Used car inspection checklist
Walk around the car with this checklist on your phone and mark each item as fine or a concern. It covers paperwork, body and rust, tires and brakes, under the hood, the cold start and the inside, with the signs to look for. Your progress is kept on your phone as you go.
0 of 30 checked, 0 concerns
Paperwork
The VIN on the dash, the door sticker and the ownership papers all match
The dash VIN is visible through the windshield at the driver's corner.
The seller's name is on the ownership, or the dealer can show it
There are service records or receipts
Regular oil changes and repairs on paper are a good sign.
You have a vehicle history report and a lien check for the province
Two keys or fobs and the owner's manual come with the car
Body and paint
Gaps between panels are even all round
Uneven gaps can mean a past collision repair.
Paint colour and shine match on every panel
Look along the side in daylight. A different shade or rough texture can mean a repaint.
No rust bubbles on wheel arches, door bottoms and under the car
Salted winters make rust the biggest worry on Canadian cars.
Windshield and windows have no cracks or large chips
All lights work and the lenses are clear with no moisture inside
Tires and brakes
Tread is even across each tire and on all four
Wear on one edge can point to an alignment or suspension problem.
The tires are not very old
Find the four-digit date code on the sidewall. Old tires can need replacing even with good tread.
All four tires are the same brand and size
Brake discs look smooth, with no deep grooves or heavy rust ridge
Under the hood
The oil is amber to dark brown, not milky or gritty, and the level is right
Milky oil can mean coolant is mixing in, which is serious.
The coolant level is right and the colour is clean
No wet spots or fresh drips on the engine or under the car
Belts and hoses have no cracks or bulges
The battery terminals are clean and the battery is not old
Starting up
It starts easily from cold and idles smoothly
Ask the seller not to warm it up before you arrive.
No blue, white or black smoke from the exhaust
The warning lights come on, then all go off
A light that never comes on at all can mean the bulb was removed.
Inside
Wear on the seat, pedals and steering wheel matches the kilometres
No musty smell and the carpets are dry
Lift a floor mat. Damp can mean a leak or flood damage.
Windows, locks, mirrors, wipers and the horn all work
The air conditioning blows cold and the heater blows hot
The screen, Bluetooth and USB ports all work
Seat belts latch and retract properly
Trunk and extras
A spare tire or repair kit and the jack are there
The trunk floor is dry and free of rust
Your concerns
Nothing marked as a concern yet. Anything you mark appears here.
Keep going with Uobo
Uobo is your personal car agent. Text it what you need and it does the research and the checks, asks dealerships about availability, condition and price for you, and helps you decide. This is the text you would send:
On a computer? Text (289) 819-4586 from your phone and paste what you copied. Standard message rates apply. Reply STOP any time to stop.
How it works
Go through the sections in order, in daylight and dry weather if you can. Tap Looks fine or Concern for each item. A count at the top shows how far you have got, and your marks are saved on this device so you can come back to them.
Anything you mark as a concern is gathered into a list at the end, ready to take to the seller or a mechanic. Nothing leaves your phone.
A checklist finds obvious problems. For a car you are serious about, a professional pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic is worth the cost.
What this does not cover
- A checklist cannot see inside the engine, transmission or frame. An independent mechanic can.
- It does not replace a vehicle history report, which can show accidents, liens and ownership history.
- Rules for selling used cars, including safety inspections, differ by province.
Common questions
What should I check when buying a used car?
Start with the paperwork and the VIN, then look at the body for rust and signs of repair, the tires and brakes, the oil and coolant, how it starts from cold, and the interior. Finish with a test drive and, for a car you want, an independent inspection.
How do I spot a car that has been in an accident?
Look for uneven gaps between panels, paint that does not match, overspray on rubber trim and mismatched headlights. A vehicle history report adds records of reported claims.
How can I tell if a car has been in a flood?
A musty smell, damp carpets, mud or rust in unusual places such as seat rails, and fogged lights are warning signs. Lift the floor mats and the trunk lining to check.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection?
For any used car you are serious about, yes. A mechanic can put it on a hoist and find problems you cannot see, and the report gives you clear facts to talk through with the seller.
Can I use this checklist at a dealership?
Yes. Many dealership used cars come with an inspection report, and this checklist helps you understand it and spot anything you want to ask about.