How the CarDealLens score works
Every listing gets a score from 0 to 100. It is a quick read on value and risk, not a promise about the car. Each card on the home page shows exactly which of these rules moved its score, under "Why this score".
The points
| Rule | Points |
|---|---|
| Starting score | 50 |
| Price at or under $1,500 / $2,000 / $2,500; over $2,500 | +15 / +10 / +3; −5 |
| Model year 2010 or newer / 2005–2009 / before 2000 | +15 / +8 / −10 |
| Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Acura, Scion (strong reliability records) | +12 |
| Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Subaru, Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Mercury, Pontiac | +3 |
| Makes with costly repairs when old (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Volvo and others) | −5 |
| Under 120,000 miles / under 160,000 / over 200,000 | +12 / +6 / −8 |
| Seller states a clean title | +8 |
| Salvage, rebuilt or branded title mentioned | −15 |
| Listing mentions a mechanical problem (in English or Spanish, for example "needs work", "won't start", "no arranca") | −20 |
| Price too low for a car that new | −10 |
| Odometer not believable for the car's age (we treat mileage as unknown) | −10 |
Labels
- Top pick: 80 or more, no warnings, and at or under $2,000 (above $2,000 it needs 85).
- Good deal: 65 to 79 with no warnings.
- Worth a look: 50 to 64, or a higher score with a warning to check first.
- Risky: under 50, or any listing that looks like a scam, has a placeholder price like $1 or $1,234, or is a parts-only ad. Hidden unless you tick "Also show risky listings".
Scam rule
A car from 2008 or newer priced under $1,500 that claims under 10,000 miles, or a too-cheap price stacked on an impossible odometer, is scored no higher than 25. Never pay a deposit for a car you have not seen in person.
Fair-price check
Each card compares the price with the middle price of similar cars we have tracked (same make, model year within three years). If we have fewer than three similar cars, we say so instead of guessing.
Recalls
"Check recalls" asks the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the recall campaigns on that year, make and model. Ask the seller whether they were done; a dealer of that brand can check by VIN for free.
Questions
What does the CarDealLens score mean?
Every listing starts at 50 points. Price at or under $1,500 adds 15, newer model years add up to 15, makes with strong reliability records add 12, under 120,000 miles adds 12, a stated clean title adds 8. A mentioned mechanical problem takes 20 off, a salvage or rebuilt title 15, a price too low for the car's age 10. Listings that look like scams are capped at 25.
Where do the listings come from?
Right now from public Facebook Marketplace vehicle listings in the Seattle-Tacoma area, read every 15 minutes from 6 am to 10 pm Pacific. Craigslist and OfferUp are next. We show the facts (year, make, model, price, miles, city, title status) and link to the original listing; we never copy photos or seller names.
Is CarDealLens free?
Yes. Browsing, filtering and posting a car are free. A paid instant-alert tier ($6.99 a month) is in development and is not on sale yet.
How do you spot scams?
A car from 2008 or later priced under $1,500 that claims under 10,000 miles, or a too-cheap price on a car with an impossible odometer, is the classic deposit-scam shape. Those listings are scored no higher than 25 and hidden unless you choose to see risky listings.
Can I post my car?
Yes, free. Fill in the form on the home page. We review every post before it appears, and email you when it is live.