CARFAX can help you research a used vehicle’s title, mileage, damage and service records. This review focuses on its US and Canadian reports. For a vehicle from another market, check the relevant CARFAX product and the records available for its VIN.
CARFAX at a glance
CARFAX has supplied vehicle history information since 1984. Its North American reports draw on records from sources such as motor-vehicle agencies, auctions, insurers and service providers. When CARFAX quotes the size of its database, it is counting records, not individual cars, and that figure does not guarantee complete coverage.
Its company overview describes the service and report categories. Use the report to find questions to ask about a particular car; a well-known brand name is no proof of the car’s condition.
Strengths and limitations
Useful features
- Title and damage records: reported brands and events can flag problems worth looking into further.
- Service history: available maintenance entries can be compared with the seller’s invoices.
- Ownership and use: the report may show ownership periods or rental, fleet and other use.
- Seller-supplied reports: some listings include access to a CARFAX report at no charge to the buyer.
Limitations to consider
- Accidents, repairs and maintenance that were not reported can be missing.
- Report packages and pricing differ between markets and can change.
- Warranty information is an estimate that should be confirmed with the manufacturer or dealer.
- A report does not inspect the vehicle, verify repair quality or establish that every mileage reading is genuine.
How to get a CARFAX report
Archive: The CARFAX lookup interface.
- Compare the VIN on the vehicle with its title or registration documents. Our VIN and vehicle identification guide explains where to look.
- Open the appropriate CARFAX service and enter the identifier requested.
- Check whether the seller already provides a report for that exact VIN. Check the report date and make sure the report is complete.
- If purchasing directly, review the package, payment total and access conditions before confirming the order.
- Read the history chronologically and investigate discrepancies before agreeing to buy the car.
Basic vehicle identification and free promotional previews are different from a full history report. Read the description of the product you are offered.
Reading the report
Example of a CARFAX report.
Start by checking the VIN, model and report date. Then work through the detailed history, paying attention to gaps as well as recorded events.
- Accident and damage entries: check the severity and the affected areas, where shown. Ask for repair documents and have the work inspected.
- Title information: salvage, rebuilt, flood and other brands need to be read carefully, according to the rules of the jurisdiction involved.
- Mileage: compare dated readings and units. A report can flag an inconsistency without proving why it occurred.
- Service records: a missing entry doesn’t mean a service was skipped, and an entry on its own doesn’t confirm every job on the invoice.
- Ownership and use: fleet, rental or commercial use gives useful context, but the car’s current condition still needs to be checked.
- Recalls and warranty: check with the manufacturer that any recall work has been done and how much warranty is left.
CARFAX’s report-reading guide explains that its warranty estimate may not account for events such as title brands or ownership transfers that affect coverage.
What does the Buyback Guarantee cover?
The guarantee applies to certain DMV-issued title brands, subject to its terms. It is not an unrestricted refund, mechanical warranty or promise that every accident appears in the report. Check eligibility and the applicable requirements before relying on it.
A manufacturer buyback entry in a vehicle’s history is a separate matter: it records that the manufacturer bought the car back under the applicable rules. Find out what the original defect was and what work was done afterward.
Prices and payment
Archive: earlier US package prices; these are not the current checkout offer.
Check the current packages on the CARFAX site – the screenshot may be out of date. At the time of our original review, CARFAX listed $44.99 for one report, $64.99 for three and $99.99 for five. Prices change, so treat these as a guide rather than a current quote.
Check the number of vehicles covered, the deadline for using purchased reports, online access and the total including any applicable charges. Use the payment methods offered by the selected CARFAX service. Dealer products and consumer packages have different purposes and terms.
Support and corrections
If you believe a record is wrong, use CARFAX’s online support and provide the relevant details or documents. Its customer-support guidance states that it does not offer phone support. The same guidance explains that CARFAX does not guarantee odometer readings.
CARFAX versus other providers
Compare CARFAX with AutoCheck, carVertical or another provider based on the car’s history and the records you need. AutoCheck has its own Score; other reports may emphasize different sources or markets. No provider is certain to return the most detailed result for every VIN.
CARFAX can be a useful part of a North American used-car check, especially when the seller already supplies a recent report. The purchase decision still depends on the documents, the current condition and the result of an independent inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a CARFAX report free?
Some dealers and advertisements provide a report at no cost to the buyer. Check that it matches the VIN and look at its date before relying on it.
Does CARFAX cover vehicles outside the US and Canada?
CARFAX has country-specific services. Choose the product for the country where the vehicle was previously registered and check what it includes.
Does a clean report mean the car has never been damaged?
No. Unreported incidents and private repairs may not appear. Inspect the vehicle and ask for supporting documents.
How long does a report take?
You access reports online once you’ve completed the lookup and purchase. Account, payment or service issues can delay access.
Can I get a refund?
Read the refund policy for the product you buy. The conditional Buyback Guarantee is separate from a general report-refund request.
Is there a discount?
Check the current offer and compare the total cost. Older promotions or package prices may no longer apply.
Does CARFAX serve dealers?
Yes. Its business products are separate from consumer report packages; dealers should review the current product descriptions and terms.