Thinking about buying a used car? Vehicle history reports are a must-have to avoid potential problems. These reports, offered by companies like Carfax, AutoCheck, and Bumper, reveal a car’s past, including accidents, repairs, ownership changes, and even branded titles (salvage titles).
Vehicle History Report Price Comparison:
Carfax vs. AutoCheck vs. Bumper
| Feature | Carfax | AutoCheck | Bumper |
| Pricing Model | Per Report | Per Report or Multi-Report Package | Subscription |
| Report Price | $44.99 | $24.99 | $1 for a seven-day trial, after which there is a monthly fee of $22.99. |
| Multi-Report Package | 3 reports: $64.99 ($21.66) 5 reports: $99.99 ($19.99) | * 5 reports: $49.99 ($10.00) | $22.99/month (up to 50 reports) |
| Free Trial | No | No | Yes (7 days, up to 50 reports) |
| Best for | Occasional use, detailed reports | Multiple report purchases | Frequent report needs, budget-conscious buyers |
Carfax VS Bumper
Pricing:
- Carfax: $44.99 for 1 report, $64.99 for 3 reports, $99.99 for 5-6 reports
- Bumper has $1 for a seven-day trial, after which there is a monthly fee of $22.99.
Key differences:
- Established reputation:
- Carfax is well-established and widely recognized in the industry
- Bumper is a newer service with less proven reliability
- Information provided:
- Both offer accident history, ownership history, and title information
- Carfax may provide more detailed maintenance records
- User experience:
- Carfax is known for comprehensive reports
- Bumper offers a mobile app and web integration for convenience
- Pricing model:
- Carfax offers per-report pricing
- Bumper uses a subscription model, which may be cost-effective for frequent users
Overall, Carfax appears to be the more reliable and comprehensive option, albeit at a higher price point. Bumper’s subscription model could be beneficial for those needing multiple reports
Bumper Membership Includes
- VIN Lookups
- Accident & Salvage Lookups
- Theft Records Lookups
- Sales & Background Searches
- Title Checks
- Specifications & Equipment Details
- Market Values & Ownership Cost
- Multiple Ways to Search. Search by VIN, License Plate, and Model
- Monitor Different Cars and Download PDF Reports
Bumper recently introduced AI powered Smart Insights
Key aspects of Bumper’s Smart Insight:
Market Analysis: Bumper’s Smart Insight feature can also provide information about the current market value of a vehicle, helping you negotiate a fair price.
Predictive Analytics: Bumper uses predictive analytics to analyze a vehicle’s history and identify potential future issues. This can help buyers make more informed decisions and avoid purchasing a vehicle with hidden problems.
Personalized Recommendations: Based on the vehicle’s history and your specific needs, Bumper can provide personalized recommendations, such as suggesting necessary repairs or maintenance.
Carfax Garage
Free digital platform provides car owners a centralized hub for managing their vehicle’s maintenance and repair needs.
Key Features of Carfax Garage:
Recall Alerts: Stay informed about any recalls that affect your vehicle and receive notifications when updates or solutions become available.
Maintenance Schedule: Carfax Garage can create a personalized maintenance schedule based on your vehicle’s make, model, year, and mileage. This ensures that you stay on top of important services and repairs.
Service Reminders: The platform will send you timely reminders for upcoming maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections.
Repair History Tracking: You can store and track all of your vehicle’s repair history in one place. This can be helpful when selling your car or dealing with insurance claims.
Mechanic Recommendations: Carfax Garage can connect you with trusted mechanics in your area. You can read reviews, compare prices, and book appointments directly through the platform.
Vehicle Valuation: Get an estimate of your vehicle’s current market value based on its condition, mileage, and other factors.
AutoCheck Score®
AutoCheck Score® is a numerical rating that provides a snapshot of a vehicle’s overall condition and risk. This score is based on various factors, including accident history, title history, odometer readings, and service history.
AutoCheck, powered by Experian, provides invaluable vehicle history reports that help dealers and consumers make informed decisions.
Why are they important?
Used car sellers might not always tell the whole story. A history report acts as a background check, giving you valuable insights into the car’s condition. It can help you:
- Avoid cars with major accidents: Reports typically reveal past accidents and repairs, allowing you to steer clear of vehicles with significant damage.
- Identify potential problems: Maintenance records in the report can indicate past issues the car may have had.
- Uncover odometer rollbacks: Some reports verify mileage readings, helping you avoid cars with tampered odometers.
What to Consider When Choosing a Report Provider
- Carfax: The most well-known provider, Carfax offers detailed reports with easy-to-understand information. It’s pricier than others, but its in-depth data can be invaluable.
- AutoCheck: Provides a vehicle score to predict reliability, but this score can be confusing. AutoCheck is generally cheaper than Carfax for multiple reports.
- Bumper: A newer subscription service with a user-friendly interface. It offers a free trial and a lower monthly cost compared to Carfax, but its data gathering abilities haven’t been fully evaluated yet.
Remember: No report is perfect.
- Reports rely on information that’s been reported.
- Minor accidents with no insurance claims might not show up.
- Repairs done outside authorized shops may not be included.
Additional Tips:
- Get a mechanic to inspect the car regardless of the report.
- Ask dealerships for a free vehicle history report, most subscribe to these services.
- Don’t rely solely on the report’s score – read the details carefully.
- By using vehicle history reports and getting a mechanic’s inspection, you’ll be in a much better position to make an informed decision when buying a used car.
What kind of information do vehicle history reports typically include?
- Accident history and repairs
- Number of previous owners
- Mileage readings and odometer rollback checks
- Maintenance records (on some reports)
- Branded titles (salvage titles, flood damage, etc.)
- Lemon law buybacks
What are the most popular vehicle history report providers?
Carfax and AutoCheck are the two most well-known companies, but Bumper is a newer subscription service gaining popularity.
Are vehicle history reports perfect?
No. Reports rely on information that’s been reported. Minor accidents without insurance claims or repairs done outside authorized shops might not be included.
What should I do besides getting a vehicle history report?
Always get the car inspected by a trusted mechanic before buying it. The report is a good starting point, but a mechanic can identify current issues the report might miss.
When shopping at a dealership, should I ask for a vehicle history report?
Yes! Most dealerships subscribe to these services and can provide a free report. If they refuse, it’s a potential red flag.
What are some things to look out for in a vehicle history report?
Major accidents with significant repairs, branded titles, and odometer discrepancies are big red flags. Look for a consistent maintenance history, which can be a sign the car was well-cared for.
Should I choose the report provider with the highest score (like AutoCheck)?
Don’t rely solely on the score. While it can be a quick reference, read the detailed information in the report to understand the car’s full history.
Free Reports (limited information):
- National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) – Offers a free VIN check that provides basic information on whether a vehicle has been reported as stolen or salvaged. Limited to 5 searches per day.
- VehicleHistory.com – Provides free vehicle history reports that include information on accidents, ownership history, recalls, and more.
- iSeeCars.com/VIN – Offers free VIN checks with information on accident history, price analysis, and depreciation. Limited to 5 searches per month.
- VINCheck.info – Provides free VIN lookups with basic vehicle information, though more comprehensive reports may require payment.
- National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) – The official website vehiclehistory.gov lists approved providers of vehicle history reports, some of which offer basic information for free..
Paid Reports (alternative options):
- VinAudit: Offers detailed vehicle history reports at a competitive price point compared to Carfax and AutoCheck.
- VinDecoders: Provides a variety of vehicle history report options, including basic and comprehensive reports.
- CheckThatVin: Offers vehicle history reports with a focus on uncovering potential odometer rollbacks.
- ClearVin: Provides detailed reports with information on accidents, repairs, ownership history, and more.
- EpicVIN: Offers a variety of vehicle history report options, including single reports and multi-report packages.
- GoodCar.com: Provides vehicle history reports alongside other used car information resources.
Additional Tips:
Compare Features: Look for reports that offer the information you need at a price that fits your budget.
Read Reviews: Before choosing a provider, check online reviews to see what other customers have experienced.
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