Carfax or Autocheck - Which one is better?

I need to run a VIN, is one better than the other? Is there anything else out there?

It's a toss up, I have seen stuff on one and not the other, both ways.

Thanks Steve. That's what I figured.

In reply to Slippery :

I sent you a PM, send me the VIN

From having run tens of thousands of cars through both:

Autocheck tends to catch auction announcements way, way more frequently than Carfax. Particularly frame damage announcements

Carfax tends to have more information regarding the severity of accidents. If you're lucky, they'll even have a police case # included, though that's becoming more and more rare.  

Carfax is the gold standard simply because customers request it. Most enterprise level customers that pull large volumes of history reports go with Autocheck because it's much cheaper

Carfax seems to be better about having maintenance reported.  For a big enough purchase, I tend to run both.

In reply to Slippery :

Do you dislike a moderator? It seems you have constructed the largest possible dock for future watercraft enthusiasts...  

Not a substitute for Carfax/Autocheck but try running a google search on just the 17 digit vin.  You might be surprised with good results or get nothing.  In the past, I have had this return leads right to the previous owner.  

John Welsh said:

Not a substitute for Carfax/Autocheck but try running a google search on just the 17 digit vin.  You might be surprised with good results or get nothing.  In the past, I have had this return leads right to the previous owner.  

Good call. Often this will lead to photos of damage, a copart auction, maybe a forum post

Also check your state DMV. Often they'll have a free title check (NOT a history report) just by popping the VIN in. It's more of a binary not salvage/salvage thing, but hey, it's free

Call your insurance company with the vin and politely ask them to look it up.  They have access to a shared insurance database that has all the data vs what you can buy.

I have noticed a lot of dealers offer a free car fax for stuff on their lot, but if they use Autocheck they want you to pay for it.

All good advice.

One of the cars I was looking at had no accidents show on Autocheck, while Carfax showed three.

I really like, and never thought of, contacting my insurance to check on the severity of an accident. Great tip and will definitely try that next time.

Thanks guys! Car has been purchased.