A CARFAX report costs $44.99. That's a lot for a few pages of history, especially if you're looking at several cars. So is it worth paying for? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Here's how to tell.
When a history report is worth it
Buying from a private seller
There's no dealer reputation, no warranty, and often no free report. This is where washed titles, rolled-back odometers and hidden accidents show up most.
The price looks too good
A car priced well below others like it usually has a reason. A report often shows it: a past total loss, a flood brand, or an accident.
The car came from another state
Title washing works by moving a car to a state with weaker rules. A report pulls title records from every state.
It's a newer car with low miles
These are the ones where an odometer rollback pays off for a scammer, so they're worth checking.
You're buying at auction
Auction cars often have damage history, and you can't test drive them. Check before you bid.
When you can skip paying
The dealer already gives you one
Many dealers show a free report on the listing. Read it, and only pay for your own if something looks off. More ways to get one free are in how to get a free CARFAX report.
It's certified pre-owned
CPO cars come with an inspection and a report from the dealer. You still want to read it, but you don't need to buy one.
You're only browsing
Don't run reports on every car you see. Narrow it down to two or three serious options first, then check those.
What a report won't tell you
A report only shows what was reported. An accident fixed with cash and no insurance claim won't appear, and neither will a worn-out transmission. A history report tells you about the car's past. A mechanic's inspection tells you about its condition today. If you're serious about a car, get both.
The math
Say you check three cars before buying one:
- At $44.99 each, that's $135 in reports.
- At $5.99 each, it's $18.
Either way it costs a fraction of what a hidden flood car or a rolled-back odometer would cost you. Paying $135 for that peace of mind just isn't necessary.
Get the report for $5.99
CheapestCarFax gives you the full history for $5.99 instead of $44.99, with no account needed:
- Accidents and damage reports
- Title brands (salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon)
- Odometer history and rollback flags
- Owners, usage and open recalls
FAQ
Is CARFAX worth it for an older car?
Often yes. Older cars have more history to hide, and odometer and title fraud happen at every age. The cost of a report is small next to the price of the car.
Can a car have a clean CARFAX and still be bad?
Yes. A clean report means nothing bad was reported, not that nothing happened. Always pair it with an inspection.
Do I need a new report if the seller already sent me one?
If it's recent and from a trusted source, it's probably fine. If the seller is private, or the report is old, run your own. Reports can be edited or faked as PDFs.