It was a crisp autumn morning when Jake finally found the car of his dreams—a sleek, low-mileage sedan listed at a price that almost seemed too good to be true. The seller assured him it had a clean history, but Jake had learned the hard way that words don’t always match reality. The last time he skipped a vehicle history check, he ended up with a car that had been through more accidents than he could count. This time, he wasn’t taking any chances. He reached for his phone and ran a Carfax report by VIN.
Two Ways to Get a Carfax Report: VIN or License Plate
When it comes to uncovering a vehicle’s past, you have two primary options: searching by VIN or by license plate. Both methods can provide the full Carfax history, but knowing when to use each can make a difference.
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): This 17-character code is unique to each car and remains the most reliable way to pull up a vehicle’s full history. It’s especially useful when dealing with private sellers or listings that don’t display the license plate.
- License Plate Lookup: If you don’t have the VIN handy, running a Carfax report by the license plate number (paired with the state of registration) can still yield the same results. However, this method depends on the plate not having been recently changed.
Why a Carfax Report is Worth It
A Carfax report pulls data from thousands of sources, including DMV records, insurance claims, and service history logs. Here’s why checking a vehicle’s history is crucial:
- Accident History – Nearly 40% of used cars on the market have sustained some form of damage, according to Carfax data.
- Title Issues – More than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with rolled-back odometers.
- Service & Maintenance Records – Keeping track of previous maintenance can help you predict future repair costs.
The Affordable Option: A $5 Carfax Report
Some buyers hesitate to check a vehicle’s history because of the hefty price tag of traditional reports. But the good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune. With a $5 Carfax Report, you can access the same crucial information at a fraction of the cost. This way, you can make an informed decision without breaking the bank.
The Bottom Line
A car might look perfect on the outside, but what’s under the hood—or in its past—could tell a different story. Whether you choose to run a Carfax report by VIN or by license plate, having a vehicle’s history at your fingertips is the best way to avoid costly surprises. So, the next time you’re considering a used car, will you trust the seller’s word or check the facts yourself?
