Used Car Checklist Before Buying: Printable Steps

A good used car checklist keeps you from getting distracted by a nice color or a great stereo. Work through it in order: research at home, a walkaround while the car is parked, a look under the hood and inside, a test drive, and then a paperwork check before any money changes hands. Print this page or keep it open on your phone.

The list is written for buyers in Irvine and the rest of Orange County, so it includes the California-specific items too, like the smog certificate and the pink slip. It's meant to help you screen a car yourself. It doesn't replace an independent mechanic's inspection, which you should still get on the car you plan to buy.

Before you go see the car

Do these at home so you don't waste a trip:

• Get the VIN from the listing or seller.
• Ask for a vehicle history report (we offer a CARFAX report on request) and read the title section first.
• Check open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
• Get an insurance quote for that exact car.
• Estimate tax and DMV fees for your address (see our Orange County sales tax guide).
• Ask whether the seller has service records and how many keys come with the car.
• Plan to see the car in daylight and, if possible, with a cold engine.

Exterior walkaround

Walk all the way around the car twice: once from a distance, once up close.

• Panel gaps. Uneven gaps between doors, hood, and fenders can mean past repairs.
• Paint. Look along the sides at an angle for ripples, color mismatch, or overspray on rubber trim.
• Glass. Chips or cracks in the windshield, and whether all glass has matching brand markings.
• Lights. Cloudy or mismatched headlights, cracked lenses, moisture inside.
• Sun wear. Faded roof or hood clear coat and dried-out rubber seals are common in Southern California.
• Underneath (as far as you can see). Drips on the ground, hanging parts, rust on brackets or the exhaust.

Tires and brakes

Tires tell you a lot about how a car has been cared for.

• Tread depth across the width of each tire. Wear on one edge suggests alignment issues.
• Date code (four digits on the sidewall, week and year). Old tires can be unsafe even with tread left, especially after years of heat.
• Matching brands and sizes on each axle.
• Spare tire or inflator kit present.
• Brake rotors visible through the wheels: heavy grooves or a big lip at the edge mean brake work is coming.

Under the hood

You don't need to be a mechanic for these. Check with the engine off and cool.

• Oil level and color on the dipstick (if the car has one). Milky residue under the oil cap is a warning sign.
• Coolant level and color in the reservoir.
• Belts and hoses: cracks, fraying, or soft, swollen hoses.
• Signs of leaks: wet spots, crusty residue, or fresh cleaning in just one area.
• Battery terminals free of heavy corrosion; a date sticker if there is one.
• On a diesel such as a Mercedes BlueTEC, ask about the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system and level.

Inside the car

• Odometer reading matches the listing and the history report.
• Warning lights come on at startup, then go off. A check engine light that stays on needs explaining, and it will fail smog.
• Air conditioning blows cold within a minute or two, which matters in Orange County summers.
• Every window, lock, mirror, seat adjuster, and the sunroof or convertible top works.
• Infotainment, Bluetooth, USB ports, backup camera, and parking sensors work.
• Seat belts latch and retract.
• Smell for mildew or a musty odor, and look for water stains on carpets and the headliner.
• Count the keys and test each one.

Test drive

Your test drive deserves its own plan. Our guide to test driving a used car covers the route and what to listen and feel for. At minimum, include city streets, a freeway on-ramp, hard (but safe) braking, and a slow parking-lot loop at full steering lock.

Paperwork check before you pay

In California, confirm all of these before money changes hands:

1. Title (pink slip) in the seller's name, VIN matches the car, no unexpected brands such as salvage.
2. Lien status. If a lender is listed, how will the lien be released?
3. Smog certificate issued within the last 90 days, unless the car is exempt (for example, an EV, or four or fewer model years old).
4. Bill of sale with price, date, VIN, and both names.
5. Odometer disclosure completed where required.
6. Independent inspection done and the report reviewed.

For a car like the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu LT, which is within its first few model years, check whether a smog certificate is needed or whether a transfer fee applies; the seller and the DMV can confirm. The vehicle history and inspection guide explains how to read the report and what a mechanic should check.

Frequently asked questions

Should I bring someone with me to look at a used car?

Yes, if you can. A second person notices things you miss, can watch for smoke or leaks while you start the car, and helps you stay objective about the decision.

Is it OK to check a used car at night?

Daylight is much better. Paint flaws, mismatched panels, and leaks are hard to see under streetlights or a phone flashlight. If you must view a car in the evening, come back in daylight before you buy.

What's the single most important item on this checklist?

The independent inspection. Your own checklist screens out obvious problems, but a mechanic on a lift can see things you can't, like worn suspension parts or hidden leaks.

What if the seller won't show me the title?

Ask why. You should be able to see that the title is in the seller's name and matches the car's VIN before you commit. If they can't show it, the sale may not be able to go through.

Use it on a real car

Pick a car from our current Irvine inventory, bring this checklist, and see how the car does. You can also start from the step-by-step guide to buying a used car in Orange County, or go straight to Irvine Used Cars and call or text (516) 835-6141 to book a test drive.