Bumper vs YASSI (2025): Which Vehicle History Report Should You Choose?

Bumper and YASSI are two popular app-based alternatives to traditional vehicle history reports, each with distinct pricing models. Bumper offers a monthly subscription for unlimited reports, ideal for frequent buyers, while YASSI provides a simple pay-per-report service. This guide compares their features, accuracy, and costs to help you choose the best VIN check for your needs.

Navigating the used car market can feel like a high-stakes game. You've found a car that looks perfect online, the price is right, but a nagging question remains: what's the real story? A shiny exterior can hide a history of accidents, title problems, or odometer fraud. This is where a vehicle history report (VHR) becomes your most crucial tool.

For years, CARFAX and AutoCheck dominated the scene. But now, newer, more agile players like Bumper and YASSI are shaking things up, often with app-first experiences and different pricing structures. So, when it comes to Bumper vs. YASSI, which one should you trust with your hard-earned money? Let's break it down.

What is a Vehicle History Report and Why Do You Absolutely Need One?

A vehicle history report, or VIN check, is a detailed summary of a car's past, compiled using its unique 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It's your first line of defense against buying a lemon. A good report will tell you about:

Accident history and damage severity
Title issues (salvage, flood, lemon titles)
Odometer readings and potential rollbacks
Service and maintenance records
Previous owners and vehicle use (e.g., personal, rental, fleet)
Open recalls from manufacturers or the NHTSA

Ignoring a VIN check is a massive gamble. The consequences aren't just financial; they're about safety. A car with a hidden history of severe structural damage could be unsafe to drive, no matter how good it looks.

A recent industry analysis found that 1 in 5 used vehicles on the market has a reported accident in its history, and thousands have branded titles that severely impact their value and safety.

Knowing this information upfront gives you negotiating power and, more importantly, peace of mind. It helps you avoid costly surprises and ensures the vehicle you're considering is safe for you and your family.

Don't Risk Buying a Problem Car
For just $9.99, you'll get a full vehicle history report with AI-powered explanations and trusted data sources. Avoid hidden issues and make a confident purchase. Get your Carvia report today

Meet the Contenders: Bumper vs. YASSI

Bumper and YASSI both aim to provide comprehensive vehicle data, but they go about it in very different ways. Let's look at what makes each one unique.

What is Bumper?

Bumper.com is a comprehensive automotive platform that positions itself as more than just a VIN check service. It operates on a subscription model, where you pay a monthly fee for access to unlimited reports and a suite of other tools. Their mobile app is a central part of their user experience.

Business Model: Monthly subscription for unlimited reports.
Key Features: Vehicle history, market value estimates, estimated ownership costs, theft records, and recall information.
Best For: Car flippers, dealers, or individuals who plan to check many VINs in a short period.

What is YASSI?

YASSI takes a more direct, no-frills approach. It's a straightforward pay-per-report service. You need a report, you buy a report. There's no subscription, no recurring fees, and no extra tools to distract from the core product: the vehicle's history.

Business Model: Pay-per-report.
Key Features: Core vehicle history data, including title history, accident records, and odometer checks.
Best For: The typical car buyer who is seriously considering one or two vehicles and doesn't want to commit to a subscription.

Photo by Shooting Tyre on Unsplash

Head-to-Head Comparison: Bumper vs. YASSI

Now let's put them side-by-side on the factors that matter most to a car buyer.

Pricing and Business Model

This is the biggest difference between the two. Bumper's subscription might seem appealing if you're comparing multiple cars, but you have to remember to cancel it. YASSI's single-report pricing is transparent and simple. Your choice here depends entirely on your buying habits. If you're just buying one car for your family, a subscription service is often overkill.

Data and Report Accuracy

Both Bumper and YASSI pull data from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), which is a critical source of data mandated by the federal government. They also source information from insurance companies, salvage auctions, and state DMVs. In terms of core accuracy for major events like title branding or total loss accidents, they should be comparable. However, no report is infallible. Always pair a VHR with a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) from a trusted mechanic.

Features and User Experience

Bumper packs in more features. Its market valuation tools attempt to give you an idea of what a car is worth, similar to services like Kelley Blue Book (KBB). For some, this is a valuable all-in-one tool. For others, it can be information overload.

YASSI is laser-focused. Its interface is clean and delivers the history report without extra bells and whistles. If you just want the facts about a car's past, YASSI's simplicity is a major plus.

A clean modern dashboard of a vehicle history report on a smartphone screen highlighting key alerts like Accident Reported

Photo by Shooting Tyre on Unsplash

Is There a Better Alternative to Bumper and YASSI?

While Bumper and YASSI both have their place, many modern car buyers are looking for a solution that combines affordability, comprehensive data, and clarity. This is where Carvia stands out.

Carvia offers a powerful alternative that takes the best elements from every service:

Simple, Affordable Pricing: Forget confusing subscriptions or overpriced single reports. Carvia offers a comprehensive VHR for a flat $9.99. It's the transparent pricing of a pay-per-report service with the value you deserve.
AI-Powered Explanations: A list of data points is one thing, but what does it all mean? Carvia uses AI to analyze your report and provide simple, easy-to-understand summaries. It explains complex issues like title brands or damage reports in plain English, so you know exactly what you're looking at.
Trusted, Comprehensive Data: Like the others, we pull from NMVTIS and other official sources, ensuring you get the critical information you need to make a smart decision.

Instead of choosing between a subscription you don't need or a basic report, Carvia gives you an advanced, easy-to-read report for one low price. You can learn more about how to read your vehicle history report on our blog.

The Final Verdict: Who Should Use Which Service?

So, Bumper or YASSI? Or something else entirely?

Choose Bumper if... you're a professional or a serious hobbyist who will be running dozens of VINs a month. The subscription cost makes sense only with high volume.
Choose YASSI if... you want a simple, one-off report and aren't interested in extra features like market valuation. It's a solid choice for the single-car buyer.
Choose Carvia if... you're a smart consumer who wants the best of both worlds. You get the simple, pay-per-report model you want, plus advanced AI-powered insights and comprehensive data, all for just $9.99.

For the vast majority of people buying a used car, the choice is clear. You need one great report, not an expensive subscription. You need clarity, not just data. And you need it at a price that makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bumper or YASSI as accurate as CARFAX?

Bumper, YASSI, and CARFAX all pull from the same core data sources, including the NMVTIS, insurance records, and DMVs. For major events like salvage titles or reported accidents, their accuracy is generally comparable. However, each service may have exclusive access to certain service records or other data, so minor differences can exist. No report is a substitute for a physical inspection.

Can I get a free vehicle history report?

Some dealerships provide free CARFAX or AutoCheck reports. You can also get limited, free information directly from the NMVTIS website or by checking for recalls on the NHTSA site. However, these free options are not as comprehensive as a full, paid report from a service like Carvia, Bumper, or YASSI.

What is the most important thing to look for in a VIN check?

The most critical items are title "brands." Look for any history of a car being labeled as Salvage, Rebuilt, Flood, or Lemon. These brands severely impact a vehicle's value and safety. Also, pay close attention to accident reports with structural damage and any signs of odometer discrepancy.

Do Bumper or YASSI reports show EV battery health?

Currently, standard vehicle history reports from Bumper, YASSI, and even CARFAX do not include detailed electric vehicle (EV) battery health or degradation data. This information typically requires a specialized diagnostic tool. However, reports will show other relevant history for an EV, such as accidents or title issues, which are just as important.