Buying a used car: a 15-minute check before you pay for inspection

Before you pay for a workshop inspection, you can quickly tell whether the deal makes sense. A 15-minute check won’t replace diagnostics, but it helps filter obvious red flags.

Start with the body: uneven panel gaps, inconsistent paint transitions, and cloudy headlights can hint at past repairs. Check tires—uneven wear often points to alignment or suspension issues.

Open the hood: look for oil/coolant leaks, belt noise, and beware an “unnaturally fresh” engine bay. Inside, test every button, windows, A/C, and infotainment.

On the test drive, listen for suspension knocks, steering straightness, and braking stability. If it rattles, vibrates, or pulls sideways, get diagnostics—or walk away.