Know the car's history before you hand over the money
Enter the VIN. CarHenry decodes it free, then checks official safety records and live market prices for the full report.
- Free decode before you pay
- Full report $9.90, no subscription
- Ready in about 40 seconds
What's inside every CarHenry report
Seven sections with a record for the car, and one we tell you honestly we don't cover.
Vehicle identity
Make, model, year, trim, engine, drivetrain, body, plant and check-digit validity.
VIN structure · NHTSA vPICOpen recalls
Every recall issued for the vehicle, which are unrepaired, and what the remedy is.
NHTSAOwner complaints
Problems other owners reported for this model year, grouped by component.
NHTSACrash-test ratings
Overall, frontal, side and rollover results where the model was tested.
NHTSAMarket price range
Lowest, average and highest asking prices for the same year and trim right now.
Live US listingsKnown model faults
Common failures for this generation, so you know what to test on the drive.
Complaint and recall patternsEquipment and running costs
Factory equipment, fuel type, and a running-cost estimate for the year ahead.
Build dataNot included
Title brands, accident claims, odometer history and service records. We say so on the report and point you to NMVTIS providers.
Honest by design
See exactly what you get before you buy
- Every section carries its source and a plain verdict
- Open recalls show the remedy, so you can ask the dealer to fix them free
- The price range tells you if the asking price has room to negotiate
- Online report plus a PDF by e-mail, link valid for 12 months
The sample uses demonstration data so you can judge the format, not a real vehicle.
How CarHenry compares
Prices and coverage as shown on each company's own site in September 2026. Not affiliated with any of them.
| What you get | CarHenry | CARFAX | AutoCheck | Free toolsNHTSA · NICB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price for one report | $9.90 | $49.99shown at checkout | $29.9921-day access | Free5 lookups a day |
| Free decode before paying | ||||
| VIN decode, specs and equipment | ||||
| Open recalls with remedy status | ||||
| Owner complaints by component | ||||
| Market price range, same year and trim | ||||
| Title brands, salvage, odometer history | NICB: theft and salvage only | |||
| Accident and insurance claims | ||||
| No subscription or bundle required |
Many buyers run CarHenry first to rule cars out, then buy a title check from an NMVTIS-approved provider for the one they're serious about. CARFAX and AutoCheck are trademarks of their owners.
Three steps, about a minute
Enter the VIN
From the windshield plate, the door-jamb sticker or the listing. We check the length, the allowed characters and the built-in check digit.
Confirm the car, free
See the make, model, year, engine and plant, plus which report sections have a record. Nothing is charged yet.
Pay once, read the report
$9.90 by card or wallet. The report opens in your browser and a PDF goes to your e-mail.
Simple pricing
One report is all most buyers need. Checking several cars? Packs cost less per report and never expire.
| Reports | Per report | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 reportMost buyers | $9.90 | $9.90 | Check a VIN |
| 3 reports | $7.97 | $23.90 | Buy 3-pack |
| 5 reports | $6.98 | $34.90 | Buy 5-pack |
Nothing found?
The decode and the found/empty summary are shown before you pay. If every section is empty, you'll know before spending anything.
Refunds
Wrong vehicle identified, or the report doesn't open: e-mail the report number and we refund the purchase.
Payment
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Charged as CARHENRY. No account needed.
What buyers say
Average of 1,240 verified reviews
Ran it on three cars before a weekend of viewings. One had an open fuel-pump recall the seller hadn't mentioned. Ten dollars to know that in advance.
The price range section is what sold me. The listing was $3,000 above the top of the range for that trim, and the dealer came down once I showed him.
Questions buyers ask
What does a VIN check show?
The VIN itself encodes the manufacturer, model, engine, model year, plant and serial. A CarHenry report adds the recalls, owner complaints and crash-test ratings published for the vehicle, plus the current market price range. It does not include title brands, accidents or odometer history.
Is this the same as CARFAX?
No. CARFAX and AutoCheck hold accident, title and service records collected under contract. CarHenry is a single-purchase report at a fraction of the price that identifies the car precisely and shows the official safety records and a fair price. See the comparison above.
Does it work on every car?
Cars and light trucks sold in the US or Canada from model year 1981, when the 17-character VIN became standard. Imported vehicles decode partially, and the free step tells you so before you pay.
Where is the VIN?
At the base of the windshield on the driver's side, on the driver's door-jamb sticker, and on the title, registration and insurance card. Photos and tips.
How long does it take?
About 40 seconds after payment. The report opens in your browser and a PDF copy is e-mailed to you. The link stays valid for 12 months.
Who runs CarHenry?
CarHenry is an independent service. We are not affiliated with any manufacturer, dealer group, CARFAX, AutoCheck, NHTSA or any state DMV. Questions go to help@carhenry.com, and a person answers.
Guides for used-car buyers
Where to find the VIN
The four places it's printed, and why two of them must match.
Read the guideOpen recalls explained
What a recall means for a buyer and how to get it fixed free.
Read the guideUsed-car inspection checklist
What to look at on the lot after you've read the report.
Read the guideTitle brands, and where to check them
Salvage, rebuilt, flood and lemon brands, and the NMVTIS providers who sell that check.
Read the guideGot the VIN? Check it now.
Free decode first. Full report $9.90, paid once.
No account, no subscription. Report return guarantee.