Transaction data
The valuation is based on actually completed transactions from the past several weeks, not on asking prices. That's the difference between what someone demands and what the market really pays.
Manheim Market Report
Real Value, Not an Asking Price
MMR is the "pulse" of the American wholesale market. The index is built on millions of actual auction transactions, so you know what a given model truly fetches on the market — not what someone would like to get for it.
Individual Adjustments
The base MMR value is tailored to the specific car: mileage, condition assessment (Condition Grade), equipment package and the US region where the car is sold.
Wholesale vs. Retail
MMR shows the wholesale level at which the import starts. That instantly reveals the margin potential against retail prices in Europe and how real a given deal is.
Trend and Price Range
We analyze not only the point value but also the trend (rising/falling) and the spread of transactions, to judge whether the Buy Now price is a bargain or overpaying.
Condition Report (CR)
A standardized inspection protocol: paint, bodywork, interior, mechanics and tires. Together with photos from the auction lot, it replaces a physical inspection of the vehicle.
Profitability Threshold
We compare the MMR against a forecast of import costs (transport, freight, duty, excise, VAT) to set the maximum sensible bid before entering the auction.
VIN Decoder
Anatomy of the 17-Character VIN
The Vehicle Identification Number is the vehicle's genetic code. Each position carries specific information — from the country and manufacturer to the model year and the car's serial number.
1
H
G
C
M
8
2
6
3
3
A
0
0
4
3
5
2
Poz. 1–3 · WMIWorld Manufacturer Identifier — country of origin and manufacturer (e.g. "1" and "4" = USA, "J" = Japan, "W" = Germany).
Poz. 4–8 · VDSVehicle Descriptor Section — model, body type, engine, transmission and safety systems.
Pos. 9 · Check digitA check digit calculated by an algorithm — it helps detect an incorrect or forged VIN.
Pos. 10–17 · VISVehicle Identifier Section — model year (pos. 10), production plant (pos. 11) and the car's unique serial number.
Two Sources, One Truth
Carfax vs. AutoCheck
The two leading US vehicle-history registries draw on the federal NMVTIS database, but differ in the scope of data and how it is presented. Comparing the two helps catch discrepancies and gaps.
Data Scope
Carfax
AutoCheck
Database Operator
Carfax Inc.
Experian
Title Brands
Service History
Very broad
Limited
Synthetic Score
None
AutoCheck Score
Auction History (Manheim)
Partial
Industry standard
Odometer Readings (Rollback)
Federal NMVTIS Source
Title brands
The Vehicle's Legal Status — Read Carefully
A title brand is a formal description of a car's past assigned by the state motor vehicle agency. It's one of the most important parts of the report — it directly affects value, insurability and the ability to register.
Clean Title
SafeA clean title with no total-loss entries. The most desirable status — the vehicle was never written off by an insurer. It doesn't rule out minor collisions, so we verify the damage history anyway.
Salvage Title
High RiskA vehicle declared a total loss by the insurer (usually the repair cost exceeded a value threshold). It isn't road-legal until it passes inspection. It requires an individual risk assessment.
Rebuilt / Reconstructed
RepairedA car that was a total loss, repaired and made road-legal again after a state inspection. It can be attractively priced but loses real value — the scope and quality of the repair are key.
Flood / Water Damage
High RiskA flooded vehicle. One of the most serious warnings — water causes progressive corrosion and unpredictable electronics failures that surface over months. It requires special caution.
Lemon / Manufacturer Buyback
Manufacturer BuybackA car bought back by the manufacturer due to a recurring, unfixable defect (the so-called "lemon law"). The defect was usually corrected, but the entry itself permanently lowers the car's market value.
Hail / Fire / Theft Recovery
To Be AssessedHail damage, fire damage or a car recovered after theft (theft recovery). The impact on value depends on the scale — from cosmetic dents to serious structural damage.
Manheim Condition Grade
Condition Grading on a 1.0–5.0 Scale
A certified Manheim inspector grades the vehicle according to a uniform protocol and assigns a condition score. The higher the value, the better the car's mechanical and cosmetic condition.
5.0
Extra Clean
Near-new condition with no noticeable defects. Exceptional examples.
4.0
Clean
Very good condition, with minor signs of use not requiring repairs.
3.0
Average
Average condition — typical signs of wear, with possible minor repairs.
2.0
Rough
Visible cosmetic and mechanical damage requiring investment.
1.0
Damaged
Serious damage, often cars for rebuilding or for parts.
Step by Step
How the Pre-Purchase Analysis Is Built
Before you decide, we deliver a complete set of data in a clear form. The entire path is transparent and takes place before any purchase commitment.
1
VIN Identification
We decode the VIN and confirm the markings match: model, year, engine and the equipment stated in the listing.
2
MMR Valuation
We pull the Manheim Market Report value with adjustments and compare it against the Buy Now price and a forecast of import costs.
3
VIN History
We generate and compare the Carfax and AutoCheck reports: title brands, damage, mileage and number of owners.
4
Recommendation
You receive a clear summary with a risk assessment and a suggested bidding limit — you make the decision informed.
Questions About Reports
Frequently asked questions
Everything worth knowing about MMR valuation and US vehicle-history reports.
MMR is an indicator of a vehicle's real wholesale value, calculated by Manheim from millions of actual auction transactions over recent weeks. The value is adjusted for mileage, mechanical condition (Condition Grade), equipment and region, so it shows what a given model actually fetches on the US wholesale market — not a wishful retail asking price.
Both reports rely on the VIN and the federal NMVTIS registry, but differ in their sources and presentation. Carfax is strong on service history and workshop records, while AutoCheck (Experian) provides a synthetic score (AutoCheck Score) and is the standard at Manheim auctions. At AUTOMAX we cross-reference both sources to catch discrepancies in damage history, mileage and title brands.
A salvage title means the insurer declared the vehicle a total loss. Rebuilt (reconstructed) is a car that was a total loss, passed a re-inspection and was made road-legal. Flood/water damage indicates flooding — one of the most serious warnings due to the risk of corrosion and electronics failures. Every such brand genuinely lowers the value and requires an individual risk assessment.
Yes, largely. The reports record mileage readings from successive events (inspections, service, ownership changes, auctions). If a later reading is lower than an earlier one, the system flags the discrepancy as a potential rollback (odometer rollback / not actual mileage). No report gives full certainty, so we additionally analyze the Condition Report and the auction photos.
It's a vehicle condition rating on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0, assigned by certified Manheim inspectors based on a standardized protocol (paint, bodywork, interior, mechanics, tires). The higher the score, the better the condition. Together with the Condition Report (CR), it's the key document for assessing a car without a physical inspection.
No history report gives a 100% guarantee — it only records events that made it into databases. Cash repairs outside of insurance may go unrecorded. That's why we combine VIN reports with the Condition Report, photo documentation from the auction lot and the MMR valuation, to minimize risk as far as possible and give you a complete picture of the vehicle.
Check the Car Before You Buy It
Choose a vehicle from our listings, and we'll examine its VIN, value it against the MMR and deliver a complete set of data for an informed decision. No risk of buying blind.