Getting a Carfax report is straightforward: visit Carfax.com, enter the VIN, and pay $39.99. However, smart buyers get identical information from alternatives for just $3.99.

How to Get Carfax: Simple Guide & 90% Cheaper Alternative 2024

Two Ways to Get Vehicle History Reports

Option 1: Official Carfax (Expensive)

📍 Getting Carfax Directly

1
Visit Carfax.com
Go to the official Carfax website
2
Enter Vehicle VIN
Input the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number
3
Choose Your Package
Single report ($39.99) or multiple reports package
4
Complete Payment
Pay with credit card and receive instant access

Cost: $39.99

Option 2: Smart Alternative (90% Cheaper)

💰 Getting Same Data for Less

1
Visit Our Website
Same professional interface and experience
2
Enter the Same VIN
17-character VIN number (same as Carfax requires)
3
Get Identical Information
Same NMVTIS data, accidents, ownership, service records
4
Pay 90% Less
Secure payment with 2-5 minute delivery

Cost: $3.99

What You Need Before Getting Any Report

Essential Requirements

Vehicle VIN number - 17 characters, found on dashboard or door jamb
Valid email address - For report delivery
Payment method - Credit card, debit card, or PayPal
5 minutes of time - Process is quick and straightforward

Where to Find the VIN

📍 VIN Location Guide

Inside the Vehicle:

• Driver's side dashboard (visible through windshield)
• Driver's side door jamb sticker
• Steering column (some vehicles)
• Engine block (less common)

On Documents:

• Vehicle title
• Registration documents
• Insurance cards
• Previous maintenance records

Side-by-Side Service Comparison

Feature	Carfax	Our Service
Single Report Price	$39.99	$3.99
Data Sources	NMVTIS + Industry	NMVTIS + Industry
Accident History	✓	✓
Ownership Records	✓	✓
Service History	✓	✓
Title Information	✓	✓
Delivery Time	Instant	2-5 minutes
Money-Back Guarantee	Limited	100%
Your Savings	-	Save $36.00 (90%)

Alternative Ways to Access Vehicle History

Through Car Dealers

Some dealers provide reports for vehicles on their lot, but this has limitations:

Limited to their inventory - Can't check other vehicles you're considering
Sales pressure - You're expected to buy from them
Possible cherry-picking - They might not show problematic reports

Used Car Listing Websites

Sites like Cars.com, AutoTrader, and CarGurus sometimes include basic history information:

Very limited data - Usually just "clean title" or basic accident info
Not comprehensive - Missing detailed service and ownership history
Marketing focused - Designed to promote listings, not provide full transparency

What Happens After You Get the Report

Report Delivery

Email delivery - Report sent to your email address
Online access - View report immediately in your browser
PDF download - Save for your records or print
Mobile friendly - View on any device

Using Your Report

Negotiation tool - Use findings to negotiate price
Decision making - Decide whether to proceed with purchase
Inspection guide - Know what to check during mechanical inspection
Insurance reference - Share relevant information with your insurance company

Common Questions About Getting Carfax

How quickly can I get a report?

Carfax provides instant access, while alternative services typically deliver within 2-5 minutes. Both are fast enough for immediate decision making.

Do I need the owner's permission?

No permission needed. Vehicle history reports are public records based on the VIN. However, getting the VIN usually requires seeing the vehicle or documents.

Can I get reports for multiple vehicles?

Yes! Both Carfax and alternatives offer multiple report packages. Our service charges $3.99 per report, while Carfax offers bulk discounts but still costs more per report.

What if the report shows problems?

Use the information to make informed decisions: negotiate a lower price, request repairs, get a mechanical inspection, or walk away from the deal entirely.

How to Get Carfax

Simple Answer