3 Toyota family

How can you run a VIN check without paying $40 through carfax? It seems like that should be public information. I just realized by carefully reading the title of a car I just bought that it had 27,562 miles on it before the first owner bought it. It is a 2012 Toyota Corolla S. The man I bought it from works for Toyota Heavy Equipment, so I suspect that they provided him with the car up until the time he bought it. Any thoughts on that? Also, we are looking to buy another car. Any thoughts on a good vehicle that is great on gas mileage and handles well?