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		Mark's Checklist for a Used Automobile List

Disclaimer: This is not exhaustive, and I didn't have time to walk around a car to remind me of other things on this list. You should do that. Further, this is not intended to take the place of a good mechanic's inspection. They inspect different things and you can pay roughly $200 for a checkout. This is only to filter out cars that you won't want before paying a mechanic to look at it.

Outside Body. Do this during daylight. Street lights are not good for checking out a car.

Engine compartment: is it clean? Was it recently cleaned (possibly hiding places that leaked oil)
Check tires - are they worn evenly? Do they have spots of wearout? Do they have a lot of wearout on the inside or the outside of each tire? New tires are nice, but prevent detecting some problems so a used set of tires can tell you (or a mechanic) some things about the car (e.g. alignment).
Listen to the engine running from the outside while the hood is up. Is it quiet? No ticks, clicks or taping noises?
Check inside the engine compartment near the fender and all supporting braces, etc. Are any of them bent? Is there obvious welding or any other sign of accidents? If you can, check under the car for the frame-like areas of the unibody construction (if it's a truck, it might actually have a frame - check that). Are there wrinkle areas that would be a sign of an accident?
Be sure the oil (on the dipstick) is either black or fresh looking like transparent brown/gold. These are both OK. If the oil is gray or milky, that's a VERY bad sign.
Check all lights
Turn signals
Break lights
Emergency flashers
High beams on headlights
Low beams on headlights
Dome light
Other interior lights
Dash lights (sometimes these are hard to check well during the day)
Be sure the doors close smoothly and easily.
Be sure the trunk and hood both close smoothly and easily.

Inside the Automobile

Check the odometer to verify any reading you were told.
Check the air conditioner
Radio (AM and FM)
Cassette
CD player - if it's important to you, check that a CD-R recording works too
Be sure to check all speakers. If it has four, be sure you can hear good sound from all four
Wipers
Windshield washer
Cigarette lighter socket (be sure it has power)
Windows (electric or manual - be sure they work smoothly and seal tightly)
Vents - do they move easily
Accessories like cup holders, handles, knobs, switches. Check them all.

When Driving

Be sure the speedometer and odometer work.
Listen for noises: clicking, tapping, knocking, squeeks, grinding sounds, even if they are slight. They may be a sign of problems. For example, a slight grinding noise could be wheel bearings going out.
Feel for any wobbling or shaking. If this happens while driving without the brakes on, it could be bad tires, bad alignment, bad rims/mags. If it shakes, be very wary. It could be easily fixed, but unless you KNOW what it is, just stay away from the car.
Apply the brakes and see if it shakes or wobbles. This could be caused by bad brakes in the front or back, and can be expensive to fix (unless you know how to do it yourself). If it shakes, avoid it.
Cruise control - be sure it not only works, but is consistent.
Be sure everything is very quiet and smooth