The Carvia Score: Turning Complex Vehicle Data Into One Simple Number

Why Traditional Vehicle Reports Fall Short

Buying a used car can feel like drinking from a firehose of data—pages of accident history, recalls, ownership changes, and more. But raw data doesn’t tell you the full story. You still have to interpret what’s important, what’s minor, and what’s a deal-breaker. That’s where the Carvia Score changes the game.

What the Carvia Score Measures

Our scoring system analyzes six critical factors that most influence a vehicle’s value, safety, and reliability. Each is weighted by real-world importance—so the score reflects more than just a checklist; it’s a risk and value assessment in one.

1. Accident & Damage History (30%)

• No accidents: 10/10
• Minor incidents: Slight reduction
• Major accidents: Significant reduction
• Total loss or salvage title: Severe reduction

2. Ownership Pattern (20%)

• Single owner: 10/10
• Two owners: 8/10
• Three owners: 6/10
• Four or more: 3/10

3. Recalls & Maintenance Issues (15%)

• No open recalls: 10/10
• One recall: 8/10
• Multiple recalls: 6/10 or less

4. Mileage vs. Expected (15%)

• Within 10% of expected: 10/10
• Within 30%: 8/10
• Within 50%: 5/10
• 50%+ over: 2/10

5. Market Value Alignment (10%)

• At or below market: 10/10
• Up to 10% over: 8/10
• Up to 25% over: 6/10
• 50%+ over: 2/10

6. Safety Rating (10%)

• 5-star: 10/10
• 4-star: 8/10
• 3-star: 6/10
• 2-star or less: 4/10 or lower

How the Score Is Calculated

Each factor is scored 0–10, multiplied by its weight, then summed and scaled to a 0–100 score. For example:

Accident History: 8 × 0.30 = 2.4
Ownership: 10 × 0.20 = 2.0
Recalls: 10 × 0.15 = 1.5
Mileage: 7 × 0.15 = 1.05
Market Value: 6 × 0.10 = 0.6
Safety: 8 × 0.10 = 0.8
Total = 8.35 × 10 = 83.5/100

What the Numbers Mean

• 80–100 (Excellent): Low risk, strong value. Proceed confidently.
• 60–79 (Good): Minor concerns. Worth considering with inspection.
• 40–59 (Fair): Noticeable issues. Caution advised.
• 20–39 (Poor): Significant problems. Only if price justifies it.
• 0–19 (High Risk): Serious concerns. Avoid unless project car.

Why the Carvia Score Works

• Data-Driven: Based on verified government, insurance, and market data.
• Weighted by Impact: Factors that matter most get the most weight.
• Transparent: See exactly why a score is high or low.
• Actionable: Use it to filter vehicles, guide inspections, and negotiate price.

Real-World Examples

Example 1: “Too Good to Be True” SUV – Score 28 (Poor)

Multiple accidents, salvage title, three open recalls. Low price but high risk—walk away or demand steep discount.

Example 2: Clean Sedan with High Mileage – Score 45 (Fair)

Clean title but above-average mileage and some recalls. Mechanically sound but needs maintenance budgeting.

Example 3: Solid Pickup – Score 82 (Excellent)

Single owner, no accidents, fair price. Low risk and strong value. Proceed with confidence.

How to Use the Carvia Score

• Use as your first filter: 80+ is ideal, 60–79 worth considering, below 60 caution.
• Pair with a professional inspection and test drive.
• Leverage for negotiation—low score can justify lower price.

The Tech Behind It

• Real-time scoring from fresh data—no outdated reports.
• Algorithm refined continuously with user feedback and outcomes.
• Cross-checked with multiple sources for accuracy.

Common Misconceptions

• Low score means broken car: Not always—may be pricing or title issues.
• High score guarantees perfect car: Still get an inspection.
• It’s just an opinion: 100% data-based, no subjective input.