Quick answer: AutoCheck costs $29.99 for one report at retail. CarfaxDeals gives you the official Carfax report for $7.99, which is $22 less and includes Carfax's service and maintenance records. AutoCheck only wins in two cases: you are buying at auction, or you need 25 reports inside a 21-day window. For everyone else checking one to a few cars, the Carfax report through CarfaxDeals is cheaper and more detailed.
$7.99 for an official Carfax report on CarfaxDeals, vs $29.99 for one AutoCheck report
No expiry. CarfaxDeals credits never expire. AutoCheck's 25-report pack must be used within 21 days
30-day money back guarantee on every CarfaxDeals purchase
CarfaxDeals vs AutoCheck at a glance
The biggest difference is what you are buying. CarfaxDeals sells the official Carfax report at a lower price. AutoCheck is a different report, made by Experian, with its own data sources and its own scoring system.
| Feature | Carfax report via CarfaxDeals | AutoCheck |
|---|---|---|
| Single report price | $7.99 | $29.99 |
| Report brand | Official Carfax report | Experian AutoCheck report |
| Service and maintenance records | Yes, from Carfax's repair shop and dealer network | Limited |
| Auction records | Some | Strong, including auction condition announcements |
| Title brands (salvage, flood, lemon) | Yes, includes NMVTIS data | Yes, includes NMVTIS data |
| Vehicle score | No single score | AutoCheck Score from 1 to 100 |
| Multi-report pricing | 5 for $28, 17 for $79, 100 for $300 | 25 reports for $49.99, used within 21 days |
| Do credits expire? | No | Yes, after 21 days on the pack |
| Subscription required | No, one-time purchase | No |
| Refund policy | 30-day money back guarantee | Check AutoCheck's current terms |
Prices checked October 2026. AutoCheck pricing can change, so confirm on its checkout before you buy.
Price comparison: what you actually pay per car
For one to four cars, CarfaxDeals is cheaper on every count. AutoCheck's 25-report pack only becomes the cheapest option per report if you will genuinely run 25 VINs in three weeks.
| Cars you are checking | Carfax via CarfaxDeals | AutoCheck | Cheaper option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 car | $7.99 | $29.99 | CarfaxDeals, by $22.00 |
| 2 cars | $15.98 | $49.99 (pack) or $59.98 | CarfaxDeals, by $34.01 |
| 5 cars | $28.00 | $49.99 (pack) | CarfaxDeals, by $21.99 |
| 17 cars over a few months | $79.00 | Pack expires after 21 days | CarfaxDeals |
| 25 cars in 21 days | $79 + 8 singles, or the 100-pack | $49.99 | AutoCheck, on cost alone |
What a Carfax report shows that AutoCheck often misses
Service history is the gap. Carfax collects records from a large network of repair shops, quick-lube chains and dealer service departments, so the report often shows oil changes, tire rotations, recalls fixed and major repairs. AutoCheck reports rarely carry this level of maintenance detail.
- Maintenance records: verify a seller's "always serviced on time" claim against dated entries.
- Mileage at each service visit: extra odometer data points make rollbacks easier to spot.
- Open recalls and repairs: see whether recall work was actually completed.
- Ownership type: personal, lease, rental or fleet use, with the state of each registration.
When AutoCheck is the better choice
AutoCheck is the stronger report for auction cars. Experian's auction data includes condition announcements, such as frame damage or flood notes, that dealers declare at the lane and that rarely show anywhere else.
- You are buying at a dealer auction or from an auction-heavy dealer.
- You want a quick 1 to 100 score to filter a long shortlist.
- You will check 25 or more VINs within 21 days.
On a car over about $15,000, with several owners or registrations in more than one state, run both. Buying the Carfax side through CarfaxDeals keeps the combined cost under $40.
Is the CarfaxDeals report the same as a Carfax.com report?
Yes. CarfaxDeals buys Carfax reports in bulk and passes the saving on. You enter a VIN or license plate, and you receive the full Carfax report with the same data and format, delivered instantly. CarfaxDeals is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with CARFAX Inc. Every purchase is covered by a 30-day money back guarantee.
Get the Carfax report for $7.99
Enter a VIN or plate and get the full report instantly. One-time purchase, credits never expire.
Frequently asked questions
Is AutoCheck cheaper than Carfax?
At retail, yes. AutoCheck is $29.99 and Carfax is $44.99 for one report. Through CarfaxDeals, the Carfax report costs $7.99, which makes it cheaper than AutoCheck for any purchase under 25 reports.
Is Carfax or AutoCheck more accurate?
Neither is more accurate overall. Both use federal NMVTIS title data. Carfax is stronger on service and dealer records, and AutoCheck is stronger on auction records. Which one catches a problem depends on where that problem was recorded.
Why do some dealers show AutoCheck instead of Carfax?
AutoCheck subscriptions cost dealers less, so many dealers, especially auction-heavy ones, use it by default. If a dealer only offers AutoCheck, you can still pull the Carfax report yourself for $7.99.
Do CarfaxDeals report credits expire?
No. Credits from any CarfaxDeals pack stay in your account until you use them. AutoCheck's 25-report pack expires after 21 days.
Can I get a refund if the report is not useful?
Yes. CarfaxDeals offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If a report fails to generate, support can run it manually or refund you.
Related comparisons
- CarfaxDeals vs EpicVIN
- Carfax vs AutoCheck: full feature guide
- Used car accident and damage statistics
Pricing for AutoCheck taken from its public checkout in October 2026. CarfaxDeals pricing is current at carfaxdeals.com/pricing. No history report replaces a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic.