How SmartCarAgent Analyzes Used Car Deals
Our goal is to turn noisy used car listings into a practical buying signal for North American shoppers. We focus on market-relative value, visible risk factors, and questions that help buyers negotiate.
Market Value
We compare a listing against vehicles with similar make, model, year, trim, mileage, body style, and price characteristics. Median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile values are used because asking prices often contain outliers.
Deal Score
The Deal Score combines price position, mileage, comparable listings, depreciation context, ownership cost signals, and risk flags. A high score means the listing appears attractive relative to the available market, not that the vehicle is guaranteed to be problem-free.
Depreciation
Best-year guides compare median prices across model years to identify where depreciation appears to slow. These pages are useful for finding value years, but buyers should still consider reliability, maintenance history, and local availability.
Recall and Risk Signals
Recall checks and risk flags are intended to highlight questions to ask before purchase. They do not replace a vehicle history report, title check, or independent pre-purchase inspection.
Known Limits
Listings can contain inaccurate mileage, trim, options, fees, or vehicle history. Regional supply also changes quickly. Always confirm the VIN, title status, taxes and fees, inspection results, and financing terms before making a purchase.