Home → How it works
Fig. 01 — How it works
From beware to aware, in three steps
Send us a listing. Get an honest mechanical read, a fair-price number, and the exact words to say to the seller — back in 2–4 hours, for $29.
Fig. 02 — Three steps
The process
-
Send the listing
Paste the link (or VIN) from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, CarGurus, wherever you found it. Takes about two minutes at checkout — a listing link and, if you have it, the VIN.
-
We do the digging
The listing's title and condition claims, known problem areas for that exact year/make/model, recalls, technical service bulletins, and fair market value — all cross-checked before you spend a weekend on it.
-
You get the full picture
A plain-English mechanical read, what it's actually worth, and word-for-word negotiation language for your specific situation — emailed to you within 2–4 hours.
Fig. 03 — Five sections
What "aware" actually looks like
Every report contains these five sections, written for the specific car you sent us.
Mechanical assessment
Known failure points for this platform at this mileage, what to physically check before buying, red flags specific to this listing.
Financial perspective
Fair price range based on condition and market, what repairs will realistically cost, whether this is a smart buy or a money pit.
Negotiation script
Exact talking points and numbers to bring to the seller, backed by the mechanical and financial findings.
Inspection shops near the car
The three highest-rated shops near the listing that do pre-purchase inspections — location, phone, rating, and pricing where published — so the next step is a phone call, not more research.
A Tank alternative
If the car you're eyeing is a money pit, we match it against our database of 47 "Tank" vehicles — platforms with documented track records past 200k miles — and suggest lower-risk options at the same size, year, and price point.
An actual report we delivered for a 2005 BMW X5 listing — nothing staged, nothing softened.
Fig. 04 — Up front
What it is — and what it isn't
We'd rather be clear up front than have you expect the wrong thing.
What BuyerAware is
- A desk-based analysis of the specific listing you send us
- Built from the listing, publicly available recall and technical service bulletin data, plus market pricing
- A filter that tells you whether a car is even worth driving across town to see
- A negotiating position, in writing, with the reasoning behind it
What it isn't
- Not a physical or mechanical inspection — nobody puts hands or a lift on the car
- Not an appraisal, warranty, or guarantee of any vehicle's condition
- Not able to find hidden damage, concealed defects, or anything absent from public records
- Not a substitute for an independent pre-purchase inspection, which we recommend on every car
Think of the report as your pre-inspection filter: it narrows the field cheaply, so the $100–200 you spend on an in-person inspection goes toward a car that's actually worth inspecting.
Fig. 05 — Before you ask
Questions, answered
How fast do I get my report?
Within 2–4 hours — fast enough to matter before someone else scoops up the listing.
What if the car's already sold?
If the car sells before your report is delivered, you get a full refund. No questions asked.
Do you inspect the car in person?
No — BuyerAware is a desk-based analysis using the listing, known-issue and recall data, and market data, not a physical inspection. Think of it as your pre-inspection filter: it tells you whether this car is even worth scheduling an in-person inspection for — and if it is, your report includes the three highest-rated pre-purchase inspection shops near the car, so you know exactly who to call next.
What cars do you cover?
Any used car sold in the U.S. We're especially deep on Toyota, Honda, and other high-reliability platforms — the cars most buyers are hunting for in the first place.
What do I need to send you?
A link to the listing is enough. If you have the VIN, include it — it lets us be more precise about the exact engine and transmission combination, which often matters more than the model year.
Why "BuyerAware"?
Because "buyer beware" has been the standard warning in car buying forever — and it's never once told anyone what to actually do about it. We flip the warning into something useful: real awareness, before you buy, not regret after.
Takes two minutes to send
Know before you're out the door
One report. One seller conversation. One car you don't regret.