You should look out for proof of service history (service intervals can be researched online or found in the car’s handbook) and invoices for any work carried out.Ĭheck the VIN specified in the documentation matches the number stamped on the car’s chassis. Looking through a used car’s paperwork can give you vital clues as to how well the previous owners maintained the vehicle. If the car has had a large number of previous owners, it could again suggest that it has caused issues for people in the past. Is it just that they’ve owned the car for a long time and are looking for something new, or are they looking to offload a problematic vehicle? How many previous owners has it had? This is a great question to test the seller’s response. Here are some basic questions that will help you in your purchasing decision. It’s important to ask the right questions of the seller when buying a used car. Your overall satisfactionĪre you happy with the way the car drives in general? Does it provide the performance you expected, and is it comfortable enough for you? Did anything irritate you, or would you be happy doing long journeys? You can also park up safely and pop the hood open to listen out for anything amiss. Note any unusual sounds coming from the engine, and investigate further if necessary. Is the engine running smoothly, or is it sounding rough? Be sure to turn the radio off and close the windows when driving so that you can focus on the engine noise. The car should remain in place if the handbrake is in good condition. Park on a slope and engage the handbrake whilst in neutral. Note whether there are any vibrations, grinding noises, and whether the car pulls to one side.Īre the brakes responsive, or does the pedal sink to the floor? If it’s the latter, there could be a leak in the braking system. When it’s safe to do so, test the brakes by pushing hard on the brake pedal. If it’s safe to do so (perhaps in a quiet car park), take your hands away from the wheel as you’re moving to see whether the car pulls to one side. Note whether there are any vibrations through the wheel as you’re driving, and whether the steering wheel sits off center when driving straight. You will need to ensure the car is tracking correctly. Also listen out for any unusual noises whilst steering. If the car you’re testing has power steering, it should be easy to operate and not feel too heavy. If you’re testing an automatic car, ensure all the changes are smooth and there’s no delay in gear engagement. If you’re testing a manual car, the gear stick should center itself in neutral. The gears should all select cleanly with no crunching or grinding noises. It should also pull away cleanly every time, not judder. Pay attention to any unusual noises, smells or slippage. This is one of the most essential parts, and is likely to be very costly if it needs replacing. It may not be done daily, but be sure to check your cars regularly.Once you get out on the road, check the clutch for signs of wear. This will help the vehicle to maintain its efficiency. Having a vehicle checklist will make you know the items that you already need to remove and replace with a new one. Some parts of the vehicle should also be changed in due time.You may take a look at our Maintenance Checklist as it will help you to know what should be written on this specific kind of checklist There are certain parts of the car that should already be cleaned as it does not help the vehicle function at its best. You will be able to know the parts of the car that should be up for maintenance.Safety and security of all the car’s passengers and its driver should always be a top priority Checking your vehicle assures you that it is safe to use.
Here are a few reasons why a vehicle checklist is important: Both of these templates are downloadable and printable. We have samples of a Blank Checklist and a Daily Checklist to help you create your own vehicle checklist in the future. No matter if you will use your car or not on a specific time period, you need to know all that is happening on its parts so that you will be sure that it will function properly when needed. Checking your car also means that all of the items are in good condition. The engine of the car and its general operationsĪll that is written in the checklist must be considered as it will help you to know the things that you need to be aware of.The steering wheel and the alignment of its cables.The items and tools that you need should you have car problems along the road.The mirrors especially the side mirrors that you use to view certain parts of the road.All the air conditioning and cooling units to assure that it will keep you cool and relaxed as you travel.A simple vehicle checklist includes the following items to be inspected: