A used car inspection checklist keeps you looking at the same things, in the same order, on each car you consider. The one below runs from the paperwork to the test drive. Bring a flashlight, and allow enough time that you are not rushed.
A checklist finds reasons to ask more questions. It does not show that a car is sound, because much of what matters is out of sight.
For the parts you cannot judge yourself, the next step is a mechanic’s inspection. A pre-purchase car inspection is one of the services Golden Star Mobile Mechanics performs.
Paperwork and History
- Ask to see the title. Its vehicle identification number should match the one at the base of the windshield and on the driver’s door label. In a private sale, the name on it should be the seller’s.
- Read the service records for oil changes and other maintenance at regular intervals.
- Compare the odometer reading with the records and with the wear you can see.
- Look up open safety recalls using the identification number.
- Read a vehicle history report for collisions, flood damage or a salvage title. It shows only what was reported.
Outside and Underneath
Walk around the car in daylight, then look under it. Things to look for:
- Paint that changes shade or texture between panels, and uneven gaps between panels. Both can point to past collision repair.
- Rust along the lower edges of the doors, around the wheel arches and under the car.
- Chips or cracks in the windshield, and lamps that are cracked, cloudy or holding water.
- Tires with shallow tread, cracked sidewalls or mismatched brands. Wear that is uneven across a tire can point to suspension or steering problems.
- Fresh drips or wet patches on the ground where the car is usually parked.
- Bent or scraped metal under the car, and oily residue on the engine, the transmission or the shock absorbers.
Under the Hood and in the Cabin
Ask the seller not to warm the car up before you arrive. A warm engine can hide a rough cold start, and several of these checks are safer on a cold one.
Under the hood
- Engine oil: the level on the dipstick, and whether the oil looks milky or gritty. Some cars have no dipstick, and the owner’s manual explains how the level is read.
- Coolant: at the marked level in the overflow tank, and not rusty or oily. Leave the radiator cap closed if the engine is warm.
- Belts and hoses: cracks, fraying, bulges or soft spots.
- Battery: corrosion on the terminals, a swollen case and the date on its label.
- Leaks: wet or oily areas on the engine, which a freshly cleaned engine bay can hide.
In the cabin
- Warning lights: most should come on briefly with the key and go out once the engine runs. One that stays on needs a diagnosis.
- Controls: try the air conditioning, heater, windows, locks, mirrors, wipers, lights and seat adjusters in turn.
- Water: damp carpet, a musty smell or water marks can point to a leak or to past flooding.
- Wear: the pedals, steering wheel and driver’s seat should fit the odometer reading.
The Test Drive
Drive on quiet streets and at highway speed if you can, with the radio off.
- The engine should start without long cranking and settle into a steady idle.
- Watch for exhaust smoke once the engine has warmed, and note a smell of fuel, coolant or burning oil.
- Gear changes should be smooth, without slipping, a harsh jolt or a long pause.
- The brake pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight, with no grinding, pulsing or pulling.
- On a level road the car should hold a straight line, and the steering wheel should not shake.
- Listen for clunks over bumps, clicking in tight turns and a hum that rises with speed.
- The temperature gauge should climb to its normal position and stay there.
After the drive, look under the car once more for new drips.
What a Checklist Cannot Show
A walk-around does not read the codes a car’s computers have stored, measure how much brake material is left or tell a minor seep from a leak that is getting worse. A check engine light can also be off because the codes were cleared, and it may stay off for a while before the fault returns.
Those are questions for a mechanic. What an inspection covers varies, so find out what is included before you agree to one. Whoever does it, an inspection can only tell you about the car as it stands that day. It cannot settle how the car will hold up afterward.
If a car has passed your own checks and you are close to a decision, Golden Star can inspect the car before you buy.
