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1. Visual Exam: The body of the vehicle should appear even. All doors and trunk should open freely. Check for rust. Check the tires. Check for more than normal oil leaks; examine the muffler, tail pipe and exhaust.
2. Under the Hood: Check all hoses and the battery for leaks. Check the dip stick, if oil is dark, the vehicle may not have serviced properly. Check all belts and make sure they are not worn or cracked.
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7. The Engine: Race the engine a few times, (with the Dealer's permission). Watch for excessive smoke from the exhaust and listen for a loud tapping noise. If either of these occurs, have a qualified mechanic check the vehicle. To check for a bad valve or tune-up problems, put the vehicle in drive. If it idles roughly, there may be a problem. Check the engine for abnormal wear.
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3. Electrical System: Start the engine and check all the accessories one at a time. Check gauges, radio, heater, air conditioner and wipers. Check the dome lights, head lights, turning signals, parking lights and tail lights. Also check air bags and blow the horn.
4. Trunk: Open the trunk and check the spare tire. Make sure the vehicle has jack and that it is in good working condition.
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8. Drive Shaft and Rear End: Take the vehicle out on the road, examining the drive shaft and rear end. Drive the vehicle up to the speed of 35 mph. Listen for whines coming from the rear end. If the vehicle bounces or shakes, the tires could be out of balance. If this occurs along with a droning sensation in your ears, you could have a drive shaft or universal joint problem.
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5. Springs and Shocks: Push on the corners of the vehicle, front and back. If the vehicle does not show resistance, the shocks may be worn. Stand back some distance and make sure the vehicle is even. If the vehicle is uneven, one of the springs may be weak.
6. Interior: Examine the upholstery, saftey belts and the carpet. If the vehicle has seat covers remove the covers and check under them. Turn on the ignition and check the warning lights and make sure all are operating properly.
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9. Steering System: On a level stretch of a highway, find a straight and hold the steering wheel lightly. If the vehicle pulls to the left or right, you have a problem. When rounding a corner the wheel should turn smoothly and return to a straight position.
10. The Brakes: While driving between 30 and 40 miles, (make sure there are no cars behind you), apply the brakes three or four times. If you get consistent pull, either left or right, you have problems. Slow down to a speed of five miles per hour and apply slight pressure on the brakes. If a surge is felt, the drums or rotors could be out of round.
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