Straight answers.
What Motorwatchr does, where its figures come from, and what it leaves to you.
Where do the cars come from?
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Private-seller adverts on Auto Trader, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, gathered once a day so a fresh list is ready each morning. The sources page sets out what we gather from each site.
How often is the list updated?
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Once a day, early in the morning. When a seller drops the price or re-posts the car, you see the change against what we saw before.
How is the value rating worked out?
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Each car's asking price is compared with the average of similar private adverts in our pool — same make and model, year within one, similar mileage, fuel and gearbox — over the last 60 days. The number of adverts behind the average is always shown. Too few similar cars and the rating stays grey.
Do you tell me if a car is a write-off?
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We show the category when the advert, the seller or the site's own vehicle check states it — "Cat N, seller says" — alongside the MOT history. We never guess a category nobody has stated.
Where does the MOT history come from?
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From the DVSA's MOT history records, matched by the car's registration: test results, advisories and mileage readings. When the advert's mileage doesn't fit the MOT record, you see both figures.
How do you get the registration?
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Auto Trader and Gumtree give it with the advert. On Facebook we read it from the photos, and only use it once the DVSA record matches the advert — make, year, fuel and colour.
Do you judge whether the seller is genuine?
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No. We show what the site labels the seller and what the seller writes, quoted. Scoring sellers is guesswork, and guesswork costs you money.
Do you show dealer adverts?
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We search for private sellers only. Facebook doesn't say who is selling, so its cars show "Seller: not stated by Facebook", with how many cars that account has listed.
Do I contact the seller through you?
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No. Every car links to its advert, and you contact the seller there as normal. We don't keep sellers' names, phone numbers or email addresses.
Do you log in to the sites?
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No. We only read adverts that anyone can see without an account.
What does it cost?
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One monthly subscription for dealers, cancel any time. Prices are announced at launch.
Can private buyers sign up?
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No. Motorwatchr is built for motor traders and priced as a business tool.
Still deciding?
Built for motor traders who buy from private sellers. One monthly subscription; prices are announced at launch.