Many car enthusiasts or buyers have gone in circles when discussing which service is the best to decode the VIN, is it Bumper or Carfax? And what’s better than Carfax? We have the answer.
While Bumper is often mentioned as the best CarFax report alternative, many buyers are left with frustration and disappointment while using Bumper’s VIN check service because of the slow report generation, inaccurate data, and hard-to-maintain membership while trying to get a Bumper car report.
However, due to the expensive price of Carfax reports, many are often willing to deal with the drawbacks of Bumper for a slightly more affordable VIN check.
But guess what?
There’s a better and more affordable Carfax alternative than Bumper, minus all of the drawbacks mentioned above.
Detailed Vehicle History is your top #1 Bumper VIN check alternative. Our reports are generated in seconds, with precise data, and transparent pricing plans for you.
Let’s dive deeper into why Detailed Vehicle History is better than both Carfax and Bumper VIN checks.
Feature Comparison: Bumper vs. Carfax vs. Detailed Vehicle History
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the information in the vehicle history reports from Detailed Vehicle History, Bumper, and Carfax.
Features | Detailed Vehicle History | Bumper | Carfax |
Detailed Vehicle Specifications | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Ownership History | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Odometer Reading | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Recall Check | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Accident Records | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Damage History | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Market Value | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Service History | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
Theft Records | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Sales History | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Auction History | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Title Brand | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Repair Cost | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Insurance Loss | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Vehicle Usage | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Images (if available) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Warranty Coverage | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Window sticker | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Build sheet for classic cars | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Pricing | $19.99 | $27.99 | $44.99 |
Features | Detailed Vehicle History | Bumper | Carfax |
Detailed Vehicle Specifications | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Ownership History | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Odometer Reading | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Recall Check | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Accident Records | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Damage History | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Market Value | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Service History | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Lien and Loan Records | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Theft Records | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Sales History | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Auction History | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Title Brand | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Repair Cost | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Insurance Loss | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Vehicle Usage | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Images (if available) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Warranty Coverage | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Window sticker | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Build sheet for classic cars | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Pricing | $15 | $31.99 | $44.99 |
Vehicle History Report Overview: Bumper vs. Carfax vs. Detailed Vehicle History
Detailed Vehicle History collates data from trusted sources, including government agencies, private insurance, local dealers, and sales history from classified websites. This allows us to build in-depth vehicle history report that contain everything you need to know before buying a vehicle. |
Bumper.com provides vehicle reports using data from NMVTIS, JD Power, NHTSA, and many others. It’s more affordable than Carfax, offering comprehensive insights. However, some users have mentioned that Bumper reports are missing some important accident records. |
Carfax offers detailed vehicle reports using data from DMVs, insurance companies, and law enforcement. Known for its thorough accident histories, it stands out for reliability. However, the high report price and 30-day access expiry date are notable drawbacks. |
Additionally, here are some other reviews comparing the best VIN check and vehicle history report providers:
- AutoCheck vs. Carfax: Finding the Better Alternative
- Comparing the Budget Carfax Alternatives: EpicVIN vs. AutoCheck
- CarProof vs. Carfax Canada for VIN Checks
- CarVertical vs. Carfax: Finding the Affordable VIN Check Alternative
- VinGurus vs. Carfax: Finding the Best VIN Check Provider
- VinCheckUp vs. Carfax: Who is the Better VIN Check Provider?
What Do Users Say About Bumper.com VIN Check?
While some people think that Bumper.com is better than Carfax, here are some Bumper report reviews that you can use as a reference on whether or not you should use their services.
The Bumper VIN check reviews highlight issues with false advertising, billing problems, and incorrect data provided by Bumper.com, leading to user dissatisfaction and distrust.
- Misleading Report Availability: Users reported that the website promised a detailed VIN report, but no report was available after subscribing to their 7-day free trial. This signifies the lack of database records
- Difficulty in Cancelling Subscription: Some users wrote that canceling the subscription requires a phone call, causing further inconvenience. There are also complaints of continuous billing issues, with charges beyond the initial lookup fee.
- Data Inaccuracy: Some users also complained about receiving incorrect vehicle information, including wrong model details and indicating stolen vehicles as having a good record making the service unreliable.
They have hundreds of similar complaints, which is why their overall rating on TrustPilot is a measly 1.8 out of 5 stars.
Compare that to the 4.6 out of 5 stars that Detailed Vehicle History has on TrustPilot – you can make the decision yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information can I get on a car with Bumper's VIN lookup?
Information provided in a Bumper report includes theft records, title records, recalls, market value, safety ratings, and more.
Can I get a free vehicle history report?
If you’re looking for basic vehicle information, you can utilize the free VIN check tool by NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau). However, you must be careful of websites claiming to offer a free full VIN check to provide all records retrievable with a paid VIN check tool.
Can I get market value with a free VIN decoder?
A free VIN decoder does not provide information on the market value. However, the information provided including the year, make and model are some of the factors used in determining a vehicle’s market value.
How much does it cost to get a CARFAX report?
As of 2024, a single CARFAX report costs $39.99. This price is significantly high when compared to other alternatives to the CARFAX vehicle history report. From Detailed Vehicle History, you can get a report for as low as $15, 62% lower than the amount charged by Carfax.
Bumper vs CARFAX. Which one is better?
When comparing the two, a Bumper car report and subscription offer a lower price than a CARFAX report.
Can Carfax be used to check older cars?
No, Carfax cannot be used for older cars, unfortunately. If you want to decode an older car’s VIN, you can use the Detailed Vehicle History to decode the older car’s.