Side by side
| CARFAX Car Care | Road Trip MPG | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (service partner and vehicle report subsidized) | $6.99 one-time purchase (no subscription) |
| Free tier | Yes — service tracking, recall alerts, safety notices | Road Trip Lite available (limited to 2 fill-ups) |
| Platforms | iPhone, Android, Web | iPhone, iPad |
| Where your data lives | CARFAX servers; tied to VIN and vehicle history database | Local on device with iCloud backup / Dropbox sync |
| Account required | Yes — account and vehicle VIN required | No — works completely offline |
| Export formats | None — records locked inside CARFAX ecosystem | CSV export via email or file share |
| Fuel economy method | Basic manual log; primary focus is maintenance intervals | Full-tank calculation with partial fill-up tracking |
| Reminders | Service intervals based on estimated mileage and shop reports | Odometer- and calendar-based service reminders |
| Ads and trackers | Promoted repair shops and CARFAX vehicle report upsells | None |
| Last updated | Actively maintained | Actively maintained |
How to read this table
Two rows decide most of it. Where your data lives determines what happens to a decade of records if the app is discontinued or the company is acquired. Export formats determines whether you can act on that. Everything else is preference.
If you are weighing this up more generally, the six checks before trusting an app with your history covers the questions that apply to any app in this category, not just these two.
Sources
- CARFAX Car Care: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/carfax-car-care/id552472249 — checked 2026-09-29
- CARFAX Car Care: https://www.carfax.com/Service — checked 2026-09-29
- CARFAX Car Care: https://www.carfax.com/company/privacy-statement — checked 2026-09-29
- Road Trip MPG: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/road-trip-mpg/id298398203 — checked 2026-09-29
- Road Trip MPG: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/road-trip-lite-mpg/id298398203 — checked 2026-09-29
Carvico for iPhone
Never lose another repair receipt or fuel log
Keep your complete service history, real full-tank MPG, and diagnostic records organized on your iPhone. Carvico alerts you before service is overdue and gives you verified PDF records when you sell — 100% private on your own iCloud with zero ads.
Private iCloud Sync
Instant Receipt OCR
Zero Ads or Trackers
Exportable PDF Records
