What AutoCheck does and what it costs
AutoCheck is a vehicle history report service owned by Experian that pulls records from auctions, insurance companies, DMVs, and repair shops to show you a car's past. When you enter a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), AutoCheck returns information about title problems, accident history, odometer readings, ownership changes, and service records — the same kinds of details you'd find in a Carfax report, though the two services pull from slightly different databases.
A single AutoCheck report costs around $25 to $30, though the price can vary. If you buy a package of multiple reports, the per-report cost drops. AutoCheck also offers a subscription model where you pay a monthly fee for unlimited reports, which makes sense if you're shopping for several cars at once.
The report arrives as a PDF you can read when ready or view online. Most dealers and private sellers who run AutoCheck reports will share them with you if you ask — many post them on listing sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace alongside the photos.
Key Takeaways
- AutoCheck reports show accident history, title problems, odometer readings, and service records pulled from insurance companies, auctions, and DMVs.
- You enter the VIN on AutoCheck's website, pay the report fee, and receive a PDF within seconds that you can read or view online.
- A single report costs $25 to $30, but multi-report packages and monthly subscriptions offer lower per-report pricing.
- AutoCheck and Carfax pull from different databases, so running both reports on the same car can reveal different information about its history.
- Many dealers and private sellers already have AutoCheck reports on file and will share them if you ask before making an offer.
How to run an AutoCheck report step by step
Go to autocheck.com and look for the search box at the top of the page. Type or paste the VIN — a 17-character code you'll find on the driver's side of the windshield, on the door jamb, or in the vehicle's title paperwork. AutoCheck will validate the VIN format and show you a preview of what the report will contain before you pay.
Click through to purchase. You can pay with a credit card or debit card. AutoCheck will ask for your email address so it can send you a link to read or view the report. The report generates within seconds — you don't have to wait hours or days.
Once the report loads, scroll through the sections. The report typically starts with basic vehicle information (year, make, model, body style), then moves into accident records, title history, ownership timeline, and service records if they're available. Red flags appear highlighted so you can spot them quickly.
What information AutoCheck actually includes
AutoCheck reports show whether a car has a clean title or a branded title (salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon law buyback). They display accident records reported to insurance companies, though not every minor fender-bender will appear — only claims that went through insurance. The report lists how many previous owners the car has had and when ownership changed hands.
Odometer readings appear in a timeline so you can spot inconsistencies — for example, if the mileage went backward between two service records, that's a red flag for odometer fraud. AutoCheck also pulls service records from participating repair shops, though coverage varies by region and shop. Not every oil change will show up, but major work like transmission repairs or collision repairs usually does.
The report does not include the vehicle's current market value, insurance cost estimates, or mechanical inspection results. It also won't tell you whether the car is currently financed or has an outstanding loan — that information comes from a title search through your state's DMV, which is a separate step.
AutoCheck versus Carfax: which one to use
Both AutoCheck and Carfax pull vehicle history from insurance companies, auctions, and repair shops, but they have different data sources and sometimes report different findings on the same car. Carfax is more widely known and appears on most dealer websites automatically. AutoCheck is often cheaper per report and is the service used by many auction houses and used-car wholesalers.
The practical difference: if you're serious about a car, run both reports. They cost $25 to $30 each, and spending $50 to $60 to cross-check the history of a car you're about to spend thousands on is reasonable insurance. If one report shows an accident that the other doesn't, that's worth asking the seller about directly. If both reports are clean, you have more confidence in the car's history.
Some buyers start with whichever report the seller already has on file, then run the other one if anything looks questionable. Others run AutoCheck first because it's slightly cheaper, then run Carfax only if they find something concerning.
What to do if the AutoCheck report raises red flags
If the report shows an accident, ask the seller for details: when it happened, which parts were damaged, and whether the car was repaired at a dealership or an independent shop. A minor fender-bender that was professionally repaired is different from a major collision. The report tells you that an accident happened, but not how serious it was or how well it was fixed.
If the report shows a branded title (salvage or rebuilt), the car has been declared a total loss by an insurance company at some point. These cars are legal to drive and insure, but they're worth significantly less than a clean-title equivalent. Some insurance companies charge higher premiums for rebuilt-title vehicles, so call your insurer before you commit to buying.
If the odometer readings show a jump backward or a gap in the timeline, that's a sign of possible fraud or a data error. Ask the seller for service records or maintenance receipts that cover the gap. If the seller can't explain it, walk away — odometer fraud is a crime and a sign of other problems with the car's history.
When to skip AutoCheck and use other resources instead
If you're buying from a dealership, the dealer is often required by law to disclose known accidents and title problems, and many dealerships run AutoCheck or Carfax automatically. Ask to see the report before you test drive. If the dealer won't show you a report, that's a reason to be cautious.
If you're buying a very old car (15+ years), AutoCheck reports become less reliable because older records are less likely to be in the system. For older vehicles, a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is more valuable than a history report. You can still run AutoCheck to check for title problems, but don't rely on it alone.
If you're buying a car at auction or from a wholesaler, AutoCheck is often the standard report they use, and they may provide it to you. If they don't, you can run one yourself before you bid or make an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up a VIN for free?
AutoCheck itself charges for reports, but some free alternatives exist. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides free recall information by VIN at safercar.gov. Your state's DMV may offer a free title search if you visit in person with the VIN. However, free services don't provide the accident history and service records that AutoCheck does — they're useful for specific questions but not a full replacement.
What if the AutoCheck report shows information I think is wrong?
AutoCheck allows you to dispute inaccurate information through their website. You'll need to provide documentation (repair receipts, insurance paperwork, or a police report) to support your dispute. The process can take several weeks. If you're the seller and a buyer sees incorrect information, fixing it before listing the car can help the sale move faster.
Does AutoCheck show if a car is currently financed?
No. AutoCheck shows title history and branding, but not whether there's an active loan against the car. To check for a lien, you need to run a title search through your state's DMV or use a separate lien search service. This is important because if a car is financed, the lender has a legal claim to it until the loan is paid off.
Will AutoCheck show every accident a car has been in?
Only accidents reported to insurance companies appear in AutoCheck. If a car was in a minor accident and the owner paid out of pocket for repairs without filing an insurance claim, it won't show up. This is why a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic is valuable — they can spot signs of past damage that the report missed.
Can I run an AutoCheck report on a car I don't own?
Yes. You only need the VIN, which is public information. You don't need the owner's permission to run a report. This is why AutoCheck is useful for shopping — you can check the history of any car you're considering before you make an offer or test drive it.