Inspect with a plan.
Buy with clearer eyes.
Build a used-car inspection checklist around the vehicle’s age, odometer reading, fuel type and seller. Use it on your phone, record concerns, or print it for the visit.
Make your inspection checklist
Vehicle details stay in this browser. Nothing is sent to a lookup service.
Tailoring uses general rules for age, mileage, fuel type and seller. Make/model labels your checklist; it does not generate model-specific defect advice.
Reviewed items—not a safety score.
Items marked “Needs review”.
Progress is saved only when you click “Save progress”. Do not use this on a shared device if you want your notes to remain private.
These are general prompts, not a diagnosis or expert-reviewed model-specific advice. Arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection. Leave high-voltage work, lifting the car and other hazardous checks to qualified professionals. If a vehicle seems unsafe, do not test-drive it.
For a paper copy, mark each check and record concerns in the space beside it. “Looks okay” reflects your observation, not professional certification.
No checks match this filter. Switch to “All checks” to see the full checklist.
Your notes & questions
Look up the model’s reported complaints.
Our free complaints tool complements your checklist. Neither it nor a vehicle-history report replaces an independent inspection.
Bring questions. Leave assumptions.
How is this checklist personalized?
It adds appropriate general prompts for gasoline, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, plus age, odometer and dealer/private-sale reminders. The make/model identifies the checklist; no model-specific maintenance schedule or fault prediction is inferred.
How do I download a PDF?
Build your checklist, then choose “Print / save PDF”. In the browser’s print dialog, select “Save as PDF” or your device’s equivalent. All checks are included, even when the screen is filtered.
Does it automatically save my notes?
No. Click “Save progress on this device” to store this checklist locally. It is not uploaded or synchronized between devices. Use “Delete saved copy” to remove that saved version.
Is a completed checklist enough to buy safely?
No. It is a planning aid, not a mechanical inspection, safety guarantee, legal opinion or replacement for checking vehicle-specific records. Arrange a qualified independent inspection and review the purchase agreement and local rules.
Helpful official resources: FTC used-car buying guidance · NHTSA VIN recall lookup.