Difference between revisions of "Used car checklist"
(Adds related section, and restores unicode checkboxes) |
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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 == | ||
| Line 116: | Line 116: | ||
<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]] | ||
Revision as of 15:23, 13 January 2016
Bring the following items with you for inspecting the vehicle:
- A notebook and pen for taking notes and recording the vehicle identification number, mileage and asking price
- A rag or paper towels for checking the engine oil
- A bright LED flashlight for looking under the car for leaks and corrosion
- A refrigerator magnet for detecting body work (bondo)
- A CD and/or phone + aux cord for testing the car stereo
- Inspection checklist (detailed below)
- If possible, an auto history report. Plug in the VIN at https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck and also at http://motosnoop.com/
With these tools in hand, run down the following checklist. To make sure you hit everything, print this page and take it with you when conducting your inspection.
Contents
Exterior[edit | edit source]
☐ Windshield free of cracks
☐ Body panel colors match
☐ Magnet adheres to all steel body panels
☐ Fresh paint job (if yes, it could be to conceal rust)
☐ Seams where the trunk and hood close are properly aligned
☐ Seams where doors and fenders meet are properly aligned
☐ Free of body scratches
☐ Free of body dents
☐ Windshields wipers and blades fully functional
☐ Headlights and directional lights intact and fully functional
Tires[edit | edit source]
☐ Tires are a reputable brand name (Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear)
☐ Tires are all of the same make
☐ Tires are of free of any cuts, bubbles or cracks
☐ Tread worn evenly (uneven wear indicates alignment and suspension problems)
☐ Spare tire, jack and lug wrench on car and fully functional
☐ Spare tire inflated
Engine[edit | edit source]
☐ Free of fluid or oil leaks
☐ Oil filler neck not coated with thick, black deposits
☐ Battery terminals free of corrosion
☐ Oil dip stick free of dark, black oil
☐ Free of odors while engine is running
☐ Exhaust pipe emissions are neither blue (indicates engine burns oil) or black (indicate excessive oil consumption)
Suspension[edit | edit source]
☐ Vehicle rests levelly
☐ When bouncing the vehicle's corners, no creaking noises are made
☐ All corners respond the same when bouncing
Interior[edit | edit source]
☐ Seats unworn and free of cracks
☐ All doors open and close freely
☐ Trunk opens and closes freely
☐ Lacks a heavy scent of air freshener (may indicate something is being concealed)
☐ All gauges work
☐ No dashboard warning lights remain illuminated
☐ Stereo works
☐ Heater works
☐ Air conditioner works
☐ Windshield wipers work
☐ Windshield wiper fluid dispenses properly
☐ All seats equipped with functional seat belts
☐ All seats adjust properly
☐ Power windows operate properly
☐ Sunroof opens and closes properly (if applicable)
☐ Car alarm works (if applicable)
☐ Trunk and driver-side door lock and unlock with key
☐ Hazard lights function properly
☐ Headlights, including brights, work properly
Frame[edit | edit source]
☐ Chassis is neither bent nor cracked
☐ No signs of crumpling or straightening inside the trunk
☐ Frame holes just inside outer edge clean and free of scratches
Automatic Transmission[edit | edit source]
☐ Transmission fluid looks clean, not dirty or gritty (no indicates possible internal transmission problem)
☐ Transmission neither slips nor delays when driving
Manual or Standard Transmission[edit | edit source]
☐ Each gear shifts smoothly
☐ No grinding noises when in reverse
Brakes[edit | edit source]
☐ Vehicle steers straight and does not pull to one side when applying brakes
☐ Parking brake engages and disengages freely
☐ No grinding noises when applying
☐ Wheels do not lock when applying antilock brakes (if applicable)
Steering[edit | edit source]
☐ Vehicle does not drift to one side without prodding
☐ Vehicle is stable; no shaking or vibrating
☐ No resistance in the steering wheel when turning
☐ No clicking or clunking when turning
Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]
☐ Car manual located in the glove compartment
☐ Instructions included for any accessories
☐ Service and repair records available
☐ Owner has title
☐ Owner's license matches title (not a dealer pretending to be a private seller)
Other Insights[edit | edit source]
- Walk away if the seller objects to your inspection
- Don't feel rushed while inspecting
- Share your checklist results with your mechanic and have them inspect it for you
- Get ballpark estimates on any repairs/defects and take that off the asking price
