Used Car Buying Guide and Checklist

It’s important to keep in mind that when buying a used car, research is definitely key. If you feel like you aren’t getting the best deal possible or you feel rushed while inspecting your potential used car, it’s okay to say no thank you and walk away.

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8th March 2020 in automotive & vehicles

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Item

Item

Selection

Category

Check

Notes

Category
General

Year

Make

Model (any options?)

Asking Price/Phone#

Trade in Value

Scratches

Dents

Windshield (chips or cracks?)

Headlights (foggy?)

Inspection Sticker Current?

Rusty Brake rotors?

Tire Tread

All 4 tires/wheels the same?

Wheel damage?

Rips on seats

Car Options (Navi, sunroof, etc)

Headliner (saggy?)

Automatic/Manual

Steering wheel (worn?)

Leaks (near engine and rear diff)

Rust (exhaust, frame, body, etc)

Suspension (tie rods, ball joints, shocks, axle, etc)

Frame Damage (from collision)

Category
Engine

Hood pops open easily?

Frame (straight, no kinks)

Inspect for leaks (oil, coolant, tranny)

Oil level and oil (no metal, not frothy)

Check Coolant (make sure it’s not hot when you check)

Hood support/struts work?

Clean vs Dirty (was the engine detailed)

Any damage/new parts

Oil Cap (no froth under cap)

Hoses, belts, battery post, wires, etc

Any strange noises/smoke? (ticking, grinding, etc)

Does the motor move a lot (bad motor mounts)

Idle (does the idle drop and smooth out)

Does it take too long to start?

Check under oil cap (strong pulses/smoke)

Check exhaust for smoke upon startup

Any strange noises/smoke? (ticking, grinding, etc)

Check under oil cap (strong pulses/smoke/froth)

Bubbling in radiator reservoir? (blown headgasket)

Does it take too long to start?

Idle (does the idle drop and smooth out)

Check exhaust for smoke upon startup

Category
Interior

Damage, rips, tares, stains, smell

Adjusts properly (forward, back, tilt)