lexusman08

I'm putting together a detailed used and new vehicle purchase roadmap.
As part of this, I put together an inspection checklist when looking at a used vehicle. I would appreciate some feedback (changes or something I missed). I will be happy to post the final roadmap if people seem interested.

DRIVERS SEAT
test all driver's power seat controls
inspect windshield for rock chips
check condition of leather on steering wheel
check condition of headliner
verify driving position
verify seat comfort
check front & rear visibility (blind spots)
open & close all windows
open & close moonroof
test power door locks
try all power mirror controls
try wipers - all settings
idle engine noise (when cold)
check navigation system
Audio System:
check CD player
turn up volume on radio
check FM tuner (does it pull in stations)
does power antenna make excessive noise when going up or down?
HVAC
check all HVAC fan speeds (check for unusually noise)
check AC blows cold air
check Heater blows hot air
switch HVAC to different vent configurations with blower running
INSIDE CAR
passenger seat position & comfort when fully reclined (VERY IMPORTANT - road trip)
test all passenger power seat controls
check leather for rips, stains, wear, cracks
inspect interior plastics for scratches, stains, wear, damage, flaws
inspect carpets for water damage, stains, tears (front & back seat)
inspect cloth seats for stains, wear, damage, odors
inspect windows & windshield (they should all have matching stamp)
fold down rear seat
OUTSIDE CAR (SOMEONE ELSE IN DRIVERS SEAT)
verify interior trunk release
verify gas-door release
check power antenna when fully extended (does it go up all the way, is it bent?)
check headlights & brights
check hazard lights
check turn signals
check brake lights (including 3rd brake light)
check tail lights
OUTSIDE CAR
verify that the car has the optional equipment from the ad
make sure front license plate is installed
inspect headlights: one clear and another foggy? (could be sign of accident)
look for dealer decal (ask if they can remove it)
verify key fob functions: lock/unlock, alarm, trunk, remote start?
compare VIN#s for consistency: door jamb, dashboard-windshield conduit, engine firewall under hood
test alarm functions
inspect tires
check for consistency (brand/model) with all 4-tires
check depth with gauge (note remaining tire life)
big difference in wear between front & rear (weren't rotated regularly)
look for rubber rotting
check wear patterns
excess wear in center of tread - over-inflation
excess wear on outer parts of tread- usually means under-inflation
feathering - each rib develops a sharp edge on one side and rounded edge on other
usually can be felt before seen - incorrect toe or possibly deteriorated bushings
one side of tire wear - alignment needed or suspension problems
cupping on one side - worn suspension components
BODY INSPECTION
paint
inspect paint for stains, scratches, scrapes, bubbles, chips
look down each side of car and check for wavy paint (sign of repainting)
look for overspray in door jambs
look for overspray in wheel wells
inspect heads of bolts on door mounts (missing paint indicates accident)
sheet metal
inspect sheet metal for dings & dents
inspect gaps in body panels (doesn't necessarily indicate accident)
inspect for rust
inspect sheet metal for signs of accidents
use magnet in suspected areas
use knuckles to knock on the metal (check for dull or metallic sound)
check for body filler (vehicle was in an accident)
look for waves/dips/lumps in paint
TRUNK
trunk volume and shape sufficient?
can hinges crush luggage or impact volume?
condition of trunk carpeting & liner
check condition of spare tire
inspect trunk lid bolts (missing paint or noticeable moved hinged indicates accident)
UNDER HOOD
check for signs of fluid spray on the inside surface of the hood
wipe oil from dipstick on tissue
if oil is black or dirty - oil is old or vehicle was driven hard
look for engine and other aftermarket modifications
remove the cap where you add engine oil:
leave if milky
use flashlight to note the condition of the inside of the engine.
A well oiled machine will look clean and not have a "burned on" look.
inspect where hood mounts to hinges (missing paint or noticeable moved hinged indicates accident)
inspect paint in engine compartment for mismatch (indicates repainting)
TEST DRIVE
Arround town
traffic light acceleration
transmission shifting quality
ride quality - around town
hill climbing power (if practical to test)
routine braking
emergency braking
any rattles or squeaks?
Freeway
entry acceleration
engine noise quality (freeway entry acceleration)
passing acceleration (does auto transmission downshift quickly and smoothly?)
ride quality - on the freeway
test cruise control (does it hold desired speed)
cornering (check on highway exit ramp)
DOCUMENTATION (when confident about purchase)
verify owner's manual

review California title:
match VIN# listed on the title with the number on the car
in the upper right corner of the title, are any of the following "brands" listed?
Salvaged, Taxi, Police, Non-USA, Warranty Return, Remanufactured
make sure it has the signature of lien holder if listed
if the vehicle is, or was financed, the lien holder’s name appears in the legal owner section and their release with
counter signature is required on line two.

review California smog certificate (not required if vehicle is less than 4-years old)
make sure vehicle smog date was within the past 90-days and that there is enough of a grace period until
I have time to visit the DMV
check how close measurements are to the legal limits
(measurements close to legal limits could make it difficult to pass smog in 2-years)

review maintenance records (verify maintenance interval inspections and oil change intervals)

terrain

Wow - that is one detailed pre-purchase check-list. Would like to see the final road-map.

jaseman

Nice list and all, but a lot of it really only applies if your buying a relatively new, used vehicle. Or are paying a high premium.

Much of what you list there are problems you just expect to find if your looking at cars that are ten years old, or have 80k + miles on them.

If you looking at 2007's with 10k, then your list is spot on.

terrain

List works for what I'm trying to do - My major concern is in spending 100K+ Cash on a used one owner personal car (not dealer) only to find out there is a problem with the title after the sale. I already plan to use car-fax, dealer maintenance report and take it to my preferred body shop to make sure everything is as it should be. The title is the last piece that I'm concerned about since I think it would be easy to put together a fake title and in this price range probably worth it for someone. I have heard too many stories about Car-Fax reports that are missing critical information. If all checks out I will probably insist on taking the new/used vehicle to DMV along with its Title to have DMV verify the title.

In any event Thx Lexusman the list provide me with lots more to think about when doing my own vehicle inspection pre the other methods I plan to use.

CDNROCKIES

Wow....that's a very extensive list.

But if you're buying something late model (which I assume you are considering the price point you mentioned), what's the point anyways? Shouldn't the vehicle still be in warranty? And wouldn't the majority of your list be covered?

Not being critical, more curious....as I'm also off tomorrow to begin car shopping again.

IS-SV

Wow. You could cross-check it against the CPO checklists of Mercedes and Lexus (available on their websites) for completeness.

lexusman08

Thanks for the great feedback!
I'm taking an unusual approach toward vehicle ownership
I'm putting together the most detailed roadmap guiding people through the process of buying, selling, maintaining and repairing their vehicle.
I'm inspired by my own profession where I develop standardized business processes.
I was frustrated with all of the repetitive and conflicting information on the web. So I'm creating an incredibly detailed roadmap with feedback from various experts in different automotive fields including myself.
It will then become an open source document where people can lend their input to further improve the roadmap.

Its amazing how many small things come up in life regarding owning a vehicle.
For example, I used to pay a shop $50 to repair a rock chip in my winshield
and since its illegal to repair a chip in line of the driver's sight in California, I once replaced my winshield.
I learned after many years that those $10 kits at autoparts stores are easy to use and work well and I also learned that my insurance company
will pay for rock chip repairs for free. And recently I discovered a nationwide company that comes to you and will do the repair on the spot in 10-minutes and bill my insurance directly.

Its long overdue to pool knowledge and experiences and create a comprehensive document to help others.

Thanks again for the feedback

LexFather

Will this roadmap be free b/c you are asking us for opinions and help. Will it be posted here out of curiousity?

lexusman08

It will be posted on my own independent website and available for free and I promise to link to it. While I'm asking for feedback from others, I'm still retaining the copyright rights for the work I'm doing.
Just like someone writing a book, I will cite my sources.

lexusman08

Terrain, consumer reports had a great article on the topic of services like Carfax and their limitations.
Go to http://www.consumerreports.com and do a search
on Carfax.
They also recommend http://www.Autocheck.com
You should probably get reports from both Carfax and Autocheck if you
are purchasing a 100K.
I think you have a great idea regarding verifying the title at the DMV considering the price of the used car you are looking for

lexusman08

This is a general yet comprehensive check list for a used car.
I probably should note that for cars 4 years or older, one should be more lenient if a car was in an accident.
However, its still good to check for these things. Because if the owner doesn't disclose body work than you may not wan't to trust them on other aspects of vehicle care or disclosure.

IS-SV

This could lead to "analysis paralysis".

jaseman

Something you might want to add in:

Service records. CarFax, and Autocheck will only get you so far. Not all owners take a car to the dealership for work, and many garages and body shops don't send info to these sites.

Usually, it's a good sign, if the owner keeps a stack of invoices in the glovebox. Be they receipts for oil changes from a quick lube place, or work orders from the local mechanic. It wont tell you if the car has been abused, but at least you'll be able to sort through to see what work has been done.

I once bought a car from a guy who kept a small notebook/organizer in the glovebox that he meticulously updated. He kept track of everything in it - oil changes, tire wear, if the car made a strange sound and what fixed it, dates that service was done, and even replacing burned-out bulbs. While this is a bit extreme, it also let me know the car was taken care of. So even receipts from service work can insure you not getting a turd.

Of course, I now keep a 'little black book' in all my vehicles....

edit: Sorry, just realized you had service records at the end of your list.

Faymester

I've got a friend you should meet ... though when we went to car shop for him we ended up scrapping the list