So, you’re in the market for a used car. You’ve probably heard of Carfax and CarGurus, but aren’t sure which one to use or if you need both.
I’ve done tons of research on used cars, so let me break down the key differences between these two popular sites to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Carfax | CarGurus |
| Purpose | Get vehicle history reports | Search used car listings and dealer reviews |
| Cost | $40 per report | Free |
| Information Provided | Specific to one VIN with full history | Aggregates listings from many sites with pricing and dealer info |
| Ease of Use | Enter a VIN to get report | Robust searching and filtering of listings |
| Data Accuracy | Depends on info reported to them | Relies on sellers providing accurate details |
| Contacting Sellers | No way to contact sellers | Built-in system to contact sellers |
What Is Carfax?
Carfax is best known for their vehicle history reports. For a fee (usually around $40), you can get a detailed report on a specific car based on its VIN number. The report will show things like:
- Accident and damage history
- Number of owners
- Odometer readings and inconsistencies
- Service and maintenance history
- Open recalls
- Registration history
- If it was previously a rental car or fleet vehicle
So, in a nutshell, Carfax gives you the full history of that specific car. It’s extremely helpful when buying used since you can uncover potential red flags. I always recommend running a Carfax report before purchasing a used vehicle.
Also Read: Comparison Between Carvana And CarGurus.
What Is CarGurus?
CarGurus is a free website and app that gives you price comparisons, dealer reviews, and listing information for used cars. Think of it like a search engine for used car listings.
Here are some of the key features CarGurus offers:
- Search millions of used car listings locally and nationwide
- Filter search results by price, mileage, options, etc
- See price ratings on listings to know if it’s a “good deal” or overpriced
- Read reviews on local dealers to see feedback on things like customer service, pricing, facility cleanliness and more
- Compare vehicles and prices side-by-side
- See how long a vehicle has been listed to gauge interest
- Contact sellers directly through the site
So, in summary, Cargurus doesn’t provide vehicle histories, but gives you tons of up-to-date listing information to simplify your used car search.
Carfax Vs. CarGurus: Key Differences
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s compare some of the key differences between Carfax and Cargurus:
Purpose
- Carfax: Get a vehicle’s history report
- Cargurus: Search used car listings and dealer reviews
Cost
- Carfax: $40 per report
- Cargurus: Free to use
Information Provided
- Carfax: Specific to one VIN with full history
- Cargurus: Aggregates listings from many sites with pricing and dealer info
Ease of Use
- Carfax: Enter a VIN to get full report
- Cargurus: Robust searching and filtering of listings
Data Accuracy
- Carfax: Depends on info reported to them
- Cargurus: Relies on dealers/sellers providing accurate details
Contacting Sellers
- Carfax: No way to contact sellers directly
- Cargurus: Built-in system to contact sellers through the site
Also Read: Dfferences Between CarMax And Enterprise Car Sales.
Do You Need Both Carfax And CarGurus?
So do you need both sites or is one enough? Here are my thoughts as an experienced used car shopper:
The vehicle history report from Carfax provides invaluable information I would never buy a used car without. It often reveals major accidents, mileage inconsistencies, or past issues that could come back to bite you down the road. Don’t skip this step – the peace of mind is well worth the $40.
Cargurus on the other hand is extremely useful for getting an overview of the used car market and narrowing down options. I lean on it heavily to see what’s out there in my area, price compare, find deals, and contact sellers once I’m ready to buy. The two sites really complement each other well in the car buying process.
My recommendation is to use both when shopping for a used car.
Here’s a typical workflow:
- Research models, specs, options, and pricing trends on Cargurus
- Narrow down the search to 3-5 specific cars that seem promising
- Run Carfax reports on your shortlist before going to see the vehicles
- Use Cargurus’ dealer reviews to choose a reputable dealer
- Contact the seller through Cargurus once you’ve picked “the one”
- Have your mechanic inspect before purchase
- Avoid any vehicle with red flags in the Carfax report
Following this process will set you up for success in finding a used car you can feel good about!
Carfax Vs. CarGurus Pros And Cons
Let’s recap the key pros and cons of each service:
Carfax Pros
- Provides full vehicle history for one VIN
- Can reveal major red flags like accidents
- Truly a must when buying used
Carfax Cons
- Costs $40 per report
- Not all information is reported to them
- No listings or dealer reviews
Cargurus Pros
- Search millions of up-to-date used listings
- Great sorting and filtering of results
- Dealer reviews help choose reputable seller
- Price ratings show good and bad deals
- Contact system to message sellers
- Completely free service
Cargurus Cons
- No vehicle history reports
- Relies on seller providing accurate details
- Can’t run reports on VINs
Also watch this about Cargurus!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For comprehensive vehicle history reports specifically, Carfax really is the industry leader. No other service matches them in terms of data sources and report detail.
There are some alternatives like AutoCheck, but they use much of the same data sources as Carfax. I firmly believe Carfax reports are worth getting when buying used.
For the most part, yes. Carfax compiles data from tens of thousands of sources including DMVs., police reports, manufacturers, and repair shops. However, they can of course only report what’s been provided to them, so there’s still a chance something could be missed.
Use the Carfax as a key screening tool, but also have a mechanic inspect any car before purchasing.
Carfax alone isn’t enough to make a purchase decision, but provides invaluable information to assist in the process. I wouldn’t buy a used car without a Carfax report to screen for red flags.
But also examine the vehicle thoroughly yourself, test drive, have a mechanic inspect, and consider third-party vehicle validations. Use Carfax as one key piece of the puzzle.
Carfax provides extremely comprehensive and detailed vehicle history reports. Compiling this information from thousands of sources and presenting an easy-to-understand report likely involves high costs. For around $40, you’re getting invaluable insights into a car’s past – well worth the cost in my opinion as both a buyer and seller.
Also Read: Is CarGurus Better Than TrueCar?
The Bottom Line
In summary, both Carfax and CarGurus serve different but equally important purposes in the used car buying process. Carfax provides detailed vehicle history reports to screen cars for red flags. CarGurus aggregates listings from thousands of sites to compare prices and connect with sellers.
I highly recommend using both when shopping for a used car. Run Carfax reports on any shortlisted vehicles to uncover past issues before purchasing. And use CarGurus throughout your search to compare options, find deals, and contact sellers once you’re ready to buy.
Combining these two services sets you up for success in finding a quality used car you can feel confident about. They take a lot of stress and uncertainty out of the shopping process. Now get out there and start searching for your next ride!