In this article, we will be comparing Carfax vs. Detailed Vehicle History as car history report providers.
Although Carfax has been around the longest, there have been dozens, if not hundreds, of competitors spawning to take its place as a vehicle history report provider.
History reports are integral in the vehicle market, both used and new.
It’s easy to spot rusty parts and smoky engine exhaust. But you need the history report to tell if it’s been stolen, salvaged, rebuilt, damaged by flood, etc.
But let’s face it, Carfax reports are expensive. A whopping $39.99 for a report that expires in 30 days may be too much for most, especially in the mid-to-low end car market.
What is a Vehicle History Report?
A vehicle history report is a piece of document which gives insight into the events/incidents that has impacted a particular vehicle, from the manufacturer to the current owner. You may wonder where companies selling VHR get their data. And if the data can be trusted? The data used in vehicle history reports are mostly sourced from the governmental database, these databases may include but are not limited to:
This is why you can trust a Vehicle history report because the data are culled from trustworthy databases.
Detailed Vehicle History Vs Carfax: Similarities
Carfax and Detailed Vehicle History are companies providing vehicle history reports of used vehicles.
These companies access the same databases to cull data which they transform into an amazing report detailing many of the things which a physical or mechanical examination will otherwise fail to show.
Given the fact that they access nearly the same databases, their reports are quite trustworthy and reliable. Both companies have added value to their customers this is evident in the number of positive comments and reviews they have received.
Detailed Vehicle History vs Carfax: Similarities
| Detailed Vehicle History | Carfax | |
| Trustworthy data sources | YES | YES |
A high number of positive feedback from clients | YES | YES |
| Up-to-date report | YES | YES |
| Report Includes Maintenance records | YES | YES |
| Recall data availability | YES | YES |
Detailed Vehicle History Vs Carfax: Differences
Carfax has stood the test of time, in fact, they started distributing vehicle history reports through the fax machine, now you understand why the name Car-Fax, on the other hand, Detailed vehicle history although is relatively new, is technologically advanced and as their name implies they are providing a detailed vehicle history report.
Here is the difference between Detailed Vehicle History and Carfax in a nutshell
| Carfax | Detailed Vehicle History (DVH) | |
| Pricing | 39.99 usd Per report | 14.99 usd Per report |
| Use of emerging technology | Mobile app does not incorporate VIN scanners and offline VIN decoding | Mobile app is OCR powered and supports offline VIN decoding |
| Vehicle history report | Less detailed compared to DVH | More detailed compared to Carfax |
| Auction Information | Includes auction info | Includes auction information with 10+ photos |
| Maintenance Recommendation | Dose not provide upcoming maintenance recommendations | Provides upcoming maintenance recommendations |
| Report expiration | Carfax reports expires after a fixed time | Although reports are constantly updated buyers can keep theirs for a lifetime |
| Customer support | Carfax only provides a contact form | Detailed Vehicle History provides live support for it customers |
| Partner Program | Carfax does not provide unlimited VIN lookup service | Detailed Vehicle History provides unlimited VIN lookup for dealerships |
The mission of Detailed Vehicle History (DVH)
By offering transparent and reliable car history alongside damage records, DVH aims to help used car buyers get the best price while reducing uncertainty and fraud in the automobile industry.
It is surely a better choice to select Detailed Vehicle History over Carfax given its numerous advantages. Additionally, many customers have given Detailed Vehicle History’s services great reviews and are promoting their reports. So, if you’re thinking about purchasing a used car, be sure to check out Detailed Vehicle History for an affordable, authentic, and comprehensive report.
