You found a car you like. Before you pay or bid, you want its history. Two names come up every time: CARFAX and AutoCheck. They overlap a lot, but they aren't the same, and the price gap is big.
Here's what each one is good at, what they cost, and when it makes sense to pay for either.
The short answer
- Buying from a dealer or private seller: CARFAX is the name most sellers and buyers recognize, and it's strong on service records.
- Buying at auction (Copart, IAAI, Manheim): AutoCheck is the one auction buyers lean on. It's run by Experian, which highlights its auction data.
- Comparing several cars: the cost of single reports adds up fast. A cheaper per-report option makes more sense than paying $30 to $45 for every VIN on your list.
What they cost in 2026
| CARFAX | AutoCheck | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 report | $44.99 | $29.99 |
| Multi-report packs | Yes | Yes (5 reports for $59.99) |
| Score for the car | No | Yes (1 to 100) |
Prices as listed in 2026. Both companies change their pricing, so check their sites before you buy.
If you're shopping seriously, you'll usually check 3 to 6 cars before buying one. At CARFAX prices that's well over $100 just for research.
What both reports cover
Both pull from title records, insurance and police reports, auctions, and other sources. On a typical report you'll see:
- Title brands: salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon, junk
- Reported accidents and damage
- Odometer readings over time, and rollback flags
- Number of owners and how the car was used (personal, rental, fleet)
- Open safety recalls
Where they differ
Service records
CARFAX gets maintenance records from many service shops, so its reports often show oil changes and repairs. AutoCheck reports usually don't.
The AutoCheck Score
AutoCheck gives each car a score from 1 to 100 and shows a range for similar cars (same make, model and year). A score below that range means more negative history than usual. It's a quick way to sort a long list of auction lots.
Auction data
This is AutoCheck's strongest point. If the car went through a major auction, AutoCheck may show the sale, condition notes, or a "frame damage" or "total loss" record that's easy to miss elsewhere.
Buyback protection
Both offer a buyback guarantee if they miss certain title brands, but the rules are narrow. Read the terms instead of treating the guarantee as insurance.
Which one should you run?
- You're bidding on Copart or IAAI: run a history check before you bid, not after you win. Salvage-auction cars often have a past total loss, an out-of-state title brand, or an earlier auction record. See our Copart VIN check and IAAI VIN check.
- You're buying from a dealer: ask for the dealer's report first. Many dealers include one for free. Then run your own if anything looks off.
- You're buying privately: always run a report yourself. Private sellers are where rolled-back odometers and washed titles show up most. Our guide on spotting odometer fraud covers what to check.
A cheaper way to check
AutoVinReveal reports cost $5.99, with no account needed, and cover accidents, title brands, odometer history, recalls, and auction and total-loss records. If you're checking a lot of cars, packs bring it down to $2.45 a report (20-pack), and credits never expire.
FAQ
Is AutoCheck as good as CARFAX?
For auction cars, often yes, because of its auction data. For dealer and private sales, CARFAX's service records give it an edge. Neither one catches everything, so pair any report with a mechanic's inspection.
Why do dealers show CARFAX and auctions show AutoCheck?
Dealers pay CARFAX for bulk access and display reports to buyers. Major auctions work with Experian, so AutoCheck is built into many auction listings.
Can a car have a clean report and still be bad?
Yes. Reports only show what was reported. An accident fixed for cash with no insurance claim won't appear. That's why an inspection still matters.