The myCARFAX app is all about helping you stay on top of your vehicle maintenance and alerting you to open recalls, so you can keep your car running in tip top shape. Those who have ever purchased a used vehicle may be familiar with CARFAX as a service that provides you with information reported to CARFAX on a car’s history. myCARFAX runs a little differently in that it keeps track of the service history records for your vehicle, and it sends you alerts and reminders for when you should take it in to get serviced.
Before you can get started with myCARFAX, you’ll need to head to the Play Store and download the app.
Those who are used to seeing apps with the more modern “material design” style UI will feel right at home once opening the app for the first time, as myCARFAX follows Google’s design guidelines pretty much to the letter. It’s also easily accessible as it includes a homescreen widget for quick access.
The first thing you’ll need to do before you can find your way to the main screen though, is sign into the app or create an account. You can do this by logging in if you’re an existing user, or signing up with Facebook or Email.
To begin using the app you’ll want to use the floating action button, “Add a car to your garage,” upon which the app will ask for your license plate number or VIN in order to pull up a unique service history and any open recalls on your vehicle.
The app is designed to be tailored to your, and your car’s needs specifically. Once you add a car to the digital garage, you’ll be able to view your vehicle’s service history, upcoming maintenance, open recalls and more.
When looking at your service dashboard, you can see any open recalls on your vehicle, the next time you need your oil changed, tires rotated, or when it’s going to be time for safety and emission inspections.
If you’re someone who could use help remembering the little things, like when you need to renew your vehicle’s registration, myCARFAX can help you here, too, and have configured reminders to alert you when your next registration date is coming up.
If you have more than one vehicle under your ownership, or you simply want to help family members with their vehicles as well, you can track up to five vehicles’ service records and schedules at one time. It’s also easy to switch out a vehicle if you ever need to.
The app also lets you personalize things by adding a name and custom profile image for each vehicle you keep tracked within it, and if you ever need to get some repair work done to your car, the app can also provide with the means to search for and find local repair shops in your area. This is profoundly simple to use, and is a breath of fresh air as finding repair shops can sometimes be a hassle.
While not everyone is going to have need for an app that helps them stay on top of their car maintenance, for those that are not afraid to admit they can be a little absent minded, or those who simply wouldn’t mind a little assistance in making things more convenient when it comes to their vehicle maintenance and safety, myCARFAX can prove to be an invaluable tool to have installed on the one other tool most people almost always have on them-The smartphone. Navigating through the app is easy to do and it looks great with an up-to-date UI design that is pleasing to anyone.
Ratings
- Speed (5/5) – Using the app was a breeze and setup took less than a minute to get signed up. Switching between screens also felt fluid and lag free.
- Features (4/5) – The app offers up quite a lot more than you would expect for an app dedicated to car maintenance.
- Theme (5/5) – With material design throughout the app, there’s no complaints about the app UI as the design is elegant and well thought out.
- Overall (4.5/5) – The app is loaded with good features, but not overloaded. It also looks great and runs pretty well, definitely a great app tool for anyone.
Pros
- Material Design style UI
- Fast and fluid to use
- Setup was easy
- Option for login using email. Not required to login with Facebook
- Keep track of multiple vehicles
Cons
- Would like to have seen a “Log in with Google” option
Car maintenance is one of those things that everyone should be keeping up on, but many people don’t, and it isn’t always because they don’t want to or don’t have the means. Sometimes, people just forget. With the myCARFAX app, you won’t need to worry about that as it can help you with reminders about your car’s maintenance needs and alert you to any important safety recalls. It’s simple to use and it’s free. Definitely a must-have app if the maintenance and safety of your car is important to you.