Vehicle History Reports Easier to Understand with Introduction of the AutoCheck Score(SM)

Experian Automotive's numerical scoring system for used cars makes understanding and comparing vehicle histories simpler

Vehicle history reports are becoming easier to understand with the introduction of the new AutoCheck Score, which summarizes information on AutoCheck(R) vehicle history reports into one, straightforward score - a first in vehicle history reporting.

A vehicle's individualized AutoCheck Score -- a number from one to 99 -- is based on information contained in Experian Automotive's AutoCheck vehicle history reports specific to that car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The AutoCheck Score rates the quality of a vehicle's history compared to all used vehicles on the road (after 1981) and also provides a relative comparison to vehicles of the similar model year and vehicle class.

"Condensing information into an easy-to-understand and comparable score revolutionizes vehicle history reporting. For both buyers and sellers, having a vehicle's history summarized into a single score means everyone better understands the history of a car or truck and how it matches up to other vehicles similar in age and class," said Scott Waldron, president of Experian Automotive.

Experian Automotive, a division of the nationally known credit scoring company Experian(R) , announced the AutoCheck Score today at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) annual convention in Las Vegas. Live demonstrations using VIN numbers (post 1981) to determine scores are available at the Experian Automotive Booth #2781C.

Select dealers and online portal partners will begin rolling out AutoCheck Score through AutoCheck and AutoCheck Express in the spring. The feature will be available on all AutoCheck vehicle history reports this summer.

Dave White, general manager, Internet Operations of DARCARS Automotive Group, said, "This is a new generation of vehicle history reporting. We're anxious to begin using the AutoCheck Score. This distills all the information on a vehicle history report into an easy-to-understand score, which will help consumers gain that comfort level they need when purchasing a car."

"Boiling down all the lines on a vehicle history report into a single score is the next generation of vehicle history reporting. It will help us explain the history of a vehicle more easily to customers and will help us better market our cars," said Cliff Wood, vice president of Merchandising for CarMax. "The AutoCheck Score will provide our customers with an added layer of confidence that the cars we offer have passed our rigorous inspection process and are among the best used cars available in the market."

Experian Automotive's vehicle history reports are powered by its National Vehicle database, which has information on more than half a billion vehicles nationwide. Experian researchers developed the patent-pending AutoCheck Score algorithm by studying the histories of more than two million vehicles. Some of the factors used in determining the AutoCheck Score include the age of the vehicle, the number of owners over time and whether it meets the standards to be AutoCheck Assured -- meaning the vehicle has no major issues like department of motor vehicle title brands or odometer rollbacks.

Additional factors from the vehicle's AutoCheck vehicle history report include accident and emission records, whether the vehicle has ever been repossessed or stolen, whether it is a former taxi, police car or government vehicle and whether it was formerly a leased vehicle.

"The new AutoCheck Score reports are easy to use and understand from a source that consumers can trust. We've been offering AutoCheck vehicle history reports to consumers for three years and are excited about this revolutionary development in vehicle history reports," said Len Sims, vice president of NADAguides.com.

Kevin P. Harvey, manager, Pre-Owned Vehicles of Porsche Cars North America said, "We already use AutoCheck reports as part of our Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program. Providing a score that summarizes the vehicle history report will make it even clearer to customers the value of Porsche Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. If Experian is a trusted source for personal credit scoring, why can't the same apply to vehicle history reports? This is a real step forward for vehicle history reporting."

More information on the AutoCheck Score is available at www.experian.com/autocheckscore.

About Experian Automotive

Experian Automotive, a business unit of Experian(R) Group Ltd. , delivers information solutions to manufacturers, dealers, finance and insurance companies, and consumers. Experian helps automotive clients increase customer loyalty, target and win new business, and make better lending and vehicle purchase decisions. Its National Vehicle Database, housing more than 500 million vehicles, along with Experian's credit, consumer and business information assets, meets the industry's growing demand for an integrated information source. Experian's advanced decision support services help clients turn this information into improved business results. Experian technology supports several top automotive web sites including eBay Motors, Yahoo! Autos, CarsDirect.com, CarMax.com and NADAguides.com. For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite of solutions, visit our web site at www.experianautomotive.com.