Transparency You Can Trust

Our 150-Point Inspection Checklist

We leave nothing to chance. Here's exactly what our certified inspector checks — from our pre-arrival research to every nut and bolt on the vehicle.

🔍

Prior to Arrival — Pre-Inspection Research

Done before we ever see the vehicle in person

6 checks
▼
🔢
VIN or License Plate Verified
Confirm the VIN or plate number is provided by the seller before scheduling. We cross-reference both where available to ensure they match.
📋
Vehicle History Report (Carfax / AutoCheck)
We run a full history report using the VIN — checking for accidents, title issues, odometer discrepancies, number of owners, and service records.
💨
Smog Check History Records
We review available smog test history for the vehicle's registration address, flagging any failures, exemptions, or gaps in testing compliance.
💰
Average Market Price — Comparable Vehicles
We research current market comps (same year, make, model, trim, mileage range) using Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and live listings to assess whether the asking price is fair.
🏛️
Title & Lien Status Check
We verify whether the vehicle has a clean title, salvage/rebuilt designation, or any outstanding liens that could complicate ownership transfer.
🔔
Open Recall Check (NHTSA Database)
We search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database for any open safety recalls on the vehicle that have not yet been addressed.
⚙️

Engine & Drivetrain

The heart of the vehicle — we check everything under the hood

22 checks
▼
✓
Engine start — cold and warm behaviour
✓
Idle quality & RPM stability
✓
Engine mounts — condition & security
✓
Timing belt / chain condition
✓
Serpentine & drive belt condition
✓
Valve cover gasket leaks
✓
Head gasket integrity (coolant/oil mixing check)
✓
Exhaust smoke color & smell analysis
✓
Air filter condition
✓
Fuel system — no leaks or odours
✓
Transmission operation (all gears)
✓
Transmission fluid condition & level
✓
Clutch operation & adjustment (manual)
✓
CV joints & axle boots
✓
Differential — leaks & noise check
✓
4WD / AWD engagement test (if equipped)
✓
Engine compartment for aftermarket mods
✓
OBD-II diagnostic scan — stored fault codes
✓
Catalytic converter — present & functioning
✓
Intake manifold & vacuum lines
✓
Turbo / supercharger (if equipped)
✓
Intercooler & charge pipes (if equipped)
🚗

Body & Exterior

Paint, panels, glass — hidden damage revealed

20 checks
▼
✓
Paint thickness gauge scan — all panels
✓
Panel gap consistency — doors, hood, trunk
✓
Paintwork — color mismatch, overspray
✓
Rust — surface, structural & frame rails
✓
Dents, scratches & prior repairs
✓
Front bumper — cracks, alignment
✓
Rear bumper — cracks, alignment
✓
Hood — fit, latch & support struts
✓
Trunk / tailgate — seals & latch
✓
Door hinges — sag & alignment
✓
Door seals & weatherstripping
✓
Windshield — chips, cracks, delamination
✓
All glass — chips, cracks, seals
✓
Wiper blades & washer jets
✓
Exterior lighting — all lights tested
✓
Mirrors — condition & adjustment
✓
Sunroof / moonroof operation & seals
✓
Convertible top & seals (if equipped)
✓
Wheel arch liners — secure & undamaged
✓
VIN plate — present & unaltered
🪑

Interior & Comfort

Cabin condition, controls & safety features

18 checks
▼
✓
Seat condition — tears, wear, adjustment
✓
Seatbelt operation — all positions
✓
Airbag warning light status
✓
Dashboard warning lights — all checked
✓
Odometer reading & trip meter
✓
Steering wheel — controls & horn
✓
Pedals — brake, clutch, accelerator feel
✓
Infotainment system operation
✓
Bluetooth, USB & connectivity ports
✓
Air conditioning — cold output test
✓
Heater — all zones & temperature
✓
All windows — up/down operation
✓
Central locking — all doors
✓
Interior lighting — all cabin lights
✓
Carpet & floor mats — stains, water damage
✓
Headliner & trim — sagging, stains
✓
Glove box, cup holders & storage
✓
Odour check — mould, smoke, flood
🛑

Brakes & Safety Systems

The most critical safety components — nothing overlooked

14 checks
▼
✓
Brake pad depth — all four corners
✓
Rotor condition — scoring, warping, thickness
✓
Brake caliper operation & leaks
✓
Brake lines & hoses — cracks, leaks
✓
Brake fluid level & condition
✓
Handbrake / parking brake operation
✓
ABS system — light & function test
✓
Electronic stability control (ESC)
✓
Traction control system
✓
Brake pedal feel — firmness & travel
✓
Emergency brake cable condition
✓
Brake dust shield presence
✓
Brake-by-wire system check (EV/hybrid)
✓
Brake noise — squeal, grinding, vibration
⚡

Electrical & Electronics

Battery, charging, sensors & modern tech

16 checks
▼
✓
Battery voltage & load test
✓
Alternator output & charging rate
✓
Battery terminals — corrosion & security
✓
OBD-II full fault code scan
✓
Check engine light status
✓
All exterior lights — LED, halogen, fog
✓
Horn operation
✓
Reversing camera & sensors
✓
Blind spot monitoring (if equipped)
✓
Lane departure / collision warning
✓
Remote key fob — range & battery
✓
Power accessories — mirrors, seats, windows
✓
Heated seats & steering wheel
✓
Interior fuse box — blown fuses checked
✓
EV / hybrid battery health (if applicable)
✓
12V charging port & accessories
🔩

Undercarriage, Frame & Suspension

Where hidden accident damage hides — we get underneath

20 checks
▼
✓
Frame rails — bends, cracks, welds
✓
Subframe condition & mounting bolts
✓
Unibody integrity — signs of straightening
✓
Undercarriage rust — surface & structural
✓
Exhaust system — leaks, hangers, condition
✓
Catalytic converter — present & secure
✓
Shock absorbers — leaks & bounce test
✓
Struts — condition & mount integrity
✓
Control arms — bushings & ball joints
✓
Tie rods — play & condition
✓
Sway bar links & bushings
✓
Steering rack — leaks & play
✓
Power steering lines & pump
✓
Wheel bearings — noise & play
✓
CV boots — torn, leaking
✓
Driveshaft & U-joints
✓
Oil pan — leaks & damage
✓
Transmission pan — leaks
✓
Fuel tank & lines — leaks & security
✓
Skid plates & underbody guards
🛞

Tires & Wheels

Tread, wear patterns & alloy condition

10 checks
▼
✓
Tread depth — all four tires measured
✓
Tire age — DOT date code checked
✓
Tread wear pattern — even vs uneven
✓
Sidewall condition — bulges, cracks, cuts
✓
Tire pressure — all four checked
✓
Matching tire brand & model
✓
Alloy / steel wheel condition — cracks, bends
✓
Lug nuts — present, tight & correct
✓
Spare tire — present, inflated & usable
✓
TPMS sensor light status
🧪

Fluids & Cooling System

Levels, condition & signs of contamination

12 checks
▼
✓
Engine oil — level, color & consistency
✓
Coolant — level, condition & freeze point
✓
Coolant reservoir — cracks & leaks
✓
Radiator — leaks, fins & cap condition
✓
Cooling fan operation (engine & AC)
✓
Thermostat — operating temperature check
✓
Brake fluid — level & moisture content
✓
Power steering fluid — level & condition
✓
Windshield washer fluid level
✓
Differential / transfer case fluid
✓
Oil cap — signs of milky residue (head gasket)
✓
Hoses & clamps — cracks, swelling & leaks
🚦

Test Drive

On the road evaluation — how the vehicle performs when it counts

18 checks
▼
✓
Cold start — engine noise & hesitation
✓
Acceleration — smooth & responsive under load
✓
Gear changes — smooth shifting, no slipping
✓
Braking — straight, firm & no pulsing
✓
Steering — straight tracking, no pull or drift
✓
Steering feel — weight, response & centring
✓
Suspension — ride quality over bumps & dips
✓
Noise, vibration & harshness (NVH) levels
✓
Wind noise — windows & door seals
✓
Rattles & squeaks — interior & chassis
✓
Engine temperature — reaches & holds normal range
✓
AC & heat — performance at speed
✓
Cruise control operation (if equipped)
✓
Hill hold & parking brake on incline
✓
Reverse — smooth engagement, no clunk
✓
Turning radius — no binding or rubbing
✓
Warning lights — none illuminate during drive
✓
Overall drive impression — buy / flag / walk