5 expert hacks for dealers to read carVertical reports like a pro

Buying and selling cars isn’t an easy business – nor is it the least risky one. A lot can go wrong. You might buy a vehicle that turns out to be in worse condition than expected, hidden damages may surface after the client drives away, or you could spend months trying to sell a car that’s been in a serious collision you didn’t spot earlier.

To stay on the safe side, more and more dealerships use car history reports to reduce the risk of getting a lemon. However, not every dealer knows how to unlock the full potential of a history report.

In this article, we’ll share a few practical hacks to help you read a history report like a pro and make smarter business decisions.

#1 Carefully inspect photos – they can reveal how badly a car was damaged

Historical car images are everyone’s first impression. While photos may suggest the car looks just fine, damage records often tell a different story. Don’t forget to expand the Photos section – it lets you see images taken at different times.

Historical photos can clearly show how severe the damage was. And let’s be honest – it’s much better if your customer hears about those damages from you, not when they find them online later.

#2 Use odometer records to spot fraud and inactivity periods

Inactivity: long time, barely any miles

carVertical’s Mileage section can reveal how intensively a car was driven and highlight inactivity periods.

If a car hasn’t been driven for a while, that’s usually a red flag. Why the long nap? There are many reasons, but one of the most common is that the car was involved in a serious accident. Always compare average mileage with similar models to avoid unpleasant surprises later.

Newer cars can have mileage rollbacks too

Many assume that only old cars get clocked, but that’s not true. Even fairly new models can show suspicious mileage activity. The Mileage section is the perfect way to check whether the odometer readings are genuine.

And remember – even if the car rolled out of the factory just 6 months ago, it could already have been in a severe accident. That’s why every vehicle deserves a check, regardless of its age.

Mileage rollback vs. input error

An odd odometer record that appears out of nowhere is usually an input error – harmless but potentially confusing. It might still spook customers, so it’s worth explaining what happened and reassuring them that it’s nothing serious.

#3 Avoid cars with a junk title

Let’s talk about terminology. A salvage title doesn’t necessarily mean a car is unusable, but a junk title is a major red flag. Salvage vehicles can be a great deal with the right repairs – it simply means the estimated repair costs were high.

Junk, on the other hand, usually means the car should be scrapped and never see the road again. If you find a junk title record, walk away.

#4 Spot cars affected by natural disasters

With natural disasters becoming more frequent worldwide, more cars damaged by hurricanes, floods, or wildfires are entering the market. A properly repaired hurricane-damaged car can be a decent deal, but flood-damaged cars often hide severe electrical issues and are best avoided.

To spot such cases, pay attention to the Timeline section – it can indicate if damage was recorded. You can also check the Natural Disasters section, which shows whether the car was located in an affected area. That doesn’t automatically mean the car was damaged, but it’s definitely a reason to dig deeper.

Damage from natural disasters is usually extensive, which is why sellers try to offload these cars quickly. Always have such vehicles inspected by a qualified mechanic – in many cases, they’re simply not worth the risk.

#5 Let AI detect hidden damage

If your eyes miss something, AI might not. AI-based photo analysis in carVertical reports can detect damage even when it’s not declared.

Using image-based modeling, the system identifies damaged areas automatically – a major breakthrough for any dealership who wants to verify a car’s condition before importing a car or acquiring it from a private seller.

Bonus tip: No findings? That’s good news

A report showing no findings usually means a clean car history. You might not see dozens of mileage records or damage entries, but the Timeline section can still provide useful context – and reassurance that this car won’t cause you trouble down the road.