Vehicle Inspection Checklist

Standardised Inspection Report — For Inspector Use

Version 1.0 — March 2026

Booking & Vehicle Information

Reference Number

Inspection Date

Inspector Name

Inspector Region / Town

Client Name

Client WhatsApp

Vehicle Make & Model

Year

Registration Number

VIN / Chassis Number

Odometer (km)

Colour

Fuel Type

Transmission (Auto / Manual)

Seller Name

Seller Contact

Services Being Performed (tick applicable)

Full Package Visual Inspection Mechanical + Diagnostics Test Drive

Rating Key:

G = Good

F = Fair (minor issue)

P = Poor (major issue)

N/A = Not Applicable

1. Exterior Visual Inspection

Visual / Full Package

Walk around the vehicle in good light. Check every panel systematically. Photograph all defects.

Inspection Point	G	F	P	N/A	Photo	Notes
Body Panels & Paintwork
Front bumper Cracks, scratches, alignment
Bonnet / Hood Dents, paint condition, alignment with fenders
Front fenders (L & R) Dents, rust, colour match, panel gaps
Front doors (L & R) Dents, hinges, panel gaps, seal condition
Rear doors (L & R) Dents, hinges, panel gaps, seal condition
Rear fenders / quarters (L & R) Dents, rust, accident repair signs
Roof Hail damage, dents, rust, repaint signs
Boot lid / Tailgate Alignment, dents, latch operation
Rear bumper Cracks, scratches, alignment, tow bar damage
Paint consistency Colour match between panels, overspray signs, orange peel
Rust / Corrosion Wheel arches, sills, underbody visible areas, door bottoms
Glass & Lights
Windscreen Chips, cracks, visibility, wiper scratches
Side windows Scratches, tint condition, operation
Rear windscreen Cracks, defroster lines intact
Headlights (L & R) Clarity, cracks, moisture, operation (low/high beam)
Tail lights (L & R) Cracks, moisture, operation (brake, reverse, indicator)
Fog lights & indicators Operation, condition
Side mirrors Condition, electric adjustment, folding
Wheels & Tyres
Front left tyre Brand, tread depth (mm), sidewall condition, age
Front right tyre Brand, tread depth (mm), sidewall condition, age
Rear left tyre Brand, tread depth (mm), sidewall condition, age
Rear right tyre Brand, tread depth (mm), sidewall condition, age
Spare tyre Present, condition, tools (jack, spanner)
Rims / Mag wheels Kerb damage, cracks, matching set
Uneven tyre wear Indicates alignment / suspension issues

Exterior Notes & Observations

2. Interior Inspection

Visual / Full Package

Inspection Point	G	F	P	N/A	Photo	Notes
Seats & Upholstery
Driver seat Wear, tears, stains, bolster condition, adjustment
Passenger seat Wear, tears, stains, adjustment
Rear seats Condition, folding mechanism, child seat anchors
Seat belts (all) Retraction, buckle operation, fraying
Carpet & floor mats Wear, stains, dampness (water leak sign)
Headliner (roof lining) Sagging, stains, tears
Dashboard & Controls
Dashboard condition Cracks, warping, sun damage
Steering wheel Wear, controls, play/looseness
Instrument cluster All gauges working, warning lights at ignition
Infotainment / Radio Operation, Bluetooth, USB, speakers
Air conditioning Blows cold, all fan speeds, no unusual smells
Heater Blows warm, demister works
Electric windows All four operate smoothly, auto up/down
Central locking & key fob All doors, boot, remote operation
Wipers & washers Front and rear operation, washer fluid
Horn Operational
Interior lights Map lights, dome light, boot light
Boot / Cargo Area
Boot condition Carpet, lining, dampness, smell
Boot floor / spare well Rust, water damage, structural integrity
Odometer & Documents
Odometer reading Record exact km, check if consistent with wear
Pedal wear vs odometer Heavily worn pedals on "low-km" car = red flag
Number of keys provided Record how many keys the seller has
Service book present Photograph all stamped pages if available

Interior Notes & Observations

3. Mechanical Inspection

Mechanical + Diagnostics / Full Package

Inspect with engine cold first, then after warm-up. Note any unusual smells, sounds, or visible leaks.

Inspection Point	G	F	P	N/A	Photo	Notes
Engine Bay (Cold Start)
Engine oil level & condition Dipstick check — colour, consistency, milky = head gasket
Coolant level & condition Reservoir level, colour, oil contamination
Brake fluid level Reservoir level, colour (dark = old)
Power steering fluid Level, leaks (if hydraulic system)
Transmission fluid Level, colour, smell (burnt = problem)
Battery Age, terminal corrosion, secure mounting, voltage
Belts & hoses Cracking, fraying, tension, leaking hoses
Air filter Clean, dirty, or needs replacement
Visible oil leaks Engine block, sump, rocker cover, turbo lines
Coolant leaks Radiator, hoses, water pump, heater core
Engine Running
Cold start behaviour Starts easily, cranking time, smoke on start
Idle quality Smooth, rough, hunting/surging RPM
Exhaust smoke Blue = oil, White = coolant, Black = fuel. Note colour
Unusual engine noises Knocking, ticking, whining, rattling
Temperature gauge Reaches normal and holds steady, no overheating
Radiator fans Engage when engine reaches temperature
Undercarriage (visual from below)
Exhaust system Rust, holes, leaks, loose mountings, catalytic converter
Sump / oil pan Leaks, damage, drain plug condition
CV boots / drive shafts Torn boots, grease leaks
Chassis / subframe Rust, cracks, accident damage, welding repairs
Brakes & Suspension
Brake pads (front) Thickness estimate, wear indicator
Brake discs (front) Scoring, lip, warping
Brake pads & discs (rear) Condition assessment
Handbrake Holds on incline, travel, adjustment
Shock absorbers Bounce test, visible leaks, worn bushings
Springs Sagging, broken coils, vehicle sitting level
Bushings & ball joints Play, cracking, clunking

Mechanical Notes & Observations

4. OBD-II Diagnostics Scan

Mechanical + Diagnostics / Full Package

Connect OBD-II scanner. Record all fault codes (active and pending). Photograph the scanner screen.

Inspection Point	G	F	P	N/A	Photo	Notes
Check Engine Light (CEL) On, off, or cleared recently
Active fault codes List all current DTCs
Pending fault codes Codes not yet triggering CEL
ABS system Fault codes, warning light status
Airbag (SRS) system Fault codes, warning light status
Transmission codes Any gearbox or TCU faults
Readiness monitors All complete, or recently cleared (red flag)

Fault Code Details (list all codes with descriptions)

5. Test Drive Assessment

Test Drive / Full Package

Drive at least 10-15 km covering urban and highway conditions where possible. Test all gears and braking scenarios.

Inspection Point	G	F	P	N/A	Photo	Notes
Engine & Power
Acceleration Smooth power delivery, no hesitation or misfires
Turbo (if applicable) Boost response, lag, wastegate sounds
Engine noise under load Knocking, tapping, whining at higher RPM
Exhaust smoke under acceleration Smoke colour and amount when pushing throttle
Transmission
Gear changes (auto) Smooth shifts, no jerking, no slipping, no delay
Clutch (manual) Bite point, slipping under load, judder
Gear selection (manual) All gears engage smoothly, no crunching
Reverse gear Engages cleanly, no grinding
4x4 system (if applicable) Engages and disengages, diff lock, low range
Steering, Suspension & Brakes
Steering response Sharp, not vague, no excessive play
Vehicle pulls left/right Hands-off straight-line test (safe conditions)
Steering wheel vibration At speed — wheel balance. Under braking — warped discs
Suspension over bumps Clunking, excessive bouncing, bottoming out
Braking performance Stops straight, no grinding, pedal feel firm
ABS activation Pedal pulsation on hard braking (normal)
General Driving Impressions
Road noise Excessive wind or tyre noise, wheel bearing hum
Unusual rattles or squeaks Dashboard, doors, undercarriage
Cruise control (if fitted) Engages, holds speed, disengages properly
Warning lights during drive Any dashboard warnings that appear while driving

Test Drive Notes & Observations

6. Required Photo Checklist

Exterior — Minimum Required

Front view (straight on)
Rear view (straight on)
Driver side (full length)
Passenger side (full length)
Front 3/4 angle (driver side)
Rear 3/4 angle (passenger side)
Roof (from above or angled)
Each wheel/tyre close-up (x4)
Windscreen condition
Headlights close-up (both)
Tail lights close-up (both)
All body damage / defects found

Interior — Minimum Required

Dashboard (full view)
Instrument cluster / odometer
Driver seat
Rear seats
Steering wheel
Infotainment / radio
Boot / cargo area
Spare wheel well
Pedals (wear check)
Service book pages (if available)
Keys (how many)
All interior defects found

Mechanical — Minimum Required

Engine bay (full view)
Oil dipstick close-up
Coolant reservoir
Battery
Belts & hoses
Undercarriage (from front)
Exhaust system
Any leaks or damage found
VIN plate
OBD scanner screen (all codes)

7. Overall Summary & Recommendation

_ /10

Overall Vehicle Score

Based on all inspected areas. 10 = excellent condition, 1 = major concerns throughout.

Inspector's Recommendation

RECOMMENDED
Good buy — minor issues only

PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Fair condition — negotiate price

NOT RECOMMENDED
Significant issues — walk away

Key Issues Found (top 3–5 concerns)

Estimated Repair Costs (if applicable)

Overall Inspector Comments & Advice to Buyer

Inspector Sign-Off

Inspector Name

Print name

Signature

Sign here

Date

Time Completed

Disclaimer: This inspection report is an advisory assessment based on a visual and/or mechanical examination at the time of inspection. It does not constitute a warranty or guarantee of the vehicle's condition. Some defects may not be detectable during a single inspection (e.g., intermittent electrical faults, hidden structural damage). The final purchase decision remains solely with the buyer. ViewNam and its inspectors accept no liability for issues not identified during the inspection. This report is confidential and prepared solely for the named client.