VANAGON archives -- December 1995 (#1344)

Date: 12/10/95 10:27 PM Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com> From: coyote@chaco.com Subject:

This is the 11/18/91 version of a five-part used-car buyer's checklist. The purpose of this list is to systematically highlight some potential problem areas to check out in a car that you are looking at to buy from a private individual. It also tries raise some pointed questions that you might not remember to ask in the limited time you have to examine the car. These can be of particular value when you have fallen under the seductive spell of your dream car and your normally razor-sharp intellect has been reduced to the mushy consistency of a slightly over-ripe melon.

Very little technical knowledge is actually needed for 90% of the items on the checklist. However, you will get the most out of it if you (or the friend you bring along) know your way around the inside of an engine compartment. Once you've found the one you like, it can be very helpful to spend the $40 to have a qualified mechanic who regularly works on that type of car spend an hour testing and checking it out. If there's anything wrong with the car, you will make your $40 back by bargaining down the price. If there's nothing wrong with the car, you've bought some peace of mind.

There are five-parts to the checklist package.

o Page 1: Checklist part 1: General procedures, initial questions. o Page 2: Checklist part 2: Exterior/interior examination checklist. o Page 3: Checklist part 3: Engine running and test drive checklist. o Page 4: part 4: A sample buyer-friendly Bill of Sale. o Page 5: part 5: A sample Federal odometer statement.

You can read and fill out the first part in the comfort of your home before you go to see the car, then fill out second and third when you are there checking the car out. If things go satisfactory, go on to fill out the fourth and fifth. The idea for this checklist goes back to a small motorcycle list once seen on rec.motorcycles. Our checklist was developed by members of the British cars e-mailing list (british-cars-request@autox.team.net) for use when looking at used and sometimes abused British sports cars. Thus, you'll notice that some of the questions will be slanted in that direction and towards that level of technology. The checklist applies equally well to later model cars and is picky to the point where only a relatively pristine car will come through unscathed. And of course, any flaws that you uncover can be used to justify that insanely low offer that you are about to make for the car. By the time you are done running through the checklist, you'll probably know more about condition of the car than the owner does.

COPYRIGHT (c) 1991, Scions of Lucas (SOL). Permission to freely copy and distribute all or portion of this checklist is hereby granted provided that all of the following apply: it is not made part of another copyrighted work, the source is acknowledged, this copyright notice is retained, and no aspect of the distribution is for profit.

Enjoy...

-- Lawrence Buja and Roger Garnett (southern@ncar.ucar.edu) (sggy@crux1.cit.cornell.edu)

Part 1. The british-cars Used Car Buyers Picky Mechanical Inspection Checklist. (c) 1991 SOL (11/18/91) ------ First Phone Contact ----------------------------------------------------------------- [ Tape Ad Here ]----- Name: Phone: (h) Address: (w) Date:

1. Can you describe the car and its condition? 2. Does it run well? 3. How is the o Body? o Paint? o Interior? o Tires? o Engine? o Brakes? o Shocks? o Any Rust?: 4. Does it have Overdrive or Turbo? Does it work? 5. What special features or options does it have? 6. Why are you selling it? 7. How long have you owned it? ...had it for sale? 8. Is it currently registered and licensed? 9. Where is the car located? 10. How many miles does it have on it? (15K/yr) 11. What problems have you had with the car? 12. Has it ever been hit or in an accident? 13 What work does it need done on it now? 14. How much are you asking for it? or What's the least you'll willing to take for it?

------ Some Questions to Ask Yourself ---------------------------------------

Why am I buying this car? o Do I want to work on the car more than driving it? o Am I willing to pay a premium because someone else has already done most of the serious work on the car? What do I intend to do with it? Will it be my commute vehicle? What service and support is locally available? What is the most that I'm willing to pay for this car? Will I be driving it year-round or summer only? What is the least that I think that the car can be had for?

------ Suggestions: ---------------------------------------------------------------

1. Read some of the "How to buy Used Cars" books available at your library. They provide useful strategies and cautions that go far beyond the scope of this list. Also, review this list carefully before using it. 2. Always inspect/take delivery of the vehicle in the broad daylight, never in the evening/night or in the rain. 3. A clean piece of cardboard placed under the engine/trans after the test-drive will help show fluid leaks. 4. In some states, older non-titled vehicles may be titled with just a bill of sale. Other states may require an additional security bond to be posted. Use extreme caution in either of these cases! 5. Require seller have the vehicle pass all state inspections (safety, emissions) at a mutually agreeable shop (NOT one of his choosing) before you pay for it. Old (>30days) inspections are of absolutely no use to you. 6. A general guide to reading exhaust smoke: oBlack smoke = unburned fuel Valves bad or out of adjustment? Carbs out of adjustment? oBlue smoke = burning oil Accelerating: Piston rings bad? Decelerating: Valve seats/guides bad? oWhite smoke = burning coolant! Bad head gasket? Warped or cracked Head or Block?$$

----- Tools To Bring: ------------------------------------------------------------

Essentials: o A cynical, mechanically-minded friend, o Your standard tool set, o Voltmeter, o Compression Gauge, o Tire gauge, o Flashlight, o Magnet, o the 2 different spark plug sockets, o spray lube, o clean rags o Clipboard, o pen and hi-liter to use with a photocopy of this list, o some cash, o drivers license and copy of your insurance showing you are covered driving the sellers car. Optional: o tow rope, starting fluid, o jumper cables, o timing light, o ramps, o ack (floor or scissors), o mirror, o coveralls, o rags, o gas can, o oil, o duct tape, o wire, o repair manuals, o misc.fuses, c o calculator

------ Additional Post-Checklist Questions ----------------------------------

Original Owner? Names/nums of previous owners? What new/aftermarket parts are in the car? Receipts? What regular maintenance was done? Records? Was it ever used for towing? Who was your mechanic? name/address/phone? Has it ever been crashed, burnt, stolen, hit or rolled? What gas mileage have you been getting? How was the car generally driven? On highway or in town? Oil change interval? Type of oil used? Are the engine, transmission, steering, differential original? (if not, why not? origin and receipts?) Are there any repair or gas mileage records? How old are the tires? Battery? Do you have any books about the car or the engine? (repair books, owners manuals, history or general interest, parts catalogs, club newsletters) Has it passed emissions recently? Where? Has any bodywork ever been done? Why? Receipts? Any mechanical work recently? Where? Receipts? Any interesting history? Has it ever been raced? What work remains to be done or corrected? Are there any tools that come with the car? Are there any missing parts? Do you know of any parts cars or good parts sources? Do you have any extra parts or wheels for it? |

---------- OWNERSHIP VERIFICATION: ------------ ---------(Do all of the following agree and seem right?)------------------

Name on title: Name on registration: Model/Year on title: VIN on title: VIN on registration: VIN on dash: VIN on door: Mileage on title: Mileage on odometer: Price on title: Asking price: Blue Book price: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IS THE CAR READY TO SELL: OK Not-OK

Title ready for transfer? Any liens? ___ _____ Do body numbers match those on title? ___ _____ Title in sellers name? ___ _____ Do body numbers match registration? ___ _____ Current Emissions certificate, < 30 days old? ___ _____ Current registration? Current Plates? ___ _____ Current Safety certificate if req'd, <30days? ___ _____ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------EXTERIOR WALK-AROUND: OK Not-OK

Check door edges and underside for rust/tears ___ _____ Is anything obviously broken? ___ _____ Are grill/lights cracked, dented or broken? ___ _____ Car sits level? (view from all sides) ___ _____ Are bumpers dinged? Rusty? Loose? Level? ___ _____ Paint OK? Panels same shade? Cracks? ___ _____ Any of the trim or hubcaps rusty or missing? ___ _____ New paint? Why? Any body ripples? ___ _____ Find bottom of trunk/side wells. Rust? Holes? ___ _____ Rust/repair on body? Fenders? Sills? ___ _____ Raise/lower the top. Condition? Does it leak? ___ _____ Any Bondo? Fiberglas? (magnet) Why? ___ _____ Rubber parts and seals condition? Cracked? ___ _____ Any fender dings or misalignment?Why? ___ _____ Gas tank & fill hose OK? Rusty? Patched? ___ _____ Door/hood dings? Misalignment? Why? ___ _____ Jack OK? Spare tire good? Jack points good? ___ _____ Doors/hoods open/close freely? Rubs? ___ _____ Tires: Tread? Bulges? Cracks? All the same? ___ _____ Check doors/hinges for stress/tears. ___ _____ Rims: Bent? Rusted? Cracks? All the same? ___ _____

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNDERSIDE: OK Not-OK

Constant velocity joints and boots OK? ___ _____ Anything dented? Bent? Welded? Why? ___ _____ Camber? Caster? Tire wear even? ___ _____ Any underbody/floor pan/trunk rust? ___ _____ Suspension loose? Pull on side/top of wheels. ___ _____ Any rocker panel or wheel well rust? ___ _____ All shocks & struts damp OK? Any leaks? ___ _____ Are main frame members rusted? Dogs? ___ _____ Exhaust pipe/cats/muffler solid & original? ___ _____ Disks grooved? Brake pads? Any leaks? ___ _____ Tail pipe: Grey=OK, sooty/oily/greasy=Not-OK ___ _____ Turn, push/pull driveshaft by hand. ___ _____ Anything hanging down, taped or wired up? ___ _____ Any movement or slop? U-joints OK? ___ _____ Any non-stock suspension mods? ___ _____

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------UNDER HOOD: OK Not-OK

Heater hoses stiff? Cracked? Patched? ___ _____ Anything broken? Patched? Leaking? ___ _____ Vacuum hoses stiff? Patched? Capped? Missing? ___ _____ Is engine clean? Any rust? Stock? ___ _____ Is emissions equip original & working?!$ ___ _____ Has it overheated? Paint blistered? ___ _____ Are catalytic converters original & working?$ ___ _____ Check fluid levels. Look for leaks. ___ _____ Distributor, cap, rotor, and points OK? ___ _____ Check fluid condition with flashlight ___ _____ Wiring harness appearance? Any new elec.tape? ___ _____ Any play in main crankshaft pulley?!$ ___ _____ Open fuse box. Any missing? Any wiring hacks? ___ _____ Any play in any of the other pulleys? ___ _____ Any non-stock engine modifications? ___ _____ V-Belts cracked? frayed? missing? ___ _____ Remove grounding cable, check for shorts. ___ _____ Radiator corroded? Hoses cracked? ___ _____ Check coolant, run finger inside radiator neck to check for oil. ___ _____ System polarity: + or - ground? ___ _____ System voltage: ___________ volts Battery age/voltage: ______/_____ volts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------INTERIOR/ELECTRICAL: OK Not-OK

Steering play? Does shaft move at all? Why? ___ _____ Is anything broken? Torn? Patched? ___ _____ Brake pedal feels right? Smooth? Firm? ___ _____ Carpets OK? Underlayment condition? ___ _____ Clutch pedal feels right? Smooth? ___ _____ Rust, rot or water under the carpets? ___ _____ All gauges/controls work? Stereo? Tape? ___ _____ Any wiring hacks under the dash? ___ _____ Headlights high/low work? Lenses OK? ___ _____ Seats dirty or torn? Look under cover ___ _____ Tail and side lights all work? Lenses OK? ___ _____ Do both seats adjust? Seat heaters? ___ _____ Brake lights all work? Any broken lenses? ___ _____ Dash cracked? Headliner torn/dirty? ___ _____ Turn signals all work? Any broken lenses? ___ _____ Windshield cracked? Chips? Scratched? ___ _____ Windshield wipers & washer work? ___ _____ Windows all open & close? Any cracks? ___ _____ Heater, defroster, AC, and fans work? ___ _____ Mirrors all present and adjustable? ___ _____ Safety equipment (seat belts, horn work?) ___ _____

IGNITION ON, BUT DON'T START ENGINE: OK Not-OK

Oil warning light should come on! Connected? ___ _____ Temp light should come on! Connected? ___ _____ Charge warning light should come on! ___ _____

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------START THE ENGINE YOURSELF: OK Not-OK

Oil Pressure: idle_______ 4000 RPM_______ ___ _____ Temp warning light goes out? ___ _____ Volts/Amps: idle_______ 4000 RPM_______ ___ _____ Oil warning light goes out? ___ _____ Any odd engine noises when cold? ___ _____ Charge warning light goes out? ___ _____ Exhaust condition/noises? Pressure even? ___ _____ Do all idiot lights go on/out right? ___ _____ Cap pipe with clipboard. Any exhaust leaks? ___ _____ Are all the instruments working? ___ _____ Any deposits on clipboard? Does it smoke? ___ _____ Does it start easily when cold? ___ _____ Turn car off. Does it restart? Restart again. ___ _____ Does it run smoothly when cold? ___ _____ Now pull forward. Check for leaks on ground. ___ _____ Depress clutch several times. Noises? ___ _____ Do you have any gas? Does gauge really work? ___ _____

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEST DRIVE (Allow 30-40 minutes) OK Not-OK

Make 2 tight 360' turns each way. Any noises? ___ _____ Test the foot and hand brakes first! ___ _____ Accelerates smoothly from dead stop? ___ _____ Relax, drive a bit to get used to it. ___ _____ Are there any hesitations/flat spots? ___ _____ How does car ride? Soft or hard? ___ _____ Does the power seem right? Hill test. ___ _____ Revs smoothly to red line? flatspots? ___ _____ Is it running too hot or cold? Why? ___ _____ Any unusual engine noises/vibrations? ___ _____ Drive beside a long wall. Any unusual sounds? ___ _____ Any drive train noises or vibrations? ___ _____ Is it too noisy in general at highway speeds? ___ _____ Any noticeable slop in drive train? ___ _____ Any noises or vibrations when accelerating? ___ _____ Reverse works? Rev.lights go on/off? ___ _____ Any noises or vibrations when coasting? ___ _____ Trans shifts smoothly to all gears? ___ _____ Any noises or vibrations when decelerating? ___ _____ Overdrive engages/disengages properly ___ _____ Any noises or vibrations when braking? ___ _____ Turbo engages/disengages properly? ___ _____ Steering action loose or tight? Parallel park. ___ _____ Any clunks, whines, rumbles, rattles? ___ _____ Handles OK on bumps, curves and sharp corners? ___ _____ Clutch smooth? Slippage on hill test? ___ _____ Slaloms OK? Bad understeer, oversteer, lean ___ _____ Hand brake works? Test against engine ___ _____ Tracks straight with hands off steering wheel? ___ _____ Is the low engine speed operation OK? ___ _____ Brakes straight with hands off steering wheel? ___ _____ Brakes strongly to stop from 50mph? ___ _____ Brakes still work? Pulls? Pulse? Drag? Noises? ___ _____ Do brakes still work? Stops straight? ___ _____ Having fun yet? Comfortable? Does it fit? ___ _____ Have friend get out and watch the car driving: Tracks straight? (Frame bent?) ___ _____ Smokes? ___ _____ Leans? ___ _____ Do the heater, defroster and AC work right? ___ _____ Are all the instruments & lights still working? ___ _____ Now let it idle a while. Is temp stable/OK? ___ _____ Wheels wobble? Any noises? ___ _____ Any exhaust, gas or coolant odors? Pull forward. ___ _____ General impression? ___ _____ Turn it off. Go back to check ground for leaks. ___ _____

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POST DRIVE: OK Not-OK

Open hood. See or hear anything unusual? ___ _____ Does it restart when warm? Why not? ___ _____ Does engine seem too hot? ___ _____ Check for fluid leaks after shutdown. (Oil,Coolant, Hydraulics, Trans, Fuel, Differential) Check oil cap and dipstick for signs of water. (Oil off-color, brown/grey/white or bubbly) ___ _____ Compression test: (disconnect coil, remove ALL plugs) 1. Dry: 1____ 2____ 3____ 4____ 5____ 6____ 7____ 8___ ___ _____ 2. Oiled: 1____ 2____ 3____ 4____ 5____ 6____ 7____ 8___ ___ _____ Plug condition? (OK? Burnt? Oily? Sooty?) 1____ 2____ 3____ 4____ 5____ 6____ 7____ 8___ ___ _____

------------------------------------------------------ COMMENTS:

(11/18/91)

BILL OF SALE

Year, make, and model: _______________________________ VIN: _______________________________ Odometer reading: _______________________________ Date and time of sale: _____________ _____________

Seller hereby acknowledges receipt of $______________ in the form of ______________ for full and final payment for the above vehicle, which is sold "AS IS".

I, the seller, certify that I or we are the current owner of this vehicle, and have the authority to sell it. I hereby transfer full ownership of this vehicle described on this receipt to the buyer(s). I certify that the Title or ownership of this vehicle at the time of sale is subject to no outstanding taxes, fees, liens or encumbrances, other than those specified on the Title or listed below, if any, and none other, and that if there are, the seller will be held fully responsible for their payment.

Buyer(s) hereby acknowledges receipt of the following: the signed certificate of ownership transferring seller's full ownership of the vehicle and all of it's contents to the buyer; various maintenance records; this signed bill of sale and the mileage disclosure statement; and all keys to the vehicle as well as delivery of the vehicle.

________________________________ (buyer 1's signature) (date) __________________________________ (seller 1's signature) (date) ________________________________ (buyer 1's signature) (date) __________________________________ (seller 2's signature) (date) Seller: Buyer: phone: phone: address: address:

(11/18/91) BILL OF SALE

Year, make, and model: _____________________________ VIN: _____________________________ Odometer reading: _____________________________ Date and time of sale: _____________ _____________

Seller hereby acknowledges receipt of $______________ in the form of ______________for full and final payment for the above vehicle, which is sold "AS IS".

Buyer(s) hereby acknowledges receipt of the following: the signed certificate of ownership transferring seller's full ownership of the vehicle and all of it's contents to the buyer; this signed bill of sale and all keys to the vehicle as well as delivery of the vehicle.

________________________________ buyer 1's signature) (date) __________________________________ (seller 1's signature) (date) ( ________________________________ (buyer 1's signature) (date) __________________________________ (seller 2's signature) (date)

(11/18/91)

ODOMETER (MILEAGE) STATEMENT

(Federal regulations require you to state the odometer mileage upon transfer of ownership. An inaccurate or untruthful statement may make you liable for damages to your transferee, for attorney fees, and for civil or criminal penalties, pursuant to Sections 409, 412, and 413 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-513, as amended by Pub. L. 94-364) and applicable state laws.)

I, the seller _________________________________________, state that the odometer mileage on the vehicle described below now reads ________________________ miles/kilometers.

Check ONE box only: _ |_| (1) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading as stated above reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle described below. _ |_| (2) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading as stated above reflects the amount of mileage in excess of designed mechanical odometer limit of 99,999 miles/kilometers of the vehicle described below. _ |_| (3) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading as stated above is NOT the actual mileage of vehicle described below and should not be relied upon.

_______________________ ___________________ _________ |Make |Model |Body Type

___________________ ________ ______________________ |Vehicle Identification No |Year |Dealer Stock No.

_ Check ONE box only: |_| (1) I hereby certify that the odometer of said vehicle was not altered, set back, or disconnected while in my possession, and I have no knowledge of anyone doing so. _ |_| (2) I hereby certify that the odometer was altered for repair or replacement purposes while in my possession, and that the mileage registered on the repaired o replacement odometer was identical to that before such service. _ |_| (3) I hereby certify that the repaired or replacement odometer was incapable of registering the same mileage, that it was reset to zero, and that the mileage on the original odometer or the odometer before repair was ________________ miles/kilometers.

________________________________ (buyer 1's signature) (date) __________________________________ (seller 1's signature) (date)

________________________________ (buyer 1's signature) (date) __________________________________ (seller 2's signature) (date) Seller: Buyer: phone: phone: address: address:

Auto Expense Log (11/18/91)

Vehicle:____________________________

Date Receipt num Description Amount Total

_________ __________ __________________________________________ _________.___ _________.___

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