rodduz
Member
Would you say if this list was followed you wouldn't go far wrong? ANything to add to it? Cheers
OUTSIDE
- suspension: from a distance, is the car standing level?
- body panels: any scratches or panel gaps?
- paintwork: ripples, mismatched colour or stray spray?
- bodywork: look down the sides for dents or bulges
- rust: door-bottoms & sills, wheelarches, boot lid?
- wheel rims: any dents, scuffs or cracks?
- tyres: check tread depth & wear pattern. Different make at each corner = car maintained on the cheap. Wear on the outer shoulder means it's been hard driven.
- glass: cracked or chipped, especially the windscreen? Windows etched with matching reg number?
- shock absorbers: signs of leaks or too bouncy?
- underneath: rust or evidence of welding or repairs?
- lights: all working? Any lens moisture?
- doors: creaking or ill-fitting?
read our full guide page >>
INSIDE
- smell: smoking? pets? damp or musty?
- carpets: feel them thoroughly for dampness
- seats: look under any covers. Bad wear, particularly on driver's side = probable high miles
- gearknob / steering wheel: shiny and worn?
- mileometer: numbers line up? Scratched or painted over?
- pedal rubbers: worn, missing or suspiciously new?
- instrument panel screws: scratched or rounded?
- doors: all handles and locks working?
- sunroof: winds back & tilts fully? No sign of leaks or rust?
- alarm: ask for a demo
- boot: look under the the carpet for rust, paint ripples or overspray. Is the spare wheel inflated and has the jack and wheel nut spanner?
read our full guide page >>
OILY BITS
- is the engine warm? Possible bad starter that's been prepared for you.
- engine bay: very oily - where it shouldn't be? Or suspiciously sparkling clean? Signs of oil leaks? Wires or hoses hanging loose?
- hoses: hard, cracked or split?
- oil: light brown or pitch black on the dipstick? Any white foam under the oil filler cap - sign of engine wear?
- water: CARE! Check engine is cool before opening cap. Is there water to the proper level & what colour is it? Should be green or blue not a rusty colour. Does the level move when you squeeze a radiator hose?
- other fluids: are the brake fluid, gearbox and power steering oil full to the proper levels?
- wiring: cracked or burned outer coating? Neat connections or botched repairs?
- engine belts: loose or frayed?
- front suspension: rust around the mountings?
- exhaust: most will have some rust, but how serious is it?
- CV joints: split rubber bellows where the suspension arms meet the engine? Expensive MOT failure point.
- look at the ground: any oily marks where the car is usually parked?
OUTSIDE
- suspension: from a distance, is the car standing level?
- body panels: any scratches or panel gaps?
- paintwork: ripples, mismatched colour or stray spray?
- bodywork: look down the sides for dents or bulges
- rust: door-bottoms & sills, wheelarches, boot lid?
- wheel rims: any dents, scuffs or cracks?
- tyres: check tread depth & wear pattern. Different make at each corner = car maintained on the cheap. Wear on the outer shoulder means it's been hard driven.
- glass: cracked or chipped, especially the windscreen? Windows etched with matching reg number?
- shock absorbers: signs of leaks or too bouncy?
- underneath: rust or evidence of welding or repairs?
- lights: all working? Any lens moisture?
- doors: creaking or ill-fitting?
read our full guide page >>
INSIDE
- smell: smoking? pets? damp or musty?
- carpets: feel them thoroughly for dampness
- seats: look under any covers. Bad wear, particularly on driver's side = probable high miles
- gearknob / steering wheel: shiny and worn?
- mileometer: numbers line up? Scratched or painted over?
- pedal rubbers: worn, missing or suspiciously new?
- instrument panel screws: scratched or rounded?
- doors: all handles and locks working?
- sunroof: winds back & tilts fully? No sign of leaks or rust?
- alarm: ask for a demo
- boot: look under the the carpet for rust, paint ripples or overspray. Is the spare wheel inflated and has the jack and wheel nut spanner?
read our full guide page >>
OILY BITS
- is the engine warm? Possible bad starter that's been prepared for you.
- engine bay: very oily - where it shouldn't be? Or suspiciously sparkling clean? Signs of oil leaks? Wires or hoses hanging loose?
- hoses: hard, cracked or split?
- oil: light brown or pitch black on the dipstick? Any white foam under the oil filler cap - sign of engine wear?
- water: CARE! Check engine is cool before opening cap. Is there water to the proper level & what colour is it? Should be green or blue not a rusty colour. Does the level move when you squeeze a radiator hose?
- other fluids: are the brake fluid, gearbox and power steering oil full to the proper levels?
- wiring: cracked or burned outer coating? Neat connections or botched repairs?
- engine belts: loose or frayed?
- front suspension: rust around the mountings?
- exhaust: most will have some rust, but how serious is it?
- CV joints: split rubber bellows where the suspension arms meet the engine? Expensive MOT failure point.
- look at the ground: any oily marks where the car is usually parked?
