When it comes to buying a used car, one of the most important things you need to do is get a vehicle history report. AutoCheck is a reputable car report provider, but it comes with a cost. Luckily, there’re other options available that can give you AutoCheck-standard reports at a lower cost, or even for free.

How to check the AutoCheck score freely

When it comes to vehicle history reports, two names immediately come to mind: Carfax and AutoCheck. Carfax is the most well-known provider, but AutoCheck is a close second.

However, the cost of an AutoCheck report can be quite expensive: a single AutoCheck report will cost you $24.99, and 5 reports sell for $49.99. 

If you’re on a budget and just want to get a quick overview of a car’s condition, AutoCheck offers a free score that you can use to compare cars of similar age and class. The AutoCheck Score is a rating that summarizes the information in a full AutoCheck report. It’s a great way to get a general sense of a car’s history and condition without having to pay for the full report.

To get the AutoCheck Score for a car, simply head over to AutoCheck’s free score page, where you can search by VIN or license plate number. Enter the information you have and click the green button to get started.

Within seconds, the website will generate a score that represent the overall condition of the specific car.

It’s crucial to consider the Score Range alongside the Score itself. Only looking at the Score without understanding the range provides an incomplete picture. For instance, the car in the image has a Score of 64, while other comparable cars typically fall within a range of 44 to 63. This indicates that the car’s vehicle history is more favorable compared to other similar cars of the same make and model.

The AutoCheck Score is based on a number of key factors, including:

• Age 
• Vehicle Class 
• Mileage 
• Number of Owners – If a car has had more than the expected number, that can cause the Score to decrease.
• Vehicle Use and Events, such as taxi use, accidents, repossession and theft history.

To uncover the complete story of your vehicle’s past, including accident records (with details on damage severity), lemon status, flood damage, repossession reports, theft records, and more, purchasing the full AutoCheck report is your best bet. If you’re looking for other reliable options, here are some alternatives to AutoCheck.

AutoCheck alternatives: get a detailed report at a affordable price

AutoCheck isn’t your only option. there’re several vehicle lookup services that offer the same quality of reports, but come at a significantly lower price. Here are the two best alternatives:

BeenVerified

BeenVerified is a top-rated vehicle history report provider that collects the most recent data from approved NMVTIS data provider. Its database contains over 150 million vehicles which is updated regularly, and you can search for vehicles manufactured both before 1981 and those made after.

As the best alternative to AutoCheck, BeenVerified allows you to get cost-effective vehicle history reports. Despite its low cost, BeenVerified provides in-depth, accurate and up-to-date reports. Its report typically contains the following information, if available:

1. Go to the BeenVerified vehicle research page.
2. Enter the VIN number and click SEARCH. If you only have a license plate number, you can try that too.
3. Wait a few seconds while BeenVerified scans its database. Sign up for its membership to view the results on your vehicle and gain access to 100 reports.
4. Unlock the full report with all the available information about the particular vehicle.

It’s worth noting that BeenVerified is a 7-in-one search tools. For example, BeenVerified also allows you to find contact info of previous owners or verify a seller you’re dealing with.

Bumper

Bumper, an Approved NMVTIS data provider, is another popular vehicle lookup tool. Bumper’s report shows a lot of important details about the vehicle like accidents, thefts, salvages and recalls. Moreover, it provides information about the car’s sales history and market value, which can help you understand its worth and negotiate a better price.

Try Bumper Now

To get a vehicle history report with Bumper:

1. Go to Bumper’s vehicle search page.
2. Select a search type (by VIN or license plate), enter the information required and click SEARCH.
   
3. Wait for the site to scan its vast database. When your report shows up, click to unlock it to view more details.
   

How to get a completely free vehicle history report?

While it’s possible to get a vehicle history report for free, but it might not give you as much information as a paid report from a reliable provider. When it’s free, it usually means youwon’t get all the details. Also, the database of free VIN lookup services may not be extensive enough to cover all vehicles.

1. Request a report from the seller

Another option for getting a free vehicle history report is to request one from the seller. Some dealerships or private sellers may offer a free report as part of their sales process.

However, it’s important to be cautious of free reports provided by sellers, as they may not be completely unbiased and could leave out important information. So it’s always a good idea to obtain your own report from a reliable source. This allows you to verify the information provided by the seller and catch any discrepancies or issues that may have been missed.

2. EPICVIN

EPICVIN is an authorized data provider of vehicle history reports approved by NMVTIS. With EPICVIN, users can access some basic information for free, such as the vehicle’s specs, last odometer reading and last selling price & date.

1. Go to the EPICVIN official website.
2. Type the VIN number as suggested, then click Check VIN.
   
3. EPICVIN will start scouring its database for matching records. Once done, it will build a report based on the records it’s found. 
   

However, to obtain a complete and thorough report on a vehicle’s history, you will need to upgrade to EPICVIN’s full report. The full EPICVIN report provides more detailed information about a vehicle’s past, including any underlying issues that a dishonest seller may have attempted to conceal. This can include changes in title, a rolled-back odometer, theft records, and other important details that can affect a vehicle’s value and safety.

3. NICB (theft & loss records)

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) offers a VIN lookup service at no charge, enabling users to review fundamental information such as records of theft and loss. The website permits users to conduct up to five searches in a single day.

1. Go to NICB.
2. Enter a VIN number, check the box to complete the captcha, and click Search VIN.
3. If the VIN number is in the NICB database, you’ll see the available records of the vehicle.
   

However, if you’re seriously considering a used car and require an extensive vehicle history report, it is advisable to opt for a premium history report from a NMVTIS-approved provider such as BeenVerified.

4. NHTSA (safety issues & recalls)

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for ensuring the safety of motor vehicles and associated equipment. As part of its mission to promote road safety in the United States, the NHTSA provides a free VIN lookup service, enabling car buyers to determine whether a specific vehicle and its equipment have any recalls or safety-related issues.

5. Use a free VIN lookup tool

For a free VIN lookup tool that offers more information than most, VINCheck.info is a top choice. The information you can find include vehicle photos, market value, vehicle specs, safety rating and more.

While it’s certainly a valuable resource, it’s important to remember that as with anything in life, you get what you pay for. To truly uncover a vehicle’s history and potential issues, consider investing in a paid VIN lookup tool. Our detailed comparison of free and paid VIN lookup tools outlines the significant differences in the information they provide.

Hope you find the post helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.