The short version: ClearVin is built around official title records and auction evidence, while AutoCheck is built around scoring and fast comparison.
ClearVin is an approved NMVTIS data provider. NMVTIS is the federal title database run under the U.S. Department of Justice. It collects title records from state DMVs, plus junk, salvage and insurance total-loss reports. ClearVin adds sale history from salvage auctions and dealer marketplaces, often with dozens of real photos per listing.
AutoCheck belongs to Experian, the credit bureau. Its reports are widely used by dealers and auctions. The headline feature is the AutoCheck Score, a single number that compares a car with similar vehicles of the same age and class.
Quick answer: For one to three cars, ClearVin is the cheaper choice. A ClearVin report costs $17.99, against $29.99 for a single AutoCheck report. ClearVin also adds NMVTIS title data and auction sale history with real photos. AutoCheck’s 5-report pack ($59.99 for 21 days) works out cheaper if you plan to check four or more cars within three weeks. Its patented AutoCheck Score also helps you compare similar cars quickly.
ClearVin vs AutoCheck: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | ClearVin | AutoCheck |
|---|---|---|
| Single report price | $17.99 | $29.99 |
| Multi-report option | Pay per report, no subscription | 5 reports for $59.99 (valid 21 days) |
| Access to your report | Stays in your account, no expiry | Data updates for 21 days |
| NMVTIS report for consumers | Yes, approved NMVTIS provider | No (Experian is listed for commercial customers only) |
| Auction sale history | Sale price, location, mileage and real photos | Auction records, no photo galleries advertised |
| Summary rating | Vehicle rating (e.g. “Average”) | Patented AutoCheck Score |
| Search options | VIN, U.S. license plate, Copart/IAA lot number | VIN or U.S. license plate |
| Coverage | U.S. and Canada | U.S. |
| Before you pay | Free report preview | No preview |
| Guarantee | 100% money-back guarantee | Free Buyback Protection for registered, qualified vehicles |
| Maintenance records | Not included | Not a core feature |
Prices checked on clearvin.com and autocheck.com on October 19, 2026.
What does each report cost in real life?
ClearVin is cheaper for up to three cars. From four cars onwards, AutoCheck’s 5-pack wins on price, as long as you finish shopping within 21 days.
Most private buyers check two or three cars before they buy. Here is what that costs with each service.
| Cars you check | ClearVin | AutoCheck | Cheaper option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $17.99 | $29.99 | ClearVin (save $12.00) |
| 2 | $35.98 | $59.98 (2 singles) or $59.99 (5-pack) | ClearVin (save $24.00) |
| 3 | $53.97 | $59.99 (5-pack) | ClearVin (save $6.02) |
| 4 | $71.96 | $59.99 (5-pack) | AutoCheck (save $11.97) |
| 5 | $89.95 | $59.99 (5-pack) | AutoCheck (save $29.96) |
There is one catch with the AutoCheck pack. The five reports must be used within 21 days. If your search drags on, unused reports are lost. ClearVin reports never expire, so you can come back to a saved report weeks later.
What can a ClearVin report show that a score cannot?
A score tells you a car is risky. Photos and title records show you why.
Take the 2021 Toyota Corolla in ClearVin’s free sample report. In August 2025, it appeared at a Georgia dealer for $19,499 with just 8,632 miles. On the surface, that looks like a great deal.
The report tells a different story. In October 2021, the car was flooded in New Jersey. The insurer declared it a total loss, and it sold at a Copart salvage auction for $11,700. Copart’s listing photos show the damage. NMVTIS records then show three title brands: Flood Damage and Salvage in New Jersey, then Rebuilt in Georgia.
A low score would warn you that something is off. The auction photos and brand history let you judge how serious it is, and what to ask the seller.
Which report should you choose?
Choose ClearVin if you are checking a few cars, buying at auction, or worried about title problems. Choose AutoCheck if you are shortlisting many cars quickly.
ClearVin is usually the better fit when:
- You are buying from Copart or IAA, where you can search by lot number and see earlier sale photos.
- You suspect a salvage, rebuilt or flood history and want official NMVTIS brand records.
- You are buying privately and want to see what the car looked like before repairs.
- The car has spent time in Canada.
AutoCheck makes more sense when:
- You plan to check four or more cars within three weeks.
- You want a quick numeric score to rank similar cars.
- You want Experian’s Buyback Protection on a qualifying car.
One honest note: neither report replaces a pre-purchase inspection. If service history matters most to you, ask the seller for receipts. ClearVin does not include maintenance records.
How to compare both reports on the same car
If the car is expensive, running both reports costs under $50 and gives you two independent data sets. Here is how to do it well.
- Get the full 17-digit VIN. Check that the dashboard and door-jamb VINs match the paperwork.
- Start with the free ClearVin preview. It shows which record types exist before you pay.
- Read the title brands first. Salvage, Flood, Rebuilt or Lemon brands change the car’s value straight away.
- Compare odometer readings across both reports. A lower reading after a higher one is a rollback warning.
- Open the auction photos. Look for airbag deployment, waterlines or frame damage.
- Ask the seller about every gap. A reasonable seller will explain missing years or ownership changes.
Frequently asked questions
Both pull from large, trusted data sets, but the sources differ. ClearVin is an approved NMVTIS provider, so its title and brand data come from the official federal system that state DMVs report to. AutoCheck draws on Experian’s data network and auction partners. For title brands, NMVTIS is the official reference.
AutoCheck prices its single report at $29.99 and bundles extras such as the AutoCheck Score and Buyback Protection. ClearVin charges a flat $17.99 per report. Its focus is NMVTIS title data, auction sale history and real photos.
Not for consumers. The official NMVTIS website lists Experian, AutoCheck’s parent company, as a provider for commercial customers only. It states that consumers cannot receive NMVTIS reports from Experian. If you want an NMVTIS report as a private buyer, choose an approved consumer provider such as ClearVin.
Yes. ClearVin lets you search by U.S. license plate or by Copart or IAA auction lot number. AutoCheck also supports U.S. license plate searches.
ClearVin reports stay in your account, and you can reopen them from your report history at any time. AutoCheck reports include data updates for 21 days from purchase.
No. AutoCheck’s Buyback Protection may help if you buy a registered, qualifying car and later find certain undisclosed title brands. ClearVin’s money-back guarantee covers the report purchase itself.
