Carfax vs. AutoCheck vs. NMVTIS: how the reports differ
When you’re serious about a used car, the next step is usually a vehicle history report. There are two kinds: the government’s official system (NMVTIS) and commercial reports (the best known are Carfax and AutoCheck, but there are others). They don’t show the same things.
NMVTIS: the official title database
The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is a federal system run by the Department of Justice. It receives data from states (their titling agencies), insurers, and junk and salvage yards.
According to NMVTIS, its report covers five areas:
- Current state of title and issue date.
- Title brand history (salvage, junk, flood, etc.).
- Latest reported odometer reading.
- Total loss history reported by insurers.
- Junk and salvage yard reports.
What it doesn’t have: repair, maintenance or recall history, or accidents that didn’t end in a total loss.
It’s sold by government-approved providers, usually at low cost. The official list is at vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov.
Commercial reports
Private companies build reports by combining NMVTIS data (many are approved providers) with their own sources, which may include:
- accidents reported by police or insurers;
- records from repair shops and dealers;
- car auctions;
- fleet, rental or taxi use;
- number of owners and states where it was registered.
Each company has different sources, so a record can show up in one report and not another. Some give a score or a comparison with similar cars. They usually cost more than an NMVTIS-only report.
Quick comparison
| NMVTIS | Commercial | |
|---|---|---|
| State title brands | Yes | Yes (many use NMVTIS) |
| Total loss / salvage | Yes | Yes |
| Odometer readings | Latest reported | Several (service, inspections) |
| Accidents without total loss | No | Sometimes |
| Maintenance | No | Sometimes |
| Number of owners | No | Yes, approximate |
| Cost | Low | Higher |
What no report tells you
- The car’s current mechanical condition. As the FTC points out, a report may list accidents and flood damage, but typically won’t list mechanical problems.
- Accidents that were never reported.
- Poor-quality repairs.
That’s why the recommended order is: free VIN check → NICB → history report → mechanical inspection.
Disclosure
This site may recommend some report providers through affiliate links, always disclosed. This guide describes the report types in general terms and doesn’t depend on those commissions.
Frequently asked questions
Which report is best?
There's no perfect one. NMVTIS is the official title and brand database; commercial reports add accidents, service records and auctions from their own sources. If you're serious about a car, many people check more than one.
Does a clean report mean the car was never in an accident?
No. An accident that wasn't reported to an insurer or the police, or was fixed at a shop that doesn't share data, may not appear in any report.
Official sources
- NMVTIS — Information for consumers
- NMVTIS — Approved data providers
- NMVTIS — Frequently asked questions
- FTC — Buying a Used Car From a Dealer