CarDescribe reads the columns in your inventory export to build each description. You'll set up two vAuto reports — one for new inventory, one for used — and configure them once. Certified vehicles are part of the used report, flagged by the Certified column.
Download the template that matches your vAuto export. Headers and column order mirror vAuto exactly — export, paste, generate. No editing needed.
vAuto exports new and used inventory with different columns — download the one that matches the inventory you're generating.
Using a different inventory system? Match these columns in your export — or send us a sample and we'll map it.
In vAuto, navigate to the Pricing tab → Reports / Customize → Create New Report. You'll build two — one for new inventory and one for used — as dedicated export views for CarDescribe that don't touch any of your existing reports.
In VinSolutions, HomeNet, or any other inventory tool, open the equivalent custom export / saved-column-set builder. If you can't find it, send this guide to your vendor rep — they'll set it up in minutes.
Both reports use the same columns in the same order. The used export adds one column — Starred Equip — and vAuto spells three headers differently between the two exports (shown inline below). The templates above already match this exactly; use this table to build or check a report by hand.
| Column | New | Used | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock # | ✓ | ✓ | Labels each description in the output for easy copy-back. |
| Vehicle | ✓ | ✓ | Year, make, model — core vehicle identification. |
| Series | ✓ | ✓ | Trim level — SV, SL, EX-L, Lariat, etc. |
| Series Detail | ✓ | ✓ | Additional trim detail — R-Line, Sport, Premium, etc. |
| Drivetrain Type | ✓ | ✓ | FWD, AWD, 4WD, or RWD. |
| Color | ✓ | ✓ | Exterior color — used in the opening hook. |
| Interiorused: Interior Material | ✓ | ✓ | Cloth, leather, synthetic leather, etc. Header is spelled differently in each export. |
| Interior Color | ✓ | ✓ | Charcoal, beige, black, tan, etc. |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | CVT, 8-Speed Automatic, manual, etc. |
| VINused: Vin | ✓ | ✓ | Must match the header exactly — see warning below. The Vehicle Schema depends on it. |
| Odometerused: Odomoter | ✓ | ✓ | Mileage. Leave blank or 0 for new cars. (vAuto's used export really does spell it "Odomoter".) |
| Certified | ✓ | ✓ | Yes (or Y) for certified; blank otherwise — Yes triggers the full CPO paragraph. See note below. |
| Starred Equip | — | ✓ | Optional. vAuto includes this column in used exports; usually blank. Include it so your column positions match the template. |
| Selected Vehicle Equip | ✓ | ✓ | Full factory equipment list — buyer-relevant features get extracted. |
| New/Used | ✓ | ✓ | N for new, U for used — sets the schema vehicleCondition. |
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | Engine spec — e.g. 3.5L V6, 2.0L turbo. Adds accuracy to the description. |
The VIN column must be renamed — vAuto labels it "Vehicle" by default.
vAuto defaults the VIN field to the label "Vehicle" (the same label as the Year/Make/Model column). Rename it to exactly VIN in your new-car report and Vin in your used-car report — matching each template. Without the correct header, the Vehicle Schema can't be generated for that car.
Yes (or Y) on certified cars — that's what triggers the CPO program language in the description. A blank Certified column means no CPO language, even for a car that qualifies.
Name the report "CarDescribe Export" so anyone on the team can find it. Run the report and export to a CSV or .xls file.
Do not copy and paste directly out of vAuto.
It will not produce your Vehicle Schema. Always export to a CSV or .xls file first, then open it and paste from there.
If your export tool only outputs to Excel, that's fine too — CarDescribe accepts paste-from-Excel directly.
Log into your CarDescribe account, select the dealership, paste the inventory rows in, and click Generate. Descriptions return in ~30 seconds, and the matching Vehicle Schema is generated and ready to publish.
Copy each description back into vAuto (or use the Chrome extension to do it side-by-side without tab switching). If your site uses our schema script, the structured data goes live automatically — no extra step.