The Used Car Inspection Checklist For Avoiding Lemons

Choosing a used car inspection before purchase can save consumers thousands of dollars by uncovering major mechanical, exterior and interior problems. Use this used car inspection checklist to avoid buying a lemon.

* Obtain Vehicle History Report – Get the vehicle identification number (VIN) and buy a vehicle history report. This shows any accident history, accident indicators (airbag deployments, etc.), title and registration, number of owners, frame/structural damage, flood or salvage history, odometer rollback, lemon history, service and repair information and more.

* Check VIN – The VIN appears in several locations – and all should match. Look on the dashboard, driver’s door jamb, on the engine, hood and other parts. Also check the VIN on the registration, title, and other documents.

* Verify Mileage – Check the car’s actual mileage against vehicle history. Ask about the vehicle’s gas mileage mpg or miles per gallon. A Honda Civic, for example, should get better fuel economy than a mid-size SUV. Similarly, Toyota car gas mileage as stated by the seller should match with estimates provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the model year, vehicle and engine/transmission.

* Do Complete Visual Inspection – Plan to spend at least a half hour going over the car’s exterior and interior during the used car inspection.

o Note any visible defects such as paint dents, chips, scratches, broken lenses, worn windshield wipers, missing wheel covers or hubcaps. Don’t buy a car with excessive corrosion or rust.

o Check to see vehicle lines are perfectly straight and note any gaps in body panels.

o Check paint quality for any ripples, differences in color, patches that are shinier than others.

o If the vehicle has a trailer hitch, it may mean excessive engine/transmission wear.

o Inspect tires. Look for uniform quality, brand names, no cuts, bubbles, cracks or uneven wear.

o Inside, check for excessive driver’s seat wear.

o Check all locks (windows, doors, trunks) and keyless entry.

o Check for any musty odors or excessive use of air fresheners.

o Look for any signs of flood/water damage.

* Test Operation

o Test all doors to ensure they open/close easily

o On the instrument panel, make sure all gauges work properly.

o Test all electrical accessories: power windows, locks, wipers, rear wiper/washer, sunroof, seat adjustments, mirrors, and stereo/CD.

o Verify heating and air conditioning controls work properly.

* Check Engine and Transmission – Obtain the car’s service records, if possible to see if it was maintained properly. Check under the hood to see if there’s any burned oil smell, corroded battery terminals, or oil leaks. Check the oil filler cap to see if there are thick or black deposits. Check the engine oil. If it’s very dirty or below the “Low” mark, steer clear of the car. Also check the transmission. The gears should move smoothly between Drive, Park, Neutral and Reverse, whether manual or automatic, with no hesitation.

* Take Test Drive – Be sure to test drive the vehicle. It should start easily, have no shakes, shimmies, or make excessive noise or smoke. Make sure the steering is responsive, no pulling to one side, no creaks or knocks when going over bumps, no pulsating when braking.

* Don’t Buy Until Satisfied – Don’t give any deposit or sign any contract until completely satisfied with the used car inspection.