Used Car Buying Checklist

the basics
 1 Is the owner’s manual missing?
 2 Are there large gaps in the service history or 
no records at all?
3 Do you suspect the mileage isn’t legitimate?
deal breaker 
 4 Does the title include the word “salvage”? 
exterior
 5 Is there evidence of curb damage on the wheels?
 6 Are the windshield wiper blades damaged?
 7 Are any hubcaps missing, damaged or loose?
 8 Are all the tire pressures properly set?
 9 Is the paint faded or cracked?
 10 Are any panels a different shade or color?
 11 Are any of the panel gaps markedly different 
than the others?
 12 Are any of the trim pieces loose or missing?
 13 Does a magnet fail to adhere to the sheet metal?
(Try several spots.)
 14 Are any of the tires a different brand or size?
 15 Is there evidence of accident damage that 
has been poorly repaired?
 16 Are lug nuts missing?
 17 Are there any small dark spots or oily film on the
bumper near the exhaust pipe?
 18 Are there any small rust spots?
deal breaker 
 19 Is there rust everywhere? 
interior
 20 Are there any tears or wear marks in the seats?
 21 Are there any cracks, blemishes or broken trim?
 22 Are the spare tire, jack and tools damaged 
or missing?
 23 Do any of the windows go down or up slower than 
the others? Do they make noises?
 24 When the climate control is turned on, 
does the fan squeak or rattle or operate on 
only one speed setting?
 25 Does the air conditioning blow warm air?
 26 Turn on all the accessories (windshield wipers, 
radio, power mirrors, etc.). Do any fail to operate 
properly?
 27 Is the brake pedal worn more or less than the 
mileage on the odometer would suggest?
 28 Is there any rust or evidence of water in 
the spare-tire well?
 29 Does the sunroof operate slowly, as if it’s 
struggling to move?
deal breaker 
 30 Is there a stale smell, like mildew or spoiled milk?
 31 Is there evidence of water damage in the glovebox
or under the rear seat? 
chassis/UnderbodY
 32 Are any of the inner fender shields missing 
or broken?
 33 Put your knee on the bumper, bounce the car
three times, then stop. Does the body move up 
and down more than two times?
 34 Is there uneven wear on any of the tires?
 35 Does oil coat any of the shock absorbers? 
 36 Jack up the car and safely support it so the wheels 
are off the ground. Tug and push on the wheels. 
Is there any lateral play at the hub?
 37 Pull on the tie rods and the suspension 
mounts. Do you detect any movement?
 38 Are the brake pads and rotors worn out?
 39 Is there rust on any of the underbody surfaces? 
 40 Check the engine bottom. Any sign of fluid leaks?
 41 What about transmission and differential leaks?
 42 Is there any bent or dented metal?
 43 Are there shiny marks on the pinch welds?
 44 Is there fluid seepage around the brake caliper or
from the bottom of the brake drums?
 45 Check the ground under the car. Are there any 
puddles of oil or fluid?
 46 Look at the bottom of the radiator. Is it wet from 
coolant?
Flashlight Jack Jackstands Code reader Clean, white rags Magnet
Noted, but 
not serious
Cause for 
concern
Serious
issue
Flee the premises.
deal breaker yes no
yes no
on the road
 80 Drive the car in tight circles in a parking lot. Does
anything rub or clunk?
 81 Brake firmly. Does the pedal feel soft and mushy?
 82 Does the feel of the brake pedal change (e.g., soft 
one stop, firm the next)?
 83 Does the car veer to one side while braking?
 84 Drive over some bumps at normal speeds. Does 
the car bounce up and down after hitting 
a bump?
 85 Do you hear any loud noises from the suspension, 
such as clunks or creaks?
 86 Get up to highway speeds. Is there any vibration?
 87 Is the steering wheel off-center when the 
car is going straight?
 88 Do you hear excessive wind noise?
 89 Do the interior pieces rattle over bumps?
 90 Does the car pull to one side?
 91 Accelerate briskly. Does the transmission jerk 
at the shift points?
 92 Does the car accelerate in fits and starts?
 93 Manual transmission: Put the car in 
top gear while driving at 30 mph. Floor 
the throttle. Do the engine revs climb 
quickly, as if the clutch is slipping?
deal breaker 
 94 Do you hear any knocking noises from the engine
that get faster with higher engine speed?
 95 Does the car feel tired, as if it’s worn out?
test driVe (with a Friend)
 96 Have someone watch the headlamps and 
marker and brake lights as you 
operate them. Are any burned out?
 97 With your friend standing behind the car, start the 
engine. Is there sustained visible smoke?
 98 With your friend following, drive the car. Do the 
wheels wobble, or does the vehicle have an odd 
stance (e.g., it rides low in the rear)?
 99 Is there smoke coming from the exhaust during 
acceleration?
post-test-driVe inspection
 100 Look under the hood. Do you hear a hissing noise?
 101 Check under the car again. Any sign of fresh 
fluid leaks?
engine
 47 With the engine off, squeeze the hoses 
(be careful, they may be hot). Do they feel 
stiff or brittle?
 48 Are there cracks in the belt(s)? 
 49 Are there any wires not covered by sheathing?
 50 Are there any loose hose clamps?
 51 Are there any loose and corroded battery clamps?
 52 Is the battery more than 4 years old?
 53 Is there any sign of fluid leaks at the accessories 
(power-steering pump, brake reservoir)?
 54 Any evidence of nesting mice or other animals?
 55 Is the air filter dirty?
 56 Are fluid levels (power steering, brake, coolant, 
oil and transmission) below the minimum?
 57 Check for oil change stickers. Is the car 
long overdue? 
 58 Is there seepage at the bottom of the 
brake reservoir?
 59 Is there sludge in the bottom of the 
coolant reservoir?
 60 If the engine has a timing belt, is it older
than 4 years? If unknown, answer “yes.”
deal breaker 
 61 Put a drop of oil from the dipstick on a clean, 
dry rag. Does it appear gooey or black? 
 62 Are there shiny metallic particles in the oil?
 63 Does the oil look milky or smell like gasoline?
 64 Remove the oil filler cap. Are there thick, black
deposits in the cylinder head?
 65 Sniff the automatic transmission fluid dipstick. 
Does it smell burnt?
 66 Wipe the dipstick on a clean, white rag. Are there 
a lot of black particles, or is the fluid dark?
engine, adVanced 
(reqUires a More rigoroUs 
inspection; clear with owner First)
 67 Check the battery for parasitic drains. Is the 
standby current more than 75 milliamps?
 68 Check the voltage between the coolant and
battery ground. Is it higher than 250 millivolts?
 69 Plug in a scan tool. Are there any pending codes? 
 70 Pressure-test the cooling system. Does it leak?
deal breaker 
 71 Do a compression test. Are any of the cylinders 
25 percent lower or more than the highest?
 72 Do a cylinder leak-down test. Do any cylinders 
leak more than 15 percent?
powertrain startUp
 73 Are there any strange noises (belt squeak, 
exhaust leak)?
 74 Turn the key to the “on” position. Do the warning
lights fail to illuminate?
 75 Start the car. Do the warning lights remain on?
 76 Does the airbag light stay on or blink?
 77 Does the engine fail to settle into a consistent idle
within a couple of minutes?
 78 Automatic transmission: Put the car in drive. 
Does it clunk into gear?
 79 Manual transmission: Depress the clutch. 
Does it feel stiff or jerky?
used-car checklist
what it Means
Fewer than 5 Probably a cream puff
5 to 10 Relatively easy to fix
More than 10 Potentially a time sink, but nothing serious
Fewer than 5 Nothing to fret about—it’s a used car
5 to 10 Enough DIY fix-its to last a year
More than 10 Just walk away
Fewer than 3 Make a lowball offer
3 to 6 Proceed with extreme caution
Used car buying checklist