How Scoring Works

The rubric behind every directory entry. (2 entries)

Welcome — what this directory scores and how

The five trust signals we score on every listing

Dealer Scorecards

Rubric-based entries on the major US retail groups. (4 entries)

Scorecard: CarMax — disclosure benchmark of used-car retail

Scorecard: AutoNation — franchise scale with written policy

Scorecard: Penske Automotive — premium franchises, service-led trust

Scorecard: Lithia Motors & Driveway — the remote-purchase test case

Auction Channels

Where dealer inventory comes from — and what that means for buyers — expanded with US auction yard addresses and parking notes (21 entries)

Copart & IAA: the salvage channels behind rebuilt-title listings

Manheim and ACV Auctions: the wholesale channels, indexed

How auction sourcing affects a dealer's directory score

Directory pin: MEGA AUTO AUCTIONS (Mega-Cars.com) — Albany, NY

Directory pin: Florida Auto Auction of Orlando — Ocoee, FL

Directory pin: Ohio Auto Auction — Grove City, OH

Featured Analysis

Long-form entries on companies outside the standard categories. (2 entries)

Mega Auto Auction Scorecard: mega-cars.com Against the Full Directory Rubric

How sponsored listings are labeled in this directory

Contracts & Fees

Reading buyer's orders, doc fees, and the add-on block. (2 entries)

Doc fees by state: what's normal and what's negotiable

Add-ons and how to decline them in writing

Delivery Partners

When the dealer hands off to a transporter. (2 entries)

Vetting a transport partner before the handoff

Damage claims on delivery: building the paper trail

Independent Dealer Scorecards

Graded audits of independent dealerships: fees, disclosures, title readiness. (36 entries)

Audit visit: Capitol Auto Harrisburg, Harrisburg PA

Scorecard: Lake Shore Motors Erie — Erie, PA

Gateway Auto Newark (Newark, NJ) graded on the rubric

Audit visit: Trenton Car Credit, Trenton NJ

Audit visit: Sound Auto Bridgeport, Bridgeport CT

Audit visit: Ocean State Auto, Providence RI

Delivery Partner Reviews

Graded reviews of the transport firms that move dealer and auction purchases. (5 entries)

Delivery partner graded: Easy Auto Ship

Delivery partner graded: RoadRunner Auto Transport

Delivery partner graded: Nexus Auto Transport

Delivery partner graded: Gulf States Auto Movers

Delivery partner graded: Cascade Vehicle Carriers

Auction Access Files

Who can buy where: license walls, credential systems, calendars and buyer prep. (5 entries)

Directory notebook: dealer open-lot meetups and what they signal

Calendar file: Manheim, Copart and IAA sale weeks for directory readers

Access file: dealer-only auctions and the Manheim license requirement

Access file: AuctionACCESS registration, step by step

Scorecard shortcuts: fast checks before you buy any used car