Free printable · 1 page · US Letter
Free Used Car Checklist: the Quick Check
Going to look at a used car? Print this one page and take it with you. These are the first things I check before I'd tell anyone to buy a car: the paperwork, a quick walk-around, and the test drive.
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Delivered by Gumroad as a PDF (UsedCarQuickCheck.pdf). Type 0 in the price box to get it free.
Made by an ASE-certified mechanic and licensed Pennsylvania state safety and emissions inspector.
01 What's on the page
20 checks in three groups, plus a walk-away list and space for notes. Here's every line:
1 Paperwork
- VIN on dash, door label and title all match
- Title in hand, in the seller's name, no brand you weren't told about
- History report and open recall check (nhtsa.gov/recalls) done
- Inspection and emissions stickers current (in states that inspect)
- Seller agrees to a pre-purchase inspection at a shop you choose
2 Walk-Around
- Engine cold when you arrive (hood and top hose)
- Even panel gaps, matching paint, no overspray
- No rot in rocker panels, wheel arches, subframe or brake lines
- Tires: at least 2/32" tread on all four (PA minimum), even wear, no cracks
- Brake pads: at least 2/32" of lining (PA minimum)
- Oil level OK, no milky film; coolant and brake fluid at level
- No fresh drips under the car, no smoke at start-up
- Warning lights come on at key-on, then all go out
- OBD-II scan: no codes, readiness monitors set
3 Test Drive
- Smooth shifts, no slipping, no clunk into Drive or Reverse
- Brakes firm and straight, no grinding or pulsing
- Steering centered, no pull, no clunks over bumps
- No vibration at highway speed
- Temperature gauge stays normal
- After the drive: no new drips, smoke or burning smell
Walk away (or get a pro) if you find
- Title or VIN problems
- Seller refuses an inspection
- Frame or structural rust
- Flood signs
- Transmission slipping
- Steady smoke or overheating
Not sure what a line means? The guides explain them: what to check when buying a used car, rust and frame damage and the test drive checklist.
How to use it
- Ask the seller for the VIN and run the history report and the recall check at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you go.
- Ask them not to start the car before you arrive, so you see a cold start.
- Tick each line as you go. If any line fails, slow down, ask questions, and get a pre-purchase inspection at a shop you choose.
- If you hit anything on the walk-away list, walk away or get a professional opinion first.
This checklist is a guide and not a substitute for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Not affiliated with ASE, PennDOT or any vehicle manufacturer. For personal use; please share the link instead of the file.