Calculation methods
The report separates what you entered, public records we looked up and the estimates we made.
Vehicle check
We match the year, make and model against the NHTSA vehicle catalog, allowing for common spellings and badge names. If the vehicle can’t be identified, we say no car with those details was found instead of producing a report, and no search is used.
Counteroffer
The suggested opening offer is a percentage below the asking price. Lymyn’s negotiation model starts from the seller type, then adjusts for the vehicle’s age, mileage for its age, how well the brand holds its value, the stated condition and the number of recall campaigns. When the AI estimate is available, it reviews the same facts for the specific model and its usual market, and its proposal must stay within a few points of Lymyn’s model.
If you enter your own offer, we tell you whether it looks low, reasonable or higher than it needs to be for this vehicle. A purchase-price ceiling caps every suggestion. The report does not invent comparable listings or verified sale prices; a typical asking range, when shown, is labelled as an AI estimate.
Cost of ownership
Ownership subtotal = purchase price + estimated maintenance for each year owned.
Maintenance is estimated for you from typical spending for the brand, adjusted for age, mileage, vehicle size, condition and Canadian or US parts and labour prices. Each later year rises as the car ages and adds distance. When the AI estimate is available, it can adjust the first-year figure for model-specific service items within set bounds. These are planning estimates, not quotes.
The subtotal includes these two items only. It does not deduct resale or add fuel, insurance, financing, tax or registration.
Recalls and complaints
Recall campaigns and owner complaints come from public NHTSA data for the model year. A campaign may cover only some vehicles, and complaints are unverified owner reports. Use them as things to check with the VIN and an inspector. They are not a recall-status check for the specific car.
Vehicle condition
Inspection prompts identify questions to investigate. They do not diagnose faults or certify condition. Issues known for a model are phrased as checks, never as confirmed faults.
Country and currency
Canadian vehicles use CAD and US vehicles use USD. Display conversion uses a dated Bank of Canada reference when available. Display preferences do not change the vehicle's market or native calculations.