Understanding the Difference
Important: SafeOrStolen and Carfax serve different purposes:
🔒 SafeOrStolen (FREE)
Verifies if a vehicle is stolen. Checks NICB, police databases, insurance claims. Essential before any purchase.
📋 Carfax ($44.99)
Shows vehicle history: accidents, service records, ownership, odometer. Useful for understanding condition.
Best practice: Use SafeOrStolen (free) to verify the vehicle isn't stolen FIRST, then consider Carfax for full history if the theft check is clean.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SafeOrStolen | Carfax |
|---|---|---|
| Price | FREE | $44.99 |
| Stolen Vehicle Check | Limited | |
| NICB Database | ||
| Accident History | ||
| Service Records | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| License Plate Lookup | ||
| Check Other Items (Phones, etc.) |
When to Use Each Service
Use SafeOrStolen When:
- You want to verify the car isn't stolen (FREE)
- Buying from Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
- Meeting a private seller
- Quick check before seeing the vehicle
- Checking multiple vehicles (free searches)
Consider Carfax When:
- You need full accident history ($44.99)
- You want service/maintenance records
- Checking ownership history
- Verifying odometer accuracy
- You've narrowed down to one car
Why Stolen Check Should Come First
Before spending $44.99 on Carfax, verify the vehicle isn't stolen with SafeOrStolen (free). Here's why:
Save Money
Don't pay $44.99 for a Carfax on a stolen car
Save Time
3-second check before investing more time
Legal Protection
Buying stolen property has serious consequences
Peace of Mind
Know the car is legal before proceeding