Every score is earned,
never purchased.

We verify the broker holds active authority with the FMCSA, that its legal name, MC number, and public-facing identity are consistent, that working contact channels exist, and that the business has been operating long enough to have a meaningful track record. New or dormant registrations score lower regardless of any other factor.

This is the heaviest-weighted category because aggregated review data across multiple independent platforms is the most reliable signal we have. We look at average rating, total review count, recency trends, cross-platform consistency, and the severity of any formal complaints. A single high-rated platform with thin volume scores lower than consistent quality across four.

We read through review text to identify recurring patterns — not just star averages. Brokers score well here when customers consistently report clear communication, pickup and delivery windows that are honored, and issues handled fairly. Brokers with a pattern of unreturned calls, last-minute carrier swaps, or stonewalled complaints score poorly regardless of their average rating.

Auto transport is notorious for low initial quotes that balloon before delivery. We assess how often final charges match quoted prices, flag brokers with documented price-change incidents, and note whether customers perceived the service as fair value. Brokers with a bait-and-switch pattern receive a red flag regardless of their score in this category alone.

Not every broker is strong on every lane or service type. We rate brokers on their demonstrated capability for open transport, enclosed shipping, luxury and inoperable vehicles, and expedited pickup. A broker with narrow coverage is noted in their profile — this category rewards genuine breadth, not marketing copy.

We look at whether the broker's public presence is professionally maintained — a working, informative website, responses to negative reviews that are constructive rather than combative, and no evidence of fake review inflation. This category is a proxy for how the broker treats customers when things go wrong and no one is watching.