How we score
Every CluedUp report starts at 100 points. Each warning sign in the records takes points away. The total decides the verdict. There's no secret formula and no AI guesswork: every point comes from a record you can see in the report.
The three verdicts
| Verdict | Score | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Worth a viewing | 72–100 | Nothing serious in the records. Ask about anything flagged, see the car and run a full history check. |
| View with care | 20–71 | Some things need explaining before you travel. Send the seller the questions. |
| Walk away | 0–19, or strong scam signs | Serious problems or the signs of a scam. Don't send money. |
A car with a mileage drop or a safety issue is never shown as "Worth a viewing", whatever its score.
What takes points away
| Finding | Points | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage went down between MOTs | 35 | DVSA MOT history |
| Advert mileage lower than the last MOT | 30 | The advert you pasted |
| Dangerous defect at the last MOT | 25 | DVSA MOT history |
| Advert asks for a deposit, or offers delivery instead of a viewing | 25 each | The advert you pasted |
| Advert says no viewings, the owner is away, or mentions a write-off | 20 each | The advert you pasted |
| MOT has expired, or no MOT on a car over three years old | 15 | DVSA MOT history |
| Outstanding safety recall | 15 | DVSA records |
| Advert mentions a warning light or an "easy fix" | 15 | The advert you pasted |
| Advert admits a noise or fault, or the seller is selling for someone else | 12 | The advert you pasted |
| No MOT for more than 14 months between tests | 10 | DVSA MOT history |
| Seller wants to talk off the selling site | 10 | The advert you pasted |
| The same problem at 3 or more MOTs, still there at the last one | 8 | DVSA MOT history |
| 2 or more failed MOTs in the last 4 tests | 8 | DVSA MOT history |
| 5 or more advisories at the last MOT | 6 | DVSA MOT history |
| Pushes for a quick sale, or says "sold as seen" | 5 each | The advert you pasted |
Common problems and "compared with similar cars"
These come from the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain. For each make, model and year we work out how often each kind of problem appears. We then compare this car's recent MOTs with others of the same model and age. They help you know what to check, but they don't change the score.
London ULEZ
We estimate ULEZ status from the fuel type and first registration date, using TfL's standards: petrol cars usually meet it from 2006, diesel cars from September 2015, and zero-emission cars always do. Some cars are exceptions, so always confirm on TfL's vehicle checker. ULEZ doesn't change the score.
Repair costs
Repair costs are a rough guide to typical independent-garage prices, parts and labour. Real prices vary a lot by car, garage and area, so treat them as a starting point for questions and negotiation.
What we can't see
MOT records don't show outstanding finance, stolen markers, insurance write-offs or how the car drives. That's why every report tells you to see the car in person and get a full history check before you pay.
Spotted a mistake?
Records can be wrong. If something in a report looks wrong, tell us and we'll look into it.