Used Car Pre Buy Inspection

muha22752 · Post by **muha22752** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:11 pm

There are a lot of experienced members on the board, and I know one thing that they always have to share is there knowledge. One of the most important things to do before you buy a car is to inspect it and attempt to find out what is wrong with the car before you buy it. I though it would be a good idea to post this up. I am no expert so help me out here.

From my limited knowledge of cars i know the following things that can be identified easily.

Pre Test Drive:
Check the head gasket: look under the oil filler cap, if there is a milky residue then the head gasket will need to be replaced.

Check for oil leaks: anything on the top of the motor should be easy to spot, if there is a black, greasy built up then there is an oil lead somewhere near the grease stain.

Check for torn axle boots: you will be able to see axle grease on the oil pan and suspension parts.

During Test Drive:
Check the alignment: drive on the highway, take your hands off of the wheel. If the car tracks straight then everything SHOULD be ok.

Check the brakes; if the steering wheel shakes under braking the rotors may be warped. Don't for get to check the E-brake

Here are also a few links I was able to find that may be helpful.
Auto Inspection Services-this company will send someone out to do a full inspection for you.

Alliance Inspection Management-this company offers the same service

Pre Made Checklist-this is MSN's Check list

Post up what you know, and lets get a master check list.

fry · Post by **fry** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:15 pm

muha22752;277446 wrote:From my limited knowledge of cars i know the following things that can be identified easily.

Pre Test Drive:
Check the head gasket: look under the oil filler cap, if there is a milky residue then the head gasket will need to be replaced.

if that were true, every volkswagon on the road would have a blown head gasket. usually, you want to check the dipstick for "chocolate milk". but it can have an cracked head/blown head gasket without having "chocolate milk" on the dipstick.

D-

Cman46290 · Post by **Cman46290** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:33 pm

i always check the dipstick to see if its burnt to hell too... if it looks like its been really overheated... you know they either drive the shit out of the car... or it had gotten extremely hot at one point..

Check oil/coolant/trans fluid levels (if manual trans... cant check the MTF-no dipstick)

Give the whole under side of the car a good visual inspection... check for damaged components from bottoming out... as well as any fluid leaks(oil pan gasket, rear main seal, transmission leaks, ect ect.)

check all electrical functions... power windows/mirrors/locks/radio/guages ect ect.... you may have bad door lock actuators, window motors, or just an electrical problem in general..

There is a lot of other stuff you an check too... all depends on how technically inclined you are....and how quick you can do it.... like checking suspension bushings and tie rods and ball joints and wheel bearings for wear or play.... on older cars they can be a pain in the ass if you buy the car only to find that it needs a bunch of suspension bushings and components replaced.... try to visually check all bushings for cracking and wear... and if you can get the front end off the floor.. and "shake down" the front end... do it.. and see how the ball joints and tie rods are doing... or if it has wheel bearing play

Checking tire wear can help you decide if it has any front end issues as well...

muha22752 · Post by **muha22752** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:33 pm

Any input on checking out a boosted car.

eh2_Erik · Post by **eh2_Erik** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:44 am

$5 dollars says muha copied and pasted the Original Post. Never seen such good grammar from him.

muha22752 · Post by **muha22752** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:20 am

I guess taking english for the 4th time is paying off.

00siandrew · Post by **00siandrew** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:24 am

Well things I've noticed with my S2000 after buying...

And before I go any further always always always do a carfax. Buying a used car without doing a carfax is a HUGE mistake, take it from me.

I never thought my S2000 was wrecked but shortly after buying, and I should have noticed this before, was that the radiator support was a black (not painted when replaced), there is a bit of orange peel on the clear of the passenger side light and fender, and the bolts holding the fenders on had some paint stripped off meaning a socket had touched them and the fender was removed at some point.

Cliff notes:

Check for orange peel
Mismatched color in body panels
Any signs body panels have been removed (paint removed from bolts holding them on)

All these will indicate accidents which may mean prior salvage title EVEN if the title says it's clean. Look into "title washing" for info on that.

Capt'n Obvious · Post by **Capt'n Obvious** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:20 am

check for jizz stains in the back seat

Dabeastwthn · Post by **Dabeastwthn** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 6:46 am

Capt'n Obvious;277528 wrote:check for jizz stains in the back seat

If you find them then Matt has been in the backseat again so WALK AWAY!!! :ohsnap: