Best Carfax Alternatives to Check Detailed Vehicle History Report

Vehicle history reports have become very important during the car buying process. They give car buyers insights into the past records and data of any used vehicle. Many people turn to Carfax for this information, but it isn't always the best option.

Recently, many users have reported Carfax as expensive and incomplete, and sometimes, it provides inaccurate vehicle information. That’s why we wrote this guide. Several alternatives are out there to get more data, and this article lists the best ones.

Keep reading to find out the best Carfax alternatives.

Reasons to Use Carfax Alternatives

Some reasons why you should consider using Carfax alternatives are:

• Carfax reports are limited
• Carfax reports may be misleading
• Reports are expensive
• Carfax does not provide reports for classic cars
• Window stickers are unavailable

Carfax reports are limited

Carfax gets its data from auto businesses like dealerships, auction houses, insurance companies, repair shops, etc. Now, what happens when a repair or maintenance is done at home? What happens if an accident is not reported? Carfax will definitely miss it.

Their reports are only as good as the data they have, and this can lead to inaccuracies.

Carfax reports may be misleading

Many car buyers rely solely on Carfax information to make used car purchase decisions. This is not the right choice as reports may have incomplete and inaccurate information. This is why it becomes necessary to carry out an inspection or run another check with alternatives.

Reports are expensive

Carfax reports can be quite expensive, especially if you need to check multiple vehicles. A single report costs $39.99, and the high cost can be prohibitive for some buyers who need detailed information but are on a tight budget.

That’s where alternatives become preferred. Some of the best Carfax alternatives offer detailed reports for as low as $15 per report and $25 for two.

Carfax does not provide reports for classic cars

Carfax also needs to improve when it comes to providing reports for classic cars. If you are interested in buying or selling an antique or vintage car with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of less than 17 characters, you cannot get a report for that car with Carfax.

You will have to consider other alternatives.

Window stickers are unavailable

Carfax does not provide the original window sticker, which includes important details like the car's original features, options, and MSRP. This information can help verify a vehicle’s authenticity, but unfortunately, Carfax doesn’t provide it.

With Carfax's shortcomings, several vehicle history report providers are stepping up to fill the gap. The next section discusses the best Carfax alternatives for detailed vehicle history information.

Best Carfax Alternative Recommendation

Detailed Vehicle History

First on our list is Detailed Vehicle History. They provide detailed information you may not find on a regular Carfax report.

They stand as one of the top providers of vehicle history information, and they present data in an easy-to-understand and user-friendly way. It's a great option for buyers, sellers, and dealers looking for in-depth information on both modern and vintage vehicles.

The information you can get from our accurate tool includes:

• Sales history
• Auction history
• Vehicle usage
• Ownership history
• Title check
• Major accident records
• Damage history
• Stolen check
• Odometer rollback
• Lien & Loan records
• Salvage brand checks
• Flood, hail, and fire damage check
• Market value
• Maintenance records and schedules
• Estimates on repair prices
• Recalls
• Warranty status and coverage
• Detailed vehicle specifications

Our reports also never expire, unlike Carfax vehicle history reports, and are more than 70% more affordable at $15. Not to mention our detailed window stickers.

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Smart Car Check

If you are in the UK and need to check your registration number, Smart Car Check is one of the best alternatives. This alternative provides an easy way to view a car’s history and is really helpful for anyone seeking an alternative to Carfax.

Here are some details you can find with this inquiry service:

• Year, make, and model information
• Body style and other specifications
• MOT and Tax due dates
• Place of registration
• Last V5C issue date
• Auction records
• Car alerts
• Write-off checks
• Open recalls
• MOT history
• ULEZ checks
• Outstanding finance
• Stolen checks
• Previous keepers
• High-risk checks
• Plate and color changes
• CO2 emissions
• Mileage discrepancies
• Fuel economy
• And more

These reports and your credits are also available for a lifetime. They provide excellent 24/7 customer service and 100% accuracy.

Instant VIN Reports

Instant VIN Reports is another detailed provider that outperforms Carfax in several ways. It provides accurate vehicle data instantly and affordably.?

Its VIN check tool easily decodes 5 to 17-digit VINs for classic and modern vehicles. This makes it stand out from Carfax and many other providers. Here are some unique services you can get from them:

• Free VIN decoding.
• Detailed vehicle reports for all vehicle types at $25 each.
• Classic car VIN decoding and checks.
• Window sticker generation for all manufacturers.
• License plate lookups.
• Vehicle recalls.
• Classic build sheets

Their reports are just as comprehensive as others on this list, surpassing Carfax in many ways.

AutoCheck

AutoCheck, owned by Experian PLC, is a leading provider of vehicle history reports. It stands out with its unique Score feature, which ranks a vehicle’s reliability on a scale of 1 to 100 based on its history records and overall condition.

Some key points about AutoCheck reports are:

• Costs $24.99 per report or $49.99 for 5 reports
• Covers accident history, ownership, title information, mileage, and recalls
• Proprietary car scoring system rates vehicle condition
• Reliable and cost-effective option, especially for auction vehicles

Their reports are cheaper than Carfax, but many users complain of inaccuracies and missing data. So, consider other options on this list.

VinAudit

Last but not least, we have VinAudit. VinAudit is ideal for comparing multiple vehicles quickly and affordably. They also provide accurate market value estimations and costs of ownership.?

It is known for its user-friendly interface and accessibility, making it a convenient option for used car buyers. Here’s why they stand out:

• Flexible pricing options with unlimited or pre-paid packages?
• Covers a wide range of vehicle types beyond just autos
• Features like batch reporting for dealerships

Conclusion

While Carfax is a well-known name in vehicle history reports, but it isn't the only option. Alternatives to check information about a car's history, like Detailed Vehicle History, Smart Car Check, Instant VIN Report, AutoCheck, and VinData, provide detailed, reliable information, often at a lower cost and with better accessibility.?

By considering these alternatives, you can ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision when buying a used car.