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Vintage Classic Car Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

August 23, 2008 by  
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Whenever you are considering buying a car, online or in person, you should use some sort of checklist to make sure you check everything that is important when making a purchase like this. Here is a 90 point inspection check list that you can use as a guideline for your inspection of any car, whether it be a vintage classic car or a newer previously owned car. Try to resist making an offer for the vehicle until each checkpoint has been evaluated thoroughly and each questionable item is then discussed with a trusted mechanic. When you a person makes a purchase such as buying a classic car, many emotions are stirred up in the process. Memories of a time long past or excitement of the thought of finally getting to own your dream car can often interfere with wise and logical decisions. If you follow a strict checklist like the one below, you may avoid making an impulse buy that costs you more money then you intended to spend repairing a car that you shouldn’t have purchased.

Here’s How:

  1. Visually inspect the exterior.
    • Check everywhere for rust (trunk, floor boards, under interior carpet if possible, rocker panels, etc.)
    • Visually inspect for repairs or damage (examine engine compartment, frame, trunk compartment, etc. that are out of sight of the average observer)
    • Check body panels for dings, dents, alignment, mismatched paint and overall paint condition
    • A magnet can detect any filler used in repaired dents (be sure to cover the magnet with a soft cloth if you are going to rub it on the car’s surface. The last thing you want to do is scratch the paint of a car you don’t own).
    • Inspect for chrome damage, rust, alignment and improper repairs (examine any tube like pieces closely as these areas tend to collect dirt and rust from the inside out).
    • Open and close doors/hood/trunk/tailgate for proper operation, alignment, and solid latching.
    • Inspect grill/trim/molding for bends, dings, missing parts, broken clips, and proper attachment (double sided tape is a common fix used for things like loose trim, look closely).
    • Inspect the windshield, side, and rear windows for damage, pitting, repaired chips, wiper marks and/or cracks.
    • Check rear view mirrors for condition and hinge/ball-joint operation.
  2. Under the hood.
    • Check for oil leaks from underneath as well as inside the engine compartment.
    • Inspect air filter for oil and dirt.
    • Check the oil for water,sludge, color and clarity, as well as level.
    • Inspect timing belt or chain if possible.
    • Check all fluid levels including brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, transfer case and differential fluids, power steering fluid, etc.
    • Inspect belts for wear, cracking and fraying.
    • Check hoses for cracks, brittleness, and repairs (black electrical tape isn’t easy to see on a black hose line).
    • Inspect wiring for connections, cracks in insulation, loose or unconnected wires, etc.
    • Inspect engine mounts for condition of rubber.
    • Look for water pump leaks.
    • Pressure test radiator cap and check antifreeze.
    • Look for fuel pump leaks.
    • Inspect fuel filter condition and cleanliness.
  3. Starting the car.
    • Ask to start the car yourself to experience, first hand, the difficulty or ease with which it turns over.
    • Position a rear view mirror so that you can check for smoke coming from the exhaust. (it is not uncommon for an older motor to smoke initially but this should clear after warm-up).
    • Listen to the engine idle quality when cold and when hot (pop the hood for this so as to limit the insulation of sound by hood and firewall).
    • Rev the engine. Is it smooth? Does it return to idling RPM quickly upon release of throttle? Document any noises you might hear.
    • Keep it running until the engine is hot and check for exhaust smoke again at idle and when revving the motor.
  4. Check to make sure all interior/exterior lights are operational.
    • Check the head lights: high and low beams.
    • Check the tail lights for proper operation.
    • Make sure the brake lights function properly.
    • Check the parking lights (now referred to as driving lights) for proper operation.
    • Make sure the hazard signals function both front and rear.
    • Inspect the back-up lights for proper operation when in reverse.
    • Test the turn signals, left and right, front and rear.
    • Check the license late lights.
    • Check any fog lights (if applicable).
    • Check the interior lights (dome and floorboard).
    • Dashboard lights (speedometer, oil & alternator indicators, turn signals, radio, etc.).
    • Check for cracked, loose, or clouded lenses.
  5. Road test the car.
    • Insist on driving the car and not riding. If the seller won’t let you drive for “insurance” reason, end the transaction because he is most likely hiding something.
    • Inspect engine performance and acceleration (from a standstill, try to accelerate quickly and note any stall or hesitation in the motor).
    • Listen for engine noise at high/low speeds.
    • Listen for automatic transmission/trans-axle/transfer case (if applicable) noise.
    • Does the automatic transmission shift smoothly and without slippage (performance transmissions may shift more firmly than a cruiser would).
    • Listen for drive axle and transfer case bearings or gear noise/vibration.
    • Check the manual clutch for engagement, chatter or slippage.
    • Test the steering for responsivness/smoothness/play.
    • Test brakes for effectiveness/operation/noise/pulling.
    • Check gauge operation; Speedometer/Tachometer/Odometer.
    • Document temp/oil/battery gauges when hot and cold.
    • Check the suspension on a rough road.
  6. Inspect the interior.
    • Are there seat belts installed and. if so, are they operational? (most states now have mandatory seatbelt laws no matter how old the car is).
    • Test audio/alarm/speaker systems (if applicable).
    • Test heating/ventilation/AC/defogger/defroster (if applicable).
    • Is there a clock and if so is it keeping accurate time? (not a deal breaker, just something to look at).
    • Check the horn (required by state law for all road worthy vehicles).
    • Inspect the cigarette lighter and any power outlets for condition and operation (if applicable)
    • Inspect glove box/glove box light/hinges/latch or lock (if there is a lock, is there a key to go with it?).
    • Inspect armrests/console for condition, attachment, and operation (are all buttons, levers, switches, and knobs present?).
    • Is steering tilt/ignition lock operational?
    • Check rear view mirror condition and operation (look at the attachment to the windshield, is it loose or show any signs of replacement?).
    • Check fuel filler door release (if applicable).
    • Check that all door handles operate properly and without excessive force.
    • Inspect interior trim/carpet/floor mats/door panels/headliner/sun visors for cracks, tears, or patches.
    • Make sure that the automatic/manual door locks are functional with knobs in place (if applicable).
  7. Inspect all leather/vinyl/material.
    • Check the condition of seat upholstery for wear/rips/cracks/fading/stains.
    • Check the dashboard/door/headliner for splitting, tears, or water damage.
    • Inspect sunroof/moon roof/convertible top for water leakage and weather seal condition.
    • Inspect convertible top condition/operation/fit (if applicable).
    • Check convertible top boot (if applicable).
  8. Kicking the tires.
    • Inspect tires for correct size and pressure as well as the tread depth remaining on the tires.
    • Check the tires for abnormal wear which indicates poor alignment.
    • Inspect condition of valve stems.
    • Do all the tires match?
    • Does the spare match or even present?
    • While you‚Äôre checking the spare, inspect luggage compartment for rust.
    • Is there a jack or tools that should come with the car? (when a car is presented as completely original, these items should be present if they were originally included with the car).
  9. Don’t forget the car’s other rubber parts
    • Check windshield wipers condition and operation.
    • Inspect interior and exterior rubber trim for splitting, tears, separation, or shrinkage.
  10. Ask to see all paperwork and documentation.
    • Make sure the VIN# matches other VIN#s on the vehicle and the paperwork (originals only/no alterations or copies).
    • If the car has been restored, ask for any pictures that the seller might have taken before, during and after.
    • Check the service history for repairs, oil changes and scheduled maintenance (ask the seller who services the car and make a call to that garage)

Tips:

  1. If at any time during your inspection the seller tries to point you in a different area of the car or wants you to take their ‚Äúword‚Äù that something is in good working condition, that’s a signal to look more closely. Only when you have completed a checklist like this will you have a good understanding of the car‚Äôs imperfections.
  2. Carry a digital recorder and digital camera with you to provide yourself an easy way of documenting any thing of interest for review later. Pen and paper work fine but often times, you are moving through the car so quickly, you don’t have time to take accurate notes. A digital recorder is an easy way to record all of your thoughts, good or bad, without having to worry about shorthand notes you won’t be able to translate once you get back to you home or office.
  3. Make copious notes on everything and discuss what you find with a trusted mechanic. He can then provide an estimate on any repair costs that you might incur in order to assist in your negotiations with the seller.
  4. Beware of the “I have another guy coming to look at it this evening, and he sounded pretty interested” ploy. This is an attempt to get you to “buy it now” and you should remain disciplined and not make an emotional decision to buy the car in order to prevent losing the opportunity. If you are interested in the car and the seller tries this tactic with you, tell the seller you want the car but need to draw your money out of the bank and it will take a day or so to get at it. This should give you enough time to consult with your mechanic about any outstanding items that you may have noticed and come up with a fair price for the car or truck.
  5. Try not to make any decision to purchase a car without first stepping away from it and giving it some real logical thought. Go have a coffee or some lunch and mull it over for a while. Once you step away from the situation and give your emotions a chance to settle down, you will be more able to make a good and informed decision.

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August 13, 2008 by  
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