Best Sites to Check a Car’s History [2025 Review]

When shopping for a used car, sellers may not disclose important details, including hidden problems that could lead to safety issues or costly repairs. Therefore, you should look up a car’s history through reliable vehicle history check sites before making a purchase. Reports from these sites typically provide information such as flood damage, fire damage, previous accidents, rebuilt or salvage titles, ownership changes, open recalls, and odometer rollbacks.

If you do not obtain a car history report from a good vehicle history check site before buying a used car, you risk inheriting hidden issues that a seller might not disclose. These sites typically pull data from sources such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMVs), the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), and insurance companies.

Getting a history report can help you make safer, more informed choices, negotiate more effectively, identify red flags, and avoid unexpected costs when buying a used car.

What to Look for in a Good Car History Site

The best vehicle history check sites are known for certain features that set them apart from others. From providing detailed information to accuracy and ease of use, good car history sites help you to make informed decisions when purchasing a used vehicle.

Look for the following features when choosing a vehicle history check site:

• Accuracy - Data accuracy is the most important feature that differentiates a good car history site from the rest. The best car history sites typically collate information from trusted sources such as insurance companies, service centers, state DMVs, and NMVTIS.
• Pricing Structure - Most websites offer free car history report services, while some offer paid options in addition to the free options available to the public. You will only find limited car history reports with free services. Conversely, paid options provide users with full access and often reveal deeper information. Consider using a paid service if you are looking to compare history reports for multiple vehicles.
• Privacy and Security -  Good car history sites typically protect your data and use secure encryption. Look for websites that start with https when deciding which site to use for a vehicle history search.
• Clarity of Report - The best car history check sites typically present their reports in formats that users can easily read and understand. They often group data into separate sections and usually organize major issues, such as salvage titles and accident reports, with color-coded signals.
• Ease of Use - When choosing a vehicle history check website, avoid sites with confusing layouts. Any good car history site should have a user-friendly and fast interface where you can enter a search parameter and receive reports quickly.
• Depth of Data - Confirm if reports generated by the site contain data that will help you understand a vehicle’s true condition. A good car history report should include information on title issues, open safety recalls, accidents, theft, service history, ownership, mileage records, fire damage, and flood damage.
• Customer Support Service - A good car history service provider should offer reliable customer service for times when you need to challenge billing issues or clarify data on reports.
• Frequency of Report Update - When choosing a vehicle history check site, ensure that records in the database are updated frequently so you do not work with incomplete or outdated data. The best car history check websites typically update their records daily.
• Geographical Coverage - While some car history websites focus only on United States vehicle data, others have international coverage. The latter is more useful if you are looking up a cross-border listing or buying an imported vehicle.
• Ability to Check Multiple VINs - If you buy cars frequently or intend to compare several cars, choose car history check websites that support multiple searches or offer dealer tools with subscription discounts.

Top Car History Websites & Services (2025)

Here is a list of some top car history check websites, including what they offer, their limitations, pricing structure, and the types of users they are most suited for:

• GoodCar
  • What it offers - A modern and user-friendly interface, affordability, unlimited look-up options, frequently updated reports, and a broad data set including title issues, specifications, ownership details, recalls, accident reports, and theft records. 
  • Limitations - Occasional user feedback about subscription complexities. Refunds are not guaranteed if you mistakenly subscribe, but the company typically reviews requests on a case-by-case basis.
  • Pricing - Offers a 7-day trial for $1.49, followed by $29.95 per month for unlimited reports until you cancel your subscription. Business tiers start from approximately 100 reports for $145 per month.
  • User Profiles - Best for used car dealers, budget-conscious buyers, users wanting a vehicle score metric, and buyers comparing multiple VINs.
• Carfax
  • What it offers - Strong brand trust, service records, extensive data depth, and a clean user interface.
  • Limitations - Some gaps in less-reported markets, high cost per report, and may not always provide full minor accident or recall data.
  • Pricing - About $44.99 per report but offers discounted bundles, such as $64.99 for three reports or $99.99 for five reports.
  • User Profiles - Buyers looking to use reports as negotiation leverage and those who want top-tier detail.
• VinAudit
  • What it offers - Low cost and a solid baseline for title checks and accident history checks. Offers excellent customer service and it is NMVTIS-approved.
  • Limitations - Reports do not always extend coverage outside NMVTIS and may sometimes not include full service history. Limited to the U.S. and Canada, and the interface is relatively outdated
  • Pricing - Approximately $9.99 per report but offers dealer/bulk subscription packages at $20 per month.
  • User Profiles - Best for buyers who want to check reports for a single car and others on a tight budget.

• AutoCheck (by Experian)
  • What it offers - Strong cost/performance trade-off, provides a vehicle score for comparison across cars, and offers a good balance of data and cost.
  • Limitations - Less comprehensive service history in most reports
  • Pricing - Offers a single report for $29.99 and five reports for 21 days at the rate of $59.99. It has other business packages for dealerships, insurers, auctions, credit unions, lenders, and manufacturers.
  • User Profiles - Ideal for used car dealers, frequent shoppers, those seeking a vehicle score metric, and buyers comparing multiple VINs.
• EpicVIN
  • What it offers - An affordable alternative to full-tier services and good value for single-report users.
  • Limitations - Reports may lack depth for certain data types or in some regions. 
  • Pricing - Offers reports for $24.99 each, but multiple reports are heavily discounted ($7.50 per report for 4 reports and $5.40 per report for 16 reports). Unlimited reports are available for $99.99 per month.
  • User Profiles - Buyers who need a baseline check before upgrading to premium services, comparison shoppers, and occasional buyers.

Comparison Table: Features & Prices

Below is a table comparing the key features and pricing structure of the five leading car history check sites:

Which Site Is Best for Your Situation?

The best vehicle history report site for your situation depends on the type of information you prioritize, the level of detail required, your budget, and frequency of use. 

If you shop frequently or across multiple states, GoodCar is the best choice for you. The site offers unlimited VIN checks and monthly reports for dealers through a business plan. For those who only need a quick check on a single private car sale to confirm that the mileage is accurate and the title is clean, EpicVIN or VinAudit are the best options. Both sites offer budget-friendly VIN check services. They provide fast, NMVTIS-backed reports with salvage and accident data for a small fee.

If you prioritize confirming flood and accident history, choose Carfax. The website pulls data from thousands of verified sources to deliver flood damage alerts, detailed accident reports, and manufacturer safety recall notices in its vehicle history reports. GoodCar and EpicVIN stand out if your budget is tight or you want free low-cost options. While paid services on these sites will provide you with more detailed data, you can still obtain basic details such as open recalls, car specifications, and title status for free.

Those who want detailed car history reports that include service and maintenance records, ownership transfers, title updates, and recall verification should consider AutoCheck or Carfax. Both offer verified title and service records, as well as extensive historical data, which are ideal for serious buyers.

Tips for Getting the Most from Car History Reports

With a vehicle history check, you can ensure that the used car you are considering buying is exactly as the seller describes it and avoid costly surprises after purchase. The following tips can help you get the most value out of car history reports and make confident purchasing decisions:

• Always cross-check the VIN in a vehicle history report and confirm it matches the one on the car’s title, doorframe, and dashboard. If there is a discrepancy, be sure to verify it with your state DMV or the seller.
• Consider running multiple reports from different car history check sites for full coverage, as no single source has every record. If one site omits any details, the others may reveal them.
• Before paying for a used vehicle, run a car recall check by VIN using tools such as GoodCar’s Vehicle Recall Lookup or the NHTSA Vehicle Recall Database. If you find any open safety recalls in the report, ask the seller for proof that all recalls have been addressed.
• Follow up your vehicle history checks with car inspections before buying used vehicles, even if the history reports come back clean.
• Learn how to read a car history report so you can differentiate between major and minor problems. When interpreting vehicle history data, always prioritize consistent mileage records and clean titles.
• Ask the seller about flagged items in the car history report. Have them explain the reason for issues such as missing mileage entries, branded titles, and multiple ownership changes within a short period. Any transparent seller will not hesitate to provide answers with proof.
• Use data from the car history report to your advantage and negotiate with confidence. For example, if the report shows incomplete service history or damage, use that to bargain for a lower price.

Common Mistakes/Misleading Data to Watch For

While a vehicle history report is usually the first line of defense when shopping for a used car, it should never replace due diligence. The best car history check sites can also report incomplete records and misleading information, so it is important to be cautious.

Beware of the following common mistakes in car history reports:

• Partial or Incomplete Records - If a vehicle history report has incomplete or partial records, such as long gaps in service or ownership history, ask the seller for inspection records or maintenance receipts.
• Delays in Reporting Accidents - A recent accident may not appear on a car history report. In this case, you can hire a mechanic to help inspect the vehicle and look for signs of repainting or replaced airbags.
• Limited or Omitted Service History - A limited or missing service history in the report may suggest poor maintenance. Check for regular oil changes and consistent mileage entries in the car history report. 
• Odometer Fraud or Rollback - You can detect odometer fraud by looking out for inconsistent readings or sudden drops in odometer readings on the report. 
• Hidden Fire or Flood Damage - Flood or fire damage may not appear on a car history report from certain websites. Conduct a VIN check on sites that flag Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data or regional flood zones, such as GoodCar, and inspect the vehicle for rust. 
• Salvage or Rebuilt Titles That Are Not Clearly Shown - Not all databases promptly update the status of vehicles repaired after a total loss and rebranded with rebuilt or salvage titles. To avoid buying a car with a branded title, confirm its status by requesting a detailed report from your local DMV.
• Outdated or Seller-Misstated Information - A car history report is only as accurate as its latest update. If you are buying a used car, check the date on the vehicle report provided by the seller to ensure it is current. Consider performing another check if more than a few weeks have passed since the report date.

Always treat vehicle history red flags, such as salvage title brands or structural damage, seriously when shopping for a used car. If you ignore such alerts and buy the vehicle, especially because it appears cheap, you risk facing safety issues and paying for expensive repairs.