Buyer beware isn't a strategy. Being aware is.
Send us the listing. Get a mechanic's honest read, a fair-price number, and the exact words to say to the seller — before you're out the door.
Get my report"Buyer beware" tells you to worry. It doesn't tell you what to do about it.
Every used car buyer hears the same warning — buyer beware — and it's true, but it's useless on its own. It doesn't tell you which problems to look for on this specific car, what it's actually worth, or what to say when the seller pushes back. Most buyers end up relying on a Carfax, a test drive, and a gut feeling. An independent inspection costs $100–200, takes days to schedule, and still leaves you negotiating blind once you've got the report in hand.
From beware to aware, in three steps
Send the listing
Paste the link (or VIN) from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, CarGurus, wherever you found it.
We do the digging
Vehicle history, known problem areas for that exact year/make/model, open recalls, technical service bulletins, and fair market value — all cross-checked before you spend a weekend on it.
You get the full picture
A plain-English mechanical read, what it's actually worth, and word-for-word negotiation language for your specific situation.
What "aware" actually looks like
Mechanical assessment
Known failure points for this platform at this mileage, what to physically check before buying, red flags specific to this listing.
Financial perspective
Fair price range based on condition and market, what repairs will realistically cost, whether this is a smart buy or a money pit.
Negotiation script
Exact talking points and numbers to bring to the seller, backed by the mechanical and financial findings.
Inspection shops near the car
The three highest-rated shops near the listing that do pre-purchase inspections — location, phone, rating, and pricing where published — so the next step is a phone call, not more research.
A Tank alternative
If the car you're eyeing is a money pit, we match it against our database of 47 "Tank" vehicles — proven 200k-mile platforms — and suggest lower-risk options at the same size, year, and price point.
Built by someone who's done this the hard way
Years of hands-on DIY wrenching — especially on Toyota platforms — plus the hard-won habit of researching every known failure point before a single dollar changes hands. BuyerAware is that same homework, done for you.
One report, real answers
Refundable if we don't tell you anything you didn't already know. See refund policy.
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Questions, answered
How fast do I get my report?
Within 24 hours — fast enough to matter before someone else scoops up the listing.
What if the car's already sold?
If the car sells before your report is delivered, you choose: a full refund, or a credit toward your next report. No questions asked.
Do you inspect the car in person?
No — BuyerAware is a desk-based analysis using vehicle history, known issue databases, and market data, not a physical inspection. Think of it as your pre-inspection filter: it tells you whether this car is even worth scheduling an in-person inspection for — and if it is, your report includes the three highest-rated pre-purchase inspection shops near the car, so you know exactly who to call next.
What cars do you cover?
Any used car sold in the U.S. We're especially deep on Toyota, Honda, and other high-reliability platforms — the cars most buyers are hunting for in the first place.
Why "BuyerAware"?
Because "buyer beware" has been the standard warning in car buying forever — and it's never once told anyone what to actually do about it. We flip the warning into something useful: real awareness, before you buy, not regret after.
Know before you're out the door
One report. One seller conversation. One car you don't regret.
Get my report