Frequently Asked Questions

AutoSavvy assigns a 0–100 score to any used car listing. The AI evaluates four factors: asking price vs. comparable market listings, mileage relative to vehicle age, condition signals, and location-based demand. Scores above 70 indicate a good deal; below 40 means you're likely overpaying. Scores are powered by real market data and GPT-4o — not generic estimates.

Scores are based on comparable real-market listings and NHTSA data — not guesses. They're most precise for common makes/models (Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Ford F-150, etc.) where comp data is rich. Exotic or rare vehicles may have fewer comparables, so treat those scores as directional. The market changes daily, so scores reflect conditions at the time of analysis. Think of it as a powerful informational tool — not a guarantee of final sale price.

Four sources feed every analysis:

• NHTSA vPIC — Free official VIN decoder with full vehicle specs
• NHTSA complaints & recalls database — Known issues and open recalls by YMM
• Market comparable listings — Real asking prices for similar vehicles in your area
• AI Vision — AI photo analysis for visible damage (optional, upload up to 10 photos)

Yes — any US-market used car. Enter a VIN, paste a listing URL, or manually enter year / make / model / price / mileage. Works best with common makes and models (Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, etc.) where comparable listing data is abundant. Exotic, rare, or hyper-local vehicles may return fewer market comps, so scores may be less precise for those.

Upload up to 10 listing photos for any scored deal. AutoSavvy's AI (AI Vision) analyzes each image for visible damage — dents, rust, paint inconsistencies, tire wear, and interior condition — then adjusts your deal score accordingly. Significant visible damage can reduce the score by up to 30 points. Free to use — no account required.

The inspector flags visible issues:

• Exterior dents and body panel damage
• Rust spots and paint inconsistencies (possible repaint or body work)
• Tire tread wear and sidewall condition
• Interior wear, staining, and damage

Cannot detect: Mechanical issues under the hood, hidden frame damage, flood damage from photos alone, or anything not visible in the provided images. Always get a pre-purchase inspection for a definitive mechanical assessment.

Up to 10 photos per deal, any file size accepted. Photos are automatically compressed before analysis — no need to resize or convert anything. For best results, use clear exterior shots (front, rear, sides) plus interior and engine bay photos.

Free (no account needed): Deal Score (0–100), basic market position indicator, VIN decode.

Paid — $1.49 one-time per report: Full 6-section Vehicle Intelligence Report: Known Issues, 3-Year Cost of Ownership, Better Alternatives, Recall & Safety, Pre-purchase Inspection Checklist, and Negotiation Playbook. See a sample at /sample-report.

Six sections in every report:

1. Known Issues — NHTSA-sourced complaint history and common failure patterns for this YMM
2. 3-Year Cost of Ownership — Estimated insurance, fuel, maintenance, and depreciation over 3 years
3. Better Alternatives — Up to 3 similar vehicles scoring higher at a comparable price
4. Recall & Safety — Open recalls and safety ratings from NHTSA
5. Pre-purchase Inspection Checklist — Key things to check on this specific vehicle before you buy
6. Negotiation Playbook — Word-for-word scripts tailored to this specific vehicle's weaknesses

Every report is also exportable as a PDF. View a sample report here.

No. AutoSavvy is 100% pay-per-report — there are no subscriptions, no monthly fees, and no recurring charges. You pay $1.49 when you want the full report on a specific vehicle. That's it.

Credit and debit cards via Stripe. Payments are secure and PCI-compliant. We never see or store your card number — Stripe handles all payment processing directly.

$1.49 reports are non-refundable once generated — they're digital goods delivered instantly upon purchase. If you have questions about a charge, contact us at support@autosavvy.app.

No. Free deal scores work without an account — no email, no signup. Create an account to save scored deals to your dashboard, access your history, and purchase reports. Signing up takes under 30 seconds.

We collect your email address if you create an account, and the vehicle information you enter for scoring (year, make, model, price, mileage, VIN). Photos you upload are used for analysis only and are not sold or shared. Payment processing is handled entirely by Stripe — we never see your card details. Anonymous page-view analytics are tracked to improve the product. Full details in our privacy policy.

Yes. Email support@autosavvy.app with a deletion request and we'll remove your account and all associated data within 7 business days.

Yes. Every paid report includes a PDF export button. The exported PDF is a professional 7-section document with the deal summary, score breakdown, vehicle specs, depreciation outlook, cost estimates, and a QR code linking back to the live report.

Yes. Use the share button on any scored deal to copy a shareable link. PDF export is also shareable — send it to a friend, mechanic, or co-buyer before making a decision.

Reports reflect market data at the time of generation. Used car prices fluctuate daily, so reports are most relevant within 1–2 weeks of purchase. If the market shifts significantly or the listing changes, it's worth re-scoring.

Currently US-market vehicles only. Market comparable data is strongest in metropolitan areas where listing volume is high. Rural and lower-density markets may have fewer local comparables, though national pricing data still informs the score. We're expanding coverage over time.

Not yet — AutoSavvy is built for individual buyers. Dealer-facing tools (bulk scoring, inventory analysis) are on the roadmap for 2027. If you're a dealer interested in early access, email support@autosavvy.app.

Yes. The Deal Score factors in title status when detected via VIN. Salvage and rebuilt titles significantly reduce scores — typically 20–35 points — because they affect insurance rates, resale value, and financing eligibility. The full report will flag title issues prominently in the Known Issues and Deal Summary sections.