What is a CARFAX report?
One car, one VIN, everything that was recorded about it — and nothing that was not.
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
What a CARFAX report contains
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Ownership
The number of owners, the states where the car was registered, how long each owner kept it, and the type of use: personal, lease, rental, fleet or taxi.
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Title
Title brands issued by a state: salvage, rebuilt, flood, hail, lemon, junk and others, plus odometer problems.
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Accidents and damage
Reported accidents and damage, with dates and, where the source gave it, the area of the car and the severity.
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Mileage
Odometer readings from inspections, service visits and title events, in order.
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Service
Maintenance and repair visits recorded by shops that report.
Where the information comes from
CARFAX does not inspect cars. It collects records that others create.
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State motor-vehicle and title agencies.
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Insurance companies.
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Repair shops, service centers and dealers.
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Auctions, rental and fleet companies.
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Police and collision reports.
What it is not
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Not an inspection
The report shows the past on paper. Only a mechanic can tell you the car's condition today.
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Not complete by guarantee
Damage repaired privately and never reported does not appear.
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Not a valuation
The history affects value, but the report is not a price.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CARFAX report the same as a VIN check?
A free VIN check or VIN decoder shows the car's factory specifications. A CARFAX report shows what happened to the car afterwards.
Why is it called CARFAX?
In the 1980s the company sent its first vehicle history reports to dealers by fax.
How do I get one?
With the VIN. Here the original report costs $18.99; on carfax.com it is $44.99.
Is a clean CARFAX a guarantee?
No. A clean report means nothing negative was reported. Combine it with an inspection.
Does every car have a CARFAX report?
Most cars registered in the US or Canada since 1981 have records. A free check shows whether records exist for your VIN.
How is it different from AutoCheck?
AutoCheck is Experian's report. It has more auction data and a score; CARFAX usually has more service records.
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.
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