CarVertical: What Is It?
CarVertical provides details about a car's past that can affect its value.
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Marketed as an alternative to services like Carfax and AutoCheck, CarVertical uses a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) to provide a history report that details a car's past. It's available in the United States, Europe, and Oceania, and while cheaper than some of its rivals, it's not quite as detailed.
How does CarVertical work?
Generating a CarVertical report requires entering the vehicle's 17-digit VIN, which typically appears at the base of the windshield and on registration documents. So cars built before 1981, when the United States mandated standardized identification numbers, aren't in the company's system. Each VIN is unique and linked to a specific vehicle. CarVertical uses the number to check for details about the car's past in various databases such as state registries, insurance companies, and repair shops. It then compiles the available data in a report that paints a picture of a car's life. It notably warns purchasers of potential issues such as odometer rollbacks and accidents, and provides some registration details.
All of this information can significantly affect a car's value. For example, a one-owner, no-accident Jeep Wrangler first registered in a warm-weather state will likely fetch more than a five-owner, wrecked-and-repaired model that’s lived in a state that salts its roads.
CarVertical vs. Carfax
Both Carfax and CarVertical offer the same basic service, but present information differently. Carfax lists every entry chronologically, regardless of whether it details a service or a crash, while CarVertical splits information by section before compiling a car's history in a timeline.
Carfax provides more detailed information than CarVertical. Notably, Carfax gives service information, including the date, the mileage, the name of the shop that worked on a car, and a list of the work performed. It can also provide a more thorough registration history. However, the information either company provides depends mainly on the specific car and what shops, dealerships, and government agencies have reported about it.
CarVertical vs. AutoCheck
CarVertical competes against AutoCheck, another alternative to Carfax. Both list details about a specific car's past, but AutoCheck tends to provide more information than CarVertical. AutoCheck also gives each vehicle a score based on mileage, service history, accidents, odometer inconsistencies, and other factors. Although relatively generic, CarVertical's VIN decoder (which lists some of the car's main features) and its ability to provide photos of reported damage help it stand out from its rivals.
How much does a report cost?
As of June 2023, CarVertical charges $29.99 for a report, though it offers deals when you buy more than one, and the firm accepts credit cards and PayPal as payment methods. For context, AutoCheck reports cost $24.99, and Carfax charges $44.99 for a report. All three offer bundle discounts for individuals and subscription deals for businesses, such as dealerships.
Is a CarVertical history report reliable?
Like rival companies, CarVertical provides a glimpse of a car's history, but it may leave out key details. For example, not every repair shop reports to CarVertical, meaning anything from a routine oil change to major bodywork might not appear on its report. So while CarVertical can point you in the right direction if you're shopping for a used car, it's also wise to ask the seller for service records and details about the vehicle's past.
