Tag: Auto-AutoCheck

Vehicles with recalls are on the road. In fact, as of July 2023, there were over 15M vehicles on the road in the United States that have a recall that was reported for that vehicle between January and June 2023². Awareness of Open Recalls and the availability of remedies is important for our Automotive clients. As a result, we have added the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) number and remedy availability flag to three of our Vehicle History Data Solutions: AutoCheck Vehicle History Report Dealers and consumers will be aware of open recalls and if there is a remedy available for the recall. This can alleviate consumer concern over an open recall if there is no remedy available facilitating consumer confidence in a vehicle purchase. AutoCheck Triggers Clients will be aware of any open recalls and the remedy viability in their vehicle portfolio. Many clients use AutoCheck Triggers to make business decisions regarding their vehicle portfolio. Auto AccuSelect Adding the NHTSA recall number and remedy availability flag to Auto AccuSelect allows clients to be aware and take action regarding the vehicles they are evaluating. It is critical to know open recall information, as well as the overall history of a vehicle before buying or selling a used car. Experian Automotive’s vehicle history data solutions, such as a the AutoCheck vehicle history report, can help you buy and sell vehicles with confidence. AutoCheck has 98.96% of manufacturer coverage for recall data based on vehicles in operation. If you’d like to learn more about a recent analysis Experian Automotive conducted about the number of recalls reported for the first half of 2023, where those events were reported and where those vehicles are currently in operation, click to view our Recall Insights Infographic.

As more consumers turn to the internet to research and purchase preowned vehicles, dealers have focused marketing efforts to the online marketplace to get their vehicles in front of shoppers. According to Think with Google, 95% of vehicle buyers use digital as a source of information and it takes 65% of buyers just three weeks to research vehicles online prior to purchase. With seventy-eight percent of consumers visiting two or more sites during their shopping “journey”1 how do dealers capture their attention, increase lead and sales conversions? Dealers need to share key data in a vehicle history report such as information related to reported accidents, odometer readings, open recalls, and whether the vehicle qualifies for buyback protection. These details help consumers better understand and make informed decisions when shopping. Case Study: How leveraging the AutoCheck VHR subscription increased lead and sales conversions Our integration partner, CarZing, an online auto shopping portal, offered a Free AutoCheck® Vehicle History Report on their Vehicle Detail Page (VDP) which increased lead and sales conversions. Together, we analyzed six months of lead activity on millions of vehicle listings on CarZing focusing on the 200 most popular vehicles by year/make/model. Key findings indicated that vehicle listings offering a Free AutoCheck VHR on the VDPs achieved a higher lead conversion rate than listings for the same year/make/model for vehicles without a Free AutoCheck report. Here’s a few highlights from the full report: Furthermore, when layering in available sales data, sales conversion is higher for vehicles featuring a free VHR available to consumers than vehicle listings that did not. Based on the results, CarZing’s Director of Operations, Frank Merle strongly encourages all AutoCheck clients take advantage of the exponential value that offering a free AutoCheck report brings to dealership VDPs. Dealers with an AutoCheck subscription can list their vehicles for free on AutoCheck.com and CarZing.com. Simply contact your Experian account executive or call 1 888 409 2204. For dealers that are not yet subscribers, here’s a few more things you may not know about Experian AutoCheck Vehicle History Reports. We do not re-market to shoppers, resell VDP leads or offer your competitors’ inventory for consideration on AutoCheck.com. Our goal is to help your dealership sell your inventory. For dealers who are interested in learning more about the benefits of becoming an AutoCheck subscriber contact us today. 1https://www.coxautoinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Cox-Automotive-Car-Buyer-Journey-Study-Pandemic-Edition-Summary.pdf

The AutoCheck FREE Flood Risk Check site has been updated with Hurricane Ida information New cars have been in short supply due to the worldwide microchip shortage, so consumers quickly turned their attention to used cars. Unfortunately, dealers continue to struggle with obtaining enough used car inventory to meet demand. To add to an already challenging year, Hurricane Ida hit the gulf coast in August resulting in an estimated 250,000 cars sustaining flood damage. It’s more important than ever that dealers be careful about obtaining pre-owned cars that could potentially have flood damage. The best way to mitigate the risk of purchasing a flood damaged vehicle is to start by running an AutoCheck Free Flood Risk Check. Visitors simply enter any vehicle's 17-digit VIN and the tool will check for flood brands and provide information if the vehicle was registered in a region impacted by a FEMA disaster declaration. Two levels of reporting available The first level of reporting determines whether the vehicle has been titled/registered 12 months prior in a county that has been identified as requiring public and individual assistance (FEMA categories A and B) for a FEMA-declared major disaster. This would yield a “Yes” result. For instance, you would get a “Yes” result if the vehicle was registered in an impacted area during the time of a FEMA-declared major disaster like Hurricane Ida. The “Yes” result should not be interpreted as confirmation of flood damage or even possible flood damage. The data is provided merely as information regarding the location of the vehicle’s registration/title history so users can be aware of risk exposure. For example, the Hurricane Ida region had thousands of damaged cars, but some cars in the region may not have been damaged by the hurricane — the owner could have driven the car when they evacuated, or a child or other family member may have been out of town with the car when the hurricane hit. The second level of reporting is based on search results from Experian data such as flood title and problem records, including flood State title brands, auction flood announcements, salvage auction flood designations, and other vehicle records determined by Experian to relate to or suggest an increased likelihood of flood damage or risk exposure. It takes time for claims and updates to vehicle title information to appear on a vehicle’s history and although the DMV requires that title brands be issued for vehicles damaged by floods, not every vehicle flood event is reported by car owners. Unreported flood events may not appear on an AutoCheck Flood Risk Check or AutoCheck Vehicle History Report. Although Experian provides flood related records from available data sources, we cannot provide assurance that an AutoCheck Flood Risk Check that does not produce any records means that the subject vehicle has not experienced flood damage. That’s why it’s important to review a full AutoCheck Vehicle History Report, which—in addition to potential flood damage—includes reported accidents, branded titles, recalls, number of owners and more. Once you run the full Vehicle History Report we recommend an independent evaluation and inspection of the vehicle to determine and confirm a vehicle’s condition prior to purchase. Try the AutoCheck Flood Risk Check today to help mitigate the risk of purchasing flood damaged vehicles. Not an AutoCheck subscriber?  Contact us to become an AutoCheck client.

We’re excited to announce that the AutoCheck Member Website has received a facelift! AutoCheck has always been the industrial strength Vehicle History Report that automotive professionals trust to help manage risk and confidently buy and sell the right vehicles. We’ve made this great solution even greater by improving our Member Site user experience. Based on extensive research and user feedback, we’ve added many visual and workflow enhancements which make it easier for users to use the site. One noticeable change to the Member Website is the addition of Experian’s brand and color scheme. You’ll know right away that you’re accessing AutoCheck data backed by Experian, the industry experts for reliable data. The entire site is now mobile responsive—optimizing the experience for tablet and mobile users to provide even more shopping convenience. The new site will allow full functionality from a tablet or mobile device. As always, subscribers can continue to access AutoCheck reports via our mobile app or AutoCheck Fast Link℠ integration within their DMS, CRM, inventory management, online vehicle listings or many other integrated solutions. In addition, the AutoCheck Member Website is now WCAG 2.1 compliant. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) were developed to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. This ‘web content’ usually refers to text, images and sounds on a webpage or web application. It also may include code that defines structure and presentation of the page of application. While a generated AutoCheck was already WCAG2.1 compliant, the entire member site now also meets the accessibility guidelines. AutoCheck Members can expect the same great functionality once they have signed into the site: Run single or multiple reports Print and email AutoCheck reports Print the Buyback Protection Certificate and the AutoCheck Score Sticker View the Track their 90-day usage Access AutoCheck brand materials including logos, videos and showroom materials Review Best Practices and Frequently Asked Questions Update account information …and much more! Below are a couple of examples which highlight the new user experience.   Already an AutoCheck Member? Contact us or call us at 1.888.409.2204 if you have any questions about navigating the redesigned website. Not an AutoCheck subscriber? Contact us to become an AutoCheck client and take advantage of all the benefits.

Your local auto market changes every day. Today’s challenge is securing the inventory needed to keep new and repeat customers coming in the door. Tomorrow it might be finding the right customers for the inventory you have secured. Either way, understanding the competitive activity in your market is key to developing ongoing strategies for success. Important competitive insights include the ability to: • Gauge your performance against the competition by identifying each unit registered in your market • Discover what vehicles are popular among your consumers by make and model • Identify the key characteristics of customers in your area. In yet another benefit, Experian provides our AutoCheck Elite dealer clients with complimentary access to in-depth market reporting, including these comprehensive reports: The AutoCount Market Ranking Report Learn whether you’re getting your share of vehicle sales in your local market’s top zip codes. This report: • Lists all sales activity within a 15-mile radius of your dealership • Provides unbiased monthly information from state DMVs on new and used vehicle sales • Includes access to our web-based portal to provide instant access to a variety of customizable reports • Identifies vehicle registration by ZIP code to pinpoint marketing opportunities The AutoCount Vehicle Model Ranking Report Stock the right inventory by learning what vehicles are popular among your consumers (see example below). This report: • Provides an expanded view of the dealership’s market, which leads to more informed decisions that maximize untapped profit potential • Track the top 25 new and used vehicles within a 15-mile radius of your dealership as well as the top gainers and losers in the market • Offers an easy-to-read graphical summary of critical market information, including lender ranking • Gives an unbiased scorecard of dealership performance in the local market to determine market share and competitive insight Having access to monthly DMV reports and analysis can help deliver a competitive edge to your dealership. To become an AutoCheck member today, contact us or call 1.888.409.2204.

Have you ever wanted to ask a customer to sign an AutoCheck vehicle history report to indicate they have received and reviewed the report and they are aware of the status of the vehicle they are purchasing? 

The AutoCheck® Elite program enables auto dealerships to better understand the vehicles in their market. And, right now, making strategic decisions about stocking the right inventory and marketing to the right consumers has never been more important.

AutoCheck® is a powerful vehicle history report that helps take the unknown out of the used car buying process, so you can confidently understand, compare, and select a vehicle that is right for you. Only AutoCheck vehicle history reports include the patented AutoCheck Score, which summarizes vehicle history data into an easy to understand ‘Score” along with an equivalent score range. The patented AutoCheck Score predicts the likelihood a car will be on the road in 5 years. It compares vehicles of similar age and class based on a scale of 1-100. The AutoCheck Score is based on a proprietary model to help you understand a vehicles predicted reliability as it pertains to age, number of owners, accidents and other vehicle history factors. Watch this video to learn more about the AutoCheck vehicle history report and how it can help you identify hidden damage and accident events to avoid costly mistakes. Contact us to learn more about becoming an AutoCheck subscriber.

As the used vehicle market continues to thrive, a vehicle history report is more vital than ever. There can be hidden risk associated with used cars. It’s important for dealers to ensure the safety of their inventory for car shoppers. This is why dealers need to consistently use vehicle history reports when acquiring vehicles from the auction. AutoCheck vehicle history reports include data from 95% of all U.S. Auction Houses, with most providing exclusive structural damage announcement information. We want to help dealers feel more confident in the used vehicles they bring into their inventory. Contact us to learn more about becoming an AutoCheck subscriber.

AutoCheck Buyback Protection is a policy that will compensate a consumer by buying back their vehicle under certain circumstances...

Do you know what the patented AutoCheck Score represents?  The AutoCheck Score predicts the likelihood an individual vehicle will be on the road in five years.

When we think about vehicle history, we tend to imagine two audiences: dealers and consumers. After all, identifying any potential hidden defects could have a significant impact on a used car buying decision; vehicle history reports are an invaluable part of the process. But it’s not just dealers and consumers who can benefit. It takes three things to sell a vehicle: the car (dealers), the consumer and credit; we’ve covered the first two, so let’s focus on the third. Lenders take a plethora of information into consideration when making automotive lending decisions, including a borrower’s credit score, payment history and utilization rate. But these data points only reflect the risk associated with the borrower; there’s also inherent risk with the vehicle itself. I recently participated in a virtual workshop, The Risky Side of the Road, during Used Car Week 2020, where we discussed the value of leveraging vehicle history information to minimize risk with lending decisions. Extending a loan to a borrower hoping to purchase a used vehicle with unidentified defects exposes the lender to unnecessary risk; hidden damage and maintenance costs could impact a borrower’s ability to repay the loan. To minimize portfolio risk, we recommend lenders leverage vehicle history reports, such as AutoCheck, before making a lending decision. Hidden Damage Significantly Impacts Vehicle Value Let’s consider the universe of used vehicles that could potentially be sold and financed. According to Experian’s Q2 2020 Market Trends Review, there are more than 280 million vehicles on the road. And our research indicates that four out of 10 of the cars and light duty trucks on the road have been in at least one accident, and around 20% of vehicles have been in multiple accidents. What does this mean for a vehicle’s value? Even if a vehicle has been completely restored and repaired, the value of the vehicle diminishes. According to a recent Mitchell Industry Trends Physical Damage Report, in Q2 2019, the average diminished value for a vehicle involved in an accident was $3,151; and this doesn’t include the fiscal impact of other hidden defects, such as flood damage. And the loss in value trickles down to the consumer and lender. For instance, if a lender unknowingly extends a $10,000 loan to a consumer who purchases a used vehicle that was involved in an accident, the actual value of the vehicle may be around $7,000. If the consumer decides to sell the vehicle before paying off the loan, it is very likely they will be up-side down. If the consumer falls behind on payments and the vehicle is repossessed, it will be difficult for the lender to recoup any losses at auction. But that’s where vehicle history reports come into play. Tools, such as AutoCheck vehicle history reports, inform lenders about reported accidents and recall information, among other insights. In addition, the AutoCheck Score, enables users to compare a vehicle with vehicles of similar class and age and assess the likelihood it will be on the road in five years. The AutoCheck Score can also help gauge the value and drivability of a repossessed vehicle.  For example, according to Experian’s similarly titled white paper, The Risky Side of the Road, we found that the percentage of repossessed vehicles that were drivable was higher for vehicles assured by AutoCheck vehicle history reports (86.16%) versus those that were not assured (80.75%). Additionally, we found that repossessed vehicles that were drivable tend to have higher AutoCheck Score range. And unsurprisingly, vehicles that are drivable tend to perform better at auction, meaning a better return on investment for the lender. During these uncertain times, it is important for lenders to more precisely gauge the level of risk they take on. The more information lenders have about the used vehicles they are financing, the better positioned they will be to offer loan terms that minimize portfolio risk, while better meeting consumer needs. To view Experian’s white paper, The Risky Side of the Road, click here.

Including vehicle history reports in online vehicle listings create a more complete picture of the vehicle a consumer is looking at online.

Today, we’re excited to announce that AutoCheck® has received a facelift! AutoCheck has always been the industrial strength Vehicle History Report that automotive professionals trust to help manage risk and confidently buy and sell the right vehicles. We’ve made this great tool even greater by adding more data and accident insights than ever before and improving the user experience by making it easier to read across all mobile devices. Among the data and insights updated within AutoCheck: Updated display of how buyback protection details are presented Vehicle ownership history presentation Vehicle use history details Updated accident and damage check sections Updated display of how title brand information is displayed Updated odometer check Open safety recall information, inspection, service and repair history checks Based on extensive research, we’ve added many visual changes which make it easier for dealers and cars shoppers to understand and use the full report. One noticeable change is the addition of the Experian logo and color scheme. Experian continues to invest significantly in building a widely recognized and trusted brand. Reinforcing that AutoCheck is backed by Experian’s rich data and industry expertise will resonate with consumers as they look for a trusted source to confidently move along their vehicle shopping journey. The AutoCheck Score® has a new visualization, designed after an automotive-themed gauge to illustrate if the vehicle’s AutoCheck Score is below, within or above the score range for similar vehicles. Making the score easier to use and understand will help consumers better compare their vehicle to other similar vehicles currently in the market. We’ve also made the report easier to use and access for both consumers and dealers. AutoCheck is now optimized for tablet and mobile users, providing even more shopping convenience for users. As always, dealers can access the new report via AutoCheck Fast Link℠ for their online vehicle listings and through multiple integrations within their DMS or inventory management solution. The report will still be available directly from AutoCheck.com for consumers and AutoCheck.com/members for dealers. In addition, the report is available through most dealer platforms and all premier consumer automotive portals.   Check out the full report redesign changes, updates and some additional highlights below. Updated AutoCheck® Buyback Protection Information As always, AutoCheck will buy back your vehicle if your AutoCheck report fails to list certain title brands available to Experian at the time the report was issued. Items impacting Buyback protection are now grouped together, so users can clearly see what data impacts Buyback qualification.  Items that do not impact Buyback are captured in other areas of the report. Buyback Protection badging for eligible clients displays on the first page as well as in the specific State Title Brand section if the vehicle is, or is not, Buyback protected. NEW: Owner History AutoCheck now displays information for the current, last and previous vehicle ownership. The report will now highlight the year and state the vehicle was purchased from as well as the ownership date ranges and length of ownership. NEW: Vehicle Usage AutoCheck now clearly highlights the historical usage activity level for the vehicle, whether it was used as Personal, Fleet, Rental, Lease, Taxi, Livery, Police, Government, Drivers Ed and/or Commercial. NEW: Damage Check Section We have added a new Damage Check section to more clearly illustrate the historical activity for the vehicle.  The Damage Check section will highlight damage records from auctions, salvage, or independent sources such as recycling and crash tests. We will continue to offer the Accident Check section, which highlights accident dates and location from government sources and independent agencies. The Damage Check section will highlight damage records from auctions, salvage auctions or independent sources such as recycling and crash tests.   Other Title Brand and Specific Event check: Other title brands that are not included in Buyback protection qualification will be listed here. In addition, event activity such as theft and insurance loss is also included in this section. UPDATED: Odometer Check We have combined information to provide one place for all odometer related history checks.  State title odometer check reflects all odometer related brands from the state such as Exceeds Mechanical Limits (EML), Not Actual Mileage (NAM) and Broken Odometer (BRK). Auction odometer check are the odometer brands either reported to auctions or upon inspection in auction announcements. The odometer calculation check is Experian’s proprietary odometer sequence calculation to determine if there are any potential discrepancies. NEW: ‘Check’ sections: To highlight specific data for easier reference and understanding, we have added an open safety recall check, Inspection history check, and service and repair history check section. What do all these changes mean for dealers and their customers? They have an easier-to-use AutoCheck VHR with more comprehensive information than ever. For dealers, it will help with their buying decisions at auction or on trade-ins. For consumers, it provides even more peace of mind when making a used vehicle purchase decision. Ultimately, it improves the shopping process for everyone involved and can help dealers develop even stronger relationships with their customers.   Want to learn even more about AutoCheck? Visit our site for more details: https://www.experian.com/lp/automotive/autocheck-dealer-lp

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, Experian is here to help. As a first line of defense against purchasing a flood-damaged vehicle, people can download our free Vehicle Flood Risk Check app.