Vehicle Checklist

A basic overview on what to check before vehicle purchase. Useful also as a guide on what to inspect every few months, or 10K miles of driving, whatever comes first.

Required Equipment:

• Flashlight
• Jack & Jack Stands
• Multimeter
• OBDII Scanner
• Paper towels
• Tire pressure gauge
• Safety goggles

Under the hood before starting car

• Oil Level, Cap and lines if applicable
• Transmission oil and lines
• Power Steering & Lines
• Brake Fluid, and lines
• Coolant level & color
• Clutch reservoir
• Radiator, fan shroud, AC lines
• Serpentine belts
• Battery voltage terminal corrison, electrical connectors, and grounds
• Washer reservoir
• Vacuum lines
• Air filter, air intake plumbing
• Exhaust Manifold
• Engine mounts

Emergency equipment:

• Spare tire & It’s air pressure
• Emergency jack and tire iron

Body:

• Panel gaps and rubber door/window/etc seals
• Dents / Paint
• Door hinges/pins for wear
• Trunk and Hood hinges
• Corrosion
• Wheels for corrosion or damage
• Glass, windshield, windows, etc
• Headlight housings?

Tires:

• Brand:
• Any miss-matched brands?
• Size:
• Any miss-matched sizes?
• Does the size match the spare?
• Even wear?
• Legal tread depth?
• Pressures?
  • Front Driver’s
  • Front Passenger
  • Rear Driver’s
  • Rear Passenger

Suspension:

• Dampening
  • Front Driver’s
  • Front Passenger
  • Rear Driver’s
  • Rear Passenger

Mechanical:

• U-Joints
• CV Shafts
• Tie-rods / steering
• Wheel bearings & ball joints
• Coolant, Power Steering, Transmission, Oil leaks?
• Corrosion on any of the lines? Brake lines, transmission, oil, etc.
• Exhaust corrosion?

Engine

• OBDII Readings
• Oil pressure
• Warmup time

Electrical, with engine running:

• Alternator voltage?
• Headlights High/low beams
• Indicators & hazard lights
• Brake Lights ( Including center )
• Backup lights
• License plate lights
• Interior power outlets
• Interior dome lights
• Power mirrors

Check the wiper and washer functionality:

• Check the washers and wipers
• Check Rear washer/wiper if equipped

Check the radio functionality:

• AM/FM Stations
• Aux/Bluetooth if applicable
• All speakers work?

Interior

• Floor mats? Anchors?
• Seats work?
• Free of stains offensive smells?
• Dry?

Test drive checklist:

• Does the engine get up to temperature quickly?
• Does it maintain operating temperature consistently?
• Cruise control still work?
  • Does it disengage with:
    • brake pedal application?
    • Clutch application?
  • Resume work?
• Does oil pressure look normal?
• Transmission shift smooth? Shifts into every gear?
• Clutch feel ( if applicable )
• HVAC:
  • Recirculate
  • All vent locations work
  • Defrost
  • Heat
  • Air conditioning

After test drive:

• Check oil again.
• Check coolant level
• Quick check for any leaks
• If possible check if the belts have any excessive heat
• Check to see if the radiator fans are actuating properly.
  • Make sure they come on with the AC

Questions for the owner:

• How long have you owned the vehicle?
• Why are you selling the vehicle?
• Any service records?
• Any other vehicle documentation?
• Any extra keys with the vehicle?
• Oil filter changed recently?
• When was the engine oil last changed?
• When was the Transmission fluid last changed?
• When was the fuel filter last changed?
• When was the timing belt/chain last inspected or replaced?