automotive & vehicles / cars

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

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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)

Solid/no movement

Check Under Carpets (rust, water)

Stains, holes, cuts, smell, dampness

Floor mats?

Spare (holds air, not rusty)

Spare tire carrier round (no indents)

Water marks, damp carpet?

Jack with lug wrench

Lug nut key (locking lug-nuts)

Power Windows (roll up/down, scratches)

Vehicle Options

Power Mirrors (heat and movement)

Vehicle Options

Radio (am/fm/clock set right, speakers work)

Vehicle Options

Navigation (make sure it locates)

Vehicle Options

Rear View Mirror (auto-dim)

Vehicle Options

Lights (glove box, map, dashboard, etc)

Vehicle Options

Heated Seats

Vehicle Options

Check for Owner’s Manual

Vehicle Options

Window tint (bubbles, legal)

Vehicle Options

Power Locks (all doors lock/unlock)

Vehicle Options

AC/Heat (all settings, all vents)

Vehicle Options

Sunroof (opens/closes, no leaks)

Vehicle Options

Parking Sensors (beep in reverse)

Vehicle Options

Emergency Brake Holds car in Neutral

Vehicle Options

Wipers and washer fluid work

Vehicle Options

All Gauges Work

Vehicle Options

Sagging?

Water Damage, Burns, damage

Gas/Brake Pedal

Shift Knob

Steering Wheel

Seats/Carpet

Category
Exterioir

High/Low Beams

Front Fog Lights

Brake Running Lights

Rear Turn Signals

Front Running Lights

Front Turn Signals

Pressed Brake Lights (3rd brake light)

Rear Fog Lights

Panel Gaps

Bondo (magnet and tapping methods)

Paint Seams on edge of panels

Turn lock to lock

Inspect camber/toe angle

Inspect tread-wear

Category
Test Drive

Smooth, no knocks or hesitation

Acceleration Test

Regular Acceleration

Acceleration Test

Hard Acceleration

Acceleration Test

Stationary- turn lock to lock (noise/feel)

Turn back and forth in motion to sway car (controlled, squeaks, knocks)

Moving- turn 360 (noise/feel both ways)

Hard turn while moving (controlled, squeaks, knocks)

Regular Braking

ABS Light on dash?

Hard Braking (try to activate abs)

Noise/pulling?

RPM (top gear/overdrive)

Noises (thuds, squeaks, whines)

Cruise Control

Smooth/controlled/comfortable/solid

Downshift at cruising speed

Noises (thuds, squeaks, whines)

Does the car feel good to drive?

Vibrations

Shifting (smooth, crisp, no slipping)

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)

Solid/no movement

Check Under Carpets (rust, water)

Stains, holes, cuts, smell, dampness

Floor mats?

Spare (holds air, not rusty)

Spare tire carrier round (no indents)

Water marks, damp carpet?

Jack with lug wrench

Lug nut key (locking lug-nuts)

Power Windows (roll up/down, scratches)

Power Mirrors (heat and movement)

Radio (am/fm/clock set right, speakers work)

Navigation (make sure it locates)

Rear View Mirror (auto-dim)

Lights (glove box, map, dashboard, etc)

Heated Seats

Check for Owner’s Manual

Window tint (bubbles, legal)

Power Locks (all doors lock/unlock)

AC/Heat (all settings, all vents)

Sunroof (opens/closes, no leaks)

Parking Sensors (beep in reverse)

Emergency Brake Holds car in Neutral

Wipers and washer fluid work

All Gauges Work

Sagging?

Water Damage, Burns, damage

Gas/Brake Pedal

Shift Knob

Steering Wheel

Seats/Carpet

Category
Exterioir

High/Low Beams

Front Fog Lights

Brake Running Lights

Rear Turn Signals

Front Running Lights

Front Turn Signals

Pressed Brake Lights (3rd brake light)

Rear Fog Lights

Panel Gaps

Bondo (magnet and tapping methods)

Paint Seams on edge of panels

Turn lock to lock

Inspect camber/toe angle

Inspect tread-wear

Category
Test Drive

Smooth, no knocks or hesitation

Regular Acceleration

Hard Acceleration

Stationary- turn lock to lock (noise/feel)

Turn back and forth in motion to sway car (controlled, squeaks, knocks)

Moving- turn 360 (noise/feel both ways)

Hard turn while moving (controlled, squeaks, knocks)

Regular Braking

ABS Light on dash?

Hard Braking (try to activate abs)

Noise/pulling?

RPM (top gear/overdrive)

Noises (thuds, squeaks, whines)

Cruise Control

Smooth/controlled/comfortable/solid

Downshift at cruising speed

Noises (thuds, squeaks, whines)

Does the car feel good to drive?

Vibrations

Shifting (smooth, crisp, no slipping)