What a car has to survive in our buying screen
These are acquisition criteria. Cards show available evidence and spreads at the current asking price; a listing does not replace a final review of the VIN.
- 01
Read the full condition report
A score is a starting point, not an inspection. Review announcements, recorded lights, diagnostic codes, inspection date, and previous run count. Missing evidence needs follow-up.
- 02
Check hard failures first
The buying screen rejects red light/as-is units, non-running vehicles, more than 30 prior runs, inspections at least 30 days old, title or odometer problems, rental history, deployed airbags, major damage, tow, total loss, salvage, flood, fire, and actual frame or structural damage.
- 03
Read the mechanical and condition details
Active leaks; major engine, transmission, drivetrain, or differential issues; emissions failures; inoperative infotainment; warm or inoperative AC; hail; biohazard; and headliner defects are hard-screen concerns. A favorable spread does not erase a condition problem.
- 04
Verify the history and the price
Read the full CARFAX report and match the VIN. For acquisition, use a documented Buy Now, confirmed floor, displayed offer range, or live bid. An unpriced Make Offer button or wholesale estimate is not an executable purchase price.
- 05
Check both numbers at the same cost
The acquisition target is retail spread greater than $3,000 and JD Power Clean Trade-In equity of at least $1,000, with $2,000 or more preferred. Exactly $3,000 does not pass the retail target. Current cards recalculate the differences at our wholesale ask.
- 06
Recheck before committing
Review the latest condition, history, evidence, and economics before purchase. Confirm open items, title, arrival, reconditioning, and sale terms with the team. Do not assume unavailable information is favorable.
How to read a listing
Acquisition cost and today’s wholesale offer are different. We do not expose private purchase costs or invent title status, recon work, or retail-release dates. Missing history does not mean clean history. When our ask is above clean trade, the negative difference stays visible.
Ask about open condition items. The published criteria do not replace your inspection and final review.