Car Inspection

When should you get a car safety inspection?

Any time you buy or sell a car, you should take it in for a car inspection. A seller with nothing to hide will never object if a potential buyer wants to do a used car inspection, and if you're the seller, having a thorough car safety inspection done will give you leverage. You can take care of immediate mechanical problems and recoup your investment in the form of a higher sale price.

A Complete Car Inspection Checklist

If you're shopping for used cars, you can either perform the car inspection yourself or bring the car to an auto mechanic. Should you choose to do it yourself, be sure to leave yourself ample time to check out each of the following:

  • Documentation. Ask the seller for the car's registration slip. Double-check the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the slip and make sure it matches the one found on the vehicle. Ask for and inspect all service records, including oil changes, major body work and any repairs to the car brakes, transmission or engine.
  • Under the hood. You'll need a little mechanical expertise here, and if you lack it, you should get the opinion of someone in the know. Look for oil leaks and confirm that the oil filter is new. Check the levels and health of the fluids, as well as all the belts, hoses and wires, and look for leaks in the water pump and fuel pump. Test the radiator cap to ensure it has adequate pressure.
  • The tires. Check the tires for signs of uneven wear, as this is a signal the car has been driven hard or improperly. Ensure all tires match and that they have adequate tread. Make sure all valve stems are accessible and free of rust.
  • The exterior. Look closely for rust and evidence of body damage or repairs. You can use a magnet to test for body filler; a magnet won't stick to any body panels that contain filling compounds. Check the condition of the paint, and open and close all the doors, the trunk and the hood. Look for imperfections in the chrome, trim and hubcaps, and make sure all the mirrors are intact.
  • The interior. You will need to test out the vehicle's heating and air conditioning, the stereo and any music players the car comes with. It is very important to confirm that the defroster/defogger is working correctly, and that the car's ventilation system is operational. Check the horn, the seat belts, the glove box, the arm rest or console, and the controls for the mirrors, windows and fuel door. Finally, make sure all door handles are operational from the inside and all door locks are fully functional.

Starting and Driving the Car

An important part of any used or new car inspection is ensuring that the car drives smoothly and without problems. Start the car and note whether it started smoothly or whether there was any difficulty engaging the ignition. Look for excess exhaust and rev up the engine. It should both rev and idle smoothly.

When you drive the car, watch to see where it shifts in and out of gears (if it has an automatic transmission). The car should not reach the upper RPM levels in any gear, and shifts should be smooth, quiet and easy. Beware of slipping gears. Pay close attention to engine performance, especially during acceleration; if the car seems sluggish, it may indicate an underlying mechanical problem. If possible, take the car down an uneven road to see how its shocks and suspension hold up, and keep a close eye on all the gauges to see that everything is functioning correctly.

If you note problems with any of the aforementioned points of inspection, notify the seller. Use your observations to negotiate a lower sale price, or walk away and purchase a different vehicle.