Vehicle history report: what it is, and what CarHenry includes
"Vehicle history report" is used for very different products. This page explains what the records behind them are, who holds which ones, and precisely what a CarHenry report does and does not contain, so you can decide what you need before you pay anyone.
Where US vehicle records live
There is no single database with a car's full history. The records are split across several holders:
- State titling agencies and NMVTIS. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is run by the US Department of Justice. Insurers, salvage yards and junk yards are required by federal law to report to it. It holds the current state of title, title brands such as salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt, the last odometer reading at each title transfer, and total-loss history. Consumers can buy an NMVTIS report only from approved providers; CARFAX and Experian do not sell NMVTIS reports to consumers. vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov
- NHTSA. The federal safety agency publishes the VIN decoder (vPIC), recall campaigns, owner complaints, investigations and crash-test ratings. These are public records.
- Insurers, dealers, repair shops and auctions. Accident claims, service visits and auction announcements are private records that CARFAX and AutoCheck collect under contract. Nobody else has them, and even they do not have every event.
- The market. Current listings show what sellers are asking for the same year and trim today.
What each kind of report contains
| Record | CarHenry report | CARFAX / AutoCheck | NMVTIS provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIN decode, specifications, equipment | Included | Included | Partial |
| Open recalls with remedy status | Included | Included | Not included |
| Owner complaints by component | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Crash-test ratings | Included | Varies | Not included |
| Market price range, same year and trim | Included | CARFAX: value estimate | Not included |
| Known faults for the generation | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Title brands, salvage, junk, flood | Not included | Included | Included |
| Odometer readings over time | Not included | Included | At title transfers |
| Accident and insurance claims | Not included | Included (where reported) | Total loss only |
| Service and maintenance records | Not included | Included (where reported) | Not included |
| Price for one report | $9.90 | $49.99 / $29.99 | Varies by provider |
CARFAX and AutoCheck prices as shown on their own sites in September 2026. CARFAX and AutoCheck are trademarks of their owners and are not affiliated with CarHenry.
When a CarHenry report is enough
- You are shortlisting several cars and want to rule out the ones with open recalls, complaint clusters or a price above the market range before you drive anywhere.
- You are buying a newer car from a franchised dealer, where the title is clean by policy and the dealer will show it to you.
- You want to know what to test on the drive and what to ask the seller, for ten dollars.
When to add a title check
- Private-party purchase, especially if the price is well below the range.
- A car from a flood-prone or hurricane-affected region, or one that has been through several states.
- Any car where the seller cannot or will not show you the physical title.
In those cases buy an NMVTIS title check from an approved provider for the one car you are serious about, after CarHenry has narrowed the list. Title brands explained.
Check a car now
Free decode first. Full report $9.90: recalls, complaints, ratings, price range and known faults.