Autocheck vs Carfax which one should you choose?

When deciding which vehicle history report to buy between Carfax and Autocheck we generally recommend you purchase a Carfax. However, If you are buying a car from an auction or dealership then we say go with Autocheck as it contains exclusive auction data. If you are buying a car from an individual then go with Carfax as it includes maintenance reports. If you are buying a car in Canada, go with the carfax.ca report as it includes access to additional database and lien info.  Both Autocheck and Carfax are direct competitors and either choice can be seen as an excellent alternative to one another. They are both the leaders in the industry.  Whether to choose a Carfax or an AutoCheck report all depends on your individual needs and preferences In the end, the safest choice is to buy both. The few extra dollars out of your car-buying budget will be well worth the peace of mind you will get by knowing that you have all the available information possible. If you are on a tight budget you can check for the latest AutoCheck vs Carfax discounts online.

Side by Side Comparison Table of Autocheck vs Carfax (Pros vs Cons)

Winner: CARFAX 4:3

AUTOCHECK		CARFAX
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
Price [ One report for $24.99 and $99.99 for 300 reports]	Does not include maintenance records	Includes Maintenance records	Price [ One report for $44.99 and $99.99 for 5 reports]
Has scoring system	No Money Back guarantee	Has buyback guarantee	No scoring system
Exclusive Auction Data	Less known and less trusted	Name recognition and higher trust	No auction Data
	Uses only Experian + Auction Data	10 000 sources across the US and Canada
√√√	X X X X	√√√√	X X X

What is a carfax report?

A Carfax report provides a detailed history of a vehicle’s background, encompassing data on previous ownership, accident history, repair records, and whether the car has been subject to major incidents such as floods or fires.

What is an autocheck report?

An AutoCheck report serves as an essential tool for individuals looking to obtain comprehensive information about a vehicle’s history. This report is a compilation of various records that detail the past of a car, ranging from its ownership trail to any possible accidents or damage it has incurred.

An easy way to decide which report to purchase is to first check which report has more records for your specific VIN number. You can check this for free on our website.

COMPARE FOR FREE CARFAX VS AUTOCHECK AMOUNT OF RECORDS:

Where do i buy a carfax report?

A Carfax report can be bought through the official Carfax website. Additionally, it may be available from authorized dealerships or used car sellers who provide them as part of their sales service.

Sources for a Carfax Report:

• Carfax Website: The primary and most direct source for obtaining a Carfax report is the Carfax website, where reports can be purchased individually or in bundles.
• Car Dealerships: Many car dealers offer a free Carfax report as part of their vehicle sales package.
• Online Vehicle Marketplaces: Websites that list vehicles for sale often partner with Carfax to provide reports.

When seeking to purchase a Carfax report, visiting the Carfax website or contacting dealerships for a complimentary report with your vehicle purchase are the recommended methods.

Where do i buy aN autocheck report?

An AutoCheck report can be purchased directly from the AutoCheck website or through select car dealerships that provide these reports as a part of their vehicle-selling process.

Authorized Outlets for an AutoCheck Report:

• AutoCheck Website: The definitive source to purchase an AutoCheck report is the AutoCheck website, where you can order a report for a specific vehicle using its VIN.
• Car Dealerships: AutoCheck reports may be offered by car dealerships at the point of sale for a vehicle.
• Online Car Listings: Various online platforms selling vehicles might also offer access to AutoCheck reports.

To buy an AutoCheck report, the AutoCheck website is the primary source, with car dealerships and online vehicle listings serving as alternative avenues.

What is included in the carfax report?

The information included in a Carfax report comprises:

• The vehicle identification number (VIN)
• A summary of the vehicle’s history, including title information and odometer readings
• Records of ownership changes
• Accident and damage history with details about severity and repair
• Service and maintenance records
• Potential major incidents, such as flood damage or fire

View CARFAX Sample report:

What is included in autocheck report?

Key Features of an AutoCheck Report:

• Vehicle Records: The AutoCheck report includes a complete set of records associated with the vehicle’s identification number (VIN).
• Ownership Timeline: It provides a chronological listing of past owners and the tenure of their vehicle possession.
• Accident Data: This section divulges details regarding any collisions or damages the vehicle has been part of, noting the extent and nature of these incidents.
• Maintenance History: Detailed documentation of services and repairs conducted on the vehicle throughout its life are chronicled here.
• Incident Flags: The report indicates significant events such as salvage titles, thefts, or natural disaster effects like flood or fire damage.

View Autocheck Sample report:

What does carfax have that autocheck does not have?

Distinct Features of Carfax Over AutoCheck

Carfax differentiates itself from AutoCheck by offering unique details such as maintenance records and a more extensive database of vehicle histories, which may include information from smaller, independent sources.

Exclusive Attributes of Carfax Reports:

• Maintenance Records: Carfax reports often provide a comprehensive record of a vehicle’s service history, including routine maintenance.
• Unique Data Sources: Carfax boasts a broad collection of data sources, including smaller service shops and independent entities, potentially offering a more detailed vehicle history.

While both Carfax and AutoCheck deliver vehicle history reports, Carfax’s inclusion of detailed maintenance history and data from an expansive network of sources marks the distinction between the two entities.

What does autocheck have that carfax does not have?

AutoCheck stands out from Carfax by providing an AutoCheck Score – a unique rating system that evaluates a vehicle’s history against comparable vehicles. Furthermore, AutoCheck often includes exclusive auction data that Carfax may not cover.

Specific Advantages of AutoCheck Reports:

• AutoCheck Score: This feature offers a numerical score to help compare the vehicle against similar vehicles in terms of history and reliability.
• Auction Data Access: AutoCheck reports include information from certain auctions, which gives a broader view of a vehicle’s history, particularly regarding any prior sales at auctions.

These distinctive features of AutoCheck, namely the AutoCheck Score and extensive auction data, are not traditionally found in Carfax reports, providing unique value to consumers using AutoCheck.

What is cheaper between autocheck and carfax?

Regarding the cost price of a vehicle history report sold by AutoCheck and Carfax, AutoCheck reports are generally less expensive at $24.99 USD for a single report compared to $44.99 USD for each Carfax report. However, prices can vary when purchasing in larger quantities and also when taking advantage of carfax coupons or promotions, bundle offers, or purchasing from third-party sellers such as cheapcarfaxreport.net.

Price Points of Vehicle History Reports:

• AutoCheck: Typically offers lower pricing and the option for unlimited reports within a certain time frame.
• Carfax: Tends to be priced higher, reflecting the extensiveness of its data and the brand’s market position.

Who has a better refund policy or warranty between Carfax and Autocheck?

Carfax and AutoCheck each offer a form of buyback guarantee, which serves as their warranty policy. The specific terms and coverage of these guarantees can vary, and they are designed to protect the buyer in case of severe discrepancies in the report.

Assurances Offered by Carfax and AutoCheck:

• Carfax Buyback Guarantee: Carfax provides a Buyback Guarantee that promises to buy the vehicle back from the purchaser if the Carfax report misses a major issue that’s covered by their guarantee, such as a salvage title or a flood damage report.
• AutoCheck Buyback Protection: Similarly, AutoCheck offers Buyback Protection which protects consumers if a title-branded issue, which should have been reported by the Department of Motor Vehicles, is later discovered and was not included in the report.

Who has better reviews between carfax and autocheck? 

Comparing the Trustpilot reviews for Carfax and AutoCheck’s,  AutoCheck’s reviews are limited in number but also suggest customer dissatisfaction, particularly concerning the accuracy of their vehicle reports and customer service.

In comparison, AutoCheck has a higher TrustScore than Carfax, but Carfax has a more substantial number of total reviews, which may provide a more comprehensive view of overall customer sentiment. Both companies seem to struggle with similar issues from a customer service perspective, but the larger volume of negative reviews for Carfax suggests that it might have a broader impact on customers, potentially because of its larger market presence or higher expectations due to its brand recognition.

Based on the Trustpilot reviews provided, AutoCheck has an average TrustScore of 2.9 out of 5, with 67% of the reviews being 1-star and 33% being 2-star. These reviews suggest a lower level of customer satisfaction in comparison to potential competitors. Customers have reported issues with the accuracy of the information provided by AutoCheck, specifically regarding service records and accident history. This feedback implies that, as of the dates mentioned in the reviews, Carfax may be held in higher regard by some users for its reliability and the breadth of information offered in its reports.

Carfax’s reviews on Trustpilot indicate significant dissatisfaction among users, with a vast majority of 79% of the reviews being 1-star. The main issues highlighted by customers include inaccurate reporting, problems with correcting report errors, and a lack of accountability or regulatory oversight. Some positive reviews exist, but they are significantly outnumbered by negative experiences.

what kind of customers usually choose autocheck over carfax?

Customers who choose AutoCheck over Carfax may do so for a variety of reasons, often based on the following criteria:

1. Cost Sensitivity: AutoCheck reports are generally less expensive than Carfax reports. Customers who are budget-conscious and looking for a more affordable option may prefer AutoCheck.
2. Dealership Subscriptions: AutoCheck often partners with car dealerships to offer bulk report options. Dealers who subscribe to AutoCheck’s services may provide AutoCheck reports to their customers as part of the sales process.
3. Auction Insights: AutoCheck is known for providing an “AutoCheck Score” — a number that helps users to quickly understand a vehicle’s past and compare it to other vehicles. This can be particularly useful for customers who buy cars at auctions.
4. Experian Backing: AutoCheck is owned by Experian, a leading global information services company. Customers who have a preference for Experian’s data or who are already using their services may opt for AutoCheck.
5. Multiple Vehicle Reports: AutoCheck may offer deals on multiple vehicle reports, which can be appealing to customers who are considering several vehicles and want to check the histories of all of them without incurring the costs associated with Carfax reports for each one.
6. Business Users: Businesses that need to run a large number of reports — like used car dealerships, fleet managers, and rental agencies — might find AutoCheck’s pricing model more scalable for their needs.
7. Specific Information Needs: Some customers might prefer the specific types of information or the way the information is presented in AutoCheck reports. For example, if a customer finds the scoring system intuitive and helpful for making quick assessments, they might lean towards AutoCheck.
8. Customer Service: Although both services have received criticism for customer service, some users may have had personal experiences or heard anecdotal accounts that lead them to favor one over the other.
9. Marketplace Offerings: Certain online car marketplaces or classified ad services may partner with AutoCheck and integrate their vehicle history reports. Customers using these services may be more inclined to use AutoCheck out of convenience or because of special deals.

It’s important to note that while some customers have clear preferences, others might not strongly differentiate between the two services and may simply choose the option that is most readily available or recommended to them at the time of purchase.

What are the main differences between Carfax and AutoCheck reports?

AutoCheck’s report content’s main difference over CarFax is its ability to track auction cars, whereas CarFax is known for not being able to track cars at auctions as effectively. If you are buying an auctioned vehicle, then consider using Autocheck. They also provide a free AutoCheck score, which is a bit confusing but can be seen as useful. AutoCheck gives Buyback protection to registered and qualified vehicles. Additionally, it will return a list of comparable cars based on your AutoCheck score. They have a vehicle and a database of cars for sale, too. The Carfax name is more trusted and recognized and Carfax also includes maintenance reports.  When compared to Carfax, Autocheck is cheaper, features a better rating system, and offers exclusive auction information.

Which vehicle history report should we choose?

You’re likely to receive a free report from one or both of these services if you’re buying from a dealer, broker, or online service.

There are similarities between both data sources. You may find that choosing the cheaper option: Autocheck is more practical if, for example, you want to make sure the car is not stolen.

What is Your Goal?
Start by acknowledging your goals so you can determine the best course of action. How detailed do you want the overview of the vehicle to be, are you just interested in making sure the sale is legit, are you concerned about the costs?  Based on these answers you can make the right choice between 

If you want to use your vehicle daily, are you going to spend a lot of money on it, or are you simply going to buy the cheapest beater that will get you from point A to point B? Does it matter to you what kind of car you choose or do you want to take the cheapest one possible?

Any serious investor should use both Carfax and Autocheck. The extra cost of Carfax gives you priceless peace of mind, knowing that you’ve used the most comprehensive option. Even if you’re not actively seeking specific information, you may be surprised when new details show up that you didn’t expect.

For comparing a wide range of cars, a 25 or 300-limit plan may be more useful. Buying an individual report separately for every vehicle you go look at is not practical as the cost will add up quickly. If this si the case then Autocheck is the better option as you can get 300 reports for only $99.99.

Autocheck vs Carfax Reddit Discussions

Reddit is a place that people trust to find deals from real users. It’s a place people often search when looking for genuine customer experiences.  We read through several subreddits such as Reddit.com/askcarsales and Reddit.com/r/CarSteals and came up with a list of possible concerns when using Autocheck or Carfax. There have been many such discussions and first-hand reports on consumer’s direct experience using both AutoCheck and Carfax. Many of these are negative experiences and complaints which we will summarize below.

Possible scams and disadvantages to using Vehicle history reports:

A Carfax and Autocheck report can be printed out by dealers before an inspection. In that case, any damage might not be included in the report until another request is submitted. The report’s date should always be checked.

Originally, Carfax and Autocheck customers were consumers, but now the dealers themselves make up the majority of their customer base. It is therefore in the interest of the dealers, their primary customers, to report less information. This encourages Carfax and Autocheck to report vehicles as being in good condition.

Also criticized is the carfax guarantee. In the fine print, you can see that the guarantee only applies to instances where Carfax fails to report an accident that has already been reported to them. Usually, this is hard to prove, thus making the guarantee difficult to claim.

Carfax and Autocheck get information from many different sources. Companies are paid to report things to them, and they pull information from publicly available sources. Most insurance companies and body shops don’t report vehicle information to Carfax. Most times, it will only appear if a police report was made.

Do not rely solely on vehicle history reports.  The failure to report certain things is not uncommon.

Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/don-t-rely-on-used-car-history-reports/index.htm

Vehicle History Reports Aren’t Perfect

It is undeniable that both Carfax and Autocheck are very helpful, however, you should remember that both reports are limited to the information in their databases, meaning that even the most detailed report may have some inaccurate information.

If the vehicle has an undisclosed issue, Carfax can likely reveal it to you because it receives data from more sources. Additionally, Carfax indicates they will buy the vehicle back from you if there is an error on the vehicle history report.

Nevertheless, you’re not guaranteed to find every existing or potential problem if you use Carfax and Autocheck. There may be issues that have not been reported to either of them.

When you buy a used vehicle there is always a level of risk involved. A key to mitigating risk is to use tools like these. There is a tremendous amount of information available to you via both platforms. If you can, don’t rely exclusively on this information.

Get to know the vehicle by doing some research. Discover common issues related to the model you are studying. You can then ask the seller appropriate questions after learning about the common defects with a particular model. Then make sure to get the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic.

Often used car sellers can’t be trusted when it comes to the vehicle’s history. Occasionally, however, proving to be informed about a product is all that it takes to get sellers to be more open about the history of the car they are trying to sell.

Conclusion: Get Both Reports and get it checked by a Mechanic!

Getting both reports will give you peace of mind. Purchase reports only for cars you are genuinely interested in buying, get the vehicle physically inspected, and do your research beforehand.

FAQ

Related article:

https://cheapcarfaxreport.net/carfax-usa-vs-carfax-canada/