We recently did a survey on our current visitors, and we noticed that most of the visitors are coming from California and Texas, which means buyers and sellers are more concerned about vehicle report history in those states in the USA.
According to the TxDOT dashboard, Texas had 3248 fatal crashes with 2157 injuries in 2025, with rural areas accounting for most accidents. It is currently less than 2024, which had over 4000 fatal crashes.
On the other hand, California also has a devastating car fatality rate with 4,000 accidents. It is a fact that a person dies in a car accident every two hours in California, which is an estimated number. In California, 64% of those involved in car accidents were wearing a seatbelt.
These are some of the reasons dealerships and buyers are concerned about vehicle history: to check engine health, salvage title status, and accident history. Let’s dive into the next part of the article.
Why California Tops the List for Carfax Usage
California is one of the US states with the largest market for new and used cars, which is why dealerships and individuals prefer Carfax reports. It is also one of the states with the highest number of automobile registrations.
Most of the cars have hidden issues, which are easily manipulated by the previous car owners. Therefore it is pivotal to get a Carfax Report to ensure every information about the car is correct.
Moreover, Los Angeles and San Diego lead California in the number of accidents. Los Angeles has the highest accident rate in the entire state, with 1,265.1 per 100,000 residents.
California vs Texas: Who Checks VINs More and Why?
California edges out Texas in VIN check frequency, driven by several key factors. With over 4,000 annual fatal accidents and the nation’s largest used car market, California buyers face higher risks when purchasing vehicles. The state’s massive population and dense urban centers like Los Angeles, which sees 1,265.1 accidents per 100,000 residents, create greater demand for vehicle history verification.
Texas, while experiencing 3,248 fatal crashes in 2025, has a more rural accident distribution and slightly less market saturation. However, both states show strong VIN checking habits due to their large populations and active automotive markets. California’s combination of higher accident rates, larger dealership networks, and greater vehicle registration numbers ultimately makes it the leading state for VIN verification services like Carfax, as buyers prioritize transparency in such a high-risk marketplace.
What are the common Issues in Carfax Reports in Texas and California?
Unreported Accidents: Not every accident or damage event gets reported to Carfax, especially when police aren’t called or repairs are paid out-of-pocket. If an accident wasn’t reported to insurance or police, it won’t appear on the report. This is a major concern in both high-accident states like California and Texas. Therefore, it is good to hire a professional mechanic and get an inspection. the insurance company or the
Incomplete Service Records: Gaps in maintenance history are common, as Carfax gets most data from state agencies, insurance companies, and certain repair shops that do business with them. Independent shops often don’t report to Carfax unless specifically requested.
Delayed Reporting: Time delays happen often, resulting in Carfax getting accident information late, sometimes after someone has already purchased the vehicle.
False Information: Carfax reports can incorrectly show accidents that never happened, significantly reducing a vehicle’s value
Texas-Specific Issues
Hail Damage Reporting Gap: Texas does not issue title brands for hail damage, unlike many other states. Unscrupulous parties exploit this discrepancy through title washing, getting cars retitled in states with less stringent requirements. This is particularly concerning since Texas is one of the states most known for hailstorms.
Title Washing Vulnerability: Vehicles recently titled out-of-state, particularly from Texas, should be examined carefully as title washing schemes are common.
California-Specific Issues
Odometer Fraud: California has the most affected vehicles, with more than 437,000 cars with incorrect odometer readings. Roughly 2.1 million vehicles nationwide have rolled-back odometers, up 14% since 2021, with California being disproportionately affected.
Title Washing: Title washing schemes illegally alter vehicle documents to remove brands like ‘salvage’ or ‘flood’ from titles, and California’s large used car market makes it a prime target for these scams.
Final Verdict
Texas and California have both witnessed significant amount of fatal accidents in 2025 and the most by any state in the United States. Title washing and odometer roll found in these states. Dealerships and buyers prefer Carfax reports to find car accident history, prior ownership, title changes, mechanical damage, and hail damage. Although original Carfax reports are much expensive, our cheap Carfax reports cost only $6.99 each.
