Used car checklist: Difference between revisions
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== Exterior == | == Exterior == | ||
☐ Windshield free of cracks <br> | |||
☐ Body panel colors match <br> | |||
☐ Magnet adheres to all steel body panels <br> | |||
☐ Fresh paint job (if yes, it could be to conceal rust) <br> | |||
☐ Seams where the trunk and hood close are properly aligned <br> | |||
☐ Seams where doors and fenders meet are properly aligned <br> | |||
☐ Free of body scratches <br> | |||
☐ Free of body dents <br> | |||
☐ Windshields wipers and blades fully functional <br> | |||
☐ Headlights and directional lights intact and fully functional <br> | |||
== Tires == | == Tires == | ||
☐ Tires are a reputable brand name (Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear) <br> | |||
☐ Tires are all of the same make <br> | |||
☐ Tires are of free of any cuts, bubbles or cracks <br> | |||
☐ Tread worn evenly (uneven wear indicates alignment and suspension problems) <br> | |||
☐ Spare tire, jack and lug wrench on car and fully functional <br> | |||
☐ Spare tire inflated | |||
== Engine == | == Engine == | ||
☐ Free of fluid or oil leaks <br> | |||
☐ Oil filler neck not coated with thick, black deposits <br> | |||
☐ Battery terminals free of corrosion <br> | |||
☐ Oil dip stick free of dark, black oil <br> | |||
☐ Free of odors while engine is running <br> | |||
☐ Exhaust pipe emissions are neither blue (indicates engine burns oil) or black (indicate excessive oil consumption) | |||
== Suspension == | == Suspension == | ||
☐ Vehicle rests levelly <br> | |||
☐ When bouncing the vehicle's corners, no creaking noises are made <br> | |||
☐ All corners respond the same when bouncing | |||
== Interior == | == Interior == | ||
☐ Seats unworn and free of cracks <br> | |||
☐ All doors open and close freely <br> | |||
☐ Trunk opens and closes freely <br> | |||
☐ Lacks a heavy scent of air freshener (may indicate something is being concealed) <br> | |||
☐ All gauges work <br> | |||
☐ No dashboard warning lights remain illuminated <br> | |||
☐ Stereo works <br> | |||
☐ Heater works <br> | |||
☐ Air conditioner works <br> | |||
☐ Windshield wipers work <br> | |||
☐ Windshield wiper fluid dispenses properly <br> | |||
☐ All seats equipped with functional seat belts <br> | |||
☐ All seats adjust properly <br> | |||
☐ Power windows operate properly <br> | |||
☐ Sunroof opens and closes properly (if applicable) <br> | |||
☐ Car alarm works (if applicable) <br> | |||
☐ Trunk and driver-side door lock and unlock with key <br> | |||
☐ Hazard lights function properly <br> | |||
☐ Headlights, including brights, work properly | |||
== Frame == | == Frame == | ||
☐ Chassis is neither bent nor cracked <br> | |||
☐ No signs of crumpling or straightening inside the trunk <br> | |||
☐ Frame holes just inside outer edge clean and free of scratches | |||
== Automatic Transmission == | == Automatic Transmission == | ||
☐ Transmission fluid looks clean, not dirty or gritty (no indicates possible internal transmission problem) <br> | |||
☐ Transmission neither slips nor delays when driving | |||
== Manual or Standard Transmission == | == Manual or Standard Transmission == | ||
☐ Each gear shifts smoothly <br> | |||
☐ No grinding noises when in reverse | |||
== Brakes == | == Brakes == | ||
☐ Vehicle steers straight and does not pull to one side when applying brakes <br> | |||
☐ Parking brake engages and disengages freely | |||
☐ No grinding noises when applying<br> | |||
☐ Wheels do not lock when applying antilock brakes (if applicable) | |||
== Steering == | == Steering == | ||
☐ Vehicle does not drift to one side without prodding <br> | |||
☐ Vehicle is stable; no shaking or vibrating <br> | |||
☐ No resistance in the steering wheel when turning <br> | |||
☐ No clicking or clunking when turning | |||
== Miscellaneous == | == Miscellaneous == | ||
☐ Car manual located in the glove compartment <br> | |||
☐ Instructions included for any accessories <br> | |||
☐ Service and repair records available <br> | |||
☐ Owner has title <br> | |||
☐ Owner's license matches title (not a dealer pretending to be a private seller) | |||
== Other Insights == | == Other Insights == | ||
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<li>Walk away if the seller objects to your inspection</li> | <li>Walk away if the seller objects to your inspection</li> | ||
<li>Don't feel rushed while inspecting</li> | <li>Don't feel rushed while inspecting</li> | ||
<li> | <li>Share your checklist results with your mechanic and have them inspect it for you</li> | ||
<li> | <li>Get ballpark estimates on any repairs/defects and take that off the asking price</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
== Related == | == Related == | ||
* https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0055-buying-used-car | * https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0055-buying-used-car | ||
* http://www.nadaguides.com/ http://kbb.com http://edmunds.com pricing | |||
[[Category:Consumer]] | [[Category:Consumer]] | ||