PLAIN-LANGUAGE GUIDE
Auto-Cation brings customer, dealership and lender information into one review. These definitions explain the language used throughout the website.
The automotive prototype starts at 94 and deducts points for price above value, negative equity, financing term, the percentage-point APR gap above a dated comparable benchmark, and optional-product load. Confidence and controlling decision rules are separate. It is not a credit score.
How complete, current and authoritative the supporting information is. High confidence means stronger evidence—not a guarantee that a transaction will perform.
The reason-coded outcome produced after the available evidence is reviewed: Proceed, Proceed with Conditions, Sell Separately or Do Not Proceed.
Loan-to-value: the starting loan balance divided by the supported vehicle value. Starting loan balance includes financed credit fees and can differ from the disclosed amount financed. Lender-specific LTV definitions may differ. A higher LTV generally means less collateral protection.
The amount by which a vehicle's loan payoff exceeds its current value. If rolled into another loan, it increases the new amount financed.
A dealership's daily operating report, often called the Daily Operating Control. It summarizes sales, gross, expenses and departmental performance.
The intangible value of a dealership beyond tangible assets, liabilities and working capital. A professional valuation considers franchise, market, earnings and transaction terms.
A serious floorplan condition in which a vehicle has been sold but the related inventory loan has not been paid as required. Delayed or missing titles can intensify funding exposure.
An estimate of potential gross profit or cost opportunity based on entered performance gaps and assumptions. It is directional—not audited savings or guaranteed recovery.
A retrospective analysis of de-identified funded loans to compare Auto-Cation signals with later performance, such as delinquency, loss or exception outcomes.
Annual percentage rate: the annual cost of credit, including interest and certain fees. It can differ from the interest rate.
The disclosed amount of credit provided. Contract disclosure rules can distinguish this from the face balance; the public calculator is an estimate.
Interest and certain credit-related fees disclosed for the loan. It may exceed the calculator’s estimated interest.
The sum of scheduled payments. Review the contract for additional upfront and conditional charges.
Vehicle price plus applicable taxes, fees and selected products, before subtracting down payment or net trade equity.
The lease balance before reductions. Adjusted capitalized cost subtracts eligible incentives, cash reduction and positive trade equity.
A factor used to calculate the lease rent charge. Multiplying by 2,400 gives a rough annual rate comparison, not a disclosed loan APR.
The contract’s stated end-of-lease value. It is not a guaranteed future resale value for the customer.
The itemized initial cash or credits required, potentially including the first payment, fees, deposit, tax and capitalized-cost reduction.
A lease acquisition fee starts the lease. A disposition fee may apply when returning it, subject to contract terms and waivers.
Reading text and fields from a PDF or photo. A successful scan does not establish authenticity or accuracy; confirm the extracted figures.
A VIN identifies a road vehicle under the applicable format. A HIN identifies a vessel. Marine and other specialty evaluations require their own identity and valuation rules.
Lee V. Putney directs the build. This policy is a transparent demonstration, not a calibrated credit model or a legal determination.
Cash purchases do not apply APR or term tests. Lease results use their separate closed-end lease model. Specialty categories do not inherit automotive rules.