1. How do you calculate values?
   Values are calculated based on data provided by manufacturers, current market trends, and industry insights. Every month, the Price Digests analysts assess thousands of retail observations, auction results, final sales data, and industry trends to provide thorough estimates of market values.

2. Where do you get your data?
   Price Digests has data relationships within the industry that provide us with market data. Asset specifications come directly from equipment and vehicle manufacturers.

3. What assets are VIN decodable?
   VIN decodable assets include all Commercial Trucks, all Commercial Trailers, all Passenger Vehicles, and motorcycles in Powersport.

4. Why can’t we VIN decode RVs?
   Recreational Vehicle VINs typically decode to an incomplete cab and chassis. There are no industry regulations linking together what is built on top of the cab and chassis versus what is decodable in the VIN.  This makes RVs impossible to VIN-decode.  For more information on this, feel free to read our publication on RV VIN decoding: https://pricedigests.com/market-intel/dangers-vin-decoding-recreational-vehicles/
   

5. Why is a Model/VIN Missing?
   Price Digests strives for 100% coverage in every market, but this can be difficult to accomplish given the various release schedules of multiple manufacturers in various industries. We do boast an average of 99% coverage in particular asset classes, but from time to time, we miss models and VINs.  If a Model or VIN is missing from our data, feel free to let our analyst team know by submitting a Support Request here: https://pricedigests.com/help/
   

6. How does your data differ from other data providers?
   Price Digests calculates used, wholesale, and retail values using a proprietary method. This calculation includes market data, market trends, and industry insight.  By design, this leads to unique, yet accurate values provided by Price Digests. As a true 3^rd party data benchmarking service, Price Digests does not host any listing platforms, nor does it serve as a lead gen solution for buyers or sellers.

7. Why should I use Price Digests rather than another free service?
   Free VIN decoding services or free Valuation services can struggle to provide the depth and accuracy required in providing used values and specs. Price Digests actively works at reaching 100% market coverage and providing values that match the market trends.

8. Why can’t I apply mileage adjustments to my Commercial Truck or Passenger Vehicle?
   While it’s important to apply mileage and utilization adjustments to on-highway assets, the age of the asset is also important. Through Price Digests’ market research and data collection, we have found that the base on-highway vehicle with all its original parts typically lasts about 10 years before a major component is replaced or the odometer flips.  After this point, mileage adjustments have a negligible impact on the used value if the on-highway vehicle still has all its original parts.

9. Some vehicle MSRPs are returning with a value of $0. Is that a bug?
   There are types of vehicles, like truck gliders, which are inherently impossible to value due to the number of major components missing from the vehicle at production. For these configurations, the PRD specs and values endpoints will return an MSRP with integer value of 0.

10. My appraisers are using a different set of values than you return. How do I reconcile?
    Price Digests’ values can be aligned with appraisal standard terminology. We follow the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) definitions, which can be found here.
    • Retail: aligns with Fair Market Value (FMV)
    • Wholesale: aligns with Orderly Liquidation Value (OLV)
    • Finance: aligns with Forced Liquidation Value (FLV)

11. When I decode a VIN using your service, multiple configurations are returned. How do users choose the correct configuration?
    Not all VIN schemas are produced equally, and some manufacturers are more robust in their VIN assignment than others. That, plus the ability in the VIN decoding algorithm for Year Codes to repeat after 26 years, means that the likelihood of multiple return is high. We recommend building a process which either builds decision logic based on specs or values, or one that presents available selections to users.

Nadia Davis
Brand Marketing Manager

Price Digests
Asset Intelligence
Infrastructure intelligence | informa