Does anyone have a canned checklist they (or their mechanic) go through when they purchase a used car? (I would be using it on a 1997 Maxima.)

I would take the car to a trusted mechanic, but this one is way out in the sticks. Besides - I am sure all mechanics have a different set of things they look at. Some I hear will basically do a safety inspection and call it good; others are under the car looking for evidence of an accident, brakes-rotors, checking fluid colors, etc.

Probably two checklists - one for the typical owner to do (check radio, lights, heater) and one to have a mechanically inclined guy do for you.

Any suggested lists? My fix-it skills pretty much stop beyond oil changes, brake-jobs, plugs, fluid changes/flushes, etc. Never really get inside an engine or tranny to horse around.

Thanks. By the way - do you think I'd get a decent check-over if I just stop at a Monro muffler or something similar?

 

how's this?

http://autos.msn.com/advice/articles/aischecklist.aspx

 

Thanks - that was really good. Covers probably everything you can do without getting your hands dirty.

Any suggestions for going one step further to better check it out? Some things that I'd do:

- Feel the rotors to see if they are grooved up or word uneven from wheel to wheel. I would usually like to get the wheels off and take a look at the pads and see what is left on them, too.

- Take a look at the oil on the dipstick. Shouldn't be black. (Then again, who wouldn't at least make sure there is fresh oil when the car is being checked over.) If there was a gasket leak what are the chances of actually seeing some milky fluid when you are only looking at a drop.

- Check Trans fluid for a "burned" smell.

- Look at the suspension components for anything a lot newer looking new on only one side, indicating either a hastey repair job or a recent accident.

- Take off the oil-fill cap and stick your finger way in and rub it around the inside. Should not be a black sludge that would lead you to think regular oil changes didn't happen.

Would those be useful things or are you just wasting time? Not saying anything would be a deal-breaker, but would help you know what you are getting in for.

Any other suggestions?