As automotive engineering and manufacturing technologies evolve, the performance and durability of new vehicles continually improve. With contemporary maintenance techniques, a used vehicle can be an excellent value if it has been reliably and routinely serviced. But since any vehicle is the sum of hundreds of parts as well as numerous mechanical and electronic systems -- any of which may develop problems-- it's important to find out as much as possible about how well the vehicle has been maintained by the previous owner. Used-car shoppers are often so favorably impressed by the appearance of a vehicle that they overlook potential problems. Before investing in a used vehicle, a thorough inspection is vital to avoiding future frustration and expense. This involves considerably more than kicking the tires. This "Used-Car Buyer's Checklist" provides you with a systematic method for making a comprehensive check of potential trouble areas. Utilizing the list will help ensure that if you do decide to make the purchase, you're not simply inheriting someone else's problems.
- Note: An inspection based on this list is only part of what should be an extensive evaluation of any used vehicle before you make a purchase decision. It is strongly advised that in addition to making your own inspection, you take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic for a professional evaluation before you finalize the purchase.
General Information & Identification
Year:
Make:
Model:
Mileage:
FWD___ RWD___ 4x4___
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
Exterior Inspection and Condition of Body
- Paint:
Original paint___ Repainted___
Condition of paint:
Good condition___ Cracked or peeling___ Faded or dull___ Scratches___
Color matches on all panels___
- Bumpers (overall appearance):
- Grill (overall appearance):
- Trim:
Good condition___ Damaged___ Separated ___ Missing___ Repair evident___
- Glass (windshield and windows):
Good condition___ Cracked or damaged___ Scratched___ Milky___
- Weather stripping:
Good condition___ Dry-rotted___ Separated ___ Cracked___ Curling ___
- Body exterior:
Good condition___ Surface rust visible___ Pitted___ Deep rust___
- Frame:
Good condition___ Surface rust visible___ Pitted___ Deep rust___
Interior Inspection
- Door panels:
Good condition___ Loose___ Need replacement___
- Doors:
Good condition___ Handle/latch mechanism not operational or secure___
Hinges loose___ Doors don't hang properly when open___
Door-locks not operational___ Doors not keyed alike___
- Dash:
Good condition___ Splits or cracks___ Dull, faded or dry___
Repairable___ Needs replacement___
- Seats:
Ripped, cracked or split___ Seams damaged___
Repairable___ Need replacement___
- Carpet:
Good condition___ Poor condition___
Faded___ Stained___ Cigarette burns___
- Seat belts (driver, passenger and rear-passenger):
Good condition/operational___ Need repair___
Note: When conducting the interior inspection, pay particular attention to indicators of high mileage, and try to determine whether the odometer reading reflects the actual mileage. High-mileage giveaways include heavy wear to the steering-wheel cover, brake and clutch pedals, gas pedal and the carpet around it, and (if it's original) the ignition key.
Under the Hood and Engine Inspection
- Engine condition:
Original engine___ Freshly painted (used) engine parts___
- Condition of spark plugs:
Good condition___ Carbon-fouled___ Oil-fouled___ Burnt___ Worn tip___
Spark-plug wires in good condition___ Need replacement___
Note: Condition of the spark-plug electrode is a good indicator of whether the engine is operating properly. With the aid of a service-manual chart, or advice from a good mechanic, you may be able to diagnose engine problems by the appearance of the plugs.
- Signs of fluid leaks:
Radiator/cooling system leak___ Valve cover (oil-leak)___ Leak at distributor___
Oil leaks at front/rear seals___ Oil leak at rear intake___
Note: Inspect the inside of the engine compartment for signs of slung oil. Oil-spray under the hood is an indication that the vehicle has had a serious engine leak.
- Hoses:
Good condition___ Cracked or split___ Dry-rotted___ Clamps damaged/loose___
- Belts:
Good condition___ Cracked or split___ Dry-rotted___ Worn___
- Electrical connections:
Good condition___ Loose, disconnected or taped ___
- Battery:
Good condition___ Cables damaged___ Battery-posts/terminals corroded___
- Cooling system:
Radiator and reservoir filled properly___ Radiator not properly filled/leaking___
Coolant appears clean and free of rust___ Coolant is brown or rust-colored___
Radiator and heater hoses connected___ Hoses damaged/loose/need repair___
Fan clutch/water pump OK___ Fan or pump needs repair___
- Fluids and air filter:
Engine oil___
Brake fluid___
Transmission fluid___
Coolant (antifreeze)___
Windshield washer fluid___ Reservoir OK___
Air filter___
Note: All fluids -- engine oil, brake and transmission fluids, coolant and windshield washer -- should be filled to their proper level, should appear fresh (i.e., relatively clear or translucent) and should not contain sediment or contaminants. The air filter should be unclogged, and the area around it should appear maintained, indicating that the filter has been serviced and changed frequently.
Lift Inspection
Conduct a thorough inspection (or have a mechanic do so) of the underside with the vehicle raised on a lift. Look for signs of oil leaks and other fluid leaks. Look for physical damage resulting from a prior accident. Look for parts that may have been replaced and for signs poor workmanship in any prior repairs. Inspecting for damage underneath is particularly important for used off-road and sports utility vehicles.
- Exhaust system:
Muffler and tail pipe in good condition___ Rust or damage___ Replace___
Catalytic converter in good condition___ Needs replacement___
Oxygen sensors OK___
- Suspension and Steering system:
CV joints ___
Boots___
Bushings___
Shocks and springs___
Steering rack and pinion___
Operational Tests
- Headlights and signals:
Headlights (right and left) operational___ Headlight(s) out___
High beams OK___ High beams not working___
Emergency flashers OK___Flashers not working___
Brake lights OK___ Brake light(s) out___
Turn signals (front and rear) working___Signal(s) not working___
- Windshield wipers/washers:
Wipers operating___Wipers nonoperational___
Wiper blades in good condition___Blades need replacing___
Fast-speed setting OK___Slow setting OK___ Intermittent setting OK___
Windshield washer(s) operating___ Washer(s) not operating___
- Dashboard gauges and warning lights:
Speedometer___Not working___
Tachometer___ Not working___
Odometer___Not working___
Trip odometer___Not working___
Temperature gauge___Not working___
Oil-pressure gauge___ Not working___
- Air conditioning/heating:
AC cools and runs in all fan settings___ Not working___
Heating works and runs in all fan settings___ Not working___
Thermostat engages/disengages___ Not working___
All vents receiving air-flow___Not working___
Vents OK___Vents damaged___
- Other interior features:
Radio/sound system OK___ Not working___
Interior (dome) light OK___ Not working___
Tilt steering-wheel OK___ Not working___
Seat adjustment OK___ Not working___
Electronic seat memory OK___Not working___
Electric window controls (all windows) OK___ Not working___
Sunroof controls OK___ Not working___
Door locks or power locks OK___Not working___
Trunk release OK___ Not working___
Hood release OK___Not working___
Fuel-fill door release OK__ Not working___
Road Test
Take the vehicle for a test drive to see how it handles and feels, how the engine performs, how it sounds, etc. Except when testing the stereo system itself, turn the radio/stereo system off during the test drive. Take the vehicle on a variety of roads and road-surfaces including bumpy surfaces. Drive it on the interstate, using the on-ramp to check how well it accelerates and shifts. Test the braking and the parking brake.
- Engine:
Starts easily___ Requires excessive cranking___
Runs and idles smoothly___ Engine knocks, pings___ Other noise___
Running temperature OK___ Overheats___
- Transmission:
Shifts smoothly; firm engagement___ Difficult shifting___ Transmission slips___
- Brakes:
Brake pedal is firm___ Brake pedal is loose___
Grinding sound or squealing when brakes applied___
Pulls to one side or vibrates when brakes applied___
Parking brake operational___ Parking brake nonfunctional___
Tires
Good condition___ Severe tread-wear___ Uneven tread-wear___ Damage___
RESOURCES :
Buying a Car for Dummies
ISBN: 0764550918
Author: Deanna Sclar
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Hungry Minds, Inc.
Buying a Car Online for Dummies
ISBN: 0764506978
Author: Pierre Bourque and Richard Mansfield
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Hungry Minds, Inc.
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