Understanding How AutoCheck Operates

You’re familiar with how credit score agencies use that number to influence nearly every major decision in your life, right? Whether it’s purchasing a home, financing a car, applying for a credit card, or even landing a job, that elusive number plays a pivotal role. Wouldn’t it be fascinating if something other than you had a similar score attached to it? Perhaps an inanimate object? Like, say, every vehicle manufactured since 1981?

Believe it or not, this dream is a reality. AutoCheck, a service offered by Experian—one of the giants behind your credit score—uses its powerful data-processing systems to generate a comparable score for almost every used car in the United States. With a database encompassing around half a billion vehicles, AutoCheck delivers this critical information in just seconds. For a single report, it costs $30, or $45 if you need details on multiple cars.

Since its launch in 2002, AutoCheck has been offering these scores to consumers, though it hasn’t gained the same level of recognition as its main competitor, CarFax. The key distinction lies in the sources each service uses to compile a vehicle’s history. While they share some common data providers, each also relies on unique sources. "AutoCheck’s unique strengths lie in accident-related data, particularly frame damage," explained Lynn Kator, senior director of marketing at Experian Automotive.

"We gather extensive data and simplify it into a single, easy-to-grasp number," she continued. "Rather than leaving you to interpret the information, we’ve developed an algorithm to handle that behind the scenes. Every piece of data empowers the consumer to make a more informed choice. A comprehensive overview leads to greater confidence in your decision."

But just how thorough is this data? Let’s take a closer look behind the scenes to explore AutoCheck’s process.

Making the Grade

AutoCheck relies on a variety of sources to generate its scores, such as:

"Automotive auctions, especially those involving physical inspections of the vehicles, are excellent sources for detailed information," Kator explained.

Title Check: Any history of the car being salvaged, rebuilt, or damaged in a fire will be reflected in the title records.

Odometer Check: Any tampering with the odometer or malfunctions will be documented. Even Ferris Bueller couldn’t hide his odometer tricks with that Ferrari, as you might recall. AutoCheck also flags vehicles with improbably low mileage, such as a 1995 Toyota Camry showing only 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers). Skepticism is warranted.

Problem Check: Aren’t all cars a bit problematic? This section specifically highlights frame damage, water damage (think Hurricane Katrina!), and whether the car has been declared a lemon.

Use and Event Check: This section reveals if the car has been driven extensively or subjected to harsh conditions. Rental cars, police vehicles, taxis, and government-used cars often endure heavy use but benefit from regular maintenance, as Kator noted. Accidents or thefts, however, may indicate less care, and such details will also appear here.

Naturally, these checks don’t cover maintenance records or physical condition, such as torn seats or stained carpets. These are details you’ll need to inspect personally.

What You See

AutoCheck lets you dive as deep as you want into a vehicle’s history. For many, the car-buying process is overwhelming enough that a quick look at the score in the blue box on the first page of the report suffices—whether it’s good or bad.

A brief review of the vehicle comparison is also worthwhile—if you can handle a bit more effort. It provides a score range for similar vehicles, helping you gauge whether the car you’re eyeing is above or below average. For instance, if your dream car scores a disappointing 40, the "Similar Vehicles Score" range might reveal that comparable models score even lower. Hooray! Your desired car is the cream of a lackluster crop! Well done.

Conversely, if the vehicle scores a decent 75 but similar models range between 85 and 95, your prospective purchase might be dragging around a proverbial automotive albatross. Unfortunately, you’ll need to dig deeper to uncover the mechanical or structural issues plaguing your potential car—or simply move on to another option.

For those of us who are detail-obsessed, no amount of data is too much when evaluating a vehicle. These individuals will find the summaries on the first page of the report almost offensive. Summaries? Do they think you’re uninformed? Delving into AutoCheck’s detailed scores and full history (as comprehensive as it gets) will provide the clearest picture of your dream used car’s condition. It even includes case numbers for police-reported accidents.

Despite all this detailed information, one critical element is missing: price. AutoCheck doesn’t cover that. However, it collaborates with partners like the NADA guide, Kelly Blue Book, Edmunds.com, and Ebay Motors, where pricing information is abundant.

What You Get

Imagine you’ve spent a modest sum on this report and received a rating. You’re ready to trust AutoCheck’s assessment of this metal-and-fiberglass gem and invest a significant amount of money in the car. But before you do, it’s natural to ask: Does AutoCheck truly have your best interests at heart?

It does—mostly. AutoCheck’s buyback protection offers 110 percent of the NADA guide retail price if you discover post-purchase that the car had a branded title or served as a Los Angeles police cruiser. They’ll also reimburse up to $500 for aftermarket parts, so your upgraded stereo in that "vintage" 1999 Dodge Neon isn’t a total loss.

Since you’re curious, here are the steps you need to follow if you want AutoCheck to buy back your used car:

If your car wasn’t the LAPD cruiser but the stolen vehicle being pursued, the buyback policy doesn’t apply.

Also, remember that a car’s AutoCheck score evolves as new data enters the system. Accident reports and emissions scores often change, but a branded title is permanent. For a small fee, you can repeatedly check the same VIN—if you’re truly concerned. But if you’re that anxious, perhaps your energy is better spent considering a different vehicle.

Can You Believe It?

Tracking the questionable actions people take with their cars is no easy task, and AutoCheck is well aware of this. Not every accident gets reported for various reasons. Why report minor scratches or a dented fender if you can fix it yourself? Why report a landscaping truck damaging your hood if your brother can repair it at his shop after hours? He even has paint that almost matches—under the right light, of course. No big deal.

Consumer Reports evaluated AutoCheck and CarFax, finding that both services largely delivered on their promises—but with some gaps. They compared clean reports to auction site photos and discovered cars that were severely damaged. "Wrecks can retain clean titles if the vehicle lacks collision insurance, is self-insured (common for rental and fleet vehicles), or has damage below the 'total loss' threshold, which varies by state," the report stated [source: Consumer Reports].

Despite these findings, Consumer Reports still endorsed using vehicle history reports, along with a few lesser-known sources, to uncover a car’s hidden past.

As a consumer, there’s no way to independently confirm the reassuring green checkmarks on an AutoCheck report. However, everyone—including Lynn Kator from AutoCheck—strongly advises having any used car you’re seriously considering inspected by a professional.