What AutoCheck does with your VIN
AutoCheck is a vehicle history report service owned by Experian that pulls data from auctions, insurance companies, DMV records, and repair shops to build a record of a used car's past. When you enter a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), AutoCheck searches its database and returns information about accidents, title problems, service history, and ownership changes. The report costs money — typically $25 to $30 for a single report, though prices vary by where you buy it.
AutoCheck is one of two major VIN check services; the other is Carfax. Both pull from similar sources, but they don't always have identical records because not every repair shop, auction house, or insurance company reports to both. A car might show an accident on one report and not the other, or one service might have more complete ownership history. This is why some buyers run both reports on the same vehicle.
The report itself is a PDF you can read when ready after purchase and share with a mechanic, a lender, or anyone else evaluating the car. AutoCheck also assigns each vehicle a score from 1 to 100 based on its history — higher scores mean fewer red flags, though the score is just a starting point, not a final judgment.
Key Takeaways
- AutoCheck pulls accident, title, ownership, and service records from insurance companies, auctions, and repair shops to create a vehicle history report.
- The report costs $25 to $30 per vehicle and is available as a downloadable PDF within minutes of purchase.
- AutoCheck and Carfax pull from different data sources, so a car might show different histories on each report — running both gives you a fuller picture.
- The AutoCheck score (1 to 100) flags vehicles with major issues, but a lower score doesn't automatically mean the car is unsafe or unfinanceable.
- A VIN check report shows what happened to the car, not whether it's worth buying — you still need a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic.
What information appears in an AutoCheck report
An AutoCheck report typically includes accident history, title status (whether the title is clean, salvaged, branded, or has a lien), odometer readings from different points in time, number of owners, and service records if the shop reported to AutoCheck. It also flags whether the car was ever declared a total loss by an insurance company, whether it was in a flood or fire, and whether the title has been rebuilt after being salvaged.
The report does not include maintenance records from independent shops that don't report to AutoCheck, so a car with a complete service history at a local mechanic might show fewer services than it actually received. It also doesn't include cosmetic damage, mechanical problems that were never reported to insurance, or issues that happened after the most recent data entry. A car can pass an AutoCheck report and still have a failing transmission or a hidden frame problem.
How AutoCheck scores work
AutoCheck assigns a score from 1 to 100 based on the vehicle's history. A score of 80 or higher generally means the car has a clean history with few red flags. A score between 50 and 79 suggests some issues — perhaps an accident, a title problem, or multiple owners — but not necessarily a deal-breaker. A score below 50 means the report found significant problems, such as a salvage title, multiple accidents, or a total loss declaration.
The score is meant to be a quick reference, not a final verdict. A car with a score of 60 might still be reliable if the accident was minor and the repairs were done well. A car with a score of 85 might have hidden problems that never made it into the report. The score should prompt you to dig deeper — ask the seller about the accident, have a mechanic inspect the car, and compare the AutoCheck report to a Carfax report if the history seems unclear.
AutoCheck versus Carfax: which report to use
Both AutoCheck and Carfax are legitimate services, and neither is universally "better." They pull from overlapping but different sources. Carfax has partnerships with more dealerships and repair shops in some regions, while AutoCheck has stronger connections to insurance companies and auctions in others. A car might show a clean title on one report and a salvage title on the other because one service received the information and the other hasn't yet.
Many buyers run both reports on any used car they're seriously considering. The cost is $50 to $60 total, and if the reports disagree on something major — like whether the car was in an accident — that disagreement itself is useful information. It tells you to ask the seller directly and to have a mechanic inspect the car thoroughly before you commit.
What AutoCheck doesn't tell you
A clean AutoCheck report does not mean the car is mechanically sound. It means the car's recorded history is clean. A car can have a perfect report and still have a failing engine, a transmission that's about to slip, or rust damage that will cost thousands to repair. AutoCheck reports what happened to the car according to insurance companies, auctions, and repair shops that reported their work — it doesn't include problems that were never reported or damage that occurred after the last data entry.
AutoCheck also doesn't predict future problems or tell you whether the car is worth the asking price. It's one tool among several. A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who can put the car on a lift and run a diagnostic scan is still essential. You should also check the current market price for that make, model, and year in your area, and verify the mileage against the title and service records.
How to use an AutoCheck report when buying a used car
Start by getting the VIN from the seller or the listing. You can buy an AutoCheck report directly from AutoCheck's website, or through many used car listing sites like CarGurus, Autotrader, or Cars.com, which sometimes offer discounted reports. Enter the VIN, pay the fee, and read the report when ready.
Read the report carefully. Look for title problems (salvage, rebuilt, lien), accidents, total loss declarations, and flood or fire damage. Note the number of owners and how long each one kept the car. If the report shows an accident, ask the seller for details — what was hit, what was repaired, and do they have receipts. If the report shows a gap in ownership or a sudden jump in mileage, ask about that too.
Share the report with a mechanic before you commit to buying. A mechanic can use the report's history to know what to look for — if the car was in a side-impact accident, the mechanic will inspect the frame and suspension on that side more carefully. If the report shows multiple owners in a short time, the mechanic will listen for signs of neglect or abuse.
When AutoCheck reports disagree with what the seller says
If the seller tells you the car was never in an accident but the AutoCheck report shows one, that's a red flag. It doesn't necessarily mean the seller is lying — they might not know about an accident that happened before they owned the car, or the report might be flagging a minor fender-bender that the seller doesn't consider significant. But it's a reason to ask follow-up questions and to have a mechanic inspect the car.
If the report shows a salvage or rebuilt title and the seller says the title is clean, do not proceed. A salvage title means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company at some point. A rebuilt title means it was salvaged and then repaired and re-registered. Both of these are permanent marks on the title and will affect the car's resale value and your ability to finance it. If there's a discrepancy, contact your state's DMV to verify the current title status before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run an AutoCheck report without buying it?
No. AutoCheck charges for each report, and there is no free version. Some dealerships and used car websites offer free reports as a selling tool, so it's worth checking if the car you're interested in already has a report available. Otherwise, you'll need to pay the standard fee.
How long does it take to get an AutoCheck report?
Most reports are available within minutes of purchase. You'll receive a link to read the PDF when ready. Occasionally a report takes a few hours if AutoCheck is pulling updated data, but same-day delivery is standard.
What does a salvage title mean on an AutoCheck report?
A salvage title means an insurance company declared the car a total loss after an accident, flood, fire, or other damage. The car was then repaired and re-registered with a rebuilt title. Salvage and rebuilt titles are permanent — they stay on the title forever and significantly lower the car's resale value. Many lenders won't finance a car with a salvage or rebuilt title.
Should I buy a car with a low AutoCheck score?
A low score doesn't automatically disqualify a car. It means the report found issues worth investigating. Have a mechanic inspect the car, ask the seller for details about any accidents or title problems, and decide whether the issues are acceptable given the price. Some buyers successfully buy cars with scores below 50 if the problems are minor and the price reflects that.
What if AutoCheck and Carfax show different accidents?
This happens because the two services pull from different sources and don't always receive reports at the same time. If the reports disagree on something significant, ask the seller directly and request documentation of any repairs. You can also contact your state's DMV to check the official title history. A mechanic's inspection will help you determine whether the car was repaired properly.