General
How to use optimally
Auto-margin generates a result only as accurate as the vehicle data provided. This page covers the inputs, comparison logic, and workflow that produce reliable evaluations.
Input data requirements
The fields below determine result precision.
Required
Without these fields, an evaluation cannot be completed reliably.
- Make and model
- First registration date
- Mileage
- Fuel type
- Transmission
- Asking price
If asking price is omitted, Auto-margin will still generate a market band and listing comparison, but margin cannot be calculated.
Strongly recommended
- Trim or equipment level
- Power output in kW or HP
- Body style
Optional
- VIN
- Country of origin
- Notable options
- Condition notes
Note on trim levels
Auto-margin filters comparable listings using mid-tier and higher trims only, such as R-Line, AMG Line, M Sport, Style, or Sportline. Lower trims are not used as hard filters because a higher trim can be priced equivalently to or below a lower trim depending on configuration.
Comparison logic
Auto-margin matches the input vehicle against listings using:
- Brand, model, and trim
- First registration
- Mileage
- Asking price
- Fuel type
- Body type
- Power output
When present, four equipment flags are also applied:
- Panoramic roof (PANO)
- Towbar (TOW)
- All-wheel drive (4x4)
- Seven-seater configuration (7-seater)
If a result returns few comparable listings, equipment flags or a less common trim may be narrowing the comp pool. Removing one flag and re-running can widen the pool.
Workflow
- Prepare the input. Normalize fields to a consistent format. Use a single currency. Use kilometers and either kW or HP consistently across the list.
- Select the target market. Choose the country or region where the vehicle will be sold, not where it is sourced.
- Run the evaluation. Auto-margin retrieves comparable live listings, calculates the market price band, and returns a margin estimate against the asking price.
- Review the result. Check the market price band, confidence level, and margin estimate where asking price was provided.
- Decide. Use the Is my car good? page as the decision framework.
Reading results
- The price band, not the midpoint, is the result.
- Confidence reflects market depth.
- Outliers are excluded from the band where detected.
- Margin estimates apply typical market costs. User-specific costs must be added separately.
File and language support
The Auto-margin ingestion engine supports a range of file formats and languages. If an upload fails or returns unexpected results, retry the upload first. If the error persists, rename column headers to standard English equivalents such as price, mileage, and first_registration and retry.