A used car can look excellent in an online listing and still have problems that are difficult to spot in ten minutes at the seller’s driveway. This checklist gives you a practical way to inspect the vehicle before you buy. It is useful for private sale and dealer vehicles, but it is not a substitute for a professional inspection when you need a deeper assessment.
Before you inspect the car
Ask for the VIN and compare it with the vehicle. Check the advertised mileage against the dashboard and available records. Ask whether the vehicle has been in an accident, flood or major repair and whether service records are available.
Run a current PPSR search before you buy. The PPSR can reveal a registered security interest and may provide stolen or written off information where available.
If possible, inspect the vehicle in daylight and when the engine is cold. A cold start can reveal symptoms that may be less obvious after the vehicle has warmed up.
1. Check the exterior and body
Walk around the entire vehicle before starting it. Look at panel gaps, paint colour differences, overspray, dents, scratches and signs of repair.
Look closely at areas where panels meet. Uneven gaps or mismatched paint do not automatically prove accident damage, but they are reasons to investigate further.
Check the windscreen and windows for chips, cracks and damage. Look at lights, indicators, mirrors and exterior trim.
2. Check tyres and wheels
Check tread depth and look for uneven wear. Uneven wear can be a clue to alignment, suspension or other issues.
Look for sidewall damage, cracks and bulges. Check that the tyres are reasonably consistent with the vehicle and that the wheels do not show obvious impact damage.
3. Check the engine bay
Look for visible oil, coolant or other fluid leaks. Check fluid levels where appropriate and look for signs of contamination or recent cleaning that may make leaks harder to spot.
Inspect hoses, belts and visible components for obvious deterioration. Listen for unusual noises when the engine starts and idles.
A clean engine bay is not proof of a healthy engine. It is the underlying condition, not how shiny the components look, that matters.
4. Check the transmission and drivetrain
During the test drive, pay attention to how the vehicle selects gears, accelerates and responds to throttle input.
For automatic vehicles, look for harsh engagement, slipping, delayed response or unusual noises. For manual vehicles, check clutch engagement and gear selection.
For AWD and 4WD vehicles, drivetrain behaviour and noises deserve particular attention.
5. Check steering, suspension and brakes
On the road test, notice steering feel, pulling, vibration, knocking and braking behaviour.
Check whether the vehicle sits level and whether there are signs of suspension wear. Listen for knocks over uneven surfaces.
Brake performance should be consistent and predictable. Any grinding, pulsation or unusual noise deserves further investigation.
6. Check the interior and electronics
Test the major switches, windows, mirrors, climate control, infotainment, cameras and other equipment that matters to you.
Look at warning lights during the ignition sequence and after the vehicle starts. A warning light that disappears does not necessarily mean the underlying issue never existed.
7. Check the service history
Look for evidence of regular servicing and compare the service dates and mileage with the odometer.
Ask what major maintenance has already been completed and what is due next. A car can be mechanically sound but still require significant upcoming maintenance.
8. Take a proper test drive
A short trip around the block is not always enough. Where safe and permitted, assess the vehicle at different speeds and road conditions.
Listen for noises, check acceleration, braking, steering, transmission behaviour and temperature. Pay attention to anything that feels different from what you would expect from the vehicle.
9. EV and hybrid checks
For an EV, the battery deserves separate attention. Dashboard range alone does not give you a complete assessment of battery health. Consider an independent battery health test that provides a State of Health result and supporting diagnostic information.
For hybrids, assess both the combustion engine and the hybrid system. A hybrid is not simply a petrol car with a larger starter battery; the high voltage system and related components need appropriate assessment.
10. What a DIY checklist cannot tell you
A checklist is useful for screening a vehicle, but it has limits. You may not have access to a scan tool, lift, specialist EV battery diagnostics or the experience needed to interpret symptoms.
If the car is expensive, complex, older, high-mileage or simply important to you, an independent inspection can turn a long list of observations into a structured condition report.
Quick used car checklist
VIN matches the vehicle.
Current PPSR completed.
Service history reviewed.
Cold start checked.
Body and paint inspected.
Tyres and wheels checked.
Engine and fluids checked.
Transmission and drivetrain assessed.
Steering, suspension and brakes assessed.
Warning lights and electronics tested.
Road test completed.
EV battery / hybrid system considered where relevant.
Independent inspection arranged if you want a deeper assessment.
The practical takeaway
You do not need to become a mechanic to buy a used car carefully. You do need a process. Start with the vehicle identity and history, inspect the physical condition, test drive it properly and investigate anything that does not make sense.
If you would rather have a qualified inspector do the detailed work, our mobile pre purchase inspection service comes to the vehicle and provides a structured report so you can make the decision with clearer information.
Want a professional second opinion before you buy?
A used car can look fine on the surface and still have issues that are expensive to discover later. If you want more confidence before committing, our mobile pre purchase inspection service can assess the vehicle at its location and provide a clear, structured report on its condition.
Get the vehicle inspected before you buy, not after you discover a problem.
