Buyer guides
Used car buying guides
Plain-English guides to checking a used car, reading available history records, reviewing recalls, and preparing for an independent inspection.
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How Much Does a CARFAX Report Cost? Prices Compared
See total prices side by side for one, two or four reports, with clear one-time pricing and free-report options.
5 min read
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CARFAX by License Plate: How to Look Up a Report
Learn how to start a CARFAX search with a license plate and state, resolve a failed match, and find the VIN required by DealsOnCarfax.
5 min read
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Cheap CARFAX Reports on Reddit: What to Check Before Buying
Three public Reddit discussions, practical takeaways and checks before paying for a discounted vehicle-history report.
6 min read
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Do You Need a CARFAX Membership to Buy a Report?
Understand CARFAX accounts, report packs, Car Care and business subscriptions, and how DealsOnCarfax’s one-time report purchases work.
5 min read
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Are Cheap CARFAX Reports Legit? What to Check Before Buying
Check the seller and report before paying, with practical VIN and date checks demonstrated using our public sample.
6 min read
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How to Read a CARFAX Report: Examples and Red Flags
Learn how to read a CARFAX report using a real sample, spot title and mileage issues, and turn damage and service entries into questions for the seller.
7 min read
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CARFAX vs AutoCheck vs NMVTIS: Which Report Do You Need?
Compare CARFAX, AutoCheck and NMVTIS across accidents, servicing, title problems and mileage, with practical advice on which report to choose.
6 min read
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What Does a VIN Number Tell You? How to Read It
Learn what a VIN tells you, how to read its 17 characters and where to find it. Compare free decoding with accident, title and recall checks.
8 min read
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How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You Buy
Learn the signs of flood damage in a used car, which VIN checks to use and what to ask an inspector before buying a flood or salvage vehicle.
9 min read
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Used Car Buying Checklist: What to Check Before You Buy
Use a practical used-car buying checklist covering seller questions, VIN and paperwork checks, the test drive, an independent inspection and payment.
9 min read
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How Many Miles Is Too Many for a Used Car?
Compare used-car mileage, age and service history. See what to check at 100,000, 150,000 and 200,000 miles before deciding whether a car is worth buying.
12 min read
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Rebuilt Title vs Salvage Title: Differences and Buying Risks
Compare rebuilt, salvage and clean titles. Learn what to check about repairs, insurance, financing and title history before buying a branded-title car.
8 min read
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How to Check Recalls by VIN for Free
Check recalls by VIN for free, understand the result and confirm repairs with the manufacturer. Learn about recall costs, age limits and buying checks.
9 min read
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Buying a Car With Accident History: What to Check First
Considering a car with accident history? Learn what to ask about minor damage, frame repairs and airbags, when to get a specialist inspection and when to walk away.
12 min read
Ready to check a specific car?
Browse history & recalls by model, or run a VIN now.