Before You Wire Any Money

Let me check that listing
before you buy it.

Paste any Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp listing. I'll grade it, tell you what to watch for, and write you a message to send the seller. Like having a buddy who actually works on cars.

Built by a real mechanic — not a SaaS company.

How it works

1.

You paste the listing.

Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist — just copy the whole thing.
2.

I cross-check against real data.

NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, known problem patterns, and current market pricing.
3.

You get a grade and a plan.

Letter grade, fair price range, what to watch for, and a message to send the seller.

Who's behind this

I'm Mikey. I work on cars.

I see what people get stuck with — interiors that reek of cigarettes, transmissions that won't shift, "garage kept" trucks with rust holes in the frame. This tool exists because I'm tired of watching people get hosed on Marketplace.

Use it before you wire any money. It's free. I don't save your data. There's no signup. I built it because nobody else did.

— Mikey

Questions

Is this really free?

Yes. No signup, no email capture, no upsell. I built this on a weekend. If it helps you avoid a $10k mistake, tell a friend.

How accurate is the grade?

It's grounded in real NHTSA recall data, owner complaint patterns, and current market pricing — not vibes. That said, it's not a substitute for an in-person inspection. Always get a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) from a mechanic before you buy.

What if I don't have the VIN?

VIN is optional. Without it I work off the year/make/model/trim from the listing text. With it, I can pull recall-specific data.

Do you save my data?

No. The listing text is sent for analysis and then it's gone. I'm not building a database.

Why are you doing this?

Honestly? Most people buying used cars have no one to ask. I built this so they do.

CHECKING

Running the numbers...

Usually takes 10–20 seconds

Reading the listing
Pulling recall and complaint data
Comparing to market price
Writing your report

BB THE BUYING BUDDY

REPORT — · thebuyingbuddy.com

CHECKED

RE:

2017 Honda Civic LX · 87,400 mi

FINAL
GRADE

C+

Overpriced by $1,800 and the AC compressor is a known weak point on this year.

Asking $8,500

Fair range $6,200 – $7,400

Verdict Overpriced

What to watch for

01AC compressor failure — known issue, $1,200+ to replace
02Mileage suggests timing belt due — ask for service records
03Listing says "minor cosmetic" — code for accident history

Honest take — Mikey

Civics are great cars but this one's priced like a unicorn. Offer $6,800 with the AC and timing belt as your leverage. If they won't budge, walk — there are five more of these on Marketplace this week.

Send this to the seller

A message you can copy.

Polite, specific, and uses what we found as leverage. Adjust before sending.

Hey — I'm interested in the Civic. I did some research and the 2017 LX has a known AC compressor issue, and similar mileage Civics are listing in the $6,200–$7,400 range. I can pick it up this week with cash for $6,800. Let me know if that works.