Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) vs. CARFAX

Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) is a purpose-built vehicle sourcing platform that enables car dealerships to acquire high-margin, fast-turning used vehicles directly from private sellers—bypassing auctions, reducing acquisition costs, and accelerating inventory turn. Today’s automotive market is more competitive than ever. Wholesale prices are climbing, auction fees are rising, and reconditioning delays eat into profitability. VAN solves this by giving dealers the tools and talent they need to target, engage, and acquire for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) vehicles in their local market with speed and efficiency. With VAN, dealers can: Access thousands of local private-party listings in real time Use AI-powered filters to find the most profitable cars Automate personalized outreach and follow-up with sellers Track communications, tasks, and acquisition progress in one unified CRM Eliminate auction fees, transport delays, and wholesale surprises For stores that lack time or staff to do this work in-house, VAN also offers a Managed Buyer program—a turnkey service where VAN’s expert acquisition team works on your behalf to find, contact, and negotiate with private sellers. It’s like hiring a full-time buyer without the overhead. Whether you're a single rooftop looking for more control or a large group scaling a private-party acquisition strategy, VAN adapts to your dealership's workflow and goals. Dealers using VAN regularly see faster turn times, higher front-end grosses, and more predictable inventory pipelines. Trusted by over 250 rooftops across the U.S. and Canada, VAN is how modern dealers compete with Carvana, CarMax, and other direct-to-consumer disruptors—by sourcing smarter, not just spending more.

CARFAX collects information from over 112,000 sources, encompassing every motor vehicle agency in the U.S. and Canada, along with various auto auctions, police and fire departments, repair shops, rental companies, and fleet management operations. Their Vehicle History Reports™ are available for all used cars and light trucks manufactured since 1981. By leveraging the unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN), CARFAX is able to generate a report from a vast database containing more than 26 billion records in a matter of moments. Each report offers essential details that can significantly impact a buyer's choice when considering the purchase of a used vehicle. In addition, the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee greatly reduces the risks involved in acquiring pre-owned cars; if a report fails to disclose a DMV-issued branded title, such as salvage or odometer issues, CARFAX commits to buying back the vehicle at its full purchase price. This assurance is an invaluable resource for consumers seeking confidence when making an investment in a used vehicle, ensuring they can proceed with their purchase without unnecessary worry. Ultimately, CARFAX not only provides access to critical information but also fosters a sense of security in the used car buying process.