How CarEdge grades dealers, and why we don’t sell grades.
Every grade comes from real written out-the-door quotes that stores send shoppers. CarEdge takes no dealer commissions and does not sell grades.
What the grade measures
The Dealer Transparency Index scores each store from 0 to 100 on four parts.
30%
Fee transparency
How reasonable the doc fee is.
30%
Add-on behavior
How often add-ons appear on quotes, and how much they cost.
30%
Price accuracy
How far the out-the-door quote moves from the listed price, excluding tax and title.
10%
Data quality
How complete the quote data is.
From score to grade
- A90 and above
- B80 to 89
- C70 to 79
- D60 to 69
- FBelow 60
Where the quotes come from
Shoppers use CarEdge to buy a car. CarEdge’s AI agent asks dealerships for written out-the-door quotes on their behalf, the way a real buyer would. Every quote behind a grade is public on the dealer’s CarEdge page, so a dealer can see exactly what was measured.
We don’t sell grades.
Consumer-paid
Car buyers pay CarEdge. That is who CarEdge works for.
No dealer commissions
CarEdge takes no commission from any dealer on any sale.
No payment changes a grade
Certified and every other product are optional, and none of them moves a score.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dealer pay CarEdge for a better grade?
No. No payment, product, or partnership changes a grade. Grades come only from the written out-the-door quotes a store sends shoppers.
How does CarEdge make money?
Car buyers pay CarEdge for help buying a car. CarEdge takes no commissions from dealers. Dealers can buy optional products like CarEdge Certified, and none of them affects a grade.
Then what does CarEdge Certified mean?
Certified is for dealers that already hold an A. It is checked every month, and a store that drops below an A loses the badge. Paying for Certified does not raise a grade.
Where do the quotes come from?
From real shoppers using CarEdge to buy a car. CarEdge’s AI agent requests written out-the-door quotes from stores on their behalf. Every quote behind a grade is visible on the dealer’s CarEdge page.
I think my grade is wrong. What can I do?
Claim your free page to correct your information, and use the report button on your dealer page to send a quote or detail to the CarEdge review team.
Claim your free CarEdge page.
Search for your dealership, then confirm with your work email.
Free and takes about two minutes. You get your CarEdge page and join CarEdge Connect. Your grade is based on how you quote, not whether you sign up.