Dealer Trust Score: what the number means today
Autoza does not show a Trust Score on dealer profiles at present. Every account still carries one, so this page explains what that number is today, what it is not, and why it is no guide to choosing a dealer.
What the number is
Every account on Autoza has a Trust Score. For a dealer, it is a starting value set when the dealer's account is created. It is not currently worked out from buyer reviews, response times, listing quality or sales history. A few one-off events, such as the dealer confirming an email address or phone number, can add points to it, but no job recalculates it from how the dealer trades, and it is not a rating. For the dealers listed on Autoza in September 2026, it was still the starting value. Two dealers with the same number have not been measured against each other.
It does have one effect on what a buyer can do: an account needs a score of at least 20 to send the first message in a new conversation, as a check against scam accounts. Autoza also uses it internally, for example in moderation checks and to limit how many listings a private seller can post in a day. It is not used to rank search results or dealers.
What it is not
- It is not a review score. It includes no buyer reviews.
- It does not measure how quickly a dealer replies to enquiries.
- It is not an inspection. Autoza does not inspect the cars advertised, and the details in each advert come from the dealer.
What to check before buying from any dealer
- The business. For a limited company, look it up on Companies House and check it is active and the address matches.
- Reviews from other buyers. Read recent reviews on independent review sites, not just the dealer's own website.
- The car's MOT history. It is free on GOV.UK, and the mileage recorded at each test shows whether the reading on the dashboard is plausible.
- A vehicle history check. An HPI or similar check shows outstanding finance and write-off or stolen markers.
- The V5C logbook. The details should match the car in front of you.
Buying from a dealer also gives you rights a private sale does not. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 the car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.
Why this page changed
This page used to describe the Trust Score as a rating calculated from several weighted factors. That was not how the numbers on dealer profiles were produced, so the description has been replaced with this one. The number has also been taken off dealer profiles.