughtfulness that went into these responses is appreciated,” it added.

The following are the seven conclusions IARA determined from the survey, as listed and broken down by the alliance:

Improving the data correction process

1) A reasonable time to correct an error is 24 hours.
—Over 69 percent of the respondents believe it should be 24 hours or less.

2) State and auction information should take precedence over a third party report.
—Third-party mileage information should be removed when proven incorrect.

3) State errors are hard to correct and should be handled as a separate issue.

Standardizing the wording on vehicle history reports

4) Inconsistent odometer readings should use the wording “data discrepancy in mileage,” according to 62 percent of the respondents.
— If the error is verified, the record should be cleared.

5) Stolen/Recovered disclosures should only be disclosed if verified from a reliable source.
— If the error is verified, the record should be cleared.

6) Accident reporting should include severity indicators and airbag deployment from a reliable source.

7) Accident information based on a police report should be amended or deleted upon third party verification.

For more information, visit www.iaraonline.org.