Carfax and AutoCheck vehicle history reports
Know the car before you buy it.
Enter a VIN to see, for free, how many Carfax and AutoCheck records the car has. Then unlock the full report: accidents, title problems, mileage, owners and service history.
- Free records check
- Carfax and AutoCheck
- Secure checkout
- Report sent to your email
Free records check
Carfax: 23 recordsAutoCheck: 31 records
Vehicle history report
2019 Honda Accord EX
VIN 1HGCV1F4•KA••••••
- No accidents reported
- Clean title: no salvage, flood or lemon brand
- Odometer: 1 inconsistent reading
- 2 previous owners
- 14 service records
- Last reported: 48,210 mi in Ohio
Sample report for illustration only.
How it works
The full story behind any used car
Many problems don't show up on a test drive. A vehicle history report shows what the seller might not tell you.
- Step 1
Enter the VIN
Type or paste the 17-character VIN. We catch typos instantly, so you never pay for the wrong car.
- Step 2
See what's on record, free
We check Carfax and AutoCheck and show you how many records each one has for this car, before you pay anything.
- Step 3
Get the full report
Click Get report and pay securely. Your report opens right away, and we email you a link so you can come back to it later.
What's included
Spot the problems before they become yours
Reports combine records from sources such as state motor vehicle agencies, insurance companies, auctions and service shops.
Accidents and damage
Reported accidents, how severe the damage was, and airbag deployments.
Title problems
Salvage, rebuilt, flood, fire and lemon title brands.
Odometer history
Mileage readings over time, to help you spot a rolled-back odometer.
Ownership
How many owners the car had, for how long, and where it was registered.
Service records
Maintenance and repairs reported by dealers and repair shops.
Vehicle use
Personal use, or time as a rental, fleet, lease or commercial vehicle.
Theft and total loss
Theft records and total-loss reports from insurance companies.
Auctions and sales
Auction and sales records, with the mileage reported at each sale.
What a report contains depends on the report type and on the records available for each vehicle.
Pricing
One report, one price
No subscription and no account needed. Every purchase starts with a free records check, so you only pay when there's history to see.
Carfax report
Strongest on service and maintenance history.
$7.99per VIN
- Full Carfax vehicle history report
- Service and maintenance records
- Online access plus an email copy
- Best value
Carfax + AutoCheck
The most complete picture of the car.
$12.99per VIN
Save $0.99 compared with buying both separately
- Both full reports for the same VIN
- Two independent data sources
- Catch what one report might miss
AutoCheck report
Strongest on auction and sales history.
$5.99per VIN
- Full AutoCheck vehicle history report
- AutoCheck Score to compare similar cars
- Auction and sales records
Prices in US dollars.
Where's the VIN?
Find the VIN in under a minute
Every car shows its VIN in several places. Check that they all match: a mismatch can be a warning sign.
Dashboard
Look through the windshield at the lower corner on the driver's side.
Driver's door frame
Open the driver's door and check the sticker on the door jamb.
Title and registration
The VIN is printed on the vehicle title and the registration card.
Insurance documents
Insurance cards and policies usually list the VIN too.
What the 17 characters mean
An example VIN, decoded.
- Manufacturer
- 1HG
- Vehicle details
- CM826
- Check digit
- 3
- Model year
- 3
- Plant
- A
- Serial number
- 004352
Buying online? Ask the seller for the VIN before you go to see the car. A seller who won't share it is a red flag.
FAQ
Questions, answered
What is a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number is the 17-character code that identifies one specific vehicle. It's the most reliable way to look up a car's history.
Is the records check really free?
Yes. Enter a VIN and we'll show you the vehicle and how many Carfax and AutoCheck records it has. You only pay when you click Get report.
Should I get Carfax, AutoCheck or both?
They draw on different data sources, so each can catch things the other misses. Carfax is known for service and maintenance records, AutoCheck for auction history and its AutoCheck Score. For a big purchase, getting both gives you the most complete picture.
How do I receive my report?
Your report opens in your browser as soon as your payment goes through, and we email you a private link so you can come back to it later.
Do I need an account?
No. Just enter your email address at checkout so we can send you the report.
Which vehicles are covered?
Vehicles with a standard 17-character VIN, which means model year 1981 and newer. Records are most complete for vehicles registered in the United States or Canada.
Is VIN Lighthouse affiliated with Carfax or AutoCheck?
No. VIN Lighthouse is an independent service. Carfax and AutoCheck are trademarks of their respective owners.
Don't buy blind. Check the VIN first.
A few minutes now can save you from an expensive mistake.