What to check when buying a used car in Australia
A used car inspection checklist for Australian buyers: what to look at, the faults your model is known for, and when it's worth paying a mechanic as well.
Most used cars that turn out badly were not hiding anything clever. The problem was there to see, and the buyer did not know to look for it. The fix is knowing what goes wrong on that particular car before you see it, then checking those things in order.
Before you see the car
- Get the plate, the state and the VIN from the seller, and check the records for money owing, write-offs and stolen status. If any of those come back wrong, you have saved yourself the trip.
- Look up the faults the model is known for. A Ford Ranger's problems are not a Toyota Hilux's, and both depend on the engine and year.
- Ask for the service book and receipts to be there on the day.
- Arrange to see it cold. Many engine problems show most clearly on a cold start, so ask the seller not to run it before you arrive.
Outside
- Walk round in daylight. Look along each side for ripples, mismatched paint and uneven panel gaps, which point to accident repairs.
- Look at the roof and bonnet at an angle for hail dimples.
- Check the tyres. Uneven wear across the tread usually means alignment or suspension problems. Check the date code on the sidewall, too: tyres over about 6 years old need a close look, and most tyre makers say replace them by 10, even with tread left.
- Look underneath for fresh oil, coolant leaks and rust. On a 4WD, look for scrapes, dents and bent parts underneath that say it's been off road hard.
Inside
- Turn the key to on without starting. The main warning lights (engine, oil, battery, ABS, airbag) should come on, then go off within a few seconds of starting. A light that never comes on may have been disabled.
- Test every switch: windows, locks, air con (it should blow cold within a minute), lights, wipers, reversing camera.
- Lift the carpets and check the spare wheel well for damp, silt or rust, which can mean flood damage.
- Compare the odometer with the wear on the pedals, steering wheel and driver's seat, and with the readings in the service book.
Under the bonnet
- Check the oil. Milky residue under the filler cap can mean a head gasket problem.
- Check the coolant is the right colour and at the right level, with no oil floating in it.
- Listen to the cold start. Rattles that fade as it warms, knocking, or heavy smoke are all worth asking about.
- Look for fresh-looking parts or cleaning on an old engine, which can hide a recent leak.
The drive
Drive it for at least 15 minutes, including some higher-speed road. The gearbox should change smoothly without slipping or thumping. The brakes should pull up straight without noise or a pulsing pedal. The steering should run straight with the wheel centred. After the drive, look under the car again for anything that has started to drip.
An online inspection: what it is and what it is not
The KickTyres guided inspection is the list above, made specific to the car. It loads the documented faults for that make, model, generation and engine, walks you through checking each one, and looks at the photos you add for signs of damage for you to confirm. It comes with the Vehicle Check as Vehicle Check + Inspection, A$28.90.
It is you inspecting the car with a much better checklist. It is not a mechanic. It cannot put the car on a hoist, read the engine computer, or tell you a compression figure.
Inspect the car with its own checklist
Enter the plate and state. The Vehicle Check shows money owing (with the lender named), written-off history, stolen status and registration status, plus the documented faults for that exact model. A$17.90.
Check the model before you view
Every documented fault for these models, with the years and engines each one applies to.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check when buying a used car?
The records first (money owing, write-offs, stolen status and rego), then the car: body and panel gaps, tyres, leaks underneath, warning lights, every switch, a cold start and a 15-minute drive. Most importantly, the specific faults that model and engine are known for.
What is an online car inspection?
KickTyres' guided inspection gives you a checklist built from the documented faults for that exact car and analyses the photos you take. You do the inspection yourself, guided. It comes with the Vehicle Check for A$28.90.
Is an online inspection as good as a mechanic?
No, and it is not meant to replace one. It cannot hoist the car or scan the engine computer. It makes sure you check the right things, and tells you what to ask a mechanic to look at if you use one.
Should I inspect a used car when the engine is cold?
Yes. Several common engine problems, such as timing chain rattle and smoke from worn seals, are most obvious on a cold start. Ask the seller not to run it before you arrive.