- Does the car start and the engine run? If not, there is no way to appraise the engine or most of the cars other mechanical components.
- If the car starts and the engine is running, listen for expensive sounding noises.
- Stand behind the car at the first start up and look for any smoke coming from the tailpipe. Blue smoke would indicate the engine is burning oil.
- While the engine is running, check the oil pressure; it should be at midrange.
- When checking the engine’s oil, is it fairly clean or is it black and thick which would indicate long intervals between oil changes and possibly poor maintenance and care.
Engine Compartment
- Inspect the general condition and cleanliness of the engine compartment.
- Does the wiring appear to be in original and good condition?
- Is there frayed insulation and obviously un-original wiring patched in?
Breaks and Steering
- If you drove the car out on the highway would you feel safe in doing so?
- Do the brakes stop the car within a reasonable distance without pulling to the side or making grinding or screeching noises?
- Is the steering tight? Does it keep the car in a straight line with minimal correction, or is there an excessive play which would mean some or all of the steering components need rebuilding.
Transmission
- If a car is equipped with a standard transmission, check the condition of the clutch; does it engage smoothly and fully disengage the transmission.
- If the car is an automatic, are the shifting points smooth or does the transmission seem to slip, especially under acceleration?
- Check the automatic transmission fluid. The color should be bright red and not brown with a burned smell. This would indicate the transmission has internal damage and will need an overhaul.
