The carVertical Score is a data-driven rating that reflects the condition and reliability of the vehicle you’re checking. It is calculated from all available historical records and report insights for a particular car, summarizing its history into a single, easy-to-understand number.

If available, the carVertical Score appears at the top of the carVertical report next to the vehicle information.

Disclaimer: This assessment is a subjective evaluation of the vehicle's history derived from the available data. It is provided for informational purposes only and may not fully reflect the vehicle’s actual condition.

Understanding the score range

The carVertical Score spans from 0 to 100, where 100 represents a brand-new vehicle with no history – as if it has just rolled off the assembly line. Once you generate a report, we calculate and display the car’s score, which will fall within one of these ranges:

• 0–60: A score between 0 and 60 indicates that a vehicle has a history of serious issues, so you should be extra cautious before buying it.
• 61–75: If the car’s score falls between 61 and 75, it indicates a history of some notable records, but the vehicle remains in fair condition and can still offer reasonable value.
• 76-85: An above-average score indicates that the car has minor concerns, is in good condition, and is worth considering.
• 86–100: If the car scores between 86 and 100, it means the history is clean, with no or only insignificant matters, and it could be a strong candidate for your next ride.

By checking which range it falls into, you can immediately understand how a used vehicle compares to a brand-new one and assess potential risks before making a decision.

How the carVertical Score is calculated

To calculate the carVertical Score, we analyze all records we collect from our partners’ databases when you request a vehicle history report. We then group them into three categories:

• Operation (mileage, age, commercial use, ownership changes, etc.)
• Defects (damage, tech inspections, recalls, etc.)
• Dispossession (theft, financial & legal restrictions, etc.)

These categories carry different weights, which are used to calculate the final score.

Within these categories, each event (e.g., mileage rollback, ownership change, etc.) has a different predetermined importance weight based on its estimated impact on the vehicle’s reliability or value, so all of them contribute to the carVertical Score differently.

For example:

• High-severity traffic accidents have a bigger impact on the final score than ownership changes, due to their long-term implications.
• Mileage discrepancies, such as odometer rollbacks, affect the carVertical Score more than the fact that the car was previously used for commercial purposes (for example, as a taxi or rental). This is because they make the car’s true condition uncertain and may point to accelerated wear of key components.
• Past thefts (when the vehicle was recovered) weigh more heavily on the score than failed technical inspections, as they pose higher risks to the car’s condition, legal status, and resale value.

Therefore, we take each event one by one, evaluate whether the findings are neutral, positive, or negative, and assign points accordingly. Negative findings reduce the score, while neutral or positive records help preserve it.

Once done, we calculate the total for each category by summing the points of its events.

Finally, we multiply each category’s total by its importance weight and add the results together to show the final carVertical Score.

The purpose behind the carVertical Score

Buying or selling a car involves evaluating a lot of information, which can quickly become overwhelming – and it’s not always clear what matters if you don’t have the expertise. carVertical Score was built to simplify this process, so you can quickly grasp a vehicle’s reliability without digging through every detail.

It lets you compare vehicles at a glance, spot potential issues, and make more informed decisions with less effort.

Important considerations

While carVertical Score provides a quick, data-driven snapshot of a car’s condition, it should be used as a guide, not a guarantee. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• The score provides insight, but shouldn’t be the sole basis for buying. The carVertical Score is derived from available data, but reviewing the full history report remains essential for a better understanding of potential issues.
• You should never skip a professional inspection. Even a high score doesn’t replace an in-person check by a qualified mechanic. The score is based only on available records – unreported incidents may not be reflected.
• Scores can change over time. The carVertical Score is recalculated whenever new data is added to the report (e.g., a car was recently involved in an accident), so it’s possible for a vehicle’s score to increase or decrease as its history updates. The score section will display a version number, allowing you to quickly see if there have been any changes to the carVertical Score.

carVertical Score is meant to help you make more informed decisions quickly, but it’s most effective when combined with careful review of the report and, when needed, professional advice.

What does it mean if a score isn’t shown?

If the score is not shown in the report (“Not scored”), it means that the vehicle has a critical status that prevents evaluation, such as being reported stolen or scrapped.

If there isn’t enough verified data to calculate the score, the score section will not be displayed at all.