What a car history report tells you

A car history report pulls records from insurance companies, police reports, DMV databases, and auto auctions to show you what happened to a vehicle before you own it. The report will tell you if the car was in a major accident, flooded, stolen and recovered, or branded with a salvage title. It also shows you how many owners the car has had, whether the odometer has been rolled back, and whether there are outstanding recalls.

The most useful reports come from Carfax and AutoCheck, the two largest providers. Both pull from similar sources, though they sometimes have different records depending on which insurance companies and repair shops reported the damage. A single report costs around $25 to $30, but many dealerships and private sellers will provide one for free if you ask.

You cannot see everything from a history report alone. A report will not catch minor fender benders that were never reported to insurance, or mechanical problems that have not yet shown up. That is why a history report is one step, not the only step, in deciding whether to buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Carfax and AutoCheck are the two main sources for car history reports, and you can order one online for $25 to $30 or ask the seller to provide it free.
  • A history report shows accidents, flood damage, salvage titles, odometer problems, and recalls, but will not catch unreported minor damage or mechanical issues.
  • You should always get a report before making an offer, because a salvage or rebuilt title can drop the car's value by thousands of dollars.
  • If the report shows damage but the seller says it was minor, have a mechanic inspect the car in person to confirm the damage was properly repaired.

How to order a Carfax report

Go to carfax.com and enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) in the search box at the top of the page. The VIN is a 17-character code stamped on the driver's side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield, or printed on the title and registration. If you are looking at a car at a dealership or private seller's home, you can photograph the VIN from the windshield or ask the seller for it.

After you enter the VIN, Carfax will show you a preview of what the report contains — usually a summary of accidents, title problems, and service records. You can then pay for the full report using a credit card or debit card. The report appears on screen when ready and you can also print it or save it as a PDF.

Many dealerships will print a Carfax report for free if you ask, especially if you are seriously considering buying the car. Some dealerships post the report on their website listing. If the seller will not provide one, that is a red flag — it usually means they know something is wrong with the car.

How to order an AutoCheck report

Go to autocheck.com and enter the VIN in the search field. AutoCheck works the same way as Carfax: you see a preview, pay for the full report, and receive it when ready. AutoCheck reports sometimes include different information than Carfax because they pull from different auction houses and insurance databases.

AutoCheck is often slightly cheaper than Carfax, and some credit card companies offer discounts on AutoCheck reports as a cardholder benefit. Check your credit card's rewards or benefits page to see if you have this option.

If you are buying from a dealership, ask whether they have already run an AutoCheck report. Some dealerships use AutoCheck instead of Carfax, and they may share it with you at no cost.

What to look for in the report

The most important thing to check is the title status. A clean title means the car has no major problems. A salvage title means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company and then repaired and resold. A rebuilt title means a salvage car was repaired and passed inspection to be driven again. Both salvage and rebuilt titles can drop a car's resale value by 20 to 40 percent or more, depending on the damage.

Next, look at the accident history. The report will show how many accidents are on record, the date of each one, and whether it was a minor fender bender or major structural damage. One accident does not necessarily mean you should walk away, but multiple accidents or a single major accident should prompt you to have a mechanic inspect the car.

Check the odometer readings against the dates they were recorded. If the mileage goes down between two dates, or jumps up by an unusual amount, that is a sign of odometer fraud. Also look at the number of owners and how long each one kept the car. A car with five owners in three years is a warning sign that something is wrong.

Finally, scroll to the recalls section. If there are open recalls, the seller should have them fixed before you buy, or you should negotiate a price reduction to cover the cost of repairs.

When to get a mechanic inspection

A history report is not a substitute for a hands-on inspection. You should have a trusted mechanic look at any car before you buy it, especially if the report shows an accident or damage. The mechanic can tell you whether the repairs were done properly, whether there is hidden damage, and whether the car is safe to drive.

If the report shows a major accident but the seller claims the damage was minor, a mechanic inspection is essential. Insurance companies sometimes total cars that can be safely repaired, and sometimes cars that look fine on the outside have frame damage or suspension problems that will cost thousands to fix.

A pre-purchase inspection usually costs $100 to $200 and takes about an hour. Many mechanics will do this inspection at their shop, or some will meet you at the seller's location. This is money well spent — finding a hidden problem before you buy can save you thousands in repair costs later.

What to do if the report shows problems

If the history report shows an accident, flood damage, or a salvage title, you have three choices: walk away, negotiate a lower price, or get a mechanic inspection to understand the damage better.

Walking away is often the safest choice, especially if you are buying from a private seller. There are many cars on the market, and buying one with known problems increases your risk of expensive repairs down the road.

If you want to negotiate, use the report as proof that the car has problems. A salvage title, for example, is a concrete reason to ask for a significant price reduction. Show the seller the report and explain that the damage lowers the car's value. Many sellers will come down in price rather than lose the sale.

If you are interested in the car but unsure about the damage, hire a mechanic to inspect it. Bring the history report to the inspection and ask the mechanic to pay special attention to the areas where the accident or damage occurred. The mechanic's assessment will help you decide whether the repairs were done well enough to buy the car.

Free alternatives to paid reports

Some dealerships will provide a Carfax or AutoCheck report for free if you ask. This is especially common at larger dealerships that run reports on all their inventory. If you are buying from a private seller, you can ask them to purchase the report and share it with you.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website has a free recall lookup tool at safercar.gov. Enter the VIN and you can see all open recalls for that vehicle. This does not replace a full history report, but it is a quick way to check for safety issues.

Some credit card companies and insurance companies offer free or discounted history reports as a member benefit. Check with your credit card issuer or auto insurance company to see if you have this benefit available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check a car's history without the VIN?

No. Both Carfax and AutoCheck require the VIN to pull a report. The VIN is the only number that uniquely identifies a specific vehicle. If a seller will not give you the VIN, do not buy the car — that is a major red flag.

What if the history report is blank or shows no records?

A blank report usually means the car is older, was never in an accident, or was never reported to insurance. It does not mean the car is problem-free. Older cars and cars that were repaired at independent shops instead of dealerships may have incomplete records. Always get a mechanic inspection regardless of what the report shows.

Does a history report show regular maintenance records?

Carfax and AutoCheck pull maintenance records from dealerships and some repair shops, but only if those shops reported the work. Independent mechanics and small repair shops often do not report to these databases. Ask the seller for service records and receipts to see the full maintenance history.

Can I trust a report from a dealership?

Yes. Dealerships use the same Carfax and AutoCheck databases that you do. The report they show you is the same one you would get if you ordered it yourself. However, dealerships are required by law to disclose known problems with a car, so if they show you a report with damage, they should also tell you what repairs were done.

What should I do if I find out the car has a salvage title after I buy it?

This is rare if you check the history report before buying, but if it happens, contact your state's DMV or attorney general's office to report fraud. Many states have lemon laws or fraud protections that may allow you to return the car or get your money back, depending on when you discovered the problem and what the seller told you.