Where to get a car history report

A car history report is a document that shows what happened to a specific vehicle over time — accidents, title transfers, service records, recalls, and whether it was ever reported stolen or flooded. You can get one from three main sources: Carfax, AutoCheck, and your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Carfax and AutoCheck are private companies that compile data from insurance claims, police reports, auction houses, and repair shops. They charge per report — typically $20 to $40 for a single report, though some dealerships provide them free. The DMV holds title and registration records and can tell you who has owned the car and whether there are liens against it, but does not track accidents or service history. You request DMV records in person, by mail, or online depending on your state.

Each source has gaps. Carfax and AutoCheck miss accidents that were paid out of pocket, repairs done at independent shops that do not report to them, and service records kept by the owner. The DMV does not know about accidents unless they resulted in an insurance claim or police report. For the most complete picture, order a report from both Carfax and AutoCheck, then contact the DMV for title history.

Key Takeaways

  • Carfax and AutoCheck are the two largest private history report providers and charge per report, though dealerships often provide them free when you shop there.
  • Your state DMV holds title and ownership records but does not track accidents or repairs — contact them separately for that information.
  • No single source captures all history; accidents paid privately, independent shop repairs, and service records kept by owners do not appear on any report.
  • The vehicle identification number (VIN) is what you need to order any report, and you can find it on the dashboard, insurance card, or registration.
  • Before buying a used car, order reports from both Carfax and AutoCheck and request the DMV title history to catch problems all three might miss.

What information appears in a history report

A Carfax or AutoCheck report typically includes the number of previous owners, whether the title is clean or has a brand (such as "salvage" or "flood"), reported accidents and their severity, service records from participating shops, open recalls, and whether the car was reported stolen or used as a rental or fleet vehicle.

The report also shows mileage history — each time the car was serviced or inspected, the mileage was recorded. If mileage jumps backward or increases by an implausible amount between records, that is a red flag for odometer fraud. A clean title means no major damage or structural problems were reported to insurance. A branded title (salvage, flood, lemon law buyback) means the car was declared a total loss, damaged by water, or returned to the manufacturer under warranty — these cars are riskier and often worth significantly less.

Keep in mind that a report showing no accidents does not mean the car was never in an accident. It means no accident was reported to the sources that feed Carfax or AutoCheck. A fender bender paid in cash, repairs done at a mom-and-pop shop, or damage the owner never reported to insurance will not show up.

How to order a report online

To order from Carfax or AutoCheck, you need the vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN is a 17-character code stamped on the dashboard on the driver's side (visible through the windshield), printed on your insurance card and registration, and often on the door jamb. You can also ask the seller or dealer for it.

Go to Carfax.com or AutoCheck.com, enter the VIN, and pay for the report. The report appears on screen when ready and is usually emailed to you as well. Some dealerships offer free Carfax reports to customers shopping on their lot — if you are buying from a dealer, ask whether they will run one for you at no charge. Many will.

If you are buying from a private seller, you can order the report yourself before you make an offer. This costs money but protects you from buying a car with hidden damage or a branded title. Some buyers ask the seller to provide the report; some sellers will, some will not.

Getting title and ownership records from the DMV

Your state DMV keeps records of who owns the car, whether there are liens (loans) against it, and whether the title has been branded. To request this information, you need the VIN and usually the license plate number. You can request records in person at your local DMV office, by mail, or online through your state's DMV website.

Processing times vary by state. Online requests often return results within days; mail requests can take two to four weeks. Some states charge a small fee (usually $5 to $15) for title records; others provide them free. The DMV will tell you the current owner, all previous owners on file, whether there are outstanding loans, and the title status.

This step is especially important if you are buying from a private seller. A DMV title search confirms that the person selling you the car actually owns it and that there are no liens that would transfer to you. If a lien exists, the lender must be paid off before the title can transfer to you — the seller is responsible for this, but you should verify it happened before you hand over money.

Red flags that appear in history reports

A branded title — salvage, flood, lemon law buyback, or similar — is the biggest red flag. These cars have been declared total losses or had major problems. They are legal to own and drive, but they are worth less, may be harder to insure, and carry higher risk of hidden damage. If you see a branded title, have a mechanic inspect the car in person before you buy.

Mileage that goes backward between records, or jumps by thousands of miles in a short time, suggests odometer fraud. Multiple accident reports, especially if they are recent or involve structural damage, indicate a car that has been in collisions. Open recalls that have not been addressed mean the manufacturer has identified a safety or defect issue that has not been fixed.

A high number of owners in a short time can mean the car has had problems that caused people to sell it quickly. Flood damage is particularly serious because water can corrode electrical systems and cause problems that do not show up when ready. If the report shows flood history, have a mechanic check the interior for water stains, rust, and electrical issues.

What to do if the report shows problems

If a Carfax or AutoCheck report shows an accident, branded title, or other issue, you have several options. You can walk away from the car. You can ask the seller to lower the price to account for the problem. You can have a mechanic inspect the car in person to assess the actual damage and repair costs.

If you are buying from a dealer, you can ask them to provide documentation of any repairs made after the accident or damage. Some dealers will provide this; some will not. If you are buying from a private seller, ask them directly what happened and whether they have repair receipts. Their answer and willingness to provide proof will tell you a lot about whether they are being honest.

If the report shows a branded title or major accident, a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is not optional — it is essential. A mechanic can spot frame damage, welding, mismatched paint, and other signs of repair that might not be obvious to you. The inspection usually costs $100 to $200 and can save you thousands in hidden problems.

Using history reports for cars you already own

If you already own a car, you can order a history report on it to understand its past, verify mileage, or check for recalls you may have missed. This is useful if you bought the car years ago and want to know whether any accidents were reported after you bought it, or if you inherited a car and want to know its background.

You can also use a history report to document your car's condition before you sell it. If you plan to sell privately, ordering a Carfax report and sharing it with potential buyers builds trust and can help you sell faster. Some buyers will ask for the report; providing it unprompted shows you have nothing to hide.

If you are having recurring problems with your car, a history report can reveal whether the same issue was reported by previous owners. This helps you decide whether to keep fixing the car or cut your losses and sell it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free car history report?

Dealerships often provide free Carfax reports to customers shopping on their lot. Some banks and credit unions offer free reports to members. Otherwise, Carfax and AutoCheck charge per report. Your state DMV may provide title records free or for a small fee depending on the state.

What if the seller says the car has no accidents but the report shows one?

The seller may not have known about the accident, or they may be lying. A history report is based on insurance claims and police reports, so if an accident appears there, it happened. Ask the seller directly what they know about it. If their story does not match the report, that is a reason to be cautious or walk away.

Does a clean history report mean the car is safe to buy?

A clean report means no accidents were reported to Carfax or AutoCheck, but it does not may provide the car has no problems. Accidents paid in cash, repairs at independent shops, and maintenance records kept by the owner do not appear. Always have a mechanic inspect any used car in person before you buy, regardless of the report.

How far back does a history report go?

Carfax and AutoCheck typically report data going back 5 to 10 years, though some records go further. The exact timeframe depends on what data the companies have access to. Your DMV title records usually go back to when the car was first registered in your state.

What is the difference between Carfax and AutoCheck?

Both compile accident, title, and service data, but they pull from slightly different sources and may have different information on the same car. Ordering from both gives you the most complete picture. Neither is definitively better; they are complementary.