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Ask Don
Independent Used-Car Inspections
Don
WhatsApp 083 256 9624
Hillcrest → Pietermaritzburg

120-Point Pre-Purchase Inspection

The once-over that saves you from buying someone else's problem.

01

Documents & History

1–10
1Seller's ID matches the name on the NATIS/registration papers
2VIN on papers matches the VIN plate and windscreen etching
3Engine number matches the documents
4License disc current and not expired
5No outstanding finance / not still under a bank
6Service book present, stamped and consistent
7Service history matches odometer progression (no gaps/reversals)
8Spare key(s) present and working
9Owner's manual present
10Clean history — no stolen-recovered or write-off flags
02

Exterior Body & Paint

11–25
11Panel gaps even and consistent all round
12Paint colour & texture match across every panel (no respray)
13No overspray on seals, trims or glass
14Bonnet, boot and door shut-lines align
15No ripples/waves in reflections (filler / panel beating)
16Magnet test on steel panels for hidden filler
17Doors open and close cleanly, latch first time
18Boot/tailgate opens, closes and seals
19Fuel flap opens and cap seals
20No rust bubbling on arches, sills or door bottoms
21No fresh undercoat hiding repairs
22Bumpers aligned, no cracks or poor refits
23Badges and trim complete and correctly fitted
24Roof and pillars straight (no roll-over / hail damage)
25Number plates match front & rear and match papers
03

Glass, Lights & Mirrors

26–35
26Windscreen free of cracks and chips in the wiper sweep
27All glass same brand/date-stamp (mismatch = past damage)
28Wipers clear the screen; washers spray both ends
29Headlights — low and high beam, both sides
30Indicators front, rear and side repeaters
31Brake lights including high-mount third light
32Reverse lights and number-plate light
33Fog lights front/rear where fitted
34Side mirrors adjust (fold/heat if powered)
35Rear-view mirror secure, auto-dim if fitted
04

Tyres, Wheels & Brakes

36–45
36Tread legal & even on all four (min 1mm SA legal)
37All tyres same make/spec (odd tyre = cheap-out or damage)
38No uneven wear (tracking / camber / suspension clues)
39No sidewall cracks, bulges or plugs
40Tyre date codes not ancient (perished rubber)
41Spare wheel present, inflated and legal
42Jack, spanner and locking-nut key present
43Alloys free of major kerb damage or cracks
44Brake discs not heavily lipped or scored
45Brake pads have meaningful life left
05

Under the Bonnet

46–60
46No fresh oil leaks on or around the engine
47Oil level correct and oil not milky
48Coolant level correct, not oily or rusty
49No mayonnaise under the oil cap (water in oil)
50Radiator & hoses no leaks, not perished or bulging
51Brake fluid level and clarity
52Power-steering fluid level (if applicable)
53Battery secure, terminals clean, no corrosion
54Drive/aux belts not cracked or glazed
55No aftermarket wiring butchery or blown fuses
56Engine mounts intact, no excessive movement
57No accident repair signs (buckled inner wings, fresh bolts)
58Radiator support / slam panel straight and original
59Chassis legs / strut towers straight, no wrinkles or welds
60Exhaust manifold / turbo no obvious leaks
06

Underneath — Chassis & Suspension

61–72
61No active oil, coolant or transmission leaks underneath
62Sump and gearbox not weeping or damaged
63Exhaust solid — no blows, holes or heavy rust
64Catalytic converter present (not cut out)
65Chassis rails straight — no crumple, filler or fresh underseal
66Subframe and mounting points sound
67CV boots intact, no split rubber or slung grease
68Shock absorbers not leaking
69Suspension bushes not perished or knocking
70Steering rack / tie rods no play or leaks
71Brake lines and hoses not corroded or perished
72Fuel tank and lines no leaks or damage
07

Interior & Electrics

73–90
73Odometer matches wear on pedals, seat, wheel & gear knob
74Seats adjust properly, frames solid
75Seatbelts extend, retract and latch on all seats
76Central locking works from remote and doors
77All windows up/down (auto/express where fitted)
78Aircon blows cold; heater blows hot
79All dash warning lights illuminate then clear on start
80No permanent warning lights (ABS, airbag, engine, oil)
81Infotainment, speakers and Bluetooth work
82Reverse camera / sensors work if fitted
83Cluster fully functional (fuel, temp, rev, speed)
84Interior, boot and glovebox lights
8512V sockets and USB ports live
86Stalks, wipers, indicators and horn work
87Sunroof opens/closes and seals (if fitted)
88Cruise control and drive-mode buttons function
89Carpets dry — no damp or musty smell (flood check)
90Boot floor & spare well dry, not holding water
08

Cold Start & Idle

91–98
91Engine genuinely cold before starting (feel the bonnet)
92Starts promptly without excessive cranking
93No blue smoke on start-up (worn engine / valve seals)
94No black smoke (fuelling) or white smoke (coolant)
95Idle settles smoothly, no hunting or stalling
96No knocking, tapping or rattling from cold
97No excessive turbo whine or diesel clatter
98Exhaust note even (no misfire); tailpipe residue dry/grey
09

Test Drive

99–112

Minimum 5 km on mixed roads — town speeds, open road and a few firm stops.

99Clutch bites cleanly, not high or slipping
100Manual shifts smoothly through all gears (no crunch)
101Auto shifts smoothly — no flare, jerk or delay
102No gearbox whine or bearing noise
103Engine pulls cleanly through the range, no flat spots
104Steering straight, no pull, self-centres
105No vibration through wheel at speed (balance / warp)
106Brakes stop straight and true, no pulsing or grabbing
107Handbrake holds on an incline
108Suspension quiet over bumps, no clonks or crashes
109No wheel-bearing hum that changes with cornering
110No excessive body roll or wallow (tired shocks)
111All gauges behave (temp stable, oil pressure healthy)
112No warning lights appear during or after the drive
10

Final Checks & Red Flags

113–120
113Post-drive: check underneath again for fresh (hot) leaks
114Re-check coolant and oil after the drive
115Seller's story consistent with the car's condition
116Price fair versus condition and market (book value)
117Reason for selling makes sense (not dumping a problem)
118No pressure or false-urgency tactics from the seller
119Overall gut check against 17 years of pattern-matching
120Final call made and explained to the buyer
The Verdict Don's call
BUYSolid. Good to go.
NEGOTIATEFixable — knock the price
WALK AWAYSomeone else's problem

Ask Don provides an independent, experience-based assessment of a vehicle's condition at the time of inspection. It is a professional opinion to help the buyer make a decision, not a mechanical warranty, roadworthy certificate, or guarantee against future faults. The final buying decision remains the buyer's own.  ·  Book Don: 083 256 9624  ·  askdon.co.za