A defensible vehicle description for an incident report should include:

Explanation

A complete vehicle descriptor — sometimes captured by CYMBALS (Color, Year, Make, Body, Additional, License, State) — supports rapid identification by responding police and database lookup. Include color (primary, secondary), estimated year, make and model, body style (sedan/SUV/pickup/van), license plate (state + characters), distinguishing features (damage, decals, aftermarket parts, broken lights), occupants observed, and direction of travel. Color and brand alone (a) is incomplete; plate alone (b) helps but may be obscured or stolen; subjective value (d) is irrelevant. Each detail multiplies the chance of identification when the plate is illegible or partial.