| Question |
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No |
| Body: |
| Do the doors fit neatly against surrounding panels & are the seals intact? |
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| Does the bonnet & boot fit neatly against the surrounding panels? |
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| Does a magnet cling to all the steel body parts? (Make sure you check the corners of doors, areas beneath the doors etc if the magnet does not cling then filler will have been used, maybe to repair rust or other damage) |
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| Are all panels the same colour? |
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| Has the vehicle recently been resprayed or touched up? (look for signs of paint on seals & moldings, check edges of doors, bonnet & boot. Fresh paint may be covering rust) |
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| Are there any dents, scratches, or marks? |
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| Are the windscreen, windows & mirrors free from cracks & chips? |
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| Tyres: |
| Do all the tyres have the same amount of tread? (tyres should have at least 1.5mm of tread & if they are worn at the edges or unevenly it could indicate worn steering or suspension components) |
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| Are all the tyres the same size? |
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| Are all the tyres the same brand? |
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| Is there a spare tyre, jack & wheel brace in the boot? |
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| Is the spare tyre in good condition with plenty of tread & inflated? If you press your thumb against the side of the tyre it should be very firm. |
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| If the wheels have lock nuts, is there a key to remove them? |
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| Suspension: |
| Does the vehicle sit level? |
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| Bounce each corner of the vehicle. Do all the corners respond in the same way? (corners should only bounce once or twice before stopping) |
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| Do you hear a creaking noise when bouncing the vehicle’s corners? |
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| Frame: |
| Inspect the inside of the bonnet & boot & the wheel arches. Do you see any areas that look as though they have been crumpled & straightened? |
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| Look underneath the vehicle on each side for a row of holes near the outer edges. Do the holes appear scratched or recently cleaned? |
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| Fuel Cap & Neck: |
| Is there a fuel cap & if it is a locking cap, is there a key? |
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| Does the fuel cap fit correctly? |
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| General Interior: |
| Is the upholstery in good condition? (look for tears, stains & burns) |
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| Is the dashboard in good condition? |
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| Are the gauges all working? (speedo, warning lights etc) |
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| Are the seats in good condition? (Are they firm & comfortable, fixed securely) |
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| Do the seats adjust easily? |
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| Are all the seat belts in good condition ? (check for fraying & recoil & check they fasten & release correctly) |
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| Are any window winders or seals, or other knobs or pedals missing? |
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| Do the windows operate correctly? |
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| Do all interior lights & light globes work? |
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| Does the age of the carpet match the age of the vehicle? ( check under any floor mats for signs of damp or rot, water staining & mildew) |
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| Does the vehicle have any odour of mildew or damp? |
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| Check under the dash at the top edge of the carpet for any signs of moisture. Are there any stains indicating there may be heater or air conditioner leakage? |
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| Under The Bonnet: |
| Are there any signs of oil or fluid leaks? |
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| Check the engine oil dipstick. Is the oil clean? ( too dark & dirty means the vehicle needs a service, milky colour indicates a blown head gasket) |
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| Check the radiator system. Is the water a green colour? (if not, it requires coolant & be wary that corrosion may have occurred in the system if it has been run without it) |
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| Run engine at full operating temperature. Are there any abnormal smells that could be caused by fluid leaks on the hot engine? |
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| Are there any unusual noises, such as clattering, sharp hissing etc? ( normal sounds will be the belts running smoothly) |
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| Is the chassis number clearly visible & does the number match the registration documents? (If there are signs it has been scratched out or altered be wary) |
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| Is the plate clear & legible? This will be either a manufacturer’s plate or an import plate. Every vehicle will have one, usually under the bonnet, but not always. Also if the vehicle has any modifications to it, it must have an MOD plate with the code numbers for the changes clearly displayed. |
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| Under The Vehicle: |
| Are there any fluid leaks on the underside of the engine & transmission, at axle ends, brake line connections, or on the ground beneath the vehicle? (green fluid is usually coolant, red would suggest power steering or transmission oil, dark brown or black would be engine oil or brake fluid) |
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| Are any parts loose, with the exception of exhaust parts slung from flexible rubber mounts? |
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| Does anything appear to be missing, such as bolts, clamps, brackets or cables? |
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| Are any of the exhaust system parts rusty? |
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| Are there any marks or dents from scrapes, indicating the car has been dented from beneath on high curbs or verges etc? |
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| Watch the exhaust while the car engine is running normally. Do you see smoke? (This could indicate an engine problem, especially if the smoke stings your eyes . A small amount of steam is normal) |
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| Performance: |
| Does the engine start easily? |
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| Does the engine stall at any time? |
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| Does the engine run smoothly at idle? |
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| Does the engine idle speed seem too slow or too fast? |
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| Does the engine stumble or hesitate on acceleration? |
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| Does the engine run smoothly during normal operation? |
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| Does the engine seem to lack power? |
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| If the vehicle has cruise control, is it operating correctly? |
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| Do engine or any other warning lights appear? |
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| Does the engine (diesel) continue running when switched off? |
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| Transmission & Clutch: |
| If the vehicle is automatic, is the automatic shifting running smoothly? |
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| If the vehicle is manual, does the vehicle take off smoothly without grabbing or jerking? |
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| On a manual vehicle, accelerate hard in 3rd or 4th gear, or whilst going up hill. If the engine rpms rise with the increase in vehicle speed the clutch could be slipping. It may need replacing or adjusting. |
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| On a manual vehicle try changing to a lower gear when driving slowly. Does the transmission shift easily, without grinding? |
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| 4 Wheel Drive: |
| Engage 4 wheel drive only on soft surfaces unless the owner manual specifically says the feature can be used on hard road surfaces. When on a suitable surface, test drive the vehicle in forward & reverse with the 4 wheel drive feature engaged. Does the vehicle shift smoothly in both directions? |
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| Turn tight corners to the right & to the left. Are there any clunking sounds or other noises? |
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| Do the wheels bind or pull, when going either straight or turning corners? |
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| Brakes: |
| Apply the brakes several times at different speeds. Also try a sudden stop. Does the vehicle pull to one side when braking? |
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| Do the brakes stop the vehicle adequately? |
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| If the vehicle has antilock brakes (ABS) try stopping suddenly. Do the wheels lock? (a pulsing brake pedal is normal) |
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| Does the hand brake hold firmly & release completely? |
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| Steering: |
| Does the vehicle pull to one side during normal operation? |
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| Is steering difficult at any speed? |
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| Turn sharply in both directions. Do you hear any clunking sounds or other noises? |
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| Does the vehicle shake or vibrate whilst in motion? (Try driving on the motorway or at a higher speed) |
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| Is the steering wheel centred when the vehicle is travelling straight? |
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| Accessories: |
| Do all the accessories work? (heater, air conditioning, windscreen washers & wipers, radio, CD etc) |
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| Other Concerns: |
| Is there an owner’s manual? This gives proper instructions for use of accessories & proper care of the vehicle. Also any warranty information that may still be valid in newer models. |
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| Are there full service & maintenance records with the vehicle ? This would show if it has been well maintained & cared for. |
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| If the vehicle has done more than 80,000km has the timing belt has been changed recently? As a general rule on most vehicles timing belts should be changed every 80,000 – 100,000km’s it can be very costly. |
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