Vehicle History Report Guide
Learn how to read a Carfax or AutoCheck report and spot red flags before buying a used car.
1. Title History & Brands
The most critical section of any report.
Clean Title
Indicates the vehicle has never been declared a total loss. This is what you want to see for a reliable daily driver.
Branded Titles
- Salvage: Totaled by an insurance company.
- Rebuilt: Salvaged, then repaired and inspected.
- Flood/Water: Damaged by sitting in water.
- Lemon: Returned to manufacturer for defects.
2. Accident & Damage History
Not all accidents are dealbreakers, but you need to know the severity and location of the damage.
3. Service & Maintenance Records
A long list of service records is a good thing—it means the previous owner took care of the car.
- Look for regular oil changes (every 5k-10k miles depending on the car).
- Check if major milestones (like a timing belt replacement at 100k miles) were completed.
- Beware of a car that was brought to the mechanic multiple times in a short period for the same issue (could be a lingering electrical or engine problem).
4. Ownership History & Usage
Number of Owners
1-owner cars are highly desirable. If a car has had 4+ owners in a short time, it might be a "problem car" that people keep getting rid of.
Vehicle Usage
Reports show if the car was used as a personal vehicle, rental, taxi, or fleet vehicle. Rentals often have high miles and hard wear, but regular maintenance.
Ready to inspect a car in person?
A clean history report is a great start, but it doesn't catch everything. Always get a pre-purchase inspection.
