RealAuto — Diagnostics‑First Used Car Marketplace

The One‑Sentence Idea

Not “just classifieds,” but a store with a health passport. Every car undergoes independent diagnostics, and the report is shown to buyers — before they book a viewing.

Why It Matters

Used car markets are about trust. Photos are glossy, copy is poetry, and the service bay reveals that the “perfect BMW” saw more adventures than Indiana Jones.

We put diagnostics at the center. Seller applies → car goes to a shop → listing is published with a truthful report.

Context of the Era

2015: used car market grows, trust lags. Listings are glossy; service finds surprises. “Diagnostics before viewing” solves the key buyer pain.

Business Insights

• Transparency raises conversion and reduces “wasted viewings.”
• Diagnostics pay for themselves via trust and faster deals.
• Scraping brings flow, moderation matters more than volume.

What I Built

• Django + Celery backend: queues, reports, notifications — no spinners.
• Auto‑scraping forums (BMW Club, Mercedes Club, Drive2): fresh listings pulled in; one‑click moderation.
• Car page with a human report: “what’s good,” “what to replace,” “what to negotiate on.”

User Experience

• You see the truth before you book a cab.
• You leave with a checklist, not a prayer.
• You negotiate with facts, not tone.

Results

Lessons

• Diagnostics are the best marketing for cars with history.
• Scraping is good; moderation is better. Cut bad sources instead of “clean later.”
• “Truth in the listing” saves everyone miles of nerves.

See also

• CarsBoom — car catalog