CARFAX launches in Germany. More transparency and safety when buying a used car

Transparency note: This press release was originally published in German. The text has been machine translated. You can find the original press release here.

• Used vehicle history provider launches in Germany in July

• Data helps uncover hidden defects and issues

• Used car purchases become safer and more transparent

• Nearly all vehicles in Germany can now be checked

Munich, July 7, 2026 – Since July 1, German used car buyers can finally ask the question that millions of consumers in the United States have been asking for more than 40 years:“Can I see the CARFAX Report?” In the U.S., and increasingly across Europe, CARFAX has become synonymous with safer car buying—much like a household brand name that defines an entire product category.

Following a pilot phase, CARFAX is now officially launching in Germany with access to a nearly complete national vehicle database. This means that almost every car in Germany can be checked. Leveraging a broad and comprehensive data foundation, CARFAX helps create a more transparent and secure used car market. Through a CARFAX vehicle history check, consumers can identify hidden damage, detect potential odometer fraud, and gain insight into key events throughout a vehicle’s history. This information also helps buyers assess whether the asking price is appropriate.The official launch in Germany marks another important milestone in the international growth strategy of CARFAX’s parent company, Mobility Global, which simultaneously began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on July 1 as a spin-off from S&P Global.

Enhancing Safety on German Roads

“Today more than ever, consumers need access to comprehensive vehicle information. Transparent and independent insights into the history of a used vehicle are essential for exposing fraudulent schemes, supporting informed purchasing decisions, and improving safety on Europe’s roads,” said Frank Brueggink, Managing Director and Founder of CARFAX Europe.

Using a vehicle’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), CARFAX compiles data into an easy-to-read report designed to protect car buyers from hidden defects and fraud. The information is sourced from a wide range of international public and private third-party organizations, including transportation authorities, law enforcement agencies, government ministries, inspection companies, and many other stakeholders in the automotive sector.CARFAX reports are dynamic and continuously updated. New data is added daily to ensure reports remain current and relevant. CARFAX maintains contractual agreements with all data providers and partners and never collects data without authorization. Information is standardized, normalized, and cleansed before being incorporated into a clear and comprehensive vehicle history report.A CARFAX Vehicle History Report can help answer questions such as:

• Has the vehicle been involved in an accident, and were airbags deployed?

• Are there indications of odometer fraud or mileage manipulation?

• Does the vehicle have an import history?

• Have any open recalls or service campaigns been reported?

For imported vehicles, reports may also include information about total losses, flood damage, theft records, and other important historical events.CARFAX services are designed for private consumers, business customers, and automotive dealers alike. Data-driven insights into vehicle history benefit all parties involved in the used car market. Sellers, just like buyers, have a strong interest in understanding as much as possible about the vehicles they are offering. Greater transparency and the trust it creates can soon make the uncertainty traditionally associated with buying a used car a thing of the past.