CARFAX VIN lookup
Type the VIN, see whether CARFAX holds records for that car, and decide before you pay anything.
Start with the free VIN check
See which reports have records for the car before you pay anything.
- Original CARFAX and AutoCheck reports
- One-time price, no subscription
- In your browser + PDF by e-mail
Where to find the VIN
The VIN is printed in several places. Any of them works, and they should all match.
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On the car
At the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side, and on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb.
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On the papers
On the title, the registration and the insurance card.
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In the listing
Most online listings show the VIN in the details. If it is missing, ask the seller for it — a seller who refuses is a warning.
How the lookup works
- Enter the VIN Paste or type all 17 characters, exactly as printed.
- See what exists You see whether CARFAX and AutoCheck hold records and how many, plus any auction records from Copart, IAAI or Manheim.
- Choose the report Pick CARFAX alone, CARFAX with AutoCheck, or add an auction record.
- Read it The report opens in your browser after payment and arrives as a PDF by e-mail.
CARFAX report prices compared
Our prices are the ones checkout charges today; the carfax.com price is its list price for one report.
| Where | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| carfax.com | One original CARFAX report | $44.99 |
| VINinfohub.com | The same original CARFAX report, in your browser and as a PDF by e-mail | $18.99 · 10-pack: $12.34 each |
| VINinfohub.com | CARFAX + AutoCheck for the same VIN | $28.06 |
| VINinfohub.com | VINinfohub ONE: all available history and auction data for the VIN in one consolidated report | $21.69 |
| Seller, dealer or listing | A report they already bought for that car | Free |
carfax.com also sells multi-report packages that cost less per report.
What the CARFAX report for a VIN shows
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Owners: how many, in which states, and how the car was used.
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Title: salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon and other brands.
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Accidents and damage that were reported, with dates.
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Mileage readings over time, which expose a rolled-back odometer.
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Service and inspection visits that reporting shops recorded.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CARFAX VIN lookup free?
The record check is free: it tells you whether CARFAX has records for the VIN. The full report is paid.
Can I look up a CARFAX report without a VIN?
Yes, with a US license plate and the state. The plate lookup in the homepage search box finds the VIN, and the rest works the same.
What if the check finds no records?
Then CARFAX has nothing on that VIN and you should not buy the report. AutoCheck or auction records may still exist.
Does the lookup work for Canadian cars?
CARFAX holds records for vehicles from the United States and Canada. Run the VIN to see whether records exist.
How long does the report take?
It opens in your browser after payment and is e-mailed as a PDF.
Can a VIN lookup show the owner's name?
No. Vehicle history reports never show the names or addresses of owners.
Check a VIN now
Enter the 17-character VIN: the free check shows which reports have records for the car and what each one costs.
Check a VIN for free