Comparison

Carfax vs. Inspection: Do You Need Both?

"I already have a Carfax, why do I need an inspection?" It's a fair question. The answer: they tell you different things, and smart buyers use both.

The Short Answer

Carfax tells you what happened to a car. An inspection tells you what's happening now.

A Carfax report reveals history: accidents, ownership, service records, and where the car has been. An inspection reveals current condition: mechanical health, hidden damage, wear items, and problems that aren't in any database. For the complete picture, you need both.

History Reports

What Carfax Does Well

Vehicle history reports are valuable tools. Here's where they shine.

Ownership History

Number of previous owners and how long each owned the vehicle.

Accident Reports

Reported accidents, though not all accidents get reported to Carfax.

Title Issues

Salvage titles, flood damage titles, lemon law buybacks, and other title brands.

Service Records

Maintenance history from dealers and participating shops (not all shops report).

Odometer Readings

Historical mileage recordings to help identify odometer rollbacks.

Regional History

Where the vehicle has been registered—critical for identifying rust-belt or flood-zone cars.

Physical Inspection

What an Inspection Reveals

Things you can only learn by putting eyes and hands on the actual vehicle.

Current Mechanical Condition

How the engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension are performing right now.

Unreported Damage

Many accidents are never reported. We find signs of repair that don't appear on any report.

Wear Items

Brake pad thickness, tire condition, belt wear—things that cost money to replace soon.

Fluid Condition

Oil quality, transmission fluid color, coolant condition—indicators of maintenance habits.

Hidden Problems

Leaks, rust, electrical issues, and developing problems that aren't in any database.

Real-World Test

How the car actually drives, sounds, and behaves—something no report can tell you.

Reality Check

What Carfax Can't Tell You

Understanding the limitations helps you use history reports wisely.

Not all accidents are reported

If a car was repaired at an independent shop, paid out of pocket, or fixed by the owner, Carfax won't know about it. We regularly find evidence of collision repair on 'clean' Carfax vehicles.

No current condition assessment

Carfax tells you what happened in the past, not what's happening now. A car with perfect history can still have worn brakes, bad suspension, or a failing transmission.

Service gaps are common

Many shops don't report to Carfax. A car that shows no service history might have been well-maintained at a local mechanic—or completely neglected. You can't tell.

Regional history isn't always complete

While Carfax tracks registrations, it may not capture every location the car has been, especially for vehicles that moved frequently.

Pro Tip

Dealer-Provided vs. Buyer-Purchased Carfax

The same report, but different dynamics depending on who pulls it.

Dealer-Provided Carfax

Dealers get unlimited Carfax reports and provide them for free
They've already reviewed it and know what it says
They may not volunteer concerning information unless you ask
It's a sales tool—they show it because it helps sell the car

Buyer-Purchased Carfax

You control when you pull it and can review it privately
You can pull reports on multiple vehicles you're considering
You see it before the dealer knows you're interested
Costs money, but gives you information leverage

Where Carfax Shines

Regional History Matters

One of the most valuable things Carfax reveals is where the car has spent its life.

A car that spent 10 years in Minnesota faces different challenges than one from Arizona. Carfax's regional history helps both you and our inspectors know what to look for:

Rust Belt States

Road salt causes accelerated rust on frames, brake lines, and undercarriage. We pay extra attention to these areas.

Flood-Prone Regions

Gulf Coast, Florida, and areas hit by hurricanes. Water damage can hide in electrical systems for years.

Desert Southwest

Extreme heat degrades rubber, plastics, and interiors. UV damage to paint and dash components.

Pacific Northwest

Generally favorable conditions. Less road salt, moderate temperatures. Often the cars to look for.

When you share a Carfax showing the vehicle's regional history, we incorporate that into our inspection focus. It's a great example of how the two tools work together.

The Smart Buyer's Approach

1
Pull a Carfax
Check for accidents, title issues, and regional history. Eliminate problem cars before spending more time or money.
2
Share the history with us
If you've found a Carfax showing the car's history, share it when you book. We'll factor regional concerns into our inspection.
3
Get the inspection
We verify what the Carfax shows and reveal what it can't—current mechanical condition, unreported damage, and wear items.
4
Make an informed decision
With both history and current condition in hand, you know exactly what you're buying—and what it's worth.

FAQs

Carfax & Inspection Questions

If I have a clean Carfax, do I still need an inspection?

Yes. A clean Carfax means no reported problems—not no problems. We regularly find unreported accident damage, worn components, and developing issues on vehicles with spotless Carfax reports. Carfax tells you about the past; an inspection tells you about the present.

Can an inspection find things Carfax missed?

Absolutely. Carfax only knows what's been reported to them. We physically examine the vehicle and often find evidence of repairs, accidents, or damage that never made it into any database. Paint depth readings, panel gap measurements, and visual inspection reveal things that paperwork can't.

Should I pull my own Carfax or use the dealer's?

If you're serious about a specific vehicle, pulling your own Carfax before visiting the dealer gives you information leverage. You'll know what questions to ask before the sales process starts. That said, the dealer's Carfax contains the same information—just be sure to review it carefully yourself rather than taking their summary at face value.

What if Carfax shows the car is from the Midwest or East Coast?

This is exactly where Carfax shines—and where we can help. If a vehicle spent years in the rust belt (where roads are salted in winter), we'll pay extra attention to the undercarriage, frame, and brake lines. Regional history from Carfax helps us know what to look for during inspection.

Is Carfax or an inspection more important?

They serve different purposes. Carfax tells you what happened to the car before today. An inspection tells you what condition it's in right now. For a complete picture, you really need both. If you had to choose only one, an inspection tells you more about what you're actually buying—but combining both is the smart play.

What about other history reports like AutoCheck?

AutoCheck (owned by Experian) pulls from different data sources than Carfax and sometimes has information Carfax doesn't—and vice versa. Neither is complete. For high-stakes purchases, some buyers pull both. But remember: all history reports share the same fundamental limitation—they only know what's been reported.