Don’t wear new or expensive clothes while inspecting your car. You don’t want them to become dirty and soiled. Take an acquaintance or a friend with you for any advice or help. If possible, start your inspection a few hours after the car had remained stationary.

At the outset, check for any scratches, dents or damages on the car surface. Observe the paint and check for any off-colored spots.

Don’t be overly-bothered by small scratches. However, watch out for any rusted parts. Check the wheel walls, rocker panels and the doors and windows of the car properly.

Ensure that there are no cracks on the glass. Never ignore glass problems. Even a minor glass injury can be a cause of great concern. Take care of the glass as major glass cracks are very expensive to repair.

Car lights are very important for road safety. Make sure that all the lights are working. This is important especially if you drive on the highways at night.

The car tires should be strong. Ensure that they are even across the tread width. The tires must not be over-inflated or under-inflated. Also check the spare tire and give it equal importance if you don’t want to be stuck on a dark road with a flat tire.

The car seats must be well cushioned. Musty car interiors suggest water leaks. Remove the floor mats and check the carpet for any wet spots.

The ignition switch and the warning lights must be in a perfect state. It is advised that you get a mechanic to check for any errors in the car controls. Also check the roof and the trunk for any leaks.     

For the engine, check all the fluid levels. The engine oil should be black or dark brown but not very dirty or gritty.

The coolant must have a greenish or orange color.

See the battery maintenance page for repairing and checking your car battery.