Carfax vs AutoCheck
Short answer: Carfax ($49.99) has the deepest service and accident records; AutoCheck ($29.99, owned by Experian) is stronger on auction history and far cheaper for checking several cars. They draw on different sources, so either can catch something the other misses. Before buying either, ask the dealer — most already pay for one.
Side by side
| Carfax | AutoCheck | |
|---|---|---|
| Owned by | S&P Global Mobility | Experian |
| Single report | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| Multi-report deals | 2 for $69.99 ($34.99 each) · 4 for $119.99 ($30.00 each) | 25 reports for $49.99 (21 days) |
| Service & maintenance records | Strongest — large network of reporting shops | Limited |
| Accident records | Yes — police and insurance reported | Yes — reported |
| Auction records | Title brands; limited auction detail | Strong — wholesale and salvage auction announcements |
| Summary score | No single score | AutoCheck Score vs. similar vehicles |
| Buyback guarantee | Yes — for qualifying missed title brands | Yes — for qualifying missed title brands |
Carfax prices: CARFAX checkout at carfax.com, viewed November 9, 2026. AutoCheck prices verified at checkout 2026-09-30. Both companies change pricing without notice. Guarantee terms have conditions — read them on each provider's site. More on what a Carfax costs.
Which one to buy
- Buying from a dealer: ask for the report they already have. If it's Carfax, AutoCheck is the cheap second opinion — and the reverse.
- Comparing many cars: AutoCheck's 25-report deal is the cheapest way to screen a shortlist.
- Service history matters most (higher-mileage car, private sale): Carfax.
- Worried about an auction or total-loss past: AutoCheck — or a report that shows the salvage-auction damage photos, below.
Mainly checking for a salvage or auction past? $12.99
The CarWhere Used Car Report covers salvage and salvage-auction records with the damage photos where the auction published them, stolen-vehicle and odometer checks, and every online listing and price change since 2015. It does not include accident or service records — that's what Carfax and AutoCheck are for. Free preview before you pay.
FAQ
Is Carfax or AutoCheck better?
Neither wins outright. Carfax is better for service history and detailed accident records; AutoCheck is better for auction history and is much cheaper if you are screening several cars. If you can only buy one for a car you are about to purchase, buy the one the dealer hasn’t already given you — dealers usually hold one of the two.
Can Carfax miss something AutoCheck finds (and vice versa)?
Yes. They buy data from overlapping but different sources. A car can show an accident on one and not the other, or an auction sale on AutoCheck that Carfax doesn’t list. That is why some buyers run both on the car they finally choose.
Is AutoCheck cheaper than Carfax?
Yes. A single AutoCheck report is $29.99 versus $49.99 for Carfax, and AutoCheck’s 25-reports-in-21-days deal ($49.99) is far cheaper for comparing many cars. AutoCheck prices verified at checkout 2026-09-30; Carfax prices from CARFAX checkout at carfax.com, viewed November 9, 2026.
What is the AutoCheck Score?
A number that compares the car’s history with similar vehicles of the same year and class, along with a range for that group. It is a quick read on whether the history is better or worse than typical — not a replacement for reading the records themselves.
How do I get Carfax or AutoCheck for free?
Ask the dealer — most franchise and many independent dealers subscribe to one or both and will send the report. Many online listings also link a free report. Private sellers can be asked to pull one.
Does a clean Carfax or AutoCheck mean the car has no damage?
No. Both only know what was reported to them. Damage repaired without an insurance claim or police report often leaves no record. Pair any history report with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
Related
CarWhere is independent and not affiliated with Carfax or AutoCheck. Last reviewed 2026-10-30.