Although a used car might look great and the price is just right, today’s shoppers know they must do their homework.
A vehicle-history report provides important insight on a car’s potential hidden problems, such as whether it’s been in a wreck or possibly sustained flood damage. Two major Internet competitors — Carfax and Experian Automotive’s AutoCheck — provide such reports, both directly to shoppers and, in many cases, through sellers and dealers who pay for the reports. A vehicle history from costs $34.99, and a report from costs $29.99.
The reports are a security blanket for one of the major purchases in a consumer’s life. The reports are based on accessible records, such as data from state motor-vehicle departments and vehicle auctions. If something on record is missed, some cars are eligible for buyback protection, but costs vary
