Purchasing a used vehicle is a significant investment, and without proper inspection, you could end up with unexpected repair costs and headaches. At Calgary Car Advisors, we perform comprehensive pre-purchase inspections daily, but we also believe in empowering buyers with knowledge. This guide outlines essential inspection points to help you identify potential issues before committing to a purchase.

1. Exterior Inspection: Look Beyond the Shine

A vehicle's exterior can reveal a lot about its history and condition. Here's what to check:

• Body panels: Look for inconsistent paint colors or textures, which may indicate previous repairs. Run your hand along the surface to feel for ripples or unevenness.
• Panel gaps: Uneven spaces between body panels often indicate previous collision damage or poor repairs.
• Rust: Check common rust spots including wheel wells, door bottoms, rocker panels, and the undercarriage. Even small rust spots can expand quickly in Calgary's winter conditions when exposed to road salt.
• Glass: Inspect all windows for cracks or chips, which can spread and require full replacement.
• Lights: Verify all exterior lights are functioning properly, including headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights.

Pro tip: Inspect the vehicle in daylight and, if possible, when it's dry. Rain or excessive shine can mask imperfections.

2. Tire and Wheel Assessment

Tires are your only contact point with the road and can significantly impact safety and performance:

• Tread depth: Use the "toonie test" - if you can see the polar bear's paws when inserting a toonie in the tread, the tires need replacement soon. For winter driving in Calgary, adequate tread is especially critical.
• Uneven wear: If tires show more wear on one side or in the center, this could indicate alignment issues or improper inflation.
• Sidewall damage: Look for cracks, bulges, or cuts on tire sidewalls, which can lead to blowouts.
• Matching tires: Ideally, all four tires should be the same brand and model with similar wear patterns.
• Wheels: Check for bent rims or damage that could affect balance and lead to vibration.

Remember: Replacing a full set of quality tires can cost $800-1,500, so factor this into your purchase decision if the tires are worn.

3. Under the Hood Essentials

You don't need to be a mechanic to spot obvious issues under the hood:

• Fluid levels and condition: Check oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Low levels or dirty fluids suggest poor maintenance.
• Oil quality: Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and check again. Oil should be amber to light brown. Dark, gritty oil indicates infrequent changes.
• Coolant: Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot, but check the overflow reservoir. Coolant should be green, orange, or pink (depending on type) without rust particles or oil.
• Battery: Look for corrosion around terminals and check the manufacturing date if visible.
• Belts and hoses: Check for cracks, fraying, or brittleness. These components are relatively inexpensive but can cause major problems if they fail.

Warning sign: A sweet smell under the hood often indicates a coolant leak, while a burning oil smell suggests oil leaks or consumption issues.

4. Interior Condition and Electronics

The vehicle's interior reveals how well it was maintained and can highlight potential issues:

• Dashboard warning lights: Start the engine and ensure no warning lights remain illuminated after startup.
• Electronics: Test all features including power windows, locks, mirrors, seat adjustments, climate control, and infotainment system.
• Heating and cooling: In Calgary's climate, both heating and air conditioning systems are essential. Test both thoroughly.
• Upholstery: Check seats, headliner, and carpeting for excessive wear, stains, or unusual odors that might indicate water damage.
• Seat belts: Ensure all retract properly and buckles function correctly.

Important note: Musty odors often indicate past water damage, which can lead to electrical problems and mold issues.

5. Test Drive Evaluation

The test drive is your opportunity to assess how the vehicle performs in real-world conditions:

• Engine performance: Listen for unusual noises during starting and acceleration. The engine should run smoothly without hesitation.
• Transmission operation: Shifts should be smooth without jerking, slipping, or delays. For manual transmissions, check clutch engagement and listen for grinding during shifts.
• Braking performance: Brakes should engage smoothly without pulling to either side. Listen for grinding or squealing.
• Steering: The vehicle should track straight without excessive play in the steering wheel. When turning, listen for clicking or popping sounds that might indicate CV joint issues.
• Suspension: Drive over speed bumps or rough patches to check how the vehicle absorbs impacts. Excessive bouncing or clunking sounds indicate worn suspension components.

Try to include highway driving in your test to assess higher-speed performance and stability.

6. Check Vehicle History and Documentation

Beyond the physical inspection, reviewing documentation is crucial:

• Vehicle history report: Services like CARFAX or AutoCheck can reveal accident history, title issues, service records, and ownership changes.
• Service records: Regular maintenance records suggest a well-cared-for vehicle.
• Recall information: Check if all manufacturer recalls have been addressed.
• Ownership documents: Ensure the seller has proper ownership documentation and that the VIN on the documents matches the vehicle.

For Alberta vehicles, also verify that the vehicle has a valid out-of-province inspection if it was previously registered elsewhere.

When to Seek Professional Help

While personal inspections are valuable, we always recommend having a professional mechanic or inspection service (like Calgary Car Advisors) perform a thorough evaluation before purchase. Our pre-purchase inspections typically cost $150-250, but can save thousands in unexpected repairs.

Professional inspections include:

• Computerized diagnostic scanning
• Compression and leak-down testing
• Thorough undercarriage inspection
• Professional assessment of all major systems
• Documentation of all findings with repair cost estimates