RACQ Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist Take a printed copy of this checklist every time you inspect a car – so you can compare vehicles "side-by-side”. Notes 1. Vehicle details Date: Owner/Sellers Name: Address: Vehicle Make and Model: Registration Number: Engine Number: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Odometer Reading: Page | 1 Save time, money and stress when buying a car - visit www.racq.com.au/buyingacar 2. Initial checks Notes Is a vehicle service history available? Has it been regularly serviced? Do odometer readings on service documents correspond with the odometer reading? Does the car have a current Safety Certificate (valid for < 2 months and 2,000 km for private sales and < 3 months and 1,000 km for dealer sales)? Additional considerations for private sales: Do the owner’s name & address, and the car’s engine number, registration number & VIN match those on the registration papers? Is there any sign of tampering around the engine number, body number or compliance plate? Does the compliance plate accurately reflect the car (body style, seating capacity etc)? Is the VIN on the plate the same as the number stamped on the body? 3. Exterior checks* * Never inspect when it has been raining or at night, even if well- lit. Notes Bodywork Almost every car has minor bumps and small dents that accumulate from normal usage. Be more concerned about panels that don’t line up and variations in paint colour and finish, these can indicate previous accident damage and warrant further investigation. Page | 2 Save time, money and stress when buying a car - visit www.racq.com.au/buyingacar Doors Check that all doors open and close smoothly and do not sag or drop when opened. Make sure all windows wind up and down freely and that all locks work properly. Torn or perished rubbers may not appear significant, but can be costly to replace. Rust Look for bulges or blisters under the paint, particularly in lower panels. Check under door seals, the boot well and the lower sections of the mudguards. Lift mats and carpet if possible. Check around front and rear windscreen openings and in the roof drip rails. A fridge magnet can help identify where plastic filler has been used to conceal rust. If the magnet doesn’t stick to “metal” body panelling, it’s likely to be filled with plastic. On 4WD’s look carefully at the chassis rails for scaly rust and a build up of dirt and sand that can cause rust. Be suspicious of any vehicle that has been freshly coated with “body deadener”, you don’t know what’s under it. Very rusty vehicles should be avoided. Suspension Push down each corner of the car in turn, it should bounce once, then return to its normal position. Extra bounce suggests faulty shock absorbers. Stand back and look at the vehicle. It should be level with little difference side-to-side or front to back. Unevenness may indicate spring problems. Listen for knocks and unusual noises on rough roads and bumps. This may indicate worn suspension components. Tyres Legal tyres (for Safety Certificate approval) must have at least 1.5 mm of tread across the full face of the tyre that contacts the road. Once the tread drops below this, the tyres must be replaced. Check that the spare is in good condition. Tyres should be free from cuts, bulges and uneven wear (which may indicate suspension or alignment problems). Tyre specifications are usually listed in the owner’s handbook and Tyre Placard (on the glovebox lid or in the driver’s door opening). Check this to ensure the car has the appropriate tyres fitted. Page | 3 Save time, money and stress when buying a car - visit www.racq.com.au/buyingacar 4. Interior checks Notes Lights Check all lights work and that lenses are not badly faded or broken. Windscreen wipers Check that they operate on all speeds and that the washers work. Instruments and gauges Make sure all instruments (including the odometer), gauges, and warning lights work. Stereo/radio Check all speakers and radio/stereo controls work. If the radio has a security code, remember to ask for the code before purchase. Air conditioning Air from the vents should feel cold when the air conditioning is operating. The fan should operate on all speeds and the air conditioning compressor should not be excessively noisy. Seats All seats should be securely mounted. Lift up any seat covers to check the condition of the upholstery. Press along the seats surface to check for broken or sagged springs. Check that all seat adjustments operate correctly, particularly if power seats are fitted. Seat belts Fully extend all seat belts, they should not be badly sun bleached, cut, frayed or in any way damaged. They should retract, and when given a sharp tug, the retractor should lock. Check that all seat belt buckles lock and release easily. 5. Under the bonnet Notes Radiator For your safety only remove the radiator cap when the engine is cold. The coolant should be clean and full. Rusty coolant and/or low Page | 4 Save time, money and stress when buying a car - visit www.racq.com.au/buyingacar coolant levels indicate that the vehicle may not be well serviced. Very rusty coolant or oil in the radiator are warning signs that the cooling system, and probably the engine, requires repairs or maintenance. Run your fingers over the radiator core fins. They should be solid and not crumble when touched. If they do the radiator has limited life. If the radiator has plastic tanks, check they have not begun to lose their black colouring, or to develop fine cracks. These conditions mean that the tank or tanks should be replaced to prevent serious engine damage. Hoses Water hoses that are very soft and spongy or very hard will need to be replaced to avoid serious engine damage. Oil The engine oil should be up to the full mark on the dipstick and should not be too dark in colour or smell burnt. If the oil level is low or the oil appears milky, dark, or smells burnt there may be serious engine trouble. Check the ground where the vehicle has been parked, there should be no evidence of oil leakage. Automatic Transmission fluid Automatic transmission fluid should be cherry pink. Dark, dirty or burnt smelling oil is an indication of major problems or lack of servicing. < NOW START THE ENGINE > It should start easily and idle smoothly even when cold. Let the engine warm up. Once warm, have someone rev the engine a few times while you watch the exhaust for smoke. Blue, black or white smoke may mean problems. Listen for rattling and knocking while the engine warms up and then again once it is fully warm. Have anything you are not sure about checked before you commit to the purchase. Page | 5 Save time, money and stress when buying a car - visit www.racq.com.au/buyingacar 6. The test drive* *If possible take someone with mechanical knowledge along on the test drive to help identify defects or unusual noises. Notes Insurance Before you take the car for a test drive make sure it is covered by insurance. Failing to do so could leave you responsible for any damage resulting from an accident. Also identify any existing damage to the vehicle and draw it to the seller’s attention before the test drive. Brakes Before you go too far on the test drive pick a safe place to try the brakes. The pedal should feel solid when the brakes are applied and the car should pull up in a straight line. The hand brake should effectively hold the car on a hill in either direction. Brakes should not make grinding or squealing noises, pull to one side or be inefficient in stopping the car. Clutch and transmission Transmissions in both manual and automatic cars should shift smoothly. Automatics shouldn’t have any undue delay in selecting gears and manuals shouldn’t “crunch” during shifts. The clutch shouldn’t shudder or slip. Remember to check reverse too. Handling and noises The car should drive straight on a flat road, if it pulls to one side or has excessive free play in the steering there may be a steering or suspension fault. Drive over a variety of road surfaces at different speeds to find any abnormal behaviours and unusual noises. Keep the windows up and the radio off while checking for noises. If the car is front wheel drive, find a safe place to do some low speed circles on left and right full lock. A “clicking” noise from either front wheel indicates worn CV joints. After the test drive After the test drive while the engine is hot, check again for smoke, noises and oil leaks. Also remove the oil filler cap while the engine is idling to check for excessive fumes that indicate a worn engine. Page | 6 Save time, money and stress when buying a car - visit www.racq.com.au/buyingacar