Used Car Inspection Checklist: 25 Things to Check Before You Buy

A used car can look perfect in photos and still hide a branded title, worn tires or a tired transmission. This used car inspection checklist walks you through 25 checks in the order you should do them: paperwork and VIN, exterior and tires, interior, under the hood and the test drive. Then it covers the three steps you take before you sign: a pre-purchase inspection, a history report and a recall check.

You do not need to be a mechanic. Most of these checks need only your eyes, a flashlight, a penny and about an hour. Print the list or keep it open on your phone, and do not let a seller rush you.

What should you check first when buying a used car?

Check the paperwork before you fall in love with the car. If the documents do not line up, nothing else matters.

The 17-character VIN is the car's fingerprint. NHTSA notes you can read it on the lower left of the windshield, and it also appears on the registration card. It should match the VIN on the title and every other document the seller hands you. If you are not sure what the characters mean, you can decode it with our free VIN decoder.

• VIN on the windshield matches the title, registration and any service records
• Title is in the seller's name, with no lienholder listed or a lien release in hand
• Title has no brand such as salvage, rebuilt or flood (or you understand exactly what it means)
• Dealer car: the FTC Buyers Guide is posted on the vehicle, with both sides visible
• Maintenance records are available, or the seller can name the shop that did the work

What documents to check when buying a used car?

At minimum, ask to see the title, current registration and any maintenance records. Read the title closely. A brand printed on it, such as salvage or rebuilt, changes the car's value and can affect insurance. Our guide to branded title meanings explains each one. Title brands and their wording differ by state, so check your state DMV's site if a term is unfamiliar.

If the owner has no service records, the NMVTIS buying tips page suggests asking the repair shop that did most of the work. It may share its files.

What does the FTC Buyers Guide tell you?

Under the FTC Used Car Rule, dealers that sell more than five used vehicles in a 12-month period must post a Buyers Guide on each used car they offer. According to the FTC's dealer guidance, it must be prominent, with both sides visible, for example hanging from the rear-view mirror or in a side window. A guide in the glove box or trunk does not count.

The guide shows the make, model, year and VIN, and it tells you how the car is sold. It will have one of three boxes checked:

• As Is - No Dealer Warranty. The FTC explains that the dealer won't pay for problems after the sale. You assume the risk of anything that goes wrong.
• Implied Warranties Only. Unwritten state-law protections apply, such as the promise that the car will run and do what a car normally does.
• Warranty. The dealer offers a written warranty, and the guide shows what share of repair costs the dealer will pay.

Two details protect you. First, the terms on the Buyers Guide override anything contrary in your sales contract. Second, any promise a salesperson makes out loud should be written on the guide, because spoken promises are hard to enforce.

What should you look for on the outside of a used car?

Walk around the car in daylight, on level ground. Crouch down and look along each side at an angle. Ripples, mismatched shades and uneven gaps all point to bodywork.

• Paint color and gloss match on every panel, with no overspray on rubber trim
• Panel gaps around doors, hood and trunk are even on both sides
• No rust bubbles on wheel arches, rocker panels or door bottoms
• Glass is free of cracks, and all exterior lights work and are not fogged inside
• Tires have safe tread, even wear, matching brands and a reasonable DOT date code

Repaired body damage is not automatically a deal-breaker. But it should match what the seller tells you and what the history shows. If you spot signs of a past crash, read how to check a VIN for accidents before you go further.

How do you check tires on a used car?

Tires tell you about both upcoming costs and how the car was treated. NHTSA's tire page gives three checks you can do in minutes:

1. Tread depth. Tires should be replaced at 2/32 of an inch. Put a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, the tires are worn out.
2. Age. Find the DOT Tire Identification Number on the sidewall. You may need to look on both sides. The last four digits show the week and year the tire was made. NHTSA's example: "0308" means the third week of 2008.
3. Aging you can't see. NHTSA notes you cannot detect tire aging just by looking. Some vehicle and tire makers recommend replacing tires that are 6 to 10 years old, regardless of tread.

Uneven wear across the tread can point to alignment or suspension problems. Ask your mechanic to look closer if you see it.

What should you check inside a used car?

The cabin can reveal how far the car has really been driven and whether it has sat in water.

• Wear on the seat, steering wheel and pedals fits the odometer reading
• No musty smell, damp carpet, water lines or silt under the seats and in the trunk
• Warning lights come on at key-on, then go off once the engine starts
• Heat, A/C, windows, locks, mirrors, wipers and infotainment all work
• Spare tire, jack and seat belts are present and in good condition

A low-mileage car with a shiny, worn steering wheel and sagging driver's seat deserves a second look. Our guide to spotting odometer rollback shows what else to compare. A musty smell or silt in odd places is a classic sign of water damage. See the full list of flood-damaged car signs.

What should you check under the hood?

Ideally, look at the engine cold. A seller who warms the car up before you arrive can mask a hard start or a noisy cold engine.

• Engine starts easily from cold, with no knocking or heavy smoke from the exhaust
• Oil on the dipstick is at the right level and not milky or gritty
• No fresh fluid leaks or puddles under the engine or transmission
• Belts and hoses are not cracked, frayed or bulging
• Battery terminals are free of heavy corrosion

An unusually clean engine bay on an older car is not proof of anything. Still, ask why it was washed. Fresh leaks are easier to spot on a dirty engine.

What should be on your used car test drive checklist?

Drive for long enough to learn something. The NMVTIS buying tips suggest driving on hills, highways and in stop-and-go traffic. Turn the radio off and listen.

• Car tracks straight and the steering wheel is centered on a flat road
• Brakes stop smoothly, without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal
• Transmission shifts smoothly, with no slipping, clunks or delays
• No clunks over bumps or excess bounce after dips
• No warning lights come on and the temperature gauge stays steady

After the drive, park and let the engine idle for a few minutes. Then look underneath again for drips.

Red flags vs. what they may mean

None of these signs proves a problem alone. Each is a reason to ask questions and have a mechanic look closer.

What should you do after the test drive?

If the car passed your checks, three steps remain before you pay. Do them in this order, because each one can save you from spending money on the next.

Get a vehicle history report

A history report shows what has been reported about the car: title records, odometer readings and certain damage events. NMVTIS notes its data covers title, odometer and certain damage history. The FTC adds that reports may show accidents and flood damage but typically won't list mechanical problems. Compare what the report says with what you saw on the car. You can see what's included in our sample report.

Check for open recalls

Search the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup. It shows unrepaired safety recalls from covered manufacturers. It does not show recalls already fixed, or safety recalls older than 15 years unless the maker offers longer coverage. A dealer for that brand will fix a recalled part for free. An open recall is not always a reason to skip a car, but get it fixed before you rely on the car daily. Our guide on checking recalls by VIN goes step by step.

Get a pre-purchase inspection

A pre-purchase inspection is a paid check by an independent mechanic you choose, not one the seller picks. The FTC recommends one even for certified cars. Ask for a written report that lists the make, model and VIN, plus estimates for any repairs. Those estimates are your strongest negotiating tool.

Is a used car inspection checklist worth it for private sales?

Yes, and arguably more so. The FTC Used Car Rule and its Buyers Guide apply to dealers, not to private sellers. A private sale typically comes with no warranty and no window form telling you how the car is sold. Your own checks, a history report and a mechanic's inspection are your main protection.

Bring this checklist, a flashlight, a penny and a friend. Take notes and photos as you go. If several items on the list come back wrong, it is usually cheaper to keep shopping than to fix someone else's problems.

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