Automobile Inspections
Learn How To
Inspect Like A Pro
Automobile inspections...
The 7ᵗʰ of 11 essential steps in the car buying guide
Automobile inspections are a crucial part of the car buying process. Skip this step and you could end up with a total lemon that your stuck making monthly payments on for the next 5, 6 or even 7 years.
This step of the car buying guide is an abbreviated version of my complete used car inspection guide, which I'd suggest reading if you want a very thorough understanding of the inspection process.
This step is designed to give you a general overview and help you to spot major problems before paying $50+ for a mechanics inspection.
What's Covered Below:
- General Walk Around
- Basic Mechanical
- Interior Inspection
- VIN History Check
- Test Drive
General
Walk Around
The general walk around is a very simple step, but important. A lot can be learned about a vehicle simply by walking around it.
Start about 15 feet away and notice how the vehicle sits...Does it lean to one side or the other? Do the wheels stick out further on one side of the vehicle or the other? Does the car look crooked? If yes, this can be a sign of a bent frame.
Peer down the sides while moving your head side to side...Do you notice any dents, dings or creases in the body?
Get Up
Close and Personal
Inspect Tires -
Is the tread depth good? Are the tires wearing evenly? Are the tires the same brand?
Take A Closer Look At The Paint -
Do you notice any peeling, flaking, bubbling?
Compare the texture on the different panels of the vehicle -
Is the texture similar, or is one panel smooth, while another has an "orange peel" texture? This can be a sign that some type of repair has been made.
Check The Glass -
Are there any cracks or chips? Also check the condition of the windshield wipers.
Basic
Mechanical
Before you take a look under the hood, be sure to take a quick peek under the car for any fluid on the ground that has leaked from the car.
Under
The Hood
Look for
obvious signs of:
- Leaks
- Dry rotted hoses.
- Dry rotted belts.
- Smell of gas.
- Frayed electrical wires.
- Frayed spark plug wires.
- Corrosion on battery.
Check
Fluids
Engine Oil -
Should be brown with no signs of water and/or gas mixed.
Transmission Fluid -
Should be a reddish color with no signs of metal shavings. If transmission fluid smells like burnt toast, then do not buy this car unless you are prepared to replace the transmission in the near future.
Interior
Inspection
When you're looking at the interior, you'll want to observe the obvious things:
- Sagging headliner
- Smell of cigarette smoke
- Smell of mold
- Burns in the seats (look under seat covers)
- Tears in the upholstery
- Radio and each individual speaker
- If it's a CD player, then play a CD
- GPS/Navigation
- DVD player
- Air conditioning
- Heater
In addition,
inspect anything power:
- Locks
- Seats
- Moon roof
- Windows (each one)
VIN
History Check
Automobile inspections can oftentimes end before they begin after reviewing a VIN history check.
If you find that the car has been wrecked, flooded, caught fire, well then there may not be anymore reason to inspect further. Simply, move on to another car.
Get a VIN Check
See the basic information about your vehicle and how many records we have. Enter your VIN to get started!
Don't have a VIN? You can still get a report on a car!
Test
Drive
On the test drive be sure:
- The car accelerates smoothly with no clunks while shifting
- The car does not pull to one side or the other
- The brakes are good and no screeching when braking
- There are no obvious noises from under the hood
- There are no smells of gas or exhaust in the car
- There are no warning lights on...Check engine, ABS, etc.
After the test drive it is wise to double check for leaks under the hood and/or on the ground under the car.
Now that you're an automobile inspections pro...
What would you like to do next?
| < Go Back To Step 6 New & Used Car Cost |
| | Move On To Step 8 > Four Square Negotiating |
Or you can...
Review the Car Buying Guide table of contents by returning from -
Automobile Inspections to the Car Buying Guide
