NRMA提供的买二手车需要做的Check List

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Background checks
When arranging to see the vehicle you are after, make sure you do the following;

Check that the seller's driver's licence matches the name on the registration papers, if not who is the owner?
Why are they selling the car?
Ask if there is any loan outstanding on the car and is the car secured against this?
Ask how long they have owned the vehicle and;
Has the vehicle had any accident damage repaired?
If yes, what & when?
How much Rego & CTP is valid on the vehicle?
Does the vehicle have a Pink slip (If vehicle is four years from first registration).
Does the seller have the cars 'service book' showing services completed and stamped by the Dealer/Service Centre? Check that dates & odometer readings make logical sense?
Does the seller have any workshop invoices for any work or services carried out?

The engine

Thick blue smoke from the exhaust when you start up and rev the engine with the gear in neutral or park is a bad sign - stay away from this vehicle. The oil is bypassing the pistons and this is an expensive problem to fix.
If you let the engine idle for a few minutes and then give the accelerator a quick push and see a puff of blue smoke, beware - the valve stem seals could be worn.
Check the water in the radiator, this should be clean and oil free.
The dipstick and the oil filter caps can tell you a number of things. The presence of a creamy white substance means that water from the cooling system is getting into your oil system through a leaking gasket or cracked cylinder head and this could be expensive.
A low level of oil or sludgy, black oil on the dipstick suggests infrequent oil changes and a lack of care from the owner.
Let the car stand for a while and check for puddles of oil or liquid.

The body

A good way to look at a vehicle's bodywork is to stand back from the car (front & rear) and look down the side of the vehicle. This will highlight small dents & creases
Check for mismatched paint on adjacent body panels, this could show that it has been in an accident.
Peeling paint could later lead to rust.
Check that the gaps between the body panels are equal in width and that any edges are flush with each other. If they are not, this could indicate a vehicle has been in an accident.
Look out for obvious over-spraying. Take a peek at the wires in the engine compartment or behind the door or window rubbers. This could mean that the car has accident damage.
Uneven wear of the tyres is a sign that the wheels are off-balance, the suspension is not aligned, that correct tyre pressure have not been maintained, or the shock absorbers are worn.

Interior

Unscrupulous sellers could turn the speedometer back to make the kilometres appear less. Check that the speedometer digits aren't crooked or scratched or that screws haven't been tampered with.
Wear and tear on the carpeting and rubber of the brake, clutch and accelerator pedals should be consistent with the age of the car.
Check inside the bonnet, boot and doors for paint runs, hammer marks, rust bubbles or paint over-spray.

Taking the car for a test drive

Before driving, ask to see a current CTP insurance certificate ("Green slip"), checking that the vehicle details are the same as the car.
Make sure that the engine power is adequate for its size.
Keep an eye out for over-heating.
Check that the car follows a straight line and brakes in a straight line.
When you go around a corner, the car should not pitch and the steering wheel should straighten itself.
The gears should change smoothly and easily.