Factor 1
Asking price
The listed price is weighed against the vehicle's age, mileage, and condition language to judge whether it sits inside a reasonable range.
Methodology
How the deal score works.
Every scan produces a 0–100 score and a verdict: Great Deal, Decent Deal, Proceed with Caution, or Avoid. The score comes from eight factors read out of the listing itself — checked against 17 red-flag patterns and 12 green-flag patterns. Here is exactly what moves it.
Factor 2
Mileage for age
Around 12,000 miles per year is typical. Far above that lowers the score; unusually low mileage with no explanation raises a question instead of a bonus.
Factor 3
Title and ownership
Clean title with the seller's name on it is the baseline. Salvage, rebuilt, lien, missing, or “title in hand soon” language is one of the heaviest penalties.
Factor 4
Mechanical risk language
Phrases like “needs work,” “runs rough,” “check engine light,” or “as-is” are scored against the asking price — a cheap car that admits problems can still score poorly.
Factor 5
Seller transparency
Listings that volunteer the VIN, service records, accident history, and clear photos score higher than vague ads that ask you to “text for details.”
Factor 6
Missing information
Every key fact the ad leaves out — price, mileage, title status, location — lowers confidence and shows up in your missing-info checklist.
Factor 7
Positive proof points
One owner, maintenance receipts, recent tires or brakes, a clean history report offered up front — 12 green-flag patterns add points back.
Factor 8
Negotiation opportunity
Time on market, price-drop language, and condition admissions feed the suggested offer range and the negotiation tip you get with each scan.
What the score cannot know
The score reads the listing — it cannot see the car. It does not replace a vehicle history report, a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic, or a title check with your DMV. Price ranges are estimates based on listing details and basic market heuristics, not licensed market valuations. A high score means the listing looks honest and fairly priced on paper; it is the start of your homework, not the end of it.
Scan a listing