How to check a used car before you buy: a 15-point checklist

Buying a used car can save you lakhs, but only if you know what you are paying for. A car that looks clean in photos can still hide an accident, a tired engine or paperwork problems. Use this checklist when you go to see a car, and take a friend or a trusted mechanic along if you can.

Before you go

1. Ask for the registration number and check it on the Parivahan website or the mParivahan app. Make sure the owner name, model, fuel type and year match the ad.

2. Ask how many owners the car has had and whether there is a loan on it. A car still under a bank loan needs the bank's NOC before it can be transferred to you.

3. Ask for photos of the RC, the insurance and the service book. A seller who refuses to share them is a warning sign.

Outside the car

4. Look along each side in daylight. Ripples, uneven gaps between panels or slightly different shades of paint usually mean the car has been repainted after damage.

5. Check the tyres. Uneven wear on one edge can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look at the date code on the tyre wall too; tyres older than five or six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.

6. Look under the car and in the boot for rust, especially if the car has spent years near the coast.

7. Check that all the lights, indicators and wipers work.

Under the bonnet

8. Start the engine from cold if you can. Listen for knocking or rattling, and watch for heavy smoke from the exhaust. Blue smoke means burning oil, and thick white smoke on a warm engine can mean a coolant problem.

9. Check the engine oil and coolant. Milky oil or oil in the coolant is a serious problem.

10. Look for fresh oil leaks, and for bolts on the front panels that have obviously been removed. That can point to a front-end accident.

Inside the car

11. Compare the odometer reading with the wear on the steering wheel, gear knob, pedals and driver's seat. A car showing 30,000 km with a worn-out steering wheel deserves more questions.

12. Turn on the AC and check that it cools properly within a few minutes. AC repairs are expensive.

13. Test the windows, locks, music system and every switch.

On the road

14. Take a proper test drive on a mix of roads. The car should drive straight, brake straight, and change gears smoothly without grinding. Listen for clunks over bumps.

15. Ask for the service history and match it against the odometer. Regular servicing at the right intervals is one of the best signs of a well-kept car.

A final word

Never pay an advance before you have seen the car and the original documents in person. A genuine seller will be happy to let you inspect the car properly. If something does not feel right, it is always fine to walk away. There will be another car.

Find used cars near you on Flystore, nearest first, and chat with the seller before you visit.