| Subject: | <No subject> |
| Date: | 12/10/95 10:27 PM |
This is the 11/18/91 version of a five-part used-car buyer's checklist. The
purpose of this list is to systematically highlight some potential problem
areas to check out in a car that you are looking at to buy from a private
individual. It also tries raise some pointed questions that you might not
remember to ask in the limited time you have to examine the car. These can be
of particular value when you have fallen under the seductive spell of your
dream car and your normally razor-sharp intellect has been reduced to the
mushy consistency of a slightly over-ripe melon.
Very little technical knowledge is actually needed for 90% of the items on the
checklist. However, you will get the most out of it if you (or the friend you
bring along) know your way around the inside of an engine compartment. Once
you've found the one you like, it can be very helpful to spend the $40 to have
a qualified mechanic who regularly works on that type of car spend an hour
testing and checking it out. If there's anything wrong with the car, you will
make your $40 back by bargaining down the price. If there's nothing wrong
with the car, you've bought some peace of mind.
There are five-parts to the checklist package.
o Page 1: Checklist part 1: General procedures, initial questions.
o Page 2: Checklist part 2: Exterior/interior examination checklist.
o Page 3: Checklist part 3: Engine running and test drive checklist.
o Page 4: part 4: A sample buyer-friendly Bill of Sale.
o Page 5: part 5: A sample Federal odometer statement.
You can read and fill out the first part in the comfort of your home before
you go to see the car, then fill out second and third when you are there
checking the car out. If things go satisfactory, go on to fill out the fourth
and fifth. The idea for this checklist goes back to a small motorcycle list
once seen on rec.motorcycles. Our checklist was developed by members of the
British cars e-mailing list (british-cars-request@autox.team.net) for use when
looking at used and sometimes abused British sports cars. Thus, you'll notice
that some of the questions will be slanted in that direction and towards that
level of technology. The checklist applies equally well to later model cars
and is picky to the point where only a relatively pristine car will come
through unscathed. And of course, any flaws that you uncover can be used to
justify that insanely low offer that you are about to make for the car. By
the time you are done running through the checklist, you'll probably know more
about condition of the car than the owner does.
COPYRIGHT (c) 1991, Scions of Lucas (SOL). Permission to freely copy and
distribute all or portion of this checklist is hereby granted provided that
all of the following apply: it is not made part of another copyrighted work,
the source is acknowledged, this copyright notice is retained, and no aspect
of the distribution is for profit.
Enjoy...
--
Lawrence Buja and Roger Garnett
(southern@ncar.ucar.edu) (sggy@crux1.cit.cornell.edu)
Part 1. The british-cars Used Car Buyers Picky Mechanical Inspection
Checklist. (c) 1991 SOL (11/18/91)
------ First Phone Contact
----------------------------------------------------------------- [ Tape Ad
Here ]-----
Name: Phone: (h)
Address: (w)
Date:
1. Can you describe the car and its condition?
2. Does it run well?
3. How is the
o Body?
o Paint?
o Interior?
o Tires?
o Engine?
o Brakes?
o Shocks?
o Any Rust?:
4. Does it have Overdrive or Turbo? Does it work?
5. What special features or options does it have?
6. Why are you selling it?
7. How long have you owned it? ...had it for sale?
8. Is it currently registered and licensed?
9. Where is the car located?
10. How many miles does it have on it? (15K/yr)
11. What problems have you had with the car?
12. Has it ever been hit or in an accident?
13 What work does it need done on it now?
14. How much are you asking for it?
or What's the least you'll willing to take for it?
------ Some Questions to Ask Yourself ---------------------------------------
Why am I buying this car?
o Do I want to work on the car more than driving it?
o Am I willing to pay a premium because someone else has already done most of
the serious work on the car?
What do I intend to do with it?
Will it be my commute vehicle?
What service and support is locally available?
What is the most that I'm willing to pay for this car?
Will I be driving it year-round or summer only?
What is the least that I think that the car can be had for?
------ Suggestions:
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. Read some of the "How to buy Used Cars" books available at your library.
They provide useful strategies and cautions that go far beyond the scope
of this list. Also, review this list carefully before using it.
2. Always inspect/take delivery of the vehicle in the broad daylight, never in
the evening/night or in the rain.
3. A clean piece of cardboard placed under the engine/trans after the
test-drive will help show fluid leaks.
4. In some states, older non-titled vehicles may be titled with just a bill of
sale. Other states may require an additional security bond to be posted.
Use extreme caution in either of these cases!
5. Require seller have the vehicle pass all state inspections (safety,
emissions) at a mutually agreeable shop (NOT one of his choosing) before you
pay for it. Old (>30days) inspections are of absolutely no use to you.
6. A general guide to reading exhaust smoke:
oBlack smoke = unburned fuel
Valves bad or out of adjustment?
Carbs out of adjustment?
oBlue smoke = burning oil
Accelerating: Piston rings bad?
Decelerating: Valve seats/guides bad?
oWhite smoke = burning coolant!
Bad head gasket?
Warped or cracked Head or Block?$$
----- Tools To Bring:
------------------------------------------------------------
Essentials:
o A cynical, mechanically-minded friend,
o Your standard tool set,
o Voltmeter,
o Compression Gauge,
o Tire gauge,
o Flashlight,
o Magnet,
o the 2 different spark plug sockets,
o spray lube,
o clean rags
o Clipboard,
o pen and hi-liter to use with a photocopy of this list,
o some cash,
o drivers license and copy of your insurance showing you are covered driving
the sellers car.
Optional:
o tow rope, starting fluid,
o jumper cables,
o timing light,
o ramps,
o ack (floor or scissors),
o mirror,
o coveralls,
o rags,
o gas can,
o oil,
o duct tape,
o wire,
o repair manuals,
o misc.fuses, c
o calculator
------ Additional Post-Checklist Questions ----------------------------------
Original Owner? Names/nums of previous owners?
What new/aftermarket parts are in the car? Receipts?
What regular maintenance was done? Records?
Was it ever used for towing?
Who was your mechanic? name/address/phone?
Has it ever been crashed, burnt, stolen, hit or rolled?
What gas mileage have you been getting?
How was the car generally driven? On highway or in town?
Oil change interval? Type of oil used?
Are the engine, transmission, steering, differential original?
(if not, why not? origin and receipts?)
Are there any repair or gas mileage records?
How old are the tires? Battery?
Do you have any books about the car or the engine?
(repair books, owners manuals, history or general interest, parts catalogs,
club newsletters)
Has it passed emissions recently? Where?
Has any bodywork ever been done? Why? Receipts?
Any mechanical work recently? Where? Receipts?
Any interesting history?
Has it ever been raced?
What work remains to be done or corrected?
Are there any tools that come with the car?
Are there any missing parts?
Do you know of any parts cars or good parts sources?
Do you have any extra parts or wheels for it? |
Part 2. Exterior-Interior Examination. (Don't start the engine yet.) (c) 1991
SOL (11/18/91)
---------- OWNERSHIP VERIFICATION: ------------
---------(Do all of the following agree and seem right?)------------------
Name on title:
Name on registration:
Model/Year on title:
VIN on title:
VIN on registration:
VIN on dash:
VIN on door:
Mileage on title:
Mileage on odometer:
Price on title:
Asking price:
Blue Book price:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IS
THE CAR READY TO SELL: OK Not-OK
Title ready for transfer? Any liens? ___ _____
Do body numbers match those on title? ___ _____
Title in sellers name? ___ _____
Do body numbers match registration? ___ _____
Current Emissions certificate, < 30 days old? ___ _____
Current registration? Current Plates? ___ _____
Current Safety certificate if req'd, <30days? ___ _____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------EXTERIOR
WALK-AROUND: OK Not-OK
Check door edges and underside for rust/tears ___ _____
Is anything obviously broken? ___ _____
Are grill/lights cracked, dented or broken? ___ _____
Car sits level? (view from all sides) ___ _____
Are bumpers dinged? Rusty? Loose? Level? ___ _____
Paint OK? Panels same shade? Cracks? ___ _____
Any of the trim or hubcaps rusty or missing? ___ _____
New paint? Why? Any body ripples? ___ _____
Find bottom of trunk/side wells. Rust? Holes? ___ _____
Rust/repair on body? Fenders? Sills? ___ _____
Raise/lower the top. Condition? Does it leak? ___ _____
Any Bondo? Fiberglas? (magnet) Why? ___ _____
Rubber parts and seals condition? Cracked? ___ _____
Any fender dings or misalignment?Why? ___ _____
Gas tank & fill hose OK? Rusty? Patched? ___ _____
Door/hood dings? Misalignment? Why? ___ _____
Jack OK? Spare tire good? Jack points good? ___ _____
Doors/hoods open/close freely? Rubs? ___ _____
Tires: Tread? Bulges? Cracks? All the same? ___ _____
Check doors/hinges for stress/tears. ___ _____
Rims: Bent? Rusted? Cracks? All the same? ___ _____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNDERSIDE: OK Not-OK
Constant velocity joints and boots OK? ___ _____
Anything dented? Bent? Welded? Why? ___ _____
Camber? Caster? Tire wear even? ___ _____
Any underbody/floor pan/trunk rust? ___ _____
Suspension loose? Pull on side/top of wheels. ___ _____
Any rocker panel or wheel well rust? ___ _____
All shocks & struts damp OK? Any leaks? ___ _____
Are main frame members rusted? Dogs? ___ _____
Exhaust pipe/cats/muffler solid & original? ___ _____
Disks grooved? Brake pads? Any leaks? ___ _____
Tail pipe: Grey=OK, sooty/oily/greasy=Not-OK ___ _____
Turn, push/pull driveshaft by hand. ___ _____
Anything hanging down, taped or wired up? ___ _____
Any movement or slop? U-joints OK? ___ _____
Any non-stock suspension mods? ___ _____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------UNDER
HOOD: OK Not-OK
Heater hoses stiff? Cracked? Patched? ___ _____
Anything broken? Patched? Leaking? ___ _____
Vacuum hoses stiff? Patched? Capped? Missing? ___ _____
Is engine clean? Any rust? Stock? ___ _____
Is emissions equip original & working?!$ ___ _____
Has it overheated? Paint blistered? ___ _____
Are catalytic converters original & working?$ ___ _____
Check fluid levels. Look for leaks. ___ _____
Distributor, cap, rotor, and points OK? ___ _____
Check fluid condition with flashlight ___ _____
Wiring harness appearance? Any new elec.tape? ___ _____
Any play in main crankshaft pulley?!$ ___ _____
Open fuse box. Any missing? Any wiring hacks? ___ _____
Any play in any of the other pulleys? ___ _____
Any non-stock engine modifications? ___ _____
V-Belts cracked? frayed? missing? ___ _____
Remove grounding cable, check for shorts. ___ _____
Radiator corroded? Hoses cracked? ___ _____
Check coolant, run finger inside radiator neck
to check for oil. ___ _____
System polarity: + or - ground? ___ _____
System voltage: ___________ volts
Battery age/voltage: ______/_____ volts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------INTERIOR/ELECTRICAL:
OK Not-OK
Steering play? Does shaft move at all? Why? ___ _____
Is anything broken? Torn? Patched? ___ _____
Brake pedal feels right? Smooth? Firm? ___ _____
Carpets OK? Underlayment condition? ___ _____
Clutch pedal feels right? Smooth? ___ _____
Rust, rot or water under the carpets? ___ _____
All gauges/controls work? Stereo? Tape? ___ _____
Any wiring hacks under the dash? ___ _____
Headlights high/low work? Lenses OK? ___ _____
Seats dirty or torn? Look under cover ___ _____
Tail and side lights all work? Lenses OK? ___ _____
Do both seats adjust? Seat heaters? ___ _____
Brake lights all work? Any broken lenses? ___ _____
Dash cracked? Headliner torn/dirty? ___ _____
Turn signals all work? Any broken lenses? ___ _____
Windshield cracked? Chips? Scratched? ___ _____
Windshield wipers & washer work? ___ _____
Windows all open & close? Any cracks? ___ _____
Heater, defroster, AC, and fans work? ___ _____
Mirrors all present and adjustable? ___ _____
Safety equipment (seat belts, horn work?) ___ _____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 3: Engine start-up, running and test drive.
(c) 1991 SOL (11/18/91)
IGNITION ON, BUT DON'T START ENGINE: OK Not-OK
Oil warning light should come on! Connected? ___ _____
Temp light should come on! Connected? ___ _____
Charge warning light should come on! ___ _____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------START
THE ENGINE YOURSELF: OK Not-OK
Oil Pressure: idle_______ 4000 RPM_______ ___ _____
Temp warning light goes out? ___ _____
Volts/Amps: idle_______ 4000 RPM_______ ___ _____
Oil warning light goes out? ___ _____
Any odd engine noises when cold? ___ _____
Charge warning light goes out? ___ _____
Exhaust condition/noises? Pressure even? ___ _____
Do all idiot lights go on/out right? ___ _____
Cap pipe with clipboard. Any exhaust leaks? ___ _____
Are all the instruments working? ___ _____
Any deposits on clipboard? Does it smoke? ___ _____
Does it start easily when cold? ___ _____
Turn car off. Does it restart? Restart again. ___ _____
Does it run smoothly when cold? ___ _____
Now pull forward. Check for leaks on ground. ___ _____
Depress clutch several times. Noises? ___ _____
Do you have any gas? Does gauge really work? ___ _____
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEST DRIVE (Allow 30-40 minutes) OK Not-OK
Make 2 tight 360' turns each way. Any noises? ___ _____
Test the foot and hand brakes first! ___ _____
Accelerates smoothly from dead stop? ___ _____
Relax, drive a bit to get used to it. ___ _____
Are there any hesitations/flat spots? ___ _____
How does car ride? Soft or hard? ___ _____
Does the power seem right? Hill test. ___ _____
Revs smoothly to red line? flatspots? ___ _____
Is it running too hot or cold? Why? ___ _____
Any unusual engine noises/vibrations? ___ _____
Drive beside a long wall. Any unusual sounds? ___ _____
Any drive train noises or vibrations? ___ _____
Is it too noisy in general at highway speeds? ___ _____
Any noticeable slop in drive train? ___ _____
Any noises or vibrations when accelerating? ___ _____
Reverse works? Rev.lights go on/off? ___ _____
Any noises or vibrations when coasting? ___ _____
Trans shifts smoothly to all gears? ___ _____
Any noises or vibrations when decelerating? ___ _____
Overdrive engages/disengages properly ___ _____
Any noises or vibrations when braking? ___ _____
Turbo engages/disengages properly? ___ _____
Steering action loose or tight? Parallel park. ___ _____
Any clunks, whines, rumbles, rattles? ___ _____
Handles OK on bumps, curves and sharp corners? ___ _____
Clutch smooth? Slippage on hill test? ___ _____
Slaloms OK? Bad understeer, oversteer, lean ___ _____
Hand brake works? Test against engine ___ _____
Tracks straight with hands off steering wheel? ___ _____
Is the low engine speed operation OK? ___ _____
Brakes straight with hands off steering wheel? ___ _____
Brakes strongly to stop from 50mph? ___ _____
Brakes still work? Pulls? Pulse? Drag? Noises? ___ _____
Do brakes still work? Stops straight? ___ _____
Having fun yet? Comfortable? Does it fit? ___ _____
Have friend get out and watch the car driving:
Tracks straight? (Frame bent?) ___ _____
Smokes? ___ _____
Leans? ___ _____
Do the heater, defroster and AC work right? ___ _____
Are all the instruments & lights still working? ___ _____
Now let it idle a while. Is temp stable/OK? ___ _____
Wheels wobble? Any noises? ___ _____
Any exhaust, gas or coolant odors? Pull forward. ___ _____
General impression? ___ _____
Turn it off. Go back to check ground for leaks. ___ _____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POST DRIVE: OK Not-OK
Open hood. See or hear anything unusual? ___ _____
Does it restart when warm? Why not? ___ _____
Does engine seem too hot? ___ _____
Check for fluid leaks after shutdown. (Oil,Coolant,
Hydraulics, Trans, Fuel, Differential)
Check oil cap and dipstick for signs of water.
(Oil off-color, brown/grey/white or bubbly) ___ _____
Compression test: (disconnect coil, remove ALL plugs)
1. Dry: 1____ 2____ 3____ 4____
5____ 6____ 7____ 8___ ___ _____
2. Oiled: 1____ 2____ 3____ 4____
5____ 6____ 7____ 8___ ___ _____
Plug condition? (OK? Burnt? Oily? Sooty?)
1____ 2____ 3____ 4____
5____ 6____ 7____ 8___ ___ _____
------------------------------------------------------
COMMENTS:
(11/18/91)
BILL OF SALE
Year, make, and model: _______________________________
VIN: _______________________________
Odometer reading: _______________________________
Date and time of sale: _____________ _____________
Seller hereby acknowledges receipt of $______________ in the form of
______________ for full and final payment for the above vehicle, which is
sold "AS IS".
I, the seller, certify that I or we are the current owner of this vehicle,
and have the authority to sell it. I hereby transfer full ownership of this
vehicle described on this receipt to the buyer(s). I certify that the Title
or ownership of this vehicle at the time of sale is subject to no outstanding
taxes, fees, liens or encumbrances, other than those specified on the Title or
listed below, if any, and none other, and that if there are, the seller will
be held fully responsible for their payment.
Buyer(s) hereby acknowledges receipt of the following: the signed certificate
of ownership transferring seller's full ownership of the vehicle and all of
it's contents to the buyer; various maintenance records; this signed bill of
sale and the mileage disclosure statement; and all keys to the vehicle as well
as delivery of the vehicle.
________________________________
(buyer 1's signature) (date)
__________________________________
(seller 1's signature) (date)
________________________________
(buyer 1's signature) (date)
__________________________________
(seller 2's signature) (date)
Seller: Buyer:
phone: phone:
address: address:
(11/18/91)
BILL OF SALE
Year, make, and model: _____________________________
VIN: _____________________________
Odometer reading: _____________________________
Date and time of sale: _____________ _____________
Seller hereby acknowledges receipt of $______________ in the form of
______________for full and final payment for the above vehicle, which is sold
"AS IS".
I, the seller, certify that I or we are the current owner of this vehicle,
and have the authority to sell it. I hereby transfer full ownership of this
vehicle described on this receipt to the buyer(s).
Buyer(s) hereby acknowledges receipt of the following: the signed certificate
of ownership transferring seller's full ownership of the vehicle and all of
it's contents to the buyer; this signed bill of sale and all keys to the
vehicle as well as delivery of the vehicle.
________________________________
buyer 1's signature) (date)
__________________________________
(seller 1's signature) (date) (
________________________________
(buyer 1's signature) (date)
__________________________________
(seller 2's signature) (date)
(11/18/91)
ODOMETER (MILEAGE) STATEMENT
(Federal regulations require you to state the odometer mileage upon transfer
of ownership.
An inaccurate or untruthful statement may make you liable for damages to your
transferee, for attorney fees, and for civil or criminal penalties, pursuant
to Sections 409, 412, and 413 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost
Savings Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-513, as amended by Pub. L. 94-364) and
applicable state laws.)
I, the seller _________________________________________, state that the
odometer mileage on the vehicle described below now reads
________________________ miles/kilometers.
Check ONE box only:
_
|_| (1) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer
reading as stated above reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle described
below.
_
|_| (2) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer
reading as stated above reflects the amount of mileage in excess of designed
mechanical odometer limit of 99,999 miles/kilometers of the vehicle described
below.
_
|_| (3) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer
reading as stated above is NOT the actual mileage of vehicle described below
and should not be relied upon.
_______________________ ___________________ _________
|Make |Model |Body Type
___________________ ________ ______________________
|Vehicle Identification No |Year |Dealer Stock No.
_ Check ONE box only:
|_| (1) I hereby certify that the odometer of said vehicle was not altered,
set back, or disconnected while in my possession, and I have no knowledge of
anyone doing so.
_
|_| (2) I hereby certify that the odometer was altered for repair or
replacement purposes while in my possession, and that the mileage registered
on the repaired o replacement odometer was identical to that before such
service.
_
|_| (3) I hereby certify that the repaired or replacement odometer was
incapable of registering the same mileage, that it was reset to zero, and that
the mileage on the original odometer or the odometer before repair was
________________ miles/kilometers.
________________________________
(buyer 1's signature) (date)
__________________________________
(seller 1's signature) (date)
________________________________
(buyer 1's signature) (date)
__________________________________
(seller 2's signature) (date)
Seller: Buyer:
phone: phone:
address: address:
Auto Expense Log
(11/18/91)
Vehicle:____________________________
Date Receipt num Description Amount
Total
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