Does Carfax Work on Motorcycles in 2025? Find out

Are you shopping for a used motorcycle? One of the biggest concerns buyers face is trust. Has the motorbike ever been in an accident? Was it stolen in the past? Or does the meter truly show the right mileage? The answers to these questions are what every rider wants before handing over their hard-earned money.

For second-hand or used cars, most people quickly think of Carfax reports as the go-to solution. However, when it comes to motorcycles, the situation becomes a bit more complicated. If you’re asking, “Does Carfax work on motorcycles?” the short answer is yes, but there are limitations. In this article, we’ll discuss what Carfax for motorcycles can (or cannot) do, why buyers need to be cautious, and, most importantly, what better alternatives exist for checking motorcycle history.

Can You Get a Carfax Report for a Motorcycle?

Technically, Yes! Carfax does provide reports for motorcycles, but there are some consequences; it’s not as extensive as it is for cars and trucks. Carfax built its reputation on gathering vehicle history data for automobiles, but its motorcycle coverage is limited.

A Carfax for motorcycles report includes:

● Title history (clean, salvage, rebuilt, etc.)

● Odometer or meter readings

● Accident records, however, it is filed with insurance or repair shops or not.

● Theft history, if reported to authorities

However, here’s the point: motorcycles do not always pass through the exact reporting systems that we use for cars. Most of the small repair shops don’t log data into centralized databases. Moreover, Insurance coverage for bikes is also managed differently, meaning fewer records make their way into Carfax databases. While Carfax for motorcycles can provide some insight, the information is often incomplete.

Why Motorcycle History Reports Matter:

Are you ready to purchase a new motorcycle? Then, definitely wonder: why is checking the history of motorbikes so crucial? You think a quick test ride could reveal mechanical issues, right? But unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

Here’s why history reports are critical when buying a motorcycle:

1.Accident History: Even trifling accidents can affect a bike’s frame or alignment, or affect the body. A report may reveal if the motorcycle has been involved in multiple crashes. And sometimes not because a small repair shop lacks a log database.

2.Stolen Records: It's a fact that Motorcycles are more likely to be stolen than cars. A hidden theft record could mean legal problems if you unknowingly purchase a stolen bike.

3.Title Branding: Salvage or rebuilt titles reduce a bike’s sale value and often mean the motorcycle suffered significant damage in the past. We also discussed major red flags that can be found in a Carfax report.

4.Odometer Trickery: Some sellers roll back the distance measure to make a bike seem newer or less used than it really is.