Used car inspection checklist before buying

Before the viewing: ask about these

• VIN (chassis number): ask for it before you go. With it you can look up the car's history and accidents, and check for recalls with the manufacturer.
• GCC spec or imported? A GCC-spec car is built for the heat. An imported one may differ in cooling and AC, and may have accident history outside the region.
• Service history: does the seller have invoices or a dealer record? A car with a clear record is usually worth more.
• Accidents and repaint: ask directly, and notice if the seller avoids the answer.
• Reason for selling and number of owners: simple questions that reveal a lot.

Body and tyres

• Different shades of paint between panels, or uneven gaps around doors and bonnet: common signs of repainting after an accident.
• Rust under the car and around the wheels.
• Tyre manufacturing date: the last four digits on the sidewall are the week and year (for example 2324 = week 23 of 2024). Old tyres mean an extra cost soon.
• Uneven tyre wear can point to an alignment or suspension problem.

Engine (start it cold)

• Ask to start the car from cold. Some problems disappear once the engine warms up.
• Oil or fluid leaks under the engine or on the ground.
• Continuous smoke from the exhaust, or a ticking noise.
• Battery date and coolant level.
• Dashboard lights: when you start the car, the lights come on and then go off. A light that stays on, or one that never lights up at all, deserves a question.

Cabin and AC

• AC: run it at maximum cold and check that it cools quickly and stays cold while idling. In the Gulf, fixing it is not a luxury.
• Windows, mirrors, screen, camera and locks.
• Wear on the steering wheel, pedals and seats: does it match the odometer? Heavy wear with low mileage deserves attention.

Test drive

• Gear changes are smooth, with no jolts or delay.
• Brakes don't pull the car to one side, and the steering doesn't shake when braking.
• The car tracks straight when you loosen your grip on the wheel for a few seconds.
• No noises over bumps or at full steering lock.
• The temperature gauge stays in the middle after ten minutes of driving with the AC on.

Independent technical inspection

If the car passes your checks, book a pre-purchase inspection at an independent centre you choose, not the seller. It usually includes reading fault codes, measuring paint thickness, and checking the chassis and suspension. A seller who refuses an independent inspection is a clear warning sign.

Paperwork before you pay

• The name on the registration matches the seller's ID, and the VIN on the registration matches the car.
• The car isn't mortgaged to a bank or finance company, or the mortgage will be cleared before transfer.
• Any traffic fines on the car are paid or agreed.
• Ownership is transferred officially through the competent authority in your emirate or country before you hand over the full amount.

Use Motorak

Before the viewing, open the purchase advisor in the Motorak app: it summarises the model's known issues and recalls from public sources, so you know what to focus on during the inspection. After buying, add the car to the app and log the last known service, so your maintenance plan starts from day one.

Related

• Car maintenance schedule by kilometres
• Check engine light on: what it means and what to do

About the author

Mohannad Alali

Founder and CEO of Motorak. He writes Motorak's guides on keeping track of a car's maintenance, expenses and documents.