Inspecting the Outside of a Used Vehicle
In most cases, you will only have one opportunity to inspect a used car so make it count.
Try to schedule your inspection during day time.
The sunlight will reveal scratches, dings, and oxidized paint that can go unnoticed during a rainy day or at night.
Keep in mind that most cars, even privately owned cars will be washed, waxed, and prepared to make it look its
best and hide otherwise obvious signs of wear and tear.
Prepare and make inspection notes from the following checklist:
Make: _____ Model:_____ Year: _____ Date: _____
___ Inspect the vehicle during the day time
___ Inspect the vehicle during on a clear day (plenty of Sun light)
___ Check for minor nicks, dents, dings, scratches
___ Inspect the windows and windshields for cracks, dings and chipping
___ Check the mirrors to make sure they work properly and are not cracked
___ Check for worn, thin paint or missing paint (oxidized)
___ Check for a current inspection sticker
___ Inspect the exterior lights and ensure they are not broken
___ Focus on large defects (that will cost money to address), not minor defects
___ Perform general walk-around the vehicle looking for anything out of place
___ Inspect vehicle front. Ensure it is properly aligned and not titled to one side (level)
___ Inspect vehicle rear. Ensure it is properly aligned and not titled to one side (level)
___ Inspect the sides for surface imperfections and ill-fitting panels (sign of an accident)
___ Check for rust around the door bottoms, along windows and seams and fenders (bubbling)
___ Check under the car for rust, especially along the frame (this is a serious problem)
___ Check for ripples or waves, poorly fitted panels or mismatched colors (accident signs)
___ Check for welding spots along the frame and in places hidden by closed doors and hatches
___ Ensure doors, hood, trunk or hatchback work properly
___ Check shocks. Sharply push down on each corner and let go. The vehicle should move back up only once and settle back to its original position
___ Inspect the tires. Look for dried cracking along the sides, uneven tread wear, tread wear and brake fluid leakage (on the inside). Also ensure that all lug nuts are present and the valve stems are not too worn
___ Check the ground under the car for: oil, transmission fluid, power steering, brake, and shock absorber fluid, and radiator coolant
___ Check the fan belts for tension, wear and cracking. They should not move more than ½ inch when pushing down on them with your index finger
___ Check radiator fluid and ensure it is a clear, green, yellow, or bluish color
___ Check the oil dipstick (while vehicle is off and on level ground). It should not smell burnt, be gummy, too black or gray
___ Check the transmission fluid (while the vehicle is off and on level ground). It should be clear, not gummy and reddish in color
___ Check the master cylinder fluid level
___ Inspect the antennae for wear and ensure it works properly
___ Inspect the trunk for an inflated spare tire, jack and lug nut wrench
___ Inspect the license plate holder for serviceability and ensure the light works
___ Inspect the trailer hitch for wear and ensure the brake wires connecting to the trailer are serviceable (if applicable)