Key takeaways:
- Best Carfax alternative with adequate pricing (only $19.99) and has complete information is Detailed Vehicle History.
- It is recommended to combine a vehicle report with manual inspection, so you don’t miss any details.
- Get a comprehensive vehicle history report that will show you auction history with REAL pictures
A comprehensive vehicle history report is crucial when purchasing a used vehicle. It not only aids in the decision-making process but also provides valuable insights into the car’s past.
Millions of users rely on Carfax to get these reports. However, most are unaware that Carfax lacks report depth in several aspects, such as the lack of auction photos, steep pricing, and the short 30-day access to the reports.
This article will discuss better Carfax alternatives, covering options like Carfax for motorcycles, in different aspects of the vehicle history report. Let’s start by getting an overview.
Why a Vehicle History Report Matters When Buying a Used Car?
A vehicle history report is crucial to get before buying a used car because it helps you see hidden issues that were not spotted during manual checking. With one single report, you can see the detailed overview of the car’s past, like accidents, auctions, title check (to see if it was marked as salvage), damage check, like flood or accident, and more.
By getting a vehicle history report, you are one step closer to not buying a bad car that might have been in an accident. Also, it helps you gain more negotiation power because you have solid proof.
If you are a used car seller, it is also crucial to have the vehicle history report to show your buyers that your service is reliable. Thus, a detailed vehicle report helps you to set the selling price in accordance with its real condition.
Choosing a Vehicle History Report? Consider These First
When choosing a vehicle history report, it’s crucial to check how deep their data is. A proper vehicle history report should have these data: accident, auction, maintenance records, ownership records, and sometimes market value.
Here are the factors that you need to check before getting a vehicle history report:
Depth of Information
A vehicle report that has deep information is important because it helps you avoid a bad deal. Here are the key factors to look at:
- Accident history: Check whether the report includes the severity of the damage, structural impact, or airbag deployment.
- Title branding: Look out for warnings such as salvage, rebuilt, flood, or lemon title indicators.
- Odometer readings: Consistent mileage helps prevent odometer rollback fraud. If you spot any inconsistencies in the recorded mileage, the odometer was probably rolledback.
- Service and maintenance records: Some providers include detailed repair history, while others only show general service schedules.
- Ownership background: Information about the number of owners and whether the vehicle was used as a rental or fleet car can help judge how it was treated.
Check if it Its Trusted
Check if the vehicle history report provider is trusted by the NVMTIS, insurance company, and even the auction house. Make sure you always get the report from a reputable service provider, so you’ll be getting quality.
Price and Overall Value
Ensure that you get the best service along with the best price. Before you make a purchase, it’s better to purchase a single report or bundle. Also, check if the service is subscription-based.
Customer Service
It is recommended to get the vehicle history report that has the best post-sales support. Consider using a service that offers prompt and helpful assistance, so you’re not left without support when you need it.
Related: How Much Is a Carfax Report? Discover Smart Savings
Feature and Pricing Overview of the Best Carfax Alternatives
Before we get into the details, here’s a quick look at the features and pricing of some top alternatives to Carfax for vehicle history reports.
| Service | Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed Vehicle History | Top Carfax alternative with comprehensive reports. Lifetime access to reports and credits. Affordable option. | $15 per report |
| Instant VIN Reports | Free VIN decoding, offering vehicle specifications. Similar level of details with Detailed Vehicle History Reports at a competitive price. | $25 per report, $55 for 5 reports |
| VinAudit | Approved by NMVTIS, also checks all critical issues. | $9.99 per report |
| Vincheck.info | Free VIN decoding gets data from several sources, including the NMVTIS. | Free |
| AutoCheck | Offers an AutoCheck score. Provides buyback protection for registered and qualified vehicles. | $24.99 for a single report |
| NHTSA Recalls | Free VIN check service, but it only provides recall data. | Free |
| NICB VIN Check | Free lookup service to check for insurance theft claims. Also offers salvage/total loss records. | Five free checks per day (24 hours) |
Related: What is a Carfax Report and How Can I Get an Alternative Vehicle History Report?
Best Carfax Alternatives to Consider in 2025
When looking for the best Carfax alternatives in 2025, it’s essential to consider options that offer comprehensive vehicle history reports and car options by VIN check at competitive prices to get a low-cost Carfax report.
Here are the top sites similar to Carfax that provide a vehicle history report to consider:
1. Detailed Vehicle History – Best Carfax Alternative
Detailed Vehicle History is the leading provider of vehicle history reports in the automotive industry today. Their VIN Decoder service stands as number one on our list and the best alternative to Carfax if you need a more comprehensive, yet affordable vehicle history report.
Not only are their prices cheaper at 70% less than Carfax at a standard price of $19.99 per report, but they also provide even more detail than you would find on a Carfax report. Carfax doesn’t give these, but Detailed Vehicle History does:
- Auction records with photos
- Ownership history map
- Repair costs
- Vehicle Usage
- Support for heavy-duty vehicles, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles
- Support for classic cars, decoding 5 to 14-digit VINs.
Detailed Vehicle History goes a step further with its mobile app, which uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. This means users can easily scan a VIN or license plate with their phone’s camera, eliminating the need to enter the VIN manually.
The app also offers the convenience of decoding VINs offline, completely free of charge. You only pay when you need a detailed report.
Another feature that makes them stand out is the window stickers by VIN that they provide. A window sticker offers used car buyers a list of the standard and optional features, pricing information, colour codes, and more.
Additionally, Detailed Vehicle History allows anyone to check historical records even without the VIN using their accurate license plate lookup tool. This tool decodes license plates of all states in the US and generates reports accordingly. View the sample report to check what information you’ll be getting from Detailed Vehicle History.
2. Instant VIN Reports – Runner-up for Best Carfax Alternative
Instant VIN Reports is another reliable Carfax alternative that provides concise vehicle history reports for car buyers, sellers, and dealers. Its ability to decode 5 to 17-digit VINs before and after 1981 makes it stand out from the others on this list.
This provider is second on this list because its reports are a bit pricey compared to Detailed Vehicle History, but still cheaper than Carfax.
If your main focus is user experience and completeness rather than cost, you can trust Instant VIN Reports to deliver. They also ensure that users receive enough value for their money.
Here are some services you can expect from them:
- Free VIN decoding and VIN checks at $25 per report.
- Classic car VIN decoding and checks.
- Window sticker generation for all manufacturers.
- License plate lookups.
- Vehicle recalls.
- Classic vehicle window sticker generation
3. VinAudit – Unlimited report, but fewer details
VinAudit is another alternative that provides high-quality history reports. It offers unlimited vehicle history checks for $20 only, which is ideal for comparing multiple cars quickly and affordably. VinAudit also provides car buyers and sellers with a market value and ownership cost calculator.
However, some users mentioned VIN Audit reports lack the detailed information they need, like:
- Service History
- Ownership records
- Vehicle specifications
- Recall checks
- Damage history, and others.
If you need a cost-effective solution, you can try VinAudit, but if you value more data and information, check out some alternatives on this list.
4. VINcheck.info – Best Budget Option
VINcheck.info is a popular free option for vehicle history reports, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers. While it provides basic vehicle information at no cost, users should be cautious about the data’s accuracy.
According to discussions from users, there have been instances where salvaged and totaled cars were incorrectly reported as having no salvage title or accident history. Another thing to consider is that free reports from VINcheck.info are often cluttered with annoying ads, which can detract from the user experience.
Despite these drawbacks, it remains a go-to free Carfax alternative for those looking to obtain essential vehicle history information at no monetary cost.
5. AutoCheck
AutoCheck is a well-known service for vehicle history reports, offering detailed insights and unique features like an AutoCheck Score to help gauge a car’s reliability. The AutoCheck Score ranks vehicles on a scale of 1 to 100 based on their past and present states, making it easier to quickly assess their overall condition and reliability.
However, users have reported significant discrepancies between AutoCheck and Carfax reports. For instance, a discussion on Reddit highlights cases where AutoCheck missed critical details found in Carfax reports, such as previous accidents and title issues.
While AutoCheck can be a valuable tool, it’s essential to cross-reference its reports with other sources, such as Detailed Vehicle History, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of a vehicle’s history.
6. NHTSA Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a U.S. government agency responsible for ensuring road safety through vehicle performance standards and regulations. One of its essential functions is managing vehicle recalls, which are issued when a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire does not meet safety standards or poses a safety risk.
This tool is essential for used car buyers, as it can identify recall campaigns made within 15 years and major recalls on passenger cars, motorcycles, and trucks. The best part is that it’s free and provides that much detail on recalls, investigations, complaints, and manufacturer communications.
7. NICB VIN Check
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is a non-profit organisation that partners with insurers and law enforcement to combat insurance fraud and vehicle theft. Their free VIN check service queries the VIN for theft and salvage records only, helping buyers avoid potentially problematic cars.
If you want to find out if a vehicle has been stolen in the past or declared a total loss, the NICB is your best bet. However, if you want a full check and history report, you must consider another alternative on this list to get a Carfax report for less money.
How to Read and Understand a Vehicle History Report
Reading a vehicle history report correctly is essential before you decide whether to purchase a used car or not. Even though the layout is different, depending on the provider, most of them have almost the same details. When you already have a vehicle history report in hand, check on this information:
- Title Brand: Check if the vehicle has been labelled as salvage, rebuilt, flood-damaged, or lemon. These labels indicate significant past issues that can affect both safety and resale value.
- Odometer Readings: Look for consistent mileage records throughout the report. Sudden drops or unusual changes may suggest odometer rollback, which could signal fraud.
- Accident or Collision Details: Find out if there were any major accidents. Pay attention to the severity of the damage, including airbag deployment and structural repairs.
- Ownership History: In this section, check how many times the vehicle changed hands. Also, you’ll be informed about its past usage–a car used as a rental or fleet vehicle may have experienced heavier usage.
- Service and Maintenance Records: More detailed reports often show exact repair history instead of general maintenance schedules.
- Recall Information: Ensure past recalls were addressed, especially if they involve safety-related components.
When using a low-cost Carfax alternative or trying to get a Carfax report for less money, make sure the provider clearly presents these sections and uses trusted data sources.
Related: Carfax vs Detailed Vehicle History: Cheaper & More Robust Reports
Safety Tips Before Buying a Used Car
Even if you use the best vehicle history report, it’s going to be even better if you combine it with a manual inspection to get the best result. The best advice is never to rely solely on a single record.
Be Cautious if the Price is too Low
Before ordering a report, watch out for potential red flags. Be cautious if the vehicle is priced significantly lower than similar models, and remain sceptical of sellers who use persuasive tactics such as “today only” deals. If the seller avoids answering questions about the car’s history or delays providing essential details like the VIN, mileage, or service records, consider it a strong indication that there may be underlying issues.
Get a Professional Inspection
A certified mechanic can detect hidden damage or unreported repairs. Look for issues such as structural misalignment, worn parts, or previous accident signs. A manual inspection is important if the vehicle was sold at auction or has any salvage or flood history
If Possible, Use More than One Record
Running the VIN through multiple providers helps confirm data accuracy. This is especially useful if you’re opting for the cheapest Carfax report or testing a low-cost Carfax alternative. Cross-referencing results gives you a better understanding of the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carfax Alternatives
Is there a cheaper way to get a Carfax?
Yes, Detailed Vehicle History is a cheaper alternative to Carfax. It offers detailed reports for $15 per report, which is significantly more affordable than Carfax. Detailed Vehicle History reports also provide extensive information and come with lifetime access, meaning the report has no expiration date.
Are VIN checks worth it?
Yes, VIN checks are highly recommended before purchasing a used car. They provide crucial information about the vehicle’s history, such as accident records, title issues, ownership changes, etc. Skipping a VIN check can result in buying a car with hidden problems, leading to potential safety risks and costly repairs in the future.
Does Carfax offer VIN scanning on its mobile app?
No, Carfax’s mobile app doesn’t support VIN scanning. Instead, you can use the Detailed Vehicle History free mobile app, which allows users to scan VINs and license plates without having to manually input them.
Is there a free alternative to Carfax?
Yes, there are free alternatives to Carfax. However, the data provided by these free sites is often inaccurate. It’s highly recommended to use trusted vehicle history report providers if you want reliable information before buying used cars.
