Used car buying checklist

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Use this when you look at a used car. It covers what to ask the seller, what to inspect, how to test drive, and what to check before you pay. It is general guidance, not a substitute for a mechanic's inspection.

Before you go see it

• Ask for the VIN and run it free at nhtsa.gov/recalls for open recalls
• Ask why they are selling and how long they have owned it
• Ask for service records (receipts, an AutoTrack history link or packet)
• Ask if it has ever been in an accident or had paint or body work
• Check that the seller is the name on the title, and the title is clean (not salvage or rebuilt)

Paperwork

• VIN on the title matches the VIN on the car (dashboard and door jamb)
• Registration is current and the plate matches
• Odometer reading looks consistent with the service history
• Ask for the owner manual and both keys

Outside

• Panels line up evenly with consistent gaps (uneven gaps can mean crash repair)
• Paint colour and finish match on every panel; look along the side in daylight
• Check for rust: wheel arches, rocker panels, under the doors, trunk floor
• Tires: matching brand, even wear, enough tread (a coin test works), no cracks
• All lights and signals work; no cracked lenses
• Windshield: chips or cracks that could spread

Inside

• Smells: mold, smoke or heavy air freshener can hide problems
• Every window, lock, mirror, seat adjuster and the sunroof works
• A/C blows cold and heat blows hot; test both
• Warning lights come on at start and then go out
• Seat belts retract and latch; check for wet carpets or damp smell

Under the hood and under the car

• Engine is cold when you arrive (a warm engine can hide start-up problems)
• Oil on the dipstick is not milky or gritty; coolant looks clean
• No fresh leaks or drips under the car
• Belts and hoses are not cracked or bulging
• Battery terminals are clean; check the battery age

Test drive

• Starts easily and idles smoothly
• Steers straight, no pulling, no vibration through the wheel
• Brakes stop smoothly and quietly, no pulsing pedal
• Automatic shifts smoothly, manual clutch bites cleanly
• Listen for clunks over bumps and whining or grinding noises
• Drive on both slow streets and the highway

Before you pay

• Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you trust
• Compare the price with similar cars nearby (KBB, Edmunds, local listings)
• Use anything the inspection finds to negotiate or walk away
• Get a bill of sale and sign the title properly; keep copies
• Arrange insurance before you drive it home