Shiny paint can hide a lot of problems. Professional mechanics don't just "look" at a car—they follow a strict protocol. We've condensed that professional inspection into a simple guide you can use right on your phone.
RULE #1
If the seller refuses to let you inspect the car or take it to a mechanic, walk away immediately. Honest sellers have nothing to hide.
Before You Go
1
The Pre-Game Check
Do this before you even meet the seller.
Run a VIN check for salvage/theft status
Ask for the VIN beforehand. If they refuse, it's a scam.
Research the seller online
Google the seller's phone number to check for complaints.
Schedule viewing during daylight
Don't meet at night - you need daylight to spot paint issues.
Run a Free VIN Check Now
Check for salvage titles, recalls, and complaints before you waste gas driving there.
Uneven gaps often mean the car was hit and poorly repaired.
Paint Mismatch: Check for repainting signs
Look in direct sunlight - does door paint look different than fender?
The Magnet Test: Place magnet on lower fenders
If a magnet falls off, there may be body filler (Bondo) hiding damage.
Tires (The Penny Test): Check tread depth
Stick a penny head-down in tread. See all of Lincoln's head? Tires need replacing ($600+).
Rust Check: Look for bubbling or flaking
Check wheel wells, bottom of doors, under floor mats.
Pro Tip
Bring a small fridge magnet and a flashlight. The magnet reveals hidden body filler, and the flashlight helps you see into dark engine bays and wheel wells.
3
The Interior Smell Test
Your nose knows more than your eyes.
Check for mold/musty smell (possible flood damage)
Notice any overwhelming air freshener?
Heavy air freshener often masks cigarette smoke or mold.
Verify Check Engine, ABS, and Airbag lights turn ON
Start the engine - all lights should turn OFF
Pro Tip
If the Check Engine light never turns on, the seller may have removed the bulb to hide a problem. This is a common scam.
WALK AWAY
Mold or musty smell = probable flood damage. Water destroys electronics, causes mold, and leads to endless problems. Walk away.
Under the Hood
4
Under the Hood
Make sure the engine is COLD before you touch it.
Pull the oil dipstick and check oil condition
Amber/Dark Brown:Normal - healthy oil
Black/Sludge:Neglected oil changes
Milky/Chocolate Milk:Coolant mixing with oil - BLOWN HEAD GASKET
WALK AWAY
Milky/chocolate milk oil = blown head gasket. This is a $2,000+ repair. Do not negotiate. Do not pass Go. Walk away.
Pinch radiator hoses to check condition
They should be firm, not crunchy or overly soft.
Inspect belts for wear
Check belts for fraying or cracking.
Look under the car for fluid leaks
Red puddle:Transmission fluid leak
Green/Orange puddle:Coolant leak
Brown/Black puddle:Oil leak
Test Drive
5
The Test Drive
Turn off the radio. Listen to the car.
Check transmission shifting
Transmission should shift invisibly - no hesitation or clunking.
Feel for steering wheel shake
Shake at highway speeds = alignment or wheel balance issue.
Brake hard in a safe area
Car pulling to one side or pedal pulsing = warped rotors.
CV Joint Test: Drive in tight parking lot circle
Clicking or popping while turning in circles = bad CV joints.
Test all electronics: AC, heat, windows, locks, radio
Pro Tip
Take the car on the highway if possible. Many problems only appear at higher speeds - transmission issues, wheel balance, and exhaust leaks become obvious at 60+ mph.
Paperwork
6
Paperwork & Verification
The final hurdle before handing over cash.
Match VINs across all locations
Open driver's door - check VIN sticker matches dashboard and title.
VIN CLONING ALERT
Mismatched VINs = possible stolen car. VIN cloning is when thieves put a legitimate VIN on a stolen vehicle. If the door sticker, dashboard, and title don't all match, walk away and report it.
Verify seller's name is on the title
Don't accept a 'skipped title' where seller never registered it.
Check for liens - bank may still own the car
Compare odometer to service records
Buying a motorcycle instead? Many of these tips apply, but bikes have unique inspection points. Check our Motorcycle VIN Guide →
Quick Reference: Red Flags Summary
Seller refuses inspection → Walk away
Mismatched VINs → Possible stolen car
Milky oil → Blown head gasket ($2,000+)
Mold/musty smell → Flood damage
Check Engine light never comes on → Bulb removed (scam)
Skipped title → Possible title washing
Seller won't meet at their home → Potential scam
Passed the Checklist? One Last Step.
The car looks good, smells good, and drives well. But you can't see inside the engine or the insurance database. Before you hand over the cash, verify the final details—accident history, liens, and odometer accuracy—with a full history report.
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