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Short version: every rating compares a variant against other variants of the same chassis, available in the same era. Not against the rest of the game.
"Which Marauder should I take" and "is a Marauder better than a Warhammer" are different questions. Mixing them is how variant ratings turn to mush, so they are kept apart. The second question gets its own section on each chassis page.
Nothing in its era does the chassis's job better for the money. If you are fielding this chassis in this era and have no specific reason to do otherwise, take this one.
Does the job competently. Another variant does it better or cheaper, but there is nothing wrong with this one and no reason to talk you out of it if you own the model.
Only earns its Battle Value if you specifically need what it carries. A C3 network, stealth armour, a command console, flak capability, jump jets. Correct when you need that thing, overpriced when you do not.
Strictly beaten. Another variant gives you everything this one does and more, for no more money. This is the only tier that is calculated rather than judged.
A variant is a Trap if another variant of the same chassis, available in the same era, meets all of these:
The 3 percent tolerance exists because a six point Battle Value gap is noise, and without it a variant can dodge the test on a rounding difference.
This tier is computed from the variant data when the page is built. I do not assign it by hand, which means I cannot quietly spare a variant I happen to like.
The MAD-7D at BV 1986 is rated a Trap. The MAD-5R costs 109 less Battle Value, matches it on every damage band, matches it on armour and structure, keeps CASE and ECM, and adds a C3 slave and a command module on top.
There is no configuration of a force where the MAD-7D is the better buy. I originally rated it the pick of its era by feel. The test caught me, and the rating changed.
The Trap tier is deliberately falsifiable. To argue with one, name something the cheaper variant gives up: a damage band, armour, structure, an ability, jump capability. If you can name it, the rating is wrong and I will change it. If you cannot, the rating stands even if the variant is a favourite. That is the whole point of writing the test down instead of going on feel.
Corrections to the underlying data are just as welcome. Battle Value, introduction dates and per-era faction availability are reconciled against the Master Unit List, and if something is wrong there it is wrong on the page too. Tell me and I will fix it.