Before the Lot MCP server

• Registry namecom.beforethelot/before-the-lotverified in the MCP registry

The registry name sits under beforethelot.com. The registry only lets a publisher use that namespace after proving control of the domain through DNS or HTTP.

• Stateanswerschecked 2026-10-29
• Tools16
• Server calls itselfBefore the Lot
• Server version1.0.0
• Protocol version2025-06-18

On 2026-10-29 the server answered initialize and tools/list without a sign-in. First answer in 187 ms.

• Whether its tools do the product's job has not been judged yet.
• Checked on 4 of the 7 days it takes to judge reliability.

Said by rules from the measurements above. The likely first call is a model's pick from the tool list; read its description before relying on it.

• INITE MCP scoreafter a weeka score needs 7 daily checks: 4 so far
• Answeredmeasuring4 of the 7 daily checks it takes to print a share
• Median first answer277 ms
• Space in an agent's context≈ 8,462 tokensthe definitions of all its tools (16), which an agent carries on every turn
• Tool definitionsA · 94 of 100
• Typed results0 of 16 toolsdeclared outputSchema: results come typed, read once

• Parameters without a description: in 6 of 16

A program checks the server once a day: initialize and tools/list, no model. Tokens are the definitions' length at about four characters a token. The grade averages six checks of every tool's name, description, schema and annotations; it says how well the tools are described, not whether they work. The score weighs what was measured and nothing else: answering (25%), doing the product's job (25%), definitions (20%), context (10%), use (10%) and how readily a client connects (10%). A part that was not measured is left out, and a hidden instruction caps the score at 40. The state of vendors' MCP servers: method and numbers →

• what_can_i_afford

  Works out the budget ceiling from a monthly payment: the most that can be financed, the highest out-the-door price after the trade-in tax credit, that ceiling as dealers quote it (before the trade-in credit), and the vehicle price it…

• out_the_door

  Itemizes an out-the-door estimate for a vehicle price: rebates, doc fee, add-ons, the state's sales tax (with its rules on rebates and caps), title and registration. Optionally adds a trade-in (and the tax it saves where the state credits…

• check_quote

  Reads a dealer's out-the-door quote, pasted as text (up to 8 KB) or given as line items, and checks it line by line: the out-the-door total, the doc fee against the state's cap (and capped service fees such as Ohio's $50 convenience fee)…

• compare_quotes

  Ranks two to ten itemized dealer quotes by out-the-door price, with each one's gap to the lowest and to the walk line, and (with a state) each doc fee against the state's cap.

• rebate_vs_apr

  Compares a maker's cash rebate taken with the person's own loan against the maker's special APR (with any cash that combines with it): each side's payment, interest and total, the difference, the own-loan rate where the two cost the same…

• loan_payment

  The monthly payment, total interest and total paid on a car loan, with what a term over 60 months adds in interest compared with 60.

• lease_check

  Works a lease quote from MSRP, selling price, residual and money factor (or the lease's APR): the depreciation and rent charges, the payment with tax (and a state lease tax on top where there is one, such as Pennsylvania's 3%; Alabama's…

• refinance_check

  Compares a car loan as it stands with a new loan at a quoted rate, by default over the same months left so a lower payment cannot hide a longer loan, with any fees counted: the new payment, the monthly difference and the total interest…

• trade_in_position

  From written trade-in offers and the payoff: the best offer still open (the floor a dealer's trade number is compared with), the equity or negative equity, and, with a state and vehicle price, the sales tax the trade saves where the state…

• payoff_plan

  A payoff plan for a car loan, for paying it off early with an extra payment each month: the months and total interest at the regular payment, and with an extra amount toward principal each month (optionally for only the first so many…

• get_method

  The Before the Lot method: an overview and its seven stages (what to collect, what each produces, which guides, tools and email templates apply, and when the stage is done). Pass a stage id for one stage.

• state_rules

  A state's rules on dealer doc fees, sales tax (state rate, local add-on range, cap), trade-in tax credit, how a maker's rebate is taxed, and cancellation rights where on file, each with its source, as-of date and confidence, plus the link…

• dealer_email

  Fills one of the six Before the Lot email templates (request a quote, make an offer, a competing quote, confirm the deal, decline, tell a lender) with the details given and returns the subject and body. Details are numbers and short…

• offers_page

  Where a maker lists its own current offers (and a model's own page where one can be built), with whether the maker lists national offers at all.

• desk_script

  The Before the Lot line for a moment at the desk. Pass a script id (monthly-payment, trade-first, down-payment, credit-check, numbers-changed, preinstalled-add-ons, initial-worksheet, decide-today, beat-my-rate, fi-product, only-a-month…

• plan_link

  Builds a Before the Lot planner link that opens with the numbers given already filled in. The plan travels in the link itself, so nothing is stored. Numbers and short labels only; names, phone numbers and emails are refused.