Vehicle Appraiser
Three-source comparable-backed valuation for trade-ins and acquisitions
Purpose
Vehicle Appraiser combines three independent data sources — ML algorithmic prediction, live active retail comparables, and 90-day sold transactions — into a single defensible valuation range. The low/mid/high range is built from the overlap of all three sources, not just one, making it more robust against market noise.
For trade-in desk decisions, a quick appraisal mode delivers a number in under 60 seconds using just two API calls. For formal appraisals or multi-state sourcing, full regional price variance and wholesale-vs-retail spread workflows are available.
How It Works
Execution flow. MCP tool calls are shown inline on each step.
decode_vin_neovinDecode VIN to lock in year, make, model, trim, body type, drivetrain, and engine. Assumed trims undermine appraisal credibility.
predict_price_with_comparablesPredict retail market value using the franchise dealer perspective as the primary retail benchmark.
↔ Parallel Execution
search_active_carsPull active listings within ±15K miles of odometer, sorted by price ascending. These form the current retail comparable set.
search_past_90_daysPull 90-day sold transactions for the same YMMT and location. Sold data is the strongest evidence for defensible valuations.
Combine all three sources into a low/mid/high value range. Adjust for condition (rough = low end, clean = high end). Calculate confidence level based on comparable count.
MCP Tool Calls
| Tool | Calls | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
decode_vin_neovin | 1 | Decode VIN to confirm exact year/make/model/trim before pulling comps |
predict_price_with_comparables | 1-2 | ML price prediction — franchise retail; optional independent wholesale-proxy |
search_active_cars | 1 | Active retail comparables within ±15K miles of odometer |
search_past_90_days | 1 | 90-day sold transactions for transaction evidence |
get_car_history | 1 | Optional: listing history for price trajectory and red flag detection |
Example Output
VEHICLE APPRAISAL REPORT 2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium AWD VIN: 2T3P1RFV5NW245871 | Odometer: 38,420 mi | Condition: Average ZIP: 85281 (Phoenix, AZ) | Radius: 75mi ══════════════════════════════════════════════════ VALUATION SUMMARY ML Predicted Price: $31,840 (franchise, 12 comps cited) Active Comp Range: $29,500 – $34,200 (15 units in market) Active Comp Median: $31,200 Sold (90d) Range: $28,900 – $33,100 (9 transactions) Sold (90d) Median: $30,750 RECOMMENDED VALUE RANGE Low (trade-in / rough): $29,800 Mid (average condition): $31,200 ← SUBJECT VEHICLE High (clean / CPO): $32,600 ACTIVE RETAIL COMPARABLES (top 5 by proximity to value) VIN (last 6) Price Miles Dealer DOM Dist 245871 $31,400 35,200 AutoNation Scottsdale 22 8mi 381042 $30,999 41,800 CarMax Tempe 18 11mi 779215 $32,500 28,600 Toyota Chandler 35 14mi 112387 $31,800 40,100 Carvana Phoenix 12 — 664920 $29,500 52,400 Courtesy Motors 48 18mi CONFIDENCE: HIGH (15 active + 9 sold comps) RECOMMENDATION: Offer $29,800–$30,200 as trade-in. Retail flip target: $31,200 | Est. gross: $1,000–$1,400
Cost Estimate
50 appraisals/month ≈ $1 – $5/month
Limitations
- US market only for full workflow. UK dealers use comp-median pricing from search_uk_active_cars — no ML prediction or sold data.
- Valuation confidence scales with comparable count. Fewer than 10 comps yields a low-confidence estimate — the skill flags this explicitly.
- Condition adjustment (Clean/Average/Rough) is manual — the skill cannot visually inspect the vehicle.
- Sold transaction data covers 90 days. For low-volume trims, the sold sample may be too small to anchor a tight range.
- CPO valuation requires two additional prediction calls — eligible only for franchise dealers with a CPO program configured in profile.
More in the Dealer Plugin
Real-time price positioning against live market comparables
View details →Auction buying intelligence with BUY/CAUTION/PASS verdicts
View details →Source best-priced vehicles for buyers with negotiation leverage
View details →Decode any VIN for full specs, history, and estimated market value
View details →Same Capability, Different Plugin
These skills share the same underlying methodology but are tuned for a different audience.
Appraisal-context version framed for formal valuation reports with cited comparables, methodology notes, and confidence assessment for third-party review
View in Appraiser →Insurance-context version includes total-loss threshold calculation, settlement range, and salvage estimate alongside the comparable-backed FMV
View in Insurer →Lender version focused on collateral valuation for loan origination and LTV risk assessment
View in Lender →