Skip the mystic “expert checks.” This is a fast, repeatable walk-through that catches the stuff which costs real money.
Start with paperwork while the engine is cold. VIN on the body, VIN on the windscreen, VIN on the logbook—match them like a detective with a ruler. Two keys, a service trail that reads like a diary, and any recall work documented. If the seller tells you “the light will clear itself,” it won’t—for you.
Walk the car slowly. Symmetry is your friend: panel gaps that match, paint that doesn’t change shade under harsh light, glass with consistent dates. Budget tyres are a love letter to neglect. Wheel rash isn’t a deal breaker; four different tyre brands might be.
Now the cold start. Engines tell the truth when they haven’t warmed up for you. You want a clean idle, no hunting, no desperation revs. Fluids should look and smell like they’re supposed to—oil without glitter, coolant that isn’t brown, ATF that doesn’t smell like toast. Air-con should go from “hmm” to “I’ve made mistakes” in two minutes.
On the road, listen for knocks over speed bumps, shudders under braking, and that subtle steering shimmy that points to alignment or tyres pretending to be round. Full-lock circles reveal CV joint complaints. Park it, let it idle, and watch the temperature behave.
Electrics are a time sink, so be ruthless: windows, seat heaters, cameras, parking sensors, CarPlay/Android Auto. All of it. If the car acts like a Christmas tree, you’re buying a project.
Deal-breakers? Structural rust, crash repair that skipped the professional bits, and sellers allergic to pre-purchase inspections. There are thousands of cars. You only need one.
