What the DNF Score means, and what it doesn't
How the 0 to 100 Score on every listing is worked out, what its four bands mean, why some vehicles can never score high, and how sellers can raise theirs.
General guidance. No specialist review is claimed unless named on this page.
The DNF Score runs from 0 to 100, and every listing has one. It turns what the seller reports into one number you can compare across listings: parts car, project or good candidate to rebuild.
Where the Score comes from
It's worked out from the answers the seller gives when they list the vehicle, in five groups.
| Group | Up to | What it looks at |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | 20 points | The status brand on the registration, and an inspection certificate attached to a Rebuilt brand |
| Repair economics | 20 points | The repair estimate compared with the value before the loss |
| Mechanical | 20 points | Whether it starts, runs and drives |
| Damage and safety | 25 points | Structural damage, airbags, fluid leaks and the type of damage |
| Evidence | 15 points | Photos, a damage close-up, documents, the registration, keys and the odometer |
For structural damage, airbags and fluid leaks, a "Not known" answer earns fewer points than a known good one and more than a known problem. That's not true of every question. Not knowing whether it starts scores the same as "doesn't start", and a missing repair estimate and value, odometer reading, key count or registration scores like the worst answer, so for those a real answer never scores below a blank one. Buyers would rather see a real answer than a guess.
The four bands
| Score | Band | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 24 | Parts only | Too much is wrong or not known to call it a repair. |
| 25 to 49 | Project | Looks repairable, but with big unknowns or a lot of work. |
| 50 to 79 | Rebuild candidate | A good candidate to repair. |
| 80 to 100 | Rebuilt, certificate attached | A Rebuilt brand with an inspection certificate the seller attached. |
Some vehicles can never score high. Non-repairable brands, flood and fire damage and parts-only listings stay in the Parts only band, and DNF lists every flood or fire write-off for parts only. A Score of 80 or more needs a Rebuilt brand and an attached inspection certificate. Without both, it stops at 79.
Even at the top, the Score doesn't say a vehicle is fit for the road. An inspection certificate records one check on one day.
What it can't tell you
The Score is a guide, not an inspection. Nobody from DNF has looked at the vehicle, and the brand is shown as the seller reports it, without a check against the registry. So it can't tell you whether those answers are right, how well a repair was done, or what the vehicle is worth to you once you've priced the repair.
Use it to compare listings and pick the ones worth a close look. Then look closely: the photos, the damage description, the registration, a lien search and, for anything you plan to drive, your own mechanic.
If you're selling, the listing form shows your provisional Score before you publish, along with what would raise it. A higher Score helps buyers trust what they see. But buyers check, so only an accurate one helps you sell. Browse vehicles for sale in Alberta to see the Score and its reasons on real listings, or list your vehicle.
Questions and answers
Is the Score an inspection?
No. It comes from the answers on the listing about the brand, damage, condition and paperwork. Nobody from DNF has seen the vehicle, so check it yourself, or have a mechanic do it, before you buy.
Why can a flood-damaged vehicle never score above 24?
DNF lists flood and fire write-offs for parts only, and anything with a non-repairable brand or a parts-only listing stays in the Parts only band, 0 to 24, whatever its other answers say.
How can a seller raise their Score?
Mostly by answering what's still Not known and adding evidence: whether it starts, runs and drives, the repair estimate and value from the insurer letter, more photos with a damage close-up, the number of keys, and documents such as the insurer letter or an inspection certificate.
Sources
The pages we relied on, which have the final say. Rules, fees and auction terms change, so check them before you buy, repair, register or resell a vehicle.
List it free, or find your next project
List your vehicle free on DNF, with no auction. A success fee applies only if you accept an offer.