Used Car Evaluation Checklist

© 2019 Auto City / goautocity.
com
Used Car Evaluation Checklist
When you’re out shopping for your next used car purchase, it helps to know what to look for when you
find one that interests you. To do a good evaluation of the car, there are so many things to consider and
inspect that it’s easy to lose track of important points. At Auto City, we’re on a mission to help
everyone be more successful at used car shopping, which is why we’ve put together this handy
checklist to help you do a thorough assessment of any used car you might be looking at. We’ve grouped
a total of 70 items together into four different categories that will help you decide what to do depending
on what you find. Here’s to your success!
The Deal-Breakers
If you check YES on any of these, walk away from the car and don’t look back!
Deal-Breaker YES/NO
1. Title includes the word “salvage”

© 2019 Auto City / goautocity.com
2. There is rust all over the vehicle

3. It smells stale, like mildew or spoiled milk

4. Evidence of water damage in glove box, under rear seats, or trunk

5. Oil from the dipstick is gooey or black and/or has shiny metallic particles

6. Automatic transmission fluid smells burnt or is dark or has particles

7. Engine makes knocking noises that get faster with engine speed

8. When you drive the car, it just feels very tired and worn out

Serious Issues
If you check off YES for 1-4 of these items, you could make a low-ball offer with the understanding the
car likely has some serious issues. If you check off 5 or more of these items, go find a different car to
buy.
Issues YES/NO
9. You suspect the odometer reading isn’t right
10. Tires are mismatched in brand or size

11. Evidence of accident damage poorly repaired

12. There are missing lug nuts

13. On the bumper near there exhaust pipe, you see black spots or oily film

14. There are some rust spots here and there

15. Brake pedal is shows too much wear for the number of miles

16. Spare tile well is rusted or shows signs of water damage

17. Sunroof/moonroof struggles to operate or is very slow to open

18. Underbody shows a good deal of rust

19. Bottom of engine shows signs of fluid leakage

20. Signs of fluid leaks on the ground under the car

21. Underbody has bent or dented metal

22. Underbody pinch welds have shiny marks

23. Bottom of radiator is wet from coolant

24. If more than 4 years old, the timing or serpentine belt been replaced

25. When turn key to “on” position, warning lights do not come on

26. When the car is started, warning lights stay on

27. After starting the car, airbag lights stay on or blink

28. Engine does not settle into a consistent idle within a couple minutes

29. Automatic transmission clunks into gear when shifted into drive

30. Manual transmission clutch feels stiff or jerky when pressed

31. When accelerating, gear shifts feel jerky or acceleration is not smooth

32. Smoke comes out of the exhaust as the car accelerates

Causes for Concern
A few of these are to be expected with a used car, but not too many. Fewer than 5 is fine. Even 6-9
might be okay if you have some DIY care repair skills. But if you check YES to 10 or more of these
items, it’s time to move on.
Concerns YES/NO
33. No service/repair records, or there are large gaps
34. Paint shows signs of fading and cracking

35. Panel gaps are inconsistent in similar areas

36. Some trim pieces are loose or missing

37. A magnet doesn’t stick to some areas of sheet metal

38. Some windows go up and slower than others, or make noise

39. Climate control fan squeaks or rattles or doesn’t work on all settings

40. Some of the power accessories don’t work properly

41. There is uneven wear on some or all of the tires

42. Engine has evidence of mice or other vermin

43. The oil change sticker date is long past

44. Seats have some tears or excessive wear

45. When car is started, there are strange noises or belt squeaking

46. When driving a tight circle, there is rubbing or clunking

47. When braking firmly, pedal feels soft or mushy

48. The feel of the brake pedal changes from one time to the next

49. When braking, the car veers to one side

50. When going over bumps, the car bounces a lot

51. At highway speeds there vibrations

52. Steering wheel is off-center when driving straight

53. There is excessive wind noise at reasonable speeds

54. When you go over bumps, you hear internal rattling

55. The car feels like it pulls to one side

56. When first started, there is sustained visible smoke from exhaust pipe

57. After driving, the engine makes a hissing noise

Not Serious, but Noted

This group of items are not a cause for any real concern. If anything, they’re just normal wear and tear
on a used car, depending on how old it is. Checking YES to fewer than 5 of these is no big deal. 6-9 of
them can probably be addressed for not a lot of money. 10 or more of these means the car needs some
work, which may or may not be worth it to you.
Other Issues YES/NO
58. There is no owner’s manual

59. Some of the interior trim is broken, cracked or has blemishes

60. There is some curb damage on the wheels

61. Windshield wiper blades are in bad shape

62. One or more hubcaps is missing or loose or damaged

63. Tire pressure is not set properly on one or more tires

64. Spare tire, jack or other tools are missing or damaged

65. One or more inner fender shields is missing or damaged

66. Some of the engine hoses feel stiff or brittle (careful, may be hot)

67. Battery terminals show corrosion

68. Battery is more than 4 years old

69. One or more headlights or other lights fail to come on

70. In the engine there are loose clamps or belts with cracks

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© 2019 Auto City / goautocity.

Used Car Evaluation Checklist

1. Title includes the word “salvage”

2. There is rust all over the vehicle

9. You suspect the odometer reading isn’t right

10. Tires are mismatched in brand or size

32. Smoke comes out of the exhaust as the car accelerates

Causes for Concern

33. No service/repair records, or there are large gaps

34. Paint shows signs of fading and cracking

42. Engine has evidence of mice or other vermin

Not Serious, but Noted

Other Issues YES/NO

58. There is no owner’s manual

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