The Standard
Most used cars
don't qualify.
140 points, six disqualifiers, one signature. All three, or no listing.
From the inspection log. Every rejection, with the reason →
Six things end the inspection on the spot.
No score. No second look.
- 01
Structural damage
Any unibody or frame repair. Straightened is bent.
- 02
Salvage or rebuilt status
Unless the repair file is full, dated, itemized. Most aren't.
- 03
Flood
Silt in seat tracks, corroded seat bolts, musty pad. Any one.
- 04
Odometer inconsistency
A reading that runs backwards, or an unexplained gap.
- 05
Unresolved recalls
Open safety recall on this VIN.
- 06
Active liens
Money owed against it at inspection. No listing, no negotiating later.
The 140 points.
Seven dimensions, every file.
Mechanical · 32 points
- Oil level, condition
- Oil leaks
- Coolant level, −45 °C protection
- Coolant leaks, hoses
- Drive belt
- Engine noise, idle and 3,000 rpm
- Engine mounts
- Turbo, where fitted
- Transmission fluid
- Shift quality, cold and warm
- CVT judder, 20–60 km/h
- Transfer case, AWD engagement
- Differential fluid, seals
- CV boots, joints
- Driveshaft, u-joints
- Exhaust, hangers, catalyst
- Steering play
- Tie rods
- Ball joints
- Control-arm bushings
- Shocks, struts
- Springs, mounts
- Sway-bar links
- Wheel bearings
- Brake pads, per corner
- Rotors, thickness, lip
- Brake lines, hoses
- Brake fluid moisture
- Parking brake
- Fuel system leaks
- Air filter
- Battery terminals, hold-down
Winter readiness · 14 points
- Block heater present
- Block heater draws current
- Cord condition, routing
- Battery CCA vs spec
- Battery age
- Charging voltage under load
- Coolant freeze protection
- Remote start
- Heated seats, wheel, mirrors
- Rear defrost, wiper
- Tire type, winter set
- Ground clearance measured
- AWD or 4WD engagement
- Cold start filmed, in season
Near-term repair risk · 18 points
- Wear items due in 12 months, priced
- Wear items due in 20,000 km
- Known model issues
- Timing belt or chain interval
- Spark plug interval
- Transmission service interval
- Water pump, thermostat history
- Stored, pending codes
- Readiness monitors
- Software, TSB campaigns
- Rust: surface vs perforation
- Rockers, wheel arches
- Underbody, subframe corrosion
- Exhaust corrosion
- Suspension corrosion
- Brake line corrosion
- Windshield chips, cracks
- Previous repair quality
Fuel economy · 6 points
- Rated city, highway
- Observed on road test
- Tire pressures at placard
- Alignment drag
- Fuel cost at 20,000 km
- Class quartile
Practicality · 22 points
- Seating positions
- LATCH anchors, access
- Child-seat fit, actual seats
- Cargo, seats up and down
- Tow rating, hitch
- Payload rating
- Doors, hinges, latches
- Windows, locks
- Tailgate or trunk, struts
- Seat adjustment, heat
- Climate, heat and cold
- Infotainment, phone pairing
- Camera, sensors
- Driver-assist, where fitted
- Exterior lights
- Interior lights
- Wipers, washers
- Horn
- Spare tire or kit
- Jack, tools
- Key count, remotes
- Owner's manual
Financeability · 8 points
- Model year vs lender guidelines
- Odometer vs lender guidelines
- Price vs advance limits
- Title status
- Lien search, PPSA
- Registration history
- Tier availability, A–D
- Warranty eligibility
Market value · 10 points
- 3–5 comparables
- Comparable history verified
- Median calculated
- Position vs median
- Reasoning written
- Days in collection
- Price changes logged
- Winter set, extras valued
- Reconditioning cost disclosed
- Depreciation position, years 3–6
Photography · 30 points
- 14 fixed angles
- Same backdrop, lighting, lens
- Four lifestyle shots
- One photo per flaw
- Imperfection Map pinned
- 20–40 second film
The sign-off rule.
One person, one name, one date.
The inspector of record signs; no manager, curator or owner. It means all 140 points were checked by them or under their eye, the measurements are theirs, the six disqualifiers ran first. Any edit after: new version, hash, changelog line. No signature, no listing. No "coming soon."
The counters are the inspector's log, not marketing. A pass rate over half would worry us first.
The scorecard rubric.
Seven dimensions, 1 to 5, every file.
| Dimension | 5 | 3 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | No faults, wear items over 50 % | One wear item due in 6 months | Fault present |
| Winter readiness | Full kit, AWD or 4WD, winter tires | Block heater and adequate tires only | None |
| Near-term repair risk | Nothing in 12 months or 20,000 km | One item under $800 | Model issue, or an item over $1,500 |
| Fuel economy | Top quartile for class | Mid-pack | Bottom quartile |
| Practicality | Seats, cargo, child-seat fit, tow, payload, against its collection | ||
| Financeability | Every tier | Tiers A and B | Cash or prime only |
| Market value | At or below median, stronger file | At median | Above median |
See what passed. See what didn't.
The collection is the 29 percent. The log, the rest.