Used Car Evaluation Checklist
Used Car Evaluation Checklist
When you’re out shopping for your next used car purchase, it helps to know what to look for when you find one that interests you. To do a good evaluation of the car, there are so many things to consider and inspect that it’s easy to lose track of important points. At Auto City, we’re on a mission to help everyone be more successful at used car shopping, which is why we’ve put together this handy checklist to help you do a thorough assessment of any used car you might be looking at. We’ve grouped a total of 70 items together into four different categories that will help you decide what to do depending on what you find. It may be helpful to download the PDF version of the Used Car Evaluation Checklist to have it handy when you start shopping for a used car. Here’s to your success!
The Deal-Breakers
If you check YES on any of these, walk away from the car and don’t look back!
|
Deal-Breaker |
YES/NO |
| 1. Title includes the word “salvage” | |
| 2. There is rust all over the vehicle | |
| 3. It smells stale, like mildew or spoiled milk | |
| 4. Evidence of water damage in glove box, under rear seats, or trunk | |
| 5. Oil from the dipstick is gooey or black and/or has shiny metallic particles | |
| 6. Automatic transmission fluid smells burnt or is dark or has particles | |
| 7. Engine makes knocking noises that get faster with engine speed | |
| 8. When you drive the car, it just feels very tired and worn out |
Download the Used Car Evaluation Checklist PDF
Serious Issues
If you check off YES for 1-4 of these items, you could make a low-ball offer with the understanding the car likely has some serious issues. If you check off 5 or more of these items, go find a different car to buy.
|
Issues |
YES/NO |
| 9. You suspect the odometer reading isn’t right | |
| 10. Tires are mismatched in brand or size | |
| 11. Evidence of accident damage poorly repaired | |
| 12. There are missing lug nuts | |
| 13. On the bumper near there exhaust pipe, you see black spots or oily film | |
| 14. There are some rust spots here and there | |
| 15. Brake pedal is shows too much wear for the number of miles | |
| 16. Spare tile well is rusted or shows signs of water damage | |
| 17. Sunroof/moonroof struggles to operate or is very slow to open | |
| 18. Underbody shows a good deal of rust | |
| 19. Bottom of engine shows signs of fluid leakage | |
| 20. Signs of fluid leaks on the ground under the car | |
| 21. Underbody has bent or dented metal | |
| 22. Underbody pinch welds have shiny marks | |
| 23. Bottom of radiator is wet from coolant | |
| 24. If more than 4 years old, the timing or serpentine belt been replaced | |
| 25. When turn key to “on” position, warning lights do not come on | |
| 26. When the car is started, warning lights stay on | |
| 27. After starting the car, airbag lights stay on or blink | |
| 28. Engine does not settle into a consistent idle within a couple minutes | |
| 29. Automatic transmission clunks into gear when shifted into drive | |
| 30. Manual transmission clutch feels stiff or jerky when pressed | |
| 31. When accelerating, gear shifts feel jerky or acceleration is not smooth | |
| 32. Smoke comes out of the exhaust as the car accelerates |
Download the Used Car Evaluation Checklist PDF
Causes for Concern
A few of these are to be expected with a used car, but not too many. Fewer than 5 is fine. Even 6-9 might be okay if you have some DIY care repair skills. But if you check YES to 10 or more of these items, it’s time to move on.
|
Concerns |
YES/NO |
| 33. No service/repair records, or there are large gaps | |
| 34. Paint shows signs of fading and cracking | |
| 35. Panel gaps are inconsistent in similar areas | |
| 36. Some trim pieces are loose or missing | |
| 37. A magnet doesn’t stick to some areas of sheet metal | |
| 38. Some windows go up and slower than others, or make noise | |
| 39. Climate control fan squeaks or rattles or doesn’t work on all settings | |
| 40. Some of the power accessories don’t work properly | |
| 41. There is uneven wear on some or all of the tires | |
| 42. Engine has evidence of mice or other vermin | |
| 43. The oil change sticker date is long past | |
| 44. Seats have some tears or excessive wear | |
| 45. When car is started, there are strange noises or belt squeaking | |
| 46. When driving a tight circle, there is rubbing or clunking | |
| 47. When braking firmly, pedal feels soft or mushy | |
| 48. The feel of the brake pedal changes from one time to the next | |
| 49. When braking, the car veers to one side | |
| 50. When going over bumps, the car bounces a lot | |
| 51. At highway speeds there vibrations | |
| 52. Steering wheel is off-center when driving straight | |
| 53. There is excessive wind noise at reasonable speeds | |
| 54. When you go over bumps, you hear internal rattling | |
| 55. The car feels like it pulls to one side | |
| 56. When first started, there is sustained visible smoke from exhaust pipe | |
| 57. After driving, the engine makes a hissing noise |
Download the Used Car Evaluation Checklist PDF
Not Serious, but Noted
This group of items are not a cause for any real concern. If anything, they’re just normal wear and tear on a used car, depending on how old it is. Checking YES to fewer than 5 of these is no big deal. 6-9 of them can probably be addressed for not a lot of money. 10 or more of these means the car needs some work, which may or may not be worth it to you.
|
Other Issues |
YES/NO |
| 58. There is no owner’s manual | |
| 59. Some of the interior trim is broken, cracked or has blemishes | |
| 60. There is some curb damage on the wheels | |
| 61. Windshield wiper blades are in bad shape | |
| 62. One or more hubcaps is missing or loose or damaged | |
| 63. Tire pressure is not set properly on one or more tires | |
| 64. Spare tire, jack or other tools are missing or damaged | |
| 65. One or more inner fender shields is missing or damaged | |
| 66. Some of the engine hoses feel stiff or brittle (careful, may be hot) | |
| 67. Battery terminals show corrosion | |
| 68. Battery is more than 4 years old | |
| 69. One or more headlights or other lights fail to come on | |
| 70. In the engine there are loose clamps or belts with cracks |
Download the Used Car Evaluation Checklist PDF
Great Cars at Auto City: No Checklist Required!
If you’re in the market for a newer used car in great shape with low miles, we invite you to take a look at the superior selection available from Auto City . And you’ll love the way we do things , including no-haggle, up-front competitive prices and a 3-day money-back guarantee. Financing is also available for all types of credit, good or bad, including customers with a recent or open bankruptcy. When you’re ready for a whole new kind of better used car shopping experience, it pays to discover the Auto City advantage!
