What CrackScore measures
CrackScore rates the structure of a published lease ad. Not the car. Not the dealer. Not the brand. Same formula for every dealership.
What we look at (CrackScore)
Factory window-sticker number for the actual car
Down payment / due at signing
Monthly payment
Number of payments
Term length
Mileage allowance
CrackRate (separate, after disclosure)
Money factor
Residual value
Implied lease rate
What we don't score
Car quality or reliability
Dealer reputation
Brand preference
Whether it fits your budget
What you might negotiate later
CrackRate names the price of money only after capitalized cost and residual are both disclosed. Until then, Rate waits. CrackScore doesn't run on an ad that withholds the factory window-sticker number.
The 10-rung ladder
This page is the ladder. CrackScore runs 0–100. Each score maps to one public class. Same score, same class, every time.
| Score | Class |
|---|---|
| 90–100 | Cracking |
| 80–89 | Excellent |
| 70–79 | Competitive |
| 60–69 | Good |
| 50–59 | Fair |
| 40–49 | Below average |
| 30–39 | Poor |
| 20–29 | Weak |
| 10–19 | Rough |
| 0–9 | Broken |
Fair / Competitive / Strong is the coarse Phase 1 map (the live pin). Full ladder is the public class.
One formula
There is one CrackScore — the same formula for every lease ad, every dealership. A verified stamp adds the VIN and confirmed factory window-sticker number. We don't wait for a dealer to submit.