How to Get a CARFAX Vehicle History Report

When it comes to purchasing a used car, you want to know as much as possible about the vehicle's history to make an informed decision. That's where a CARFAX Vehicle History Report comes into play. 

A CARFAX Canada report serves as a valuable resource for used car buyers, offering insights into a vehicle's history. It equips potential buyers with crucial information, empowering them to make informed choices about their used car purchases.

In this blog, we'll walk you through the process of obtaining a CARFAX Vehicle History Report, helping you gain valuable insight into the past of your prospective car.

How does a CARFAX report assist when buying a used car?

• Accident history: A CARFAX report reveals if the vehicle has been in accidents, detailing the extent of damage and whether it underwent salvage or rebuild.
• Mileage validation: By gathering data from multiple sources, CARFAX verifies the reported mileage, identifying any discrepancies or signs of odometer rollback.
• Title information: It offers insights into the car's title history, such as a clean title, salvage title, or designations like flood-damaged or lemon law buyback. This information helps identify potential legal issues.
• Ownership history: It provides details on previous owners and their duration of ownership, aiding in evaluating the car's overall care and usage.
• Service records: CARFAX shows maintenance and service records, offering a glimpse into the car's upkeep, including oil changes and routine maintenance.
• Recalls: CARFAX reports include information on open recalls, ensuring buyers are informed about any safety-related issues.
• Lien Check: If there's a lien on the vehicle, a CARFAX report helps you avoid potential registration and fraud issues. 
• Market value: CARFAX offers an estimated market value for the used car based on various factors, assisting buyers in assessing the asking price's fairness and potential for negotiation.

Cost of a CARFAX report

CARFAX reports come at a significant cost. A single report, excluding the lien check, is priced at $46.95 while opting for a lien check will increase the total to $64.95. If you require three reports along with one lien check, the total expense amounts to $104.95.

Pro Tip: Approval Genie includes a CARFAX vehicle history report for FREE with the financing of every used vehicle.

How to get a free CARFAX report?

According to the CARFAX website, CARFAX Canada collaborates with numerous vehicle listing websites like autoTRADER.ca, autoHEBDO.net, Kijiji Autos, Rides.ca, LesPAC.com, and Auto123, allowing both dealers and private sellers to include CARFAX Canada reports within their vehicle listings. You can access the report for free by clicking on the provided link in the listing or by requesting the seller to send you the complimentary vehicle history report.

Alternatives to getting a CARFAX report

1. VINcheck.info

VINcheck.info provides vehicle history data associated with a car's VIN or license plate number, encompassing accident history, odometer readings, and damage records. The platform presents its vehicle history reports as cost-free alternatives to reports offered by Carfax and other similar providers.

2. VINAudit

VINAudit, a Canadian Carfax alternative, provides a comprehensive vehicle report that covers salvage or rebuilt brands, registration history, odometer records, stolen vehicle reports, recalls, buybacks, VIN cloning, and even U.S. history. However, it does have some limitations when compared to Carfax. VINAudit offers accident records for specific provinces only, and it does provide information regarding lien checks and service records.

3. AutoCheck

AutoCheck offers a range of data information similar to Carfax, including ownership history, auction or taxi history, open recalls, insurance losses, accident records, odometer history, service and repair details, and more. What distinguishes AutoCheck is its inclusion of auction data and the exclusive AutoCheck Score. The AutoCheck Score also evaluates a vehicle's history, assisting in predicting its future reliability.

Whether you obtain it at no cost or make a purchase, a vehicle history report serves as a valuable resource when acquiring a used car. While it may not uncover every detail about a car's history, it helps in making a more informed decision. In addition to obtaining a CARFAX Report, you should also take a test drive and arrange for a qualified mechanic to inspect the vehicle before making your purchase.