Glossary

The terms MotorZone uses in verdicts and reports, in plain words.

A recall mentions fire risk: treat as a serious safety and insurance issue.
After Repair Value: estimated resale price of the vehicle once repaired. It is the median of comparable ACTIVE listings (asking prices, not sold) around your zip, filtered or adjusted by mileage; if there aren't enough, MOTORZONE says so and gives no number.
Airbags deployed: SRS system replacement is included in the estimate; verify module count on inspection.
Auction charges on top of the bid: buyer fee (tiered), gate fee, environmental and internet bid fee.
Bid above the historical close: Current bid is already above the historical close average for this type of lot.
Bid not available from the provider: we didn't receive the live bid, so the lot is evaluated at the published reference (minimum bid or Buy It Now) and the verdict is capped at CONDITIONAL.
Biohazard flag: remediation cost and stigma discount apply.
Break-even: Bid at which profit is exactly $0 after all fees, transport, taxes and repair.
Buy It Now: a price at which the seller already agrees to sell, without waiting for the auction.
CEL: the listing notes mention a check engine light. Budget a diagnostic before bidding.
Comparables: Comparable sales of similar repaired vehicles used to estimate the ARV.
Contingency: Extra repair budget added for what can't be verified before buying (start state, hidden damage).
Damage type could not be classified: physical inspection required before bidding.
Dealer seller: possible staged/prepped car. Check the history report before bidding.
Deterministic 0-100 score: margin + ROI + data confidence - risk deductions. Same inputs, same score, always.
Does not start: maximum uncertainty contingency is added to the repair scenario.
Engine starts but the vehicle does not drive: the drivetrain is an unknown, medium contingency applied.
Fire damage: usually only viable for parts or export.
Flood/water damage: hidden electrical failures are common and can appear months later.
Frame damage: structural repair; inspection required before resale in most states.
Full analysis of one lot: acquisition costs, repair scope, MAB, profit and risks.
Known failure pattern: NHTSA complaint clustering shows repeat failure modes for this model; their cost is already in the scenario.
Maximum Allowable Bid: the highest bid that still hits your target profit. Above it, the deal stops making sense.
NHTSA Park-It / park-outside recall: do not store indoors until fixed.
No keys: key cutting and programming are included in the estimate.
Non-repairable / Certificate of Destruction title: CANNOT be registered. Parts or export only.
Odometer not actual / exempt: the mileage isn't certified. Resale drops and mileage-based comparisons are optimistic.
Open NHTSA recalls on this model: verify the recall work was completed before buying.
Relisted lot: a previous buyer walked away. Treat as a red flag and inspect harder.
Reserve not met: in earlier auctions of this lot the highest bid didn't reach the seller's minimum, so it didn't sell.
Return on investment: profit divided by total money in (acquisition + repair).
Rollover: expect roof/pillar work and likely airbag replacement.
Run & Drive: the lot started and moved at the yard. Lowest mechanical uncertainty.
Sensitivity: How profit moves if repair cost or ARV end up 10-20% better or worse than estimated.
Technical Service Bulletin: manufacturer's known-issue repair instructions for this model.
Title absent: the auction doesn't hold the title. Without a title the vehicle can't be registered until it arrives; confirm timing and cost before bidding.
Title differs on the listing: the listing page and our source show different title documents. We don't take either one for granted; confirm the document before bidding.
You don't know whether it starts: the maximum uncertainty contingency is added, without claiming it does not start.