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Domain Due Diligence
Report for Autotrader.com

Report Date December 17, 2025
Recommendation
Proceed
Overall Summary
Safe
Why we think so

Autotrader.com is a high-traffic U.S.-based online vehicle marketplace with about 27.6 million monthly visits. It offers new and used cars, trucks, and SUVs, plus tools like affordability calculators and instant cash offers. Technically, it uses reputable infrastructure like Akamai and Amazon Cloud services and implements robust security measures including valid SSL certificates. The domain is owned and operated by TPI Holdings, Inc., a well-known legal entity with several live trademarks on the "AUTOTRADER" brand. The site is not blacklisted for phishing or crypto scams, and Google Safe Browsing flags no risk. User reviews note typical complaints about customer service and fraud prevention challenges common to classified listing platforms. Autotrader provides clear contact channels and anti-fraud resources. Recent court cases involving privacy tracking claims were dismissed for lack of plaintiff standing, affirming the company's compliance in legal scrutiny. Overall, autotrader.com is a legitimate and well-established platform with some common marketplace risks but no direct scam indicators.

Confidence Score
90%

Risk Insights

🛡️

High Traffic and Strong Brand

Approximately 27.6M monthly visits primarily from the U.S.
Multiple registered trademarks owned by corporate entity
Robust infrastructure promotes stable service
⚠️

Common Marketplace Risks Present

User complaints about refund denials and third-party scams
Fraud prevention is challenging but acknowledged by the site
Customer service issues reported but some resolutions occur

Contradictory Signals

The platform is well-established but experiences typical marketplace challenges with fraud and service complaints, not evidence of a direct scam.

Signal A: Strong brand reputation and trust indicators

Signal B: Frequent user complaints about refund and fraud issues

Category Scores

Identity 95/100
Reputation 80/100
Technical 90/100
Content 85/100
Legal 90/100
Business Validity 90/100

Red Flags & Warnings

  • Multiple customer complaints about refund denials, poor customer service, and fraudulent inquiries via the platform.
  • Challenges in fraud prevention noted by users, due to scammer activities targeting sellers through listings.

🔎 Detailed Checks & Analysis

Traffic Volume and Rank

Score: 90/100
Passed

"High user volume reflects a trusted and established online presence."

Reason: The site receives about 27.6M visits monthly with a global rank around 1287, indicating high legitimacy.

Technical and Security Infrastructure

Score: 90/100
Passed

"Technical setup includes multiple ad services and security solutions, supporting trustworthiness."

Reason: Utilizes reputable CDN providers like Akamai and Amazon, with a valid SSL certificate ensuring secure connections.

Domain Ownership and Trademark Status

Score: 95/100
Passed

"Corporate ownership and trademark presence confirm a legitimate business operation."

Reason: Domain registered to TPI Holdings, Inc. with several live trademark registrations for AUTOTRADER.

Presence in Scam or Blacklist Databases

Score: 95/100
Passed

"No flags detected for phishing or scam activity in major security databases."

Reason: Domain not found on crypto scam blacklists or Google Safe Browsing phishing or malware lists.

Reputation and Customer Feedback

Score: 80/100
Passed

"Company provides fraud awareness info and maintains customer support contacts."

Reason: Customer complaints focus on refund and fraud issues typical in classified platforms; no indication the site itself is fraudulent.

Legal and Compliance Checks

Score: 90/100
Passed

"The dismissal of privacy lawsuits for lack of standing suggests sound legal defense."

Reason: Recent legal challenges related to privacy tracking were dismissed, indicating compliance with applicable laws.

Your Next Steps

  • 1
    Use Autotrader.com for vehicle searches but remain vigilant against third-party scams typical in classified listings.
  • 2
    Use provided official contact emails and phone numbers to report suspicious activity or fraud attempts.
  • 3
    Review terms of use and refund policies carefully before posting vehicle listings.
  • 4
    Avoid sharing sensitive personal information off-platform or in unsolicited communications.
  • 5
    If privacy concerns arise, review the site's privacy policies and note recent court rulings affirming its compliance.

Evidence & Citations

🕵🏻 Keep investigating

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