Use This Checklist When Inspecting a Used Car

Guides  /   /  By Nina Russin

A pre-owned car can represent a great value. But what’s the best method for evaluating a car’s condition? The process is not as difficult as you might think. Here’s a helpful 10-point checklist.

1. Start with a little research. Ask the owner for written maintenance and repair records. Many vehicle listings on eBay Motors include records in the Vehicle History Report tab. One smart extra step is to search the NHTSA website to see if the model has been the subject of any safety recalls. It’s not a deal breaker, as long as the necessary repairs were made.

2. Examine the car’s exterior with the vehicle parked outside in a sunny spot. Look for any body panels with mismatched paint that might reveal a prior collision damage. The seams between body panels should be even and not overlap. Check for missing or damaged pieces of trim, which are usually replaceable.

Turn on the headlamps and make sure they work as intended.

Turn on the headlamps and make sure they work as intended.

3. Turn on the headlamps to make sure they work. Have the owner step on the brake pedal to make sure the brake lights come on. Test the turn signals and reverse lights as well.

4. Take a look at the tires for signs of uneven wear that might indicate an alignment problem. Use a penny to check tire tread depth. If you can see Lincoln’s head, the tires need to be replaced. Sidewalls that are turning brown indicate that the tires are drying out. Tires with extensive surface cracks—also known as weather cracking or ozone cracking—are more likely to get blow-outs and should also be replaced.

5. Take a cup of water and run it around the edges of the large glass panels: windshield, rear glass, and sunroof. If water leaks inside, plan to replace the weather stripping. It is illegal in some states to drive a car with a windshield that has a large crack in it, especially one restricting the driver’s view.

Some upholstery might need to be replaced.

Some upholstery might need to be replaced.

6. Inside the car, check upholstery for stains, tears, and overall wear. You can use upholstery cleaner for most stains, and dry dashboard material can be treated. But cracked vinyl must be replaced. Inspect the carpeting for stains, tears, and mold that could indicate a leak. If you smell antifreeze inside the car, the heater core could be the culprit. Check the headliner for any tears as well.

7. Take a peek under the hood, looking for worn V-belts (the rubber belts that drive accessories) or cracked hoses.

8. When taking the test drive, leave the radio off so you can listen for unusual noises indicating engine damage, a bad wheel bearing, worn rotors or brake pads, or a broken suspension component. While all engines make some noise, any unusual knocking or pinging deserves a closer look. Other points to consider:

  • An automatic transmission should shift smoothly, without hesitation upon acceleration.
  • Bad wheel bearings will make noise when you turn the steering wheel in one direction or another.
  • A seized air conditioning compressor squeals when the air conditioner cycles on.
  • Braking squeal can be caused by the audible sensors on worn pads or in some cases a caliper hanging up.
  • Wheels out of alignment make the vehicle track to one side or the other when you loosen your grip on the steering wheel.
It’s not uncommon for a used car to need a new set of rotors and brake pads.

It’s not uncommon for a used car to need a new set of rotors and brake pads.

9. Place a clean sheet of cardboard under the engine compartment to check for leaks.

10. Push down on the fenders over each wheel to check shock condition. If the shocks are good, the car should rebound after one bounce.

Finally, if the owner is amenable, give him or her a deposit to have the vehicle taken to a local repair shop where an ASE certified technician can put the car up on a lift and have a look. Having an expert opinion on the car’s condition provides peace of mind before the purchase.

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About the Author

Nina Russin is an ASE certified automotive technician and writer who has been covering the automotive industry for 30 years. She was a weekly automotive columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for 10 years, and a contributor to AutoWeek, Automobile Quarterly, Collectible Automobile, Cycle World, and AAA Arizona Highroads Magazine. Russin is co-founder and president of Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year, an annual competition.