Autocheck Reports Or Carfax Reports – Which To Get?

Purchasing a used car could be a very nerve-wracking and difficult process – but Carfax and Autocheck reports can help make the process easier. Nowadays, a automobile history report is a standard tool in used vehicle shopping. So should you trust Carfax or Autocheck to give you info?

What is involved in vehicle history reports

Any car history report, no matter what the source, should include a few unique elements. A part of the report that lets you know if there are major mechanical problems, called a Lemon Check, is very significant. Big gaps in registration or title history should raise red flags, so a full history there is essential too. Any odometer rollbacks, accidents, or salvages on the title should also be a part of the report.

Why a Carfax report may be better

The company Carfax has been around given that 1984 – and used to be done using fax machines. There are two different types of Carfax reports – a basic history of the vehicle and a full report on the automobile. Carfax reports are generally provided for cars on used-car lots or for pre-owned vehicles. With partnerships with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, NHTSA and J.D. Power and Associates, Carfax is a well-known and well-respected vehicle history report provider.

The reasons Autocheck is useful

Autocheck is a service that opened fairly recently – a start-up owned and funded by credit reporting agency Experian. In 2009, there was a study that found Autocheck reports tended to report about twice the number of accidents as Carfax, though the severity of the accidents varied. Autocheck also provides a lot more vehicle history reports about cars from automotive auctions. The free Autocheck report has a similar amount of details as the Carfax reports.

Should Carfax or Autocheck be your source of information?

Carfax and Autocheck are both well-respected providers of used automobile history reports. If you're looking for a free report, there is not reason to not use both Carfax and Autocheck. If you're using a used car dealer, then you need to ask them to provide a report for either one of these providers. If you are paying for your own vehicle history report, then either one is a reliable option.