Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Checklist

What to arrange, what the mechanic should check, and how to use the findings before you buy.

A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.

  • Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Checklist
  • Confirm warranty or CPO status
  • Book inspection before signing
  • Choose an independent mechanic
  • Ask about make and model experience
  • Arrange a PPI if car is distant
  • Pull a vehicle history report
  • Inspect tire condition
  • Inspect brake condition
  • Inspect suspension condition
  • Frame and undercarriage
  • Glass, lights and battery
  • Radiator, hoses and belts
  • Inspect fluid condition
  • Body and exterior surface
  • Test drive with hills and bumps
  • Computer scan for trouble codes
  • Request a written report
  • Use findings to negotiate
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Book the inspection before the purchase agreement is made. Without a warranty, the buyer takes on every problem that appears later, and a vehicle history report shows past records, not the car's condition today. An independent mechanic's pre-purchase inspection (PPI) typically covers tires, brakes, suspension, fluids and body, and may also include a test drive and a computer scan. This list assumes a used car with no warranty or certified pre-owned status. It leaves out financing and paperwork.

Why these items are on the list

  1. Confirm warranty or CPO status. AutoNation advises a PPI when the car lacks CPO status or a warranty.
  2. Book inspection before signing. AutoNation says to uncover issues before a purchase agreement is made.
  3. Choose an independent mechanic. Pick someone with no affiliation to the seller or to you.
  4. Ask about make and model experience. A certified mechanic who knows the make and model is the usual recommendation.
  5. Arrange a PPI if car is distant. AutoNation says the buyer cannot test drive an out-of-state car; the assigned inspection mechanic adds security.
  6. Pull a vehicle history report. Christian Brothers says Carfax reports are not exhaustive and do not show current condition.
  7. Inspect tire condition. There is no industry standard for the scope. Ask what the shop covers.
  8. Inspect brake condition. Listed in the typical scope. Ask what the mechanic checks.
  9. Inspect suspension condition. A test route with bumps and potholes can reveal suspension problems.
  10. Frame and undercarriage. Ask for a visual check of the underside, including the frame.
  11. Glass, lights and battery. All three are in the typical scope. Confirm the shop checks each one.
  12. Radiator, hoses and belts. AutoNation lists all three. Christian Brothers suggests asking how much life is left on hoses and belts.
  13. Inspect fluid condition. Part of the typical scope. The written report should cover it.
  14. Body and exterior surface. Cosmetic condition is assessed along with mechanical and safety condition.
  15. Test drive with hills and bumps. A varied route can uncover engine performance issues, not only suspension faults.
  16. Computer scan for trouble codes. The mechanic scans the car's various computers for trouble codes.
  17. Request a written report. It should list existing conditions, future problems that might develop and prior damage, repaired or not.
  18. Use findings to negotiate. Signs of a coming repair can support a lower price or a decision to walk away.

Tick the setup steps before you book, then keep the inspection items open on your phone while the mechanic talks. Match the written report against them afterwards.

When to use it

Use it once you have picked a specific used car and before you agree to buy it.

Sources

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