The 12 Point Used Car Inspection Checklist for Confident Buyers

Ever stood next to a used car wondering

“How do I know this isn’t a rolling disaster”
“Where do I even start checking”
“Am I about to buy a money pit”

Yep
Me too
More times than I care to admit

So here’s my 12 point used car inspection checklist for confident buyers
If you want to walk away with your head high instead of your wallet empty

I’m Myriam
Professional makeup artist
Part time car inspector for myself
And I’ve learned these checks the hard way
So you don’t have to

Why Bother With A Used Car Inspection?

Because every seller will tell you
“It drives like a dream love”
But dreams don’t cost you thousands in repairs

Checking a car properly can save you from
✅ Dodgy repairs
✅ Hidden damage
✅ Flooded interiors
✅ Cars that sound like a jet engine

And no you don’t need to be a mechanic
You just need this checklist and a bit of confidence

My 12 Point Used Car Inspection Checklist

Here’s exactly what I look at when I buy a car
Every single time

1. Bodywork

Walk around the car
Look for dents scratches mismatched paint
Check for rust around wheel arches and under doors
Rust spreads faster than gossip

2. Tyres

Check tread depth
Are they worn evenly
If one side is bald it might mean suspension issues
Or the seller only loves turning left

3. Lights

Turn them all on
Headlights
Brake lights
Indicators
Reverse lights
Don’t just trust what they say
Blown bulbs are cheap but bad wiring is not

4. Glass

Look for cracks and chips
Even a tiny chip can grow
And windscreens are not cheap

5. Engine Bay

Pop the bonnet
Is it clean or does it look like an oil swamp
Check oil level and colour
Check coolant level too
If it smells burnt walk away

6. Interior

Does it smell okay
Are the seats and carpets clean
If it smells like a wet dog or old socks
That’s a sign of water leaks or neglect

7. Mileage

Check it matches the service history and MOT records
If the car looks battered but only claims 20k miles
Something’s fishy

8. Service History

Ask for the logbook
Look for regular servicing and MOTs
If they say “lost the paperwork”
That’s usually code for “I never serviced it”

9. Suspension

Push down on each corner of the car
It should bounce once then settle
If it keeps bouncing
You’ve got a problem

10. Brakes

During the test drive
Do they feel sharp and even
Any squealing or grinding
No thanks

11. Exhaust

Check for smoke when starting
Blue smoke means burning oil
White smoke could mean head gasket trouble
Black smoke means it’s running rich
None of these are good

12. Test Drive

The big one
Drive it on different roads
Listen for knocks rattles whining
Does it pull to one side
Does the gearbox feel smooth
Trust your gut here

My Story With A Bad Checklist

Once I skipped checking the suspension
Because the seller swore it was “mint”
Two weeks later
It felt like riding a trampoline every time I hit a bump
£700 down the drain

Lesson learned
Never skip steps

Pro Tips To Nail Your Used Car Inspection

☑ Bring a mate for a second opinion
☑ Check the car in daylight and dry weather
☑ Don’t feel rushed — take your time
☑ If in doubt pay a professional to inspect it