Home Made "Check List" for a Pre-Purchase Car Inspection

[EB#]

Hi there FF members,

I have drafted a simple two page "Car Inspection Guide" that I would use to review
purchase options for a second hand car. The list would generally be consulted if I
was at the stage of being fairly keen on a particular car, after a good first look.

The list is not meant to be a mechanics grade type schedule, but rather one for
an enthusiast such as myself with a general or rudimentary knowledge of cars and car components.

The following is the check point list, thus far.

I'd greatly appreciate any comments, corrections or additional suggestions for the list.

Many thanks.


CAR INSPECTION GUIDE

Car:
Location:
Owner/Car Yard Contact:
Date:

Check Items

Info From Ad/Enquiries Over the Phone
Build Date ?
General condition/description of car
Ask if car is encumbered/money owing ?
All service/repair records and up-to-date stamped log books are preferred
Original ‘Owner Manual’ available ?
Car ownership history ?
Has vehicle been crashed ?
Registration, how much ?
Reason for sale ?
Pink slip or RWC available ?
Existing faults or repairs required ?

Exterior
Check compliance plate, confirm build date
Check registration sticker, confirm details
Paint & panel, panel junctions, dings, scratches, crash evidence ?
Doors and boot alignment, hanging well, good junctions ?
Check under doors, inside guards
Check windscreen and all glass seals and moulds
All door handles working ?
Check wheels & tyres generally (check tread wear, depth and alignment)
Glass/mirrors
Check all headlights, taillights, blinkers
Check under car generally
Exhaust
Check door trims & seals, including boot seal
Check generally for rust
Check shocks, bounce test

Interior
Odometer working ?
Gauges & dash
Check all power windows, other switches
Seats & trim
Floor carpets
Seat belts, quality, retraction
Ash tray, centre console, stereo
Light stalk and blinkers
Steering wheel and wheel switches
Head lining
Check interior lights
Check boot carpet
Check for spare wheel & jack
Boot and fuel flap release working ?
Test air-con
Check central locking

Engine
Check general condition of engine, does it appear well maintained ?
Check engine bay sides, firewall and strut towers generally
Check oil, dipstick and under fill cap (clean preferred, not milky or smoky after running)
Check coolant, clear bottle ? (clean green preferred not milky, not red, check for evidence of trans fluid)
Check transmission fluid (clean & red preferred, not milky, check for evidence of water)
Check radiator hoses, clamps and spigots
Check all belts
Check block and head gasket(s), signs of blown gasket ? Any coolant residue ?
Check for oil leaks, on engine, on pavement under ?
Check power steering pump and hoses
Check rocker cover seal(s), front timing case seal, welsh plugs
Check air filter
Check plug leads and belts
Noises/rattles when running, under load and revving ?

Test Drive
Check odometer (must be working for accurate mileage/age)
Transmission/gears, check for smooth/good changes, (auto change down 4, 3, 2, 1 whilst driving)
Check auto trans kick down under acceleration
Clutch wear/slip ?
Check synchromesh
Steering, pulls left or right ?
Brakes, test under hard braking, test pedal height & pump pressure
Any black/blue/white smoke from exhaust ?
Check all lights & blinkers
Door seals, wind noises ?
Check temp gauge whilst running
Noises/rattles when running ?
Check air con, cold and hot

Keys
2 sets of keys/fobs preferred

Warranty
Warranty details (if available/offered):

REVS Check (Ph. 133 220)
Money owing on car finance, car statutory write-off, status ?

Sellers Details (must match rego papers)
Name:
Address:
Drivers Lic. No:
Obtain signed over registration papers
Obtain an additional written/signed receipt

Insurance (Ph. NRMA 132 132)
Obtain cover note

List complete.

[Mad Maxine]

Can't faul that list, I have a similar one myself:

Get VIN number – REVS check
Any accident history? Minor? Front right guard replacement obvious
How many previous owners has it had?
Why are you selling?
While under bonnet, check bolts on bonnet hinges. Damaged/rusted – may have been replaced

MOTOR
Start car
Look at exhaust when starting for smoke
Listen to motor for any clattering, etc
Check no warning lights come on on the dash
Check colour of oil on dipstick and inside oil filler cap – beware sludge!
Check colour of water in radiator
Check brake fluid level and colour – any leaks from Master Cylinder?
Look for leaks: get torch and look under at the motor, transmission and diff
Look for stains on ground where car is parked

Test drive
Accelerate
Decelerate
Get up to 80km or more if possible
Watch for vibration, noises, hesitation on acceleration, misfires, missing, uneven revs
Does car pull to left or right under brakes?
Any warning lights coming on?
Vibrations?

TRANSMISSION
Warm car up
Check transmission fluid level and colour – use white tissue
When engaging D from P, it should do so smoothly, no clunk
Move between D and R and back again, should be no delay, clunk or slipping.
When driving car, watch for ‘sticking’ in gear, delays in changing up or down, clunks or noises

BRAKES
Brakes good? Pedal movement not spongy or soft
No pulling to the side under brakes
No humming or vibrations under brakes
Check hand brake

SUSPENSION
Check CV joints and boots
Check chassis frame
Check springs and rubbers
Check no leaks from shockies

WHEELS
Signs of irregular wear?
Check for bent rims
Tyre depth and condition
Spare tyre & jack present?

CONTROLS
Check A/C controls with engine running
Do all the windows, mirrors, interior lights, aerial, central locking, radio, stereo etc work?

BODY
Check for rust
• under front guard where it meets windscreen at the top of the outside edges of the fire wall (you can't really check the plenum in this area easily though), firewall and plenum.
• around the sill vents on the rear pillar beside the rear glass
• roof and door sills
• main centre door post attachment to the sill
• under carpets in boot
• under wheel arches


Are all body lines straight?
Check gaps between body and panels, doors, bonnet and boot
Look for overspray on sills etc


Shazz

[AWD Chaser]

I got mine through state wide inspections.

You can see an example report here:

http://www.vehicle-inspection.com.au...ple_report.pdf

[mickyyyy]

Great lost guyz and i think this should be sticky

[Iggypoppin']

Agreed Mickey. Just so everyone can have a copy of it.

[Yellow_Festiva]

I was going to start a similar thread after buying 3 cars this year.

Some to add to the list:

Check that the advertised details match the free online rego verification service provided by the rta.

Check that CD player / stacker works (take your own CD's!)

Make sure ciggy lighter works (take your car phone charger).

Lift door rubbers to see if paint matches.

Do a few google searches. Try to see if the sellers name or phone number appears numerous times, especially when selling private. Perhaps there is some venting online from other not so happy customers?

Look at bolts / screws on hanging panels. If they appear scuffed and scratched, or the washer shadow is visible could mean that panels have been removed for accident repairs.

Do a little online research. Tabulate a list of common / known faults.

See if factory stickers are still on the door jambs / radiator support / under bonnet.

Does the service history dates flow / show some sort of regularity?

Has the engine just been steam cleaned? Did you arrive to a pre warmed up car at the car inspection?

Are you meeting the owner at a place other than their residence?

Search for the plate on the 'dob in a hoon sites'

Cheers,

Jason

[ZA-289]

Here's one I see most these days.

1. See car for sale on Trading Post.
2. Ring up owner and tell them you will give them 1/2 their asking price in cash today.
3. Wonder why phone has gone dead.

[gosfordrev]

Another one to add to the list - get a CarHistory report. They're only $30, and will tell you if the car's ever been a repairable written off, ever been stolen and heaps more. See the list of what's included - http://carhistory.com.au/products/. This way you don't have to rely on the seller telling you the truth! There's other used car reports out there, but this seems looks by far the most comprehensive. You can also check out a sample report - http://carhistory.com.au/pdf/sample_report.pdf.

[bingoTE50]

A couple of simple things I ask and do ...

Why are you selling ? ,once I am face to face with the seller , note reaction .
Check the brake pedal for wear , if you go fast, you have to stop fast.
I do not look at cars with the quote , must sell going overseas ,this chestnut is overdone.
Ownly the second owner ,so what !!! , or only the second only ,the first owner was a elderly driver ,again ,so !!! I avoid these ads , it tells me nothing .
Another one I avoid is ,maintained by my ( relative is a mechanic ...blah blah ),if he is not liscenced and signs the books I don't go there.
Invariably , signed logbooks are what you pay for , anyone can wash a car and present it well , but maintenance is important . A well maintained high klm car is better than a poorly maintained low klm one.

[EB#]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions everyone..... I have updated the
check-list accordingly.

For people that may be interested, I have made a "word version" file of the
completed Guide, which is available to download HERE

[aussie muscle]

Make sure they give you the SPARE key

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by bingoTE50

A couple of simple things I ask and do ...

Why are you selling ? ,once I am face to face with the seller , note reaction .
Check the brake pedal for wear , if you go fast, you have to stop fast.
I do not look at cars with the quote , must sell going overseas ,this chestnut is overdone.
Ownly the second owner ,so what !!! , or only the second only ,the first owner was a elderly driver ,again ,so !!! I avoid these ads , it tells me nothing .
Another one I avoid is ,maintained by my ( relative is a mechanic ...blah blah ),if he is not liscenced and signs the books I don't go there.
Invariably , signed logbooks are what you pay for , anyone can wash a car and present it well , but maintenance is important . A well maintained high klm car is better than a poorly maintained low klm one.

I think the why 'you are selling' question is not all that valid. Anyone can make up any story and sound as convincing as ever.

I own 4 cars. 2 right now are on Ebay. I have had the 'why are you selling' question and the answer is that I have 2 cars in the double garage + the car of my bride to be plus the fact that I have moved around the corner from work and now walk. Valid answers, but I could have also said that even if it wasn't the case.

Would you ask to see proof or the new rego papers of a person who says they 'just got a company car', or the pregnancy test results for a person who says their misses is expecting and the small car needs to go?

Re the 'going overseas'. This can sometimes be a great opportunity to buy at a discount! (I got a car generally worth $4.5K for $3900 because the guy WAS leaving in a week and wanted cash ASAP) Does it really matter in the end? I have also sold a car prior to my 1 year backpacking trip, and mentioned in the add that anyone who wishes to view the tickets need only ask.

Agree with the brake pedal inspection, as well as the fact that a high km car with service history is better than a low km car with none

When buying any second hand car, go in there knowing that any owner will generally make their car look great to any prospective buyer. It's up to you to work out if the deal is worth it, and how soon the BS meter goes off at the inspection.