TradeBasis Automotive Appraisal MCP (US)

TradeBasis Research Library

tradebasis_research_library

Read-only

Search published TradeBasis US dealer research, BHPH (buy here pay here) economics and portfolio benchmarks, the experimental BHPH Macro Conditions Index and its methodology, public blog articles, and legacy briefs. No arguments lists the catalog. topic retrieves a document by ID/slug/title; topic + section retrieves a section or continuation part. query searches; optional limit is an integer 1–20 (default 5). These modes cannot be combined. Returns published Markdown tables, dated evidence, sources and qualifications, not new financial analysis. Long documents return an overview and section directory. Publication is rechecked on every retrieval; unverifiable sources return retryable errors, not cached article text. Blog access uses the public internet. Publication/update dates, CMS modification, data coverage and retrieval time are distinct. Structured output uses operation=list/search/get/section/invalid; retrieval includes the requested Markdown and publisher caveats. Unknown dates and coverage remain null. No search cursor is supported; use returned section/part IDs for long content.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`limit`	No	Search results only: integer 1–20, default 5. Requires query.
`query`	No	Ordinary-language search of published dealer research and blog articles. Cannot be combined with topic or section.
`topic`	No	Stable document ID, legacy slug, or title. Alone retrieves a document; with section retrieves that section. Empty topic retains legacy listing behavior.
`section`	No	Section or versioned part ID returned by this tool. Requires topic. Oversized sections list all continuation IDs.

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description
`code`	No
`topic`	No
`reason`	No
`status`	No
`caveats`	Yes
`content`	No	Requested Markdown, including source qualifications. May be an explicitly labeled overview or section-part directory.
`message`	No
`outcome`	Yes
`results`	No
`complete`	No
`document`	No
`sections`	No
`documents`	No
`operation`	Yes
`retryable`	Yes
`part_index`	No
`section_id`	No
`suggestions`	No
`next_section`	No
`result_count`	No
`retrieved_at`	Yes
`full_document`	No
`part_complete`	No
`schema_version`	Yes
`source_caveats`	No	Publisher qualifications when present; null does not assert that the source has no limitations.
`available_slugs`	No
`synchronization`	Yes
`section_complete`	No
`continuation_sections`	No
`eligibility_verified_at`	No

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed1 schema field changedOct 12, 2026

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "allOf": [
+    {
+      "else": {
+        "allOf": [
+          {
+            "if": {
+              "properties": {
+                "operation": {
+                  "const": "list"
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            "then": {
+              "required": [
+                "documents",
+                "complete"
+              ]
+            }
+          },
+          {
+            "if": {
+              "properties": {
+                "operation": {
+                  "const": "search"
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            "then": {
+              "required": [
+                "results",
+                "result_count",
+                "complete"
+              ]
+            }
+          },
+          {
+            "if": {
+              "properties": {
+                "operation": {
+                  "const": "get"
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            "then": {
+              "required": [
+                "document",
+                "content",
+                "sections",
+                "full_document",
+                "section_complete",
+                "eligibility_verified_at",
+                "source_caveats"
+              ]
+            }
+          },
+          {
+            "if": {
+              "properties": {
+                "operation": {
+                  "const": "section"
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            "then": {
+              "required": [
+                "document",
+                "content",
+                "sections",
+                "full_document",
+                "section_complete",
+                "eligibility_verified_at",
+                "source_caveats",
+                "section_id",
+                "continuation_sections",
+                "part_complete",
+                "part_index",
+                "next_section"
+              ]
+            }
+          }
+        ],
+        "properties": {
+          "code": false,
+          "operation": {
+            "enum": [
+              "list",
+              "search",
+              "get",
+              "section"
+            ]
+          },
+          "status": false
+        }
+      },
+      "if": {
+        "properties": {
+          "outcome": {
+            "enum": [
+              "RESEARCH_INVALID_INPUT",
+              "RESEARCH_BRIEF_NOT_FOUND",
+              "RESEARCH_SECTION_NOT_FOUND",
+              "RESEARCH_SECTION_VERSION_CHANGED",
+              "RESEARCH_TEMPORARILY_UNAVAILABLE"
+            ]
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "then": {
+        "properties": {
+          "content": false,
+          "document": false,
+          "documents": false,
+          "results": false
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "status",
+          "code",
+          "message"
+        ]
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "if": {
+        "properties": {
+          "outcome": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_INVALID_INPUT"
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "then": {
+        "properties": {
+          "code": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_INVALID_INPUT"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "if": {
+        "properties": {
+          "outcome": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_BRIEF_NOT_FOUND"
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "then": {
+        "properties": {
+          "code": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_BRIEF_NOT_FOUND"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "if": {
+        "properties": {
+          "outcome": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_SECTION_NOT_FOUND"
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "then": {
+        "properties": {
+          "code": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_SECTION_NOT_FOUND"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "if": {
+        "properties": {
+          "outcome": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_SECTION_VERSION_CHANGED"
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "then": {
+        "properties": {
+          "code": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_SECTION_VERSION_CHANGED"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "if": {
+        "properties": {
+          "outcome": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_TEMPORARILY_UNAVAILABLE"
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "then": {
+        "properties": {
+          "code": {
+            "const": "RESEARCH_TEMPORARILY_UNAVAILABLE"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "available_slugs": {
+      "items": {
+        "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "caveats": {
+      "items": {
+        "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "code": {
+      "enum": [
+        "RESEARCH_INVALID_INPUT",
+        "RESEARCH_BRIEF_NOT_FOUND",
+        "RESEARCH_SECTION_NOT_FOUND",
+        "RESEARCH_SECTION_VERSION_CHANGED",
+        "RESEARCH_TEMPORARILY_UNAVAILABLE"
+      ],
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "complete": {
+      "type": "boolean"
+    },
+    "content": {
+      "description": "Requested Markdown, including source qualifications. May be an explicitly labeled overview or section-part directory.",
+      "minLength": 1,
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "continuation_sections": {
+      "items": {
+        "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "document": {
+      "$ref": "#/properties/documents/items"
+    },
+    "documents": {
+      "items": {
+        "additionalProperties": false,
+        "properties": {
+          "canonical_url": {
+            "anyOf": [
+              {
+                "format": "uri",
+                "type": "string"
+              },
+              {
+                "type": "null"
+              }
+            ]
+          },
+          "cms_modified_at": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "content_version": {
+            "minLength": 1,
+            "pattern": "^[a-f0-9]{64}$",
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "data_coverage": {
+            "anyOf": [
+              {
+                "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+              },
+              {
+                "type": "null"
+              }
+            ],
+            "description": "Source-supported observation period, not the publication or retrieval date."
+          },
+          "description": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "id": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+          },
+          "last_substantive_update": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "legacy_as_of": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "publication_date": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "publisher_version": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "slug": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+          },
+          "source": {
+            "enum": [
+              "website",
+              "wordpress",
+              "legacy"
+            ],
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "title": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+          },
+          "type": {
+            "enum": [
+              "research",
+              "index",
+              "blog"
+            ],
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "update_basis": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "webpage_modified_at": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "webpage_published_at": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "id",
+          "slug",
+          "title",
+          "description",
+          "type",
+          "canonical_url",
+          "publication_date",
+          "last_substantive_update",
+          "update_basis",
+          "data_coverage",
+          "publisher_version",
+          "cms_modified_at",
+          "webpage_published_at",
+          "webpage_modified_at",
+          "legacy_as_of",
+          "content_version",
+          "source"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "eligibility_verified_at": {
+      "$ref": "#/properties/retrieved_at"
+    },
+    "full_document": {
+      "type": "boolean"
+    },
+    "message": {
+      "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+    },
+    "next_section": {
+      "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+    },
+    "operation": {
+      "enum": [
+        "list",
+        "search",
+        "get",
+        "section",
+        "invalid"
+      ],
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "outcome": {
+      "enum": [
+        "OK",
+        "PARTIAL_RESULTS",
+        "NO_RESULTS",
+        "RESEARCH_INVALID_INPUT",
+        "RESEARCH_BRIEF_NOT_FOUND",
+        "RESEARCH_SECTION_NOT_FOUND",
+        "RESEARCH_SECTION_VERSION_CHANGED",
+        "RESEARCH_TEMPORARILY_UNAVAILABLE"
+      ],
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "part_complete": {
+      "type": "boolean"
+    },
+    "part_index": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "exclusiveMinimum": 0,
+          "type": "integer"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    "reason": {
+      "enum": [
+        "SOURCE_UNAVAILABLE",
+        "SOURCE_LIMIT",
+        "SOURCE_INVALID",
+        "SOURCE_BUSY"
+      ],
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "result_count": {
+      "maximum": 20,
+      "minimum": 0,
+      "type": "integer"
+    },
+    "results": {
+      "items": {
+        "additionalProperties": false,
+        "properties": {
+          "canonical_url": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/documents/items/properties/canonical_url"
+          },
+          "cms_modified_at": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "content_version": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/documents/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "data_coverage": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/documents/items/properties/data_coverage"
+          },
+          "description": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/documents/items/properties/description"
+          },
+          "excerpt": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "id": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+          },
+          "last_substantive_update": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "legacy_as_of": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "publication_date": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "publisher_version": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "section_ids": {
+            "items": {
+              "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "slug": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+          },
+          "source": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/documents/items/properties/source"
+          },
+          "title": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+          },
+          "type": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/documents/items/properties/type"
+          },
+          "update_basis": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "webpage_modified_at": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          },
+          "webpage_published_at": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "id",
+          "slug",
+          "title",
+          "description",
+          "type",
+          "canonical_url",
+          "publication_date",
+          "last_substantive_update",
+          "update_basis",
+          "data_coverage",
+          "publisher_version",
+          "cms_modified_at",
+          "webpage_published_at",
+          "webpage_modified_at",
+          "legacy_as_of",
+          "content_version",
+          "source",
+          "excerpt",
+          "section_ids"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "maxItems": 20,
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "retrieved_at": {
+      "format": "date-time",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "retryable": {
+      "type": "boolean"
+    },
+    "schema_version": {
+      "const": "1.0",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "section_complete": {
+      "type": "boolean"
+    },
+    "section_id": {
+      "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+    },
+    "sections": {
+      "items": {
+        "additionalProperties": false,
+        "properties": {
+          "canonical_url": {
+            "anyOf": [
+              {
+                "format": "uri",
+                "type": "string"
+              },
+              {
+                "type": "null"
+              }
+            ]
+          },
+          "id": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+          },
+          "title": {
+            "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "id",
+          "title",
+          "canonical_url"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "source_caveats": {
+      "description": "Publisher qualifications when present; null does not assert that the source has no limitations.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "status": {
+      "const": "error",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "suggestions": {
+      "items": {
+        "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "synchronization": {
+      "additionalProperties": false,
+      "properties": {
+        "publication_hook": {
+          "const": "local-filesystem",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        "refresh_interval_seconds": {
+          "const": 240,
+          "type": "number"
+        },
+        "sources": {
+          "items": {
+            "additionalProperties": false,
+            "properties": {
+              "content_version": {
+                "anyOf": [
+                  {
+                    "minLength": 1,
+                    "type": "string"
+                  },
+                  {
+                    "type": "null"
+                  }
+                ]
+              },
+              "document_count": {
+                "minimum": 0,
+                "type": "integer"
+              },
+              "error_code": {
+                "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version"
+              },
+              "last_attempt_at": {
+                "anyOf": [
+                  {
+                    "$ref": "#/properties/retrieved_at"
+                  },
+                  {
+                    "type": "null"
+                  }
+                ]
+              },
+              "last_successful_refresh": {
+                "anyOf": [
+                  {
+                    "$ref": "#/properties/retrieved_at"
+                  },
+                  {
+                    "type": "null"
+                  }
+                ]
+              },
+              "last_verified_at": {
+                "anyOf": [
+                  {
+                    "$ref": "#/properties/retrieved_at"
+                  },
+                  {
+                    "type": "null"
+                  }
+                ]
+              },
+              "next_refresh_due": {
+                "anyOf": [
+                  {
+                    "$ref": "#/properties/retrieved_at"
+                  },
+                  {
+                    "type": "null"
+                  }
+                ]
+              },
+              "source": {
+                "enum": [
+                  "website",
+                  "wordpress",
+                  "legacy"
+                ],
+                "type": "string"
+              },
+              "status": {
+                "enum": [
+                  "cold",
+                  "refreshing",
+                  "ready",
+                  "unavailable"
+                ],
+                "type": "string"
+              }
+            },
+            "required": [
+              "source",
+              "status",
+              "last_attempt_at",
+              "last_successful_refresh",
+              "last_verified_at",
+              "next_refresh_due",
+              "document_count",
+              "content_version",
+              "error_code"
+            ],
+            "type": "object"
+          },
+          "type": "array"
+        },
+        "wordpress_publication_hook": {
+          "const": "not_connected",
+          "type": "string"
+        }
+      },
+      "required": [
+        "sources",
+        "refresh_interval_seconds",
+        "publication_hook",
+        "wordpress_publication_hook"
+      ],
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "topic": {
+      "$ref": "#/properties/synchronization/properties/sources/items/properties/content_version/anyOf/0"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "schema_version",
+    "operation",
+    "outcome",
+    "retrieved_at",
+    "synchronization",
+    "caveats",
+    "retryable"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

Changed5 schema fields changedOct 10, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / limit

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Search results only: integer 1–20, default 5. Requires query.",
+  "maximum": 20,
+  "minimum": 1,
+  "type": "integer"
+}

addedInput schema / properties / query

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Ordinary-language search of published dealer research and blog articles. Cannot be combined with topic or section.",
+  "maxLength": 500,
+  "minLength": 1,
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedInput schema / properties / section

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Section or versioned part ID returned by this tool. Requires topic. Oversized sections list all continuation IDs.",
+  "maxLength": 256,
+  "minLength": 1,
+  "type": "string"
+}

changedInput schema / properties / topic / description

Previous value: -"Optional brief slug or title. Omit to list all available briefs."New value: +"Stable document ID, legacy slug, or title. Alone retrieves a document; with section retrieves that section. Empty topic retains legacy listing behavior."

addedInput schema / properties / topic / maxLength
```
Added value: +256
```

First observedSep 14, 2026

TDQS

A4.8/5.0

Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations declare readOnly/openWorld/non-destructive, and the description adds substantial context beyond them: publication is rechecked on every retrieval, unverifiable sources return retryable errors rather than cached text, blog access uses the public internet, long documents return an overview plus section directory, and date/coverage/retrieval-time fields are distinct with unknowns left null. This is rich behavioral disclosure.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Purpose and mode routing are front-loaded and every sentence carries operational information, but the prose is dense and choppy, and a few clauses (limit range, default 5) duplicate the schema. Slightly long, though not padded.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

An output schema exists, so return values need not be described, yet the description still explains the structured output enum (list/search/get/section/invalid), publisher caveats, and null handling. Combined with the mode rules and error behavior, an agent has everything needed to invoke this tool correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is already 100%, so the baseline is 3, but the description adds relational semantics the schema cannot express: that the modes cannot be combined and how topic/section/query/limit interact. It restates limit as 1–20 default 5, which the schema already carries, so it stops short of a 5.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The opening sentence names the specific verb (search) and enumerates the exact resource set: US dealer research, BHPH economics/benchmarks, the Macro Conditions Index, blog articles, and legacy briefs. It also spells out the four access modes (catalog, get, section, search) so the agent can distinguish this from siblings like tradebasis_about or tradebasis_pricing_and_tiers.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Explicit when-to-use guidance for every mode: no arguments lists the catalog, topic retrieves by ID/slug/title, topic+section retrieves a section or continuation, query searches, and 'these modes cannot be combined.' It also states the alternative for long content (use returned section/part IDs, no search cursor). Nothing is left to inference.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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