Buyer guide
How to Inspect a Used Car Before You Buy: The 25-Point Checklist
The same 25 points we check on the lift and on the road, written for you in two levels: a quick check you can do yourself, and the proof to ask to see. No tools, and no need to get under the car.
Stop 1: Walk around the outside
A walk-around in daylight. About a minute per point, no tools.
- Body and paintEven gaps, matching paint, no rust bubbles. Ask to see what body work was done, if any.
- Glass and mirrorsNo cracks in the driver's view. Mirrors adjust.
- Outside lightsWalk around with someone at the switches.
- Wipers and washerRun them with the washer. No streaks.
- TiresThe penny test. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, the tread is low. Look for even wear. Ask to see the tread depth and each tire's age: the last 4 digits after "DOT" are the week and year it was made. NHTSA explains how to read a tire at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/tires.
- Wheels and spareNo cracked or bent wheels. The spare and jack are in the trunk. Ask for the wheel-lock key, if the wheels have locks.
Stop 2: Open the hood
Pop the hood and take a look. You are not diagnosing anything, just looking for what stands out.
- Belts and hosesNo cracked belts, nothing wet or dripping.
- Oil and fluidsLook for the oil change sticker on the windshield. Ask to see the last oil change record, with date and miles.
- Battery and chargingIt starts right away, with no slow cranking. Ask to see a battery test, and the date sticker on top of the battery.
Stop 3: Get inside and start it
Start it yourself and watch the dash: the warning lights go off once it's running.
- EngineIt should idle smoothly, and the check-engine light goes off after it starts. Ask to see the scan report: no trouble codes.
- Dashboard warning lightsThe lights come on with the key, then go off.
- ElectronicsTry the screen, camera, Bluetooth, windows, locks and every key. Ask how many keys come with the car.
- Air conditioning and heatCold air within a minute or two of driving, on every fan speed. Heat works too.
- Interior conditionSeats, carpet, headliner and dash. No smoke smell.
- Seatbelts and airbagsEvery belt latches and rolls back in. The airbag light goes off. The history report should show no airbags deployed.
Stop 4: Underneath
No need to get under the car. Look where you can, and ask for lift photos or a mechanic's opinion for the rest.
- Frame and undercarriageLook under the doors and bumpers. No rust holes or bent metal. Ask to see underside photos.
- Suspension and steeringOver bumps, no clunks. Driving straight, the wheel is centered and the car doesn't drift.
- ExhaustNo loud rumble or rattle. Ask to see the smog certificate. In urban Clark County, a dealer has to give you a passing emissions test with the car (dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm).
- LeaksLook at the ground where it was parked. No fresh drips.
- Axles, joints and driveshaftTurn the wheel all the way and roll slowly in a parking lot. No clicking.
Stop 5: The road test
Drive it 15 minutes or more, on city streets and the freeway.
- TransmissionSmooth shifts, no slipping, no long pause into Drive or Reverse.
- Differential and transfer caseNo whine or hum at freeway speed. On 4WD or AWD, try it.
- BrakesA firm pedal, a straight stop, no grinding. Ask to see the brake pad thickness, measured.
- Hybrid or electric driveNo hybrid warning on the dash, and it switches between gas and electric smoothly. Skip it if the car isn't a hybrid.
- Road testQuiet, straight, no vibration. Ask what the seller's own road test found.
Tires, in plain numbers
Tread is measured in 32nds of an inch. New tires start around 10/32. Here is the line we use on our own cars, so you can use it on any car.
Every used car has some wear. What matters is knowing about it before you buy.
- 6/32 or moreGood, with even wear across the tire. Our standard to pass.
- 4 or 5/32Wearing. Fine for now; plan on tires.
- 3/32 or lessReplace. So is a tire over 6 years old, dry-rotted, plugged in the sidewall or bulging.
How we do it at Authentico
Every car comes with its 25-Point inspection report, with before and after photos and every flaw written down as Pass, Noted or Addressed. At your Walkthrough, your Car Consultant shows you each point on the car and you check it off yourself.
Questions people ask
Can I inspect a used car myself without a mechanic?
Yes. Every point on the checklist is something you can check with your eyes, ears and hands, with no tools. For anything underneath, ask for lift photos or a mechanic's opinion.
What is the penny test for tires?
Put a penny into the tread with Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can see all of his head, the tread is low.
How much tread is enough?
Tread is measured in 32nds of an inch, and new tires start around 10/32. 6/32 or more is good. 4 or 5/32 is wearing, so plan on tires. 3/32 or less, replace them.
How do I tell how old a tire is?
Find "DOT" on the sidewall. The last 4 digits after it are the week and year the tire was made. A tire over 6 years old is due, whatever the tread looks like. NHTSA explains the tire sidewall at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/tires.
How long should a test drive be?
15 minutes or more, on city streets and the freeway. It should be quiet, drive straight, and have no vibration.
Will a used car have some wear?
Every used car has some wear. What matters is knowing about it before you buy.
Official sources
- Check for recalls by VIN (NHTSA)nhtsa.gov
- Tire safety and how to read a tire (NHTSA)nhtsa.gov
- Emission Control Program, smog checks (Nevada DMV)dmv.nv.gov
- Buying a used car from a dealer (FTC)consumer.ftc.gov
Free buyer’s worksheet
Inspect any used car before you buy.
25 points in 5 stops, each with a box to check and what to ask, plus room for your notes. Print it or save it as a PDF, and take it with you.
Keep reading
The rest of the buyer guides.
Used Car Maintenance in Las Vegas: Your First 12 Months, Service by Service
Read it →SigningWhere Every Dollar Goes When You Buy a Used Car in Nevada
Read it →SigningThe Papers You Sign When You Buy a Used Car in Nevada
Read it →Start hereService Contracts and GAP, in Plain Words
Read it →The papersNevada Used Car Inspection Laws: What the Law Requires Before You Buy
Read it →What Reconditioning Should a Used Car Get Before It Is Sold?
See the checklist done on a real car.
Every car we sell has its 25 points on record. Come walk them with us at your Clarity Walkthrough.
Schedule Your Walkthrough