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Used Car Inspection
Checklist |
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www.Smart-Car-Buying.com |
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A.1 |
Get a AutoCheck®
 Vehicle History
Report |
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Read over your
report for mileage discrepancies, accidents,
number of owners, recalls, Emission test
results, auction sales, possibly service
records, (not all places report servicing for a
vehicle history report) look for anything
suspicous. |
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A.2 |
Take a walk around the outside of
the vehicle |
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How is the overall
appearance? |
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Are there any rust spots or
corrosion that is about to break through the
paint? |
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Is the paint mismatched on any
panels or sections? |
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Is there any panel or door that
looks slightly different than an other? |
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How are the
gaps between the doors, hood, trunk etc….If the
gaps are not even and consistant throughout the
vehicle that may be the sign of a repair from
an accident. |
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Open and close the doors and
make sure they work smoothly and latch
easily. |
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Check the door jambs and doors
for mismatched paint or overspray |
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Check the bottom inside of
doors for rust or corrosion |
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Look up and down the sides for
ripples in the body panels-Ripples suggest
bodywork |
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A.3 |
Open the hood and look
around |
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Check engine oil, is the oil
clean? Is it white or milky, that would indicate
moisture |
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Check the transmission fluid,
is it clean. Does it smell burnt? Could indicate
slipping |
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The overall condition under the
hood. Look for leaks and very oily
condition |
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Are the battery terminals
corroded, check for signs of poor
maintenance |
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A.4 |
Before closing the hood, start
the engine |
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Does the engine sound smooth
and quiet, also check for leaks while
running |
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Look underneath the vehicle.
Any drips, oil spots? |
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Walk around the
back. Is the exhaust have blue smoke? Blue
smoke is burning oil. Depending on the weather
you may get some water vapor and steam. That is
OK as long as it is no excessive. |
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Accelerate the engine while in
Park and hood open, any pinging or
whistling? |
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Does the engine accelerate OK,
and keep running smooth? |
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A.5 |
Go ahead and close the hood and
get in driver seat. |
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With foot on
the brake shift transmission front Park to
Drive a couple times. Any clunking (excessive
clunking, there will be some) any unusual
noises? |
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B.1 |
Test Drive |
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Does the transmission shift smoothly
and quietly? |
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When slowing down does the
transmission downshift, any clunking or
jerking |
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Stop and back up quickly, does it
operate properly without unusual
noise? |
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While driving straight, is there an
unusual amount of play in the
wheel? |
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When applying brakes while going
straight does the wheel pull to the
side? |
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Go over any bumps or Railroad tracks
to check for excessive bouncing?
Shocks? |
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Get the vehicle up to highway
speeds, does it ride smooth, any unusual
noises? |
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Can you let go of the wheel for a
second without the car darting to the
side? |
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Are there any vibrations while
driving at any speed? |
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Gently apply the brakes at highway
speed, does the pedal pulsate? It should
not. |
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Apply the brakes firmly now, is the
pedal firm and the brakes
responsive? |
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Does the brake pedal feel spongy or
go too close to the floor? |
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When applying brakes is there and
grinding or unusual noises? |
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Do any of the dash warning lights
come on while driving? |
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While driving at any speed are there
wind noises from doors or
windows? |
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C.1 |
Interior controls, options and
accessories |
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Do all the windows operate
smoothly |
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Do the seats adjust forward, back
and tilt as designed |
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Do all the doors lock and unlock
properly from inside and with the
key |
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Are all the seat belts accesible and
in working order? |
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Any dash lights on, such as Service
Engine or Air Bag? |
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Are the seats comfortable and
securely mounted to the floor |
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Are the seats or carpet stained in
ways that may have been standing
water? |
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Look under the seats, any signs of
rust or mildew from moisture? |
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Is there excessive wear on the
rubber covering the brake or gas
pedals? |
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Grab the steering wheel try to move
it up and down and side to
side-solid? |
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Check Headlights, marker lights,
brake lights, turn signals…all
working? |
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Does the radio, tape player or CD
player work, bring a CD with you and
check |
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Check all the heat and air
conditioning controls…do all functions work
properly? |
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Is there an Owners Manual, and at
least 2 keys? |
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Are all the mirrors present and
functional |
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Is there a rear
defroster/defogger? Is it
working? |
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Is the Speedometer/Odometer look
original and untampered with? |
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Obviously look over all the seats
and door panels for tears, stains, or
whatever. |
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Look up, yes check the headliner, is
it intact, unstained and original |
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Open the trunk, anything unusual? Is
there a spare in good shape, jack and
wrench |
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D.1 |
Look over the tires |
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Are they all the same size? Get down
there and look |
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Are they all the same brand and
style |
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Do they have substantial tread or
will you replace them soon? |
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Any cracks, bubbles, or cuts on the
sidewall? |
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Check the rims for damage while you
are down there |
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Are the tires wearing evenly from
side to side? Uneven wear means
alignment. |
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Also See: Vehicle
History Report, Research
Used Vehicle, Private
Party Car Buying
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©
www.Smart-Car-Buying.com |
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