Used car check

With this control list you know what is important for a used car.
Walk slowly around the vehicle, paying careful attention to the following points:

1. Bodywork & Paint

Is the vehicle clean?
Are waves, dents, scrapes or stone chips visible?
Are color differences or matte spots visible?
What is the gap size? Are they even?
Is the vehicle rusting? (Caution! Always consult a specialist for rust points)

2. Lighting

Inspect all lamps. Are the front lights and the rear light working?
How is the condition?
Are stone chips, cracks or moisture visible?

3. Engine compartment

Inspect the engine compartment: Is it clean and radiant as new? A motor wash can possibly be a sign that the seller wants to cover up leaks.
Check the fluid levels: oil level, cooling water, steering gear, brake fluid,
Check the condition of the hoses: Are the hoses porous or leaking? Are the clamps tight?
Pay attention to the toothed belt: Ask for the toothed belt and provide proof of when and by whom it was renewed.This is to avoid possible engine damage.
Now test whether the bonnet is light and clean.

4. Interior

Doors: Check that all doors open and close easily. Is there something clogging or sinking the doors when closing? Are the sealing gums complete and in good condition?
Seats: Are the upholstery in order? Does it smell pleasant or rather musty or modish? Are all safety belts functional?
Test the functions: Start the engine and check the ventilation, the windscreen wipers and the functionality of the other buttons, The warning light.

5. Test drive

Try to divide your test drive into two areas: one with low and one with higher speed.
Drive slowly:
- Does the gearbox switch easily and cleanly?
- Is the car going straight ahead? Are there any crackling noises during steering?
- Do the ads work? (Speedometer, speedometer) Are the control lamps switched off again?
Drive faster:
- Is there any vibration on the steering wheel? Does the car remain in the track? Are sounds heard? Does the car brake evenly?
- Caution: Do not brake on the highway test!
Air conditioning: Does the air conditioning and heating function? Is the ventilation okay?

6. Underbody

After the test drive, the best way to identify deficiencies
Condition of the engine: Drips oil?
What does the exhaust system look like? Here are the most common shortcomings.
Are the brake pads in order? Is sufficient document strength available? Have the brake discs run or rusted?
Is the brake caliper difficult? You can see the still rusty brake discs.
Do the tires have sufficient profile? Are they evenly traveled? (Note on lane and crash settings) Is there any damage to the flank or the profile?
Are the rim edges damaged?

7. Vehicle papers

Look at the vehicle papers: Are the papers complete? Are the usage instructions available? Are the owner and the seller the same?
Is there a maintenance booklet? Are the entries created?
First aid kit and Warndreieck: Is both available? Is there a warning vest? What is the state of these things?

Our 120+ point check

#Daytime running lights

#Dimmed headlights

#Highbeam

#Parking lights

#Indicator

#Foglights

#License plate lighting

#Rear lights

#Reverse lights

#Brake-lights

#Hazard warning lights front and rear

#Rear fog light

#Door contact / interior lighting

#Status panel

#Function controller for instrument lighting

#Warning light/sound

#LightWarning

#Warning light / sound open door / open flap

#Warning light/sound oil pressure

#Warning light/sound engine electronics

#Warning light / sound ABS / ASR / ESP

#Brake system indicator light

#Shift control indicator light/shift indicator

#Turn signal indicator lights

#High beam indicator

#Low beam indicator light

#Headlight cleaning function test

#Visual inspection of airbag system

#Functional test radio

#Horn function test

#Functional test clock

#Cigarette lighter function test

#Functional test of the rear window heating

#Heating/air conditioning control

#Functional test #Interior lighting front / rear

#Functional test CD player / CD changer

#Electric #mirror adjustment

#Heated rearmirros

#Condition #Select/shift lever

#Functional test #Windshield cleaning

#Headlight adjustment

#Foglight adjustment

#Function/Battery status/Battery voltage

Condition of front / rear seats

#Seat longitudinal adjustment driver/#passenger seat

#Seat height adjustment driver / possibly passenger seat

#Lumbar support adjustment for driver and/or passenger seat

#Front/rear headrest adjustment

Function #seat heating at the front/if applicable. #BackSeats

#Function #Front/rear seat belts

#Locking #Doors/#Trunk

#Functional test #Theft protection system

#Electric windows

#Trunk/ #Tank release

#Glove compartment lock

#Lighting glove compartment

Functional test #sunroof

Condition #Armrests - #Door handles - #Door panels

Condition #Door entry / #Sill strips

#Key set complete

Condition #Headlining / #Sun visors

#Lighting #Mirror Sun Visor

Condition #Carpet #Floormats - used

Condition #luggage net #luggage compartment partition

#First aid bag according to #StVO

Functional test #radio remote unlocking

Condition of the #body parts

Alignment / Condition #Bumper Condition of #Paint

Condition #Windshield #Window #Guides

#Spare wheel including #jack available, if necessary #tire repair kit

#On-board tools #Wheel lock according to #wheel size

#Tyre type/correct #tire size Condition #Rim

Condition #Brake discs

Condition #brake pads

Condition #Brake hoses #Lines #Connections

Condition #spars #crossmembers #underbody

Condition #chassis subframe

#Tightness #Engine mount / #Oil pan - condition / #Engine on #chain case leaking

Tightness #fuel lines

#Tank

Condition #Tie rods

Condition - Function #Steering gear

Condition #ball heads

Condition #exhaust system including #catalyst

Condition #hoses / #dirt jackets

#Steering wheel rest position - slightly tilted

#Chassis number available

#Brake fluid level

Engine oil level #Power steering oil level - #Steering leaking

#coolant level #antifreeze #washer fluid

#Wiper fluid level

Condition #Cable #Belt

#Engine starting behavior

#Idling behavior engine

Engine behavior while driving

Functional test #speedometer - according to GPS - measurement

Functional test #tachometer

Functional test #kilometer

Functional test #trip odometer

Functional test #speed control system

Proper #drivingsounds

Functional check #engine fan

#Switching points - switching paths normal

#Automatic #Tiptronic mode

Function of the displays while driving

#Steering behavior when #running straight

Unusual #resonances #vibrations

#Garage door opener

#Cooling box

#Electric #steering wheel adjustment

Functional test #navigation system

#DVD for #Navigation available

Functional test #Car phone functional test

#Bluetooth #mobile phone preparation

#Memory function seat

Electric #tailgate

Electric sun protection roller blind

#Seat air conditioning / #Massage function seats

#Parking aid

#Tire pressure - #Control system

#Auxiliary heater

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