Carlytics vs Automano: the cheapest European VIN history report, compared
Carlytics is a genuine, well-built pan-European VIN report — $9.90 for a single check, 47+ countries, deep mileage history. Automano does the same core EU job for $6.90, instantly on-page, with a free unlimited VIN decoder. Here is an honest side-by-side.
Comparison reflects services and prices published by each provider in June 2026. Both are built for European-market vehicles, not US title/accident history.
$6.90
Automano report (vs $9.90 Carlytics)
Free
Unlimited VIN decoder (both offer one)
EU
Both focus on European-market cars
Is Carlytics any good?
Yes — Carlytics is a real and legitimate service. It aggregates vehicle data across 47+ countries from 900+ databases, including 35+ European national registries, and sells a single full report for $9.90 (with $19.90 three-packs and $29.90 five-packs, no subscription). Its genuine strengths are wide cross-border coverage and real mileage history from European inspection databases.
Automano covers the same core job — a $6.90 report with factory specs, manufacturer recalls (EU Safety Gate + NHTSA) and a market-value estimate — plus a free unlimited VIN decoder. Be clear on one point: Carlytics also has a free VIN decoder that returns specs and recalls, so the free decode is roughly a tie. Important for US buyers: neither service is a Carfax/AutoCheck replacement — both are built for European-market cars and do not carry detailed US title or accident history. Use Automano or Carlytics when the car is a European model or an EU import; use Carfax/AutoCheck for a US-titled vehicle.
Automano vs Carlytics side-by-side
Carlytics:
$9.90 single / $19.90 3-pack / $29.90 5-pack
Automano:
$6.90 full report
Automano vs Carlytics side-by-side
| Feature | Automano | Carlytics |
|---|---|---|
Single full report price | $6.90 — the cheaper single report | $9.90 ($19.90 3-pack / $29.90 5-pack) |
Free unlimited VIN decoder | Yes — specs + recalls, no signup | Yes — specs + recalls, no signup |
Countries covered | Core EU markets + UK + NHTSA | 47+ countries, 900+ databases (its strength) |
Mileage / odometer history | Market value by mileage as a reference | Deep — real EU inspection records |
Manufacturer recalls | Yes — EU Safety Gate + NHTSA | Yes — EU Safety Gate + NHTSA |
Market value estimate | Yes — included in the report | Yes — from listing data |
Accident / insurance records | No — a deliberate limit | Yes — where reported (EU) |
US title / accident history | No — European focus | No — European focus |
Damage photos | No | No |
Report delivery | Instant on-page, no email required | Online + downloadable PDF |
When to pick Automano — and when Carlytics is the better call
For a European car or EU import, these two are close. The honest split: price and instant delivery (Automano) versus depth of mileage history and country coverage (Carlytics).
Automano is cheaper per report
At $6.90 versus $9.90, Automano is the lower-cost single report. If you mainly need specs, recalls and a market-value check, you keep the difference.
Both have a free decoder — use it first
Automano and Carlytics each offer a free unlimited VIN decoder. Decode the listing for free, confirm specs and open recalls, and only pay for the car you are serious about.
Pick Carlytics for deep coverage
If the EU car has crossed several borders, or you want real odometer history from inspection databases and accident records, Carlytics digs deeper. We will say that plainly.
Neither replaces Carfax for a US car
Both Automano and Carlytics are European-market tools. For a US-titled vehicle you still want Carfax or AutoCheck — these are for European models and EU imports.
Carlytics vs Automano — frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest European VIN history report?
Between these two, Automano is cheaper: a $6.90 full report versus $9.90 for a single Carlytics report. Both are built for European-market cars. Start with either provider’s free VIN decoder to confirm specs and recalls, then buy a paid report only on the car you intend to buy.
Carlytics vs Automano — what is the real difference?
They are close. Carlytics covers more countries (47+) with deeper mileage history from European inspection databases plus accident/insurance records. Automano is cheaper ($6.90), returns the report instantly on-page with no email, and includes factory specs, EU + NHTSA recalls and a market-value estimate. Both have a free unlimited VIN decoder; neither carries US title history or damage photos.
Is Carlytics legit?
Yes. Carlytics is a legitimate European VIN-check service aggregating data from 900+ databases across 47+ countries, sold as a one-off report from $9.90 with no subscription. For very wide coverage or deep mileage history it may be the better pick.
Can I use Carlytics or Automano instead of Carfax?
Only for a European-market car or an EU import. Both Carlytics and Automano are built for European data, not US title and accident records — for a US-titled vehicle, use Carfax or AutoCheck. For a German, French or other EU car, Automano ($6.90) or Carlytics ($9.90) is the right tool.
Is there a free alternative to Carlytics?
Both Carlytics and Automano offer a free unlimited VIN decode — make, model, year, engine, specs and active recalls, no signup. That covers pre-filtering. The full history report (mileage, market value, registration cross-checks) is paid on both: $6.90 at Automano, $9.90 at Carlytics.
Check your next European car for $6.90
Free unlimited VIN decoder, factory specs, EU + NHTSA recalls and a market-value estimate — the cheaper of the two cheap EU reports. Honest about where Carlytics wins.