Alternatives to a CARFAX report

Free checks

• [NICB VINCheck](https://www.nicb.org/vincheck): whether participating insurers reported the car stolen and not recovered, or as a total loss. Limited searches per day.
• [NHTSA recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls): safety recalls not yet repaired for that VIN.
• [Our VIN decoder](/vin-decoder): the year, make, model, engine and plant from the U.S. government’s database, to confirm the listing describes the right car.

NMVTIS title checks

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System gathers title brands, odometer readings at titling, and total-loss and salvage reports from states, insurers and salvage yards. The Department of Justice lists approved providers that sell these checks. They’re good at title brands and total losses; they don’t include service records or most accident reports.

AutoCheck

Experian’s report, with the AutoCheck score and strong auction records. It’s the most common second opinion next to CARFAX. See CARFAX vs AutoCheck.

An AutoCheck report costs $7.99 here.

Auction records

If the car was sold at a salvage auction such as Copart or IAAI, the auction record shows photos taken on the lot, the recorded damage and the title it carried. No history report shows you what the damage looked like. See the Copart report.

What none of them replace

Every report lists what was reported to its sources. A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic you choose, and checking the title document itself, catch what reports can’t.