Purchasing a used auto could be a very nerve-wracking and difficult process - but Carfax or Autocheck reports can help make the process easier. Nowadays, a car history report is a standard tool in used vehicle buying. Should you trust Carfax or Autocheck to discover out the history of your potential vehicle?

What should be on any automobile history report

Any car history report, no matter what the source, should include a couple of unique elements. Lemon check, a report that lets you know if a automobile has major mechanical troubles, is very significant. A complete registration and title history for the automobile is also significant, because big gaps should raise questions. Odometer rollback, accidents, and salvage titles should also be a part of the vehicle history report.

Why Carfax may be the better choice

Carfax reports are around since about 1984. A Carfax report comes in two flavors - a free report that tells you the basics of car history, and a full, paid report. Carfax reports are generally provided for cars on used-car lots or for pre-owned vehicles. Carfax has partnerships with numerous well-known groups like the NHTSA and National Institute for Highway Safety – and is very well respected.

The reasons Autocheck is useful

Credit-reporting agency Experian began Autocheck fairly recently. In 2009, a study found that Carfax reports found half the accidents Autocheck did – though the severity of these accidents varied greatly. Reports from Autocheck typically contain – and are used by – car auction services. The free Autocheck report has a similar amount of data as the Carfax reports.

Should I get Carfax or Autocheck reports?

Both Carfax and Autocheck are relatively well-credentialed and well-respected vehicle history report providers. If you are not certain which type of vehicle report you need to get, you should use the free reports from both Carfax and Autocheck. If your used-car dealer provides a free full report from either one of these providers, that is the ideal situation. Using Autocheck or Carfax, if you’re paying for your own report, can be an equally good decision.