What to Look for When Buying a Used Car
This car inspection checklist can help you uncover red flags so you can decide whether a used vehicle is for you.
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Updated · 4 min read
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Editor & Content Strategist You don’t have to be a car expert to quickly evaluate a used car you’re thinking about buying. Our car inspection checklist isn’t intended to replace a professional pre-purchase inspection, but it can help you assess whether a used car might be worth pursuing.
When to go and what to bring
When you inspect a car that’s for sale, it’s best to do it in the daylight. Take a small flashlight to look under it. If you’re considering several cars, a notebook and camera to record what you find can be helpful for later comparison. Also, have a paper towel to check the oil and a small magnet to test steel panels.
Things to check when buying a used car
Here are four key areas to check on a car. Finding a few of the listed items doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy it. However, if you find many items — especially if they’re indicators of serious problems — continuing your search for a car in better condition is probably a wise choice.
1. The exterior
☐ Paint is free of deep scratches and dents, and it isn’t blistering or peeling.
☐ No large rust patches; fresh paint might be an attempt to cover rust.
☐ Paint colors match on all panels; mismatched paint can be a sign of repairs.
☐ No gaps between body panels and bumpers; large gaps might be from accident damage.
☐ Magnet adheres to all steel body panels; if not, damage could have been repaired with filler.
☐ The windshield is free of cracks and chips.
☐ Windshield wipers are fully functional.
☐ Headlights and directional lights are intact and operational.
☐ Doors, trunk or liftgate work smoothly, close tightly and lock.
☐ The car rebounds, but doesn’t bounce up and down, when pushed down on each corner (tests the shock absorbers).
☐ Tires are the same size and brand.
☐ Tires don’t have uneven tread; uneven wear can be a sign of alignment issues.
☐ Tires aren’t overly worn; a penny placed in the tread groove with Lincoln’s head down shouldn’t show the top of his head.
☐ No evidence of fluid leaks under the car.
☐ No rust on underbody surfaces.
☐ No obvious signs of damage, repairs or pieces hanging down beneath the car.
☐ The catalytic converter isn’t missing; in states with emissions standards, the lack of a catalytic converter can cause a car to fail emissions testing.
2. The interior
☐ Seats aren’t overly worn and are free of cracks, tears and holes.
☐ Upholstery is free of large stains.
☐ All seats adjust properly.
☐ Seatbelts extend, retract and buckle.
☐ No signs of water damage under carpets.
☐ No signs of leaks around the windows or sunroof.
☐ Free of odors, musty or smoky smells; heavy air freshener scent could mean something is being concealed.
☐ All controls, gauges and indicators are functional.
☐ Windows and sunroof (if applicable) open and close.
☐ Warning lights illuminate and go off.
☐ Everything functions properly, including air conditioner, heater, hazard lights, turn signals, door locks and the sound system.
☐ Smart device pairing works (if applicable).
☐ Mileage on the odometer is reasonable for the car’s age and condition; if not, the mileage could have been illegally rolled back.
3. Under the hood
☐ Rubber hoses for the radiator, air conditioner and other parts are free of cracks and holes.
☐ Hoses don’t feel too stiff, brittle or mushy; make sure the car is turned off and hoses are cool before touching.
☐ Belts aren’t worn or frayed.
☐ Wires and hoses aren’t hanging loose.
☐ Oil on the dipstick doesn’t have water droplets or appear grey or foamy, which could indicate a serious problem.
☐ Oil is amber colored, not dark brown, black or gooey.
☐ No shiny metallic particles in the oil.
☐ No sign of fluid leaks on the bottom of the engine.
☐ Fluid levels (power steering, brake, coolant, oil and transmission) aren’t low; fluids below the minimum level could indicate leaks.
☐ Battery terminals are free of corrosion; corrosion could indicate damage to other parts of the car.
☐ The radiator doesn’t show signs of leaking; radiator fluid is green or orange and not milky or a rusty color.
☐ No evidence of mice or other nesting animals, which could have caused damage.
4. When driving
☐ No clunking noise when putting the car into drive (for cars with automatic transmission).
☐ Drives smoothly and shifts gears as it should.
☐ Doesn’t vibrate at highway speeds.
☐ Brakes are effective and don’t make unusual sounds.
☐ Steering is smooth, responsive and returns to center after turns.
☐ No odd noises, squeaks or rattles; turn any music down to listen.
☐ For hybrid vehicles, the in-car display shows battery charging and discharging.
☐ For EVs, the estimated range displayed is close to the actual miles driven.
☐ Parking brake engages and disengages.
☐ No hissing noises under the hood or signs of fresh leaks after driving.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Print a copy of NerdWallet's used car inspection checklist and take it with you when car shopping. » MORE: Buying a used car online
After a car’s checklist checks out
If you feel positive about a vehicle after going through the used car checklist, you may want to invest more time (and money) into confirming that buying the car would be a good decision. Here are some next steps to take:
- Get a professional inspection. This will cost several hundred dollars, but a used car inspection by a trained mechanic with the necessary equipment is critical to uncover issues that aren’t visible to you.
- Buy a vehicle history report. A vehicle history report tells you about a car’s past, such as number of owners, whether it was in an accident and how often it was serviced. Expect to spend about $30 to $45 for a comprehensive report.
- Check safety ratings. See how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have rated the car
, . - Check for recalls. The NHTSA website lets you search for any unresolved recalls for a car
. - Check for a branded title. Branded titles identify cars that have been damaged. For example, a car with a salvage title has been declared a total loss by an insurance company. Information about the status of a car’s title usually appears on a vehicle history report.
- Ask for service records. See if it’s possible to obtain service and maintenance records on the car.
- Look at a car’s Buyers Guide. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires car dealers to display a Buyers Guide, which is actually a large sticker, on every used car they have for sale. The sticker tells you whether a car is for sale “as is” or with a warranty. It also lists the car’s major mechanical and electrical systems and problems to look out for
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Buying a used car can save you money and even enable you to step up to a higher trim level than you could afford with a new car. But it’s critical to know what to look for and what questions to ask about a used vehicle. Due diligence before you buy can help prevent a buying decision that you later regret.
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