- Joined
- Jun 9, 2008
- Messages
- 5,921
I got this from a site today and thought i'd share it with you all..Its a checklist when buying a foreign used or second hand car.
Body Work
Check for chips & cracks on headlights & fog lights
Check all lights are working
Check for rust around wheelarches & windscreen
Check amount of stone chips on bonnet, bumper & mirrors
Check under door & window rubbers for sign of respray
Check front and rear bumpers for cracks & scuffs
Check inner plastic wings are in place and undamaged
Check for chips & cracks on windscreen
Check panel gaps - doors, bonnet, wings and boot
Running Gear
Check tyre wear
Check tyre for uneven wear
Check tyre size
Check wheels for kerbing scuffs
Check front at back brake disc wear
Check for shock absorber oil leaks
Check springs - genuine or replacements
Check exhaust back box rear mountings
Check for gearbox oil leaks
Check for rear differential oil leaks
Check anti-roll bar tie rod arms - front and box
Check for damage and/or rust under the car
Engine
Check engine is cold
Check oil level
Check water level
Check brake fluid level
Check power steering fluid level
Check for oil & fluid leaks
Check boost solenoid hoses for oil
Check for oil in water - vice versa
Check over cleanliness of engine bay
Check for previous leaks on underside of bonnet etc.
Check chassis number plates have no signs of replacement
Check oil filter is genuine - judge of dirty (sign of age)
Listen very carefully for noises
- cams
- water pump
- injectors
- alternator
- bearings - with head under the car
Interior
Check for fag burns - seats and carpet
Check dash board for cracks
Check all switches
Check aircon operation
Check heater fan operation
Check handbrake operation - no more then 5 notches
Check rev counter works
Check gauges work
Check electric window operation
Check central locking operation
Check spare wheel and tool kit
Driving
Check for clutch judder
Check for trust bearing noise - put foot on clutch then off
Check gearbox isn't notchy - third to second
Check gear-lever for sloppiness
Check brake pedal travel
Check brake efficiency
Check steering wheel is level when driving straight
Check for steering wheel judder when braking
Check ABS operation if possible
Check for general noises - rattles etc.-
Check temperature gauge level
Check for grey smoke on over-run
Check all warning lights come on with ignition on (engine not running)
Check cornering at speed
Check CV joint noise on full lock at slow speed
Check for smoke at 3000 rpm - out of gear
Paperwork
Check log-book numbers against chassis plate
Check number of previous owners
Check service records - look at mileage intervals
Check all receipts - see if any indicate mileage - check dates
Check service mileage against receipt mileage - any date conflicts
Check date of cam belt replacement
Check date of clutch replacement
Check date of oil changes
Check date of engine change
Check MOT length and details
Check tax disc matches car details
Body Work
Check for chips & cracks on headlights & fog lights
Check all lights are working
Check for rust around wheelarches & windscreen
Check amount of stone chips on bonnet, bumper & mirrors
Check under door & window rubbers for sign of respray
Check front and rear bumpers for cracks & scuffs
Check inner plastic wings are in place and undamaged
Check for chips & cracks on windscreen
Check panel gaps - doors, bonnet, wings and boot
Running Gear
Check tyre wear
Check tyre for uneven wear
Check tyre size
Check wheels for kerbing scuffs
Check front at back brake disc wear
Check for shock absorber oil leaks
Check springs - genuine or replacements
Check exhaust back box rear mountings
Check for gearbox oil leaks
Check for rear differential oil leaks
Check anti-roll bar tie rod arms - front and box
Check for damage and/or rust under the car
Engine
Check engine is cold
Check oil level
Check water level
Check brake fluid level
Check power steering fluid level
Check for oil & fluid leaks
Check boost solenoid hoses for oil
Check for oil in water - vice versa
Check over cleanliness of engine bay
Check for previous leaks on underside of bonnet etc.
Check chassis number plates have no signs of replacement
Check oil filter is genuine - judge of dirty (sign of age)
Listen very carefully for noises
- cams
- water pump
- injectors
- alternator
- bearings - with head under the car
Interior
Check for fag burns - seats and carpet
Check dash board for cracks
Check all switches
Check aircon operation
Check heater fan operation
Check handbrake operation - no more then 5 notches
Check rev counter works
Check gauges work
Check electric window operation
Check central locking operation
Check spare wheel and tool kit
Driving
Check for clutch judder
Check for trust bearing noise - put foot on clutch then off
Check gearbox isn't notchy - third to second
Check gear-lever for sloppiness
Check brake pedal travel
Check brake efficiency
Check steering wheel is level when driving straight
Check for steering wheel judder when braking
Check ABS operation if possible
Check for general noises - rattles etc.-
Check temperature gauge level
Check for grey smoke on over-run
Check all warning lights come on with ignition on (engine not running)
Check cornering at speed
Check CV joint noise on full lock at slow speed
Check for smoke at 3000 rpm - out of gear
Paperwork
Check log-book numbers against chassis plate
Check number of previous owners
Check service records - look at mileage intervals
Check all receipts - see if any indicate mileage - check dates
Check service mileage against receipt mileage - any date conflicts
Check date of cam belt replacement
Check date of clutch replacement
Check date of oil changes
Check date of engine change
Check MOT length and details
Check tax disc matches car details
