Last updated 2026.
Short answer: Carfax and AutoCheck are the two premium US history reports, and both use proprietary data that budget reports lack. Carfax tends to have the deeper reported-accident and dealer-service history and the strongest brand recognition, so sellers and dealers often ask for it by name. AutoCheck, owned by Experian, is usually cheaper, leans on auction and title data, and adds a single AutoCheck score plus a multi-report bundle that makes checking several cars far cheaper per car. If you do not need proprietary accident data, cheaper alternatives and the free NHTSA and NICB checks will cover the essentials for much less.
Check a VIN: you can run any US VIN on CarWorthIt for a free preview (specifications, open recalls, safety ratings and running costs), with an optional paid report that adds title, salvage, theft and salvage-auction records plus a market valuation.
Head to head
| Feature | Carfax | AutoCheck |
|---|
| Single report price | About $45 | About $25 |
| Multi-report value | Multi-packs available | Bundle covers many reports, low per-car cost |
| Reported accident history | Most detailed | Strong |
| Service / maintenance records | Strong | Thinner |
| Auction history | Limited | A core strength |
| Single score | No | Yes (AutoCheck score) |
| Title, salvage, theft, odometer | Yes | Yes |
| Brand recognition with sellers | Highest | High |
Where Carfax is stronger
Carfax generally has the most detailed reported-accident and service history, because its network of dealer and repair-shop feeds is the largest. It is also the name buyers and sellers know, so a "clean Carfax" is often used as a selling point, and some dealers provide one automatically. If you want the deepest service trail and the most recognized report, Carfax is the pick.
Where AutoCheck is stronger
AutoCheck, from Experian, is usually cheaper and is strong on auction history, which is useful for spotting a car that passed through a salvage or wholesale auction. Its single AutoCheck score gives a quick at-a-glance comparison between cars, which is why it is popular with dealers at auction. The big practical advantage for shoppers is the bundle: if you are checking many cars, AutoCheck's multi-report package drops the per-car cost well below a single Carfax report.
Check a VIN: you can run any US VIN on CarWorthIt for a free preview (specifications, open recalls, safety ratings and running costs), with an optional paid report that adds title, salvage, theft and salvage-auction records plus a market valuation.
When you do not need either
Both are worth it when a documented accident and service history genuinely matters, usually on a higher-value car. But if you mainly want to confirm the title is clean, rule out theft, and check the odometer and recalls, you can do that far more cheaply. NHTSA covers recalls and safety for free, the NICB VINCheck covers theft and total-loss for free, an official NMVTIS report covers title brands for a few dollars, and budget reports like VinAudit ($9.99) or CarWorthIt ($6.99) cover the essentials, with a valuation available. The catch is that these do not include Carfax or AutoCheck's proprietary accident and service data.
Related reading: Is Carfax Worth It?, Best Carfax Alternatives and Cheapest VIN Check Compared.
Check any car before you buy
Run a VIN free: specs, safety ratings, recalls and running costs in seconds.
The VIN is on the dashboard, door jamb, or title.