Engine & Drivetrain:
Waterpump and Belts or chains
Check Oil (& Cap), Coolant, other fluids, no leaks?
Which oil is in there & levels?
Blue Smoke at the back, any smoke up front?
Noises; tappets and lifters etc.
Gearbox, notchy/crunchy?
No jumping out of any gear? Clunk into third is mounts
Clutch feels ok – no juddering? No slipping? No release bearing noise? Pedal recall?
Listen for whining or rattling from Gearbox
Engine and gearbox mounts, much rocking of engine?
Noises/rattles/vibrations/leaks
Easy to start?
No issues with coilpack and leads?
Temp when idling, check fan kicks in
PAS fluid colour (needs be red), PAS pump whine, steering ok?
Suspension:
Steering rack noisy, notchy, sticky, dry spots, creaky/clicky
Tramlining? Any pulling left or right
Tracking – check tyre wear and how wheels sit
Wishbones, bushes etc – does the car sit level?
Have Droplinks been changed? Rear springs also?
Steering doesn’t feel loose indicating worn ball joints etc?
No excessive play in steering wheel/rack?
Wheel bearing noise?
Brakes, Wheels & Tyres:
Check condition and wear of brakes and tyres
What are wheels like, corrosion, kerbing etc
What brand of tyres, do they match?
No brake juddering or warping?
Electrics:
Exterior lights, heaters, anything worth trying etc, windows, interior lights, mirrors
Keyfobs to test locks, key in the door also
Check wiper linkage – check wipers and washers work fine.
Check windows solid when down and don’t rattle
Interior:
Condition of wheel, plastics, seats and bolster wear, door cards
Carpet condition, check not wet, same for A/B/C pillars and boot
Check all electrics inside work – lights, windows, wipers, stalks, switches etc, heated screens!
Seats feel solid, not rocky etc, same for door cards if leant on hard
Check seats recline and open to rear etc.
Exterior:
Rust in general and on the arches, hinges, (boot hinges/door hinges/bonnet hinges)
Dents/Scratches/Stone chips
Paint issues – laquer, fading, swirls etc, headlight fading/blotchy, skirts loose
Check under the cills and jacking points for damage, under bumpers/skirts also for scuffs/cracks
Where door frame meets door – check for cracks
Handbrake cables low? Rattling on exhaust heatshield (sounds like tapping behind seat)
Docs, History, Other:
All keys & fobs?
All history – manuals, service books (check stamps), receipts, MOT cert(s), tax discs, V5 docs, Original Folder
Check HPI clear
Locking wheel nut key
History on major services (especially last service)
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