Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. A used car testing system that may save you thousands of dollars by warning you of lemons when buying a used car. You do not need to be a mechanic to use this system, just use common sense and the right clothes. A friend will be invaluable when testing out a used car, so take one with you. The following check list will help you check your prospective used car, but you will need some basic knowledge of cars to use it. If you wish to obtain an illustrated booklet to help you do these checks please contact us. This file is in extended ASCII using some of the codes above 128. It should be printed on a printer that will support these codes. Copyright David M.Harris (c) 1994. Harris Data Systems, 19 Orleans Dr, West Hill,Ontario,Canada, M1C 4T1 (416)286-4282 FAX (416)286-0661 Compuserve 70302,122 If you paid a fee to receive this information please be aware that the fee was only for copying and distribution. The author receives no part of that fee. Registration is requested over and above that fee if you wish to use this used car testing system. Register for a 36 page descriptive booklet of each of these tests. Only $9.95 plus $2.00 S & H (plus in Canada (;<) GST $0.84). Pay by AMEX or Mastercard (sorry VISA not available at present). or pay by Cheque or Money Order made out to Harris Data Systems. (U.S. Checks accepted at US$9.95 + US$2.00 S & H) (U.K. Cheques accepted at 5.50 + 2.00 S & H) (Other currencies accepted providing there is no exchange restriction at the Canadian equivalent of $9.95 plus $4.00 S & H + 20% for exchange.) Booklet shipped within 48 hours of receiving the order. Distribution This file including the text and check list may be distributed without payment to Harris Data Systems, however it must be distributed in its entirety without changes. It may be compressed for transmission. A nominal charge may be made for distribution by the distributor. Distribution/ agent enquiries are welcomed. Please make your enquiries to the above e-mail, FAX, Phone or snail-mail. Disclaimer Disclaimer: This guide will not guarantee the condition of any car you check. The effectiveness of the check will depend on how careful the used car checks are made. The check does not cover all possible major problems. To be more certain of the car's condition once you have checked it, take it to a mechanic you can trust. Neither David Harris, nor Harris Data Systems is responsible for the condition of the car purchased using this guide. Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information given in this guide, but no responsibility or liability is assumed, either consequential, incidental, direct or indirect by David M.Harris or Harris Data Systems for any remaining errors, or the use or inability to use the instructions in this guide or any damage or injury sustained to any person or property when using this guide. No warranties are made with respect to this guide. All implied warranties of the use of this guide are disclaimed. Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. IMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMQMMMMMMQMMMMMMQMMMMMMQMMMMMM; :Test Description C*=comments 3 Good 3Minor 3Medium3Major : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 1 Fluid Leaks 3 3 3 3 : : 1.a - Radiator ________3______3______3______3______: : 1.b - Engine ________3______3______3______3______: : 1.c - Transmission ________3______3______3______3______: : 1.d - Rear Axle ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 2. Tail Pipe 3 3 3 3 : : 2.a - Carbon ________3______3______3______3______: : 2.b - Oil ________3______3______3______3______: : 2.c - Gunk ________3______3______3______3______: : 2.d - White Powder { ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 3. Radiator Fluid 3 3 3 3 : : 3.a - Rust ________3______3______3______3______: : 3.b - Gunk ________3______3______3______3______: : 3.c - Oil ________3______3______3______3______: : 3.d - Water Only ________3______3______3______3______: : 3.e - Scaly Deposits ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 4. Dashboard Warng Lights 3 3 3 3 : : 4.a - Any Fail to Light Up ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 5. Starting 3 3 3 3 : : 5.a - Difficult ________3______3______3______3______: : 5.b - Sluggish ________3______3______3______3______: : 5.c - Sputtering ________3______3______3______3______: : 5.d - Cut-Out ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 6. Smoke Colour 3 3 3 3 : : 6.a - Black ________3______3______3______3______: : 6.b - Blue ________3______3______3______3______: : 6.c - White (at First) { ________3______3______3______3______: : 6.d - White (Lasting) ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 7. Drive Belts 3 3 3 3 : : 7.a - Some Stationary ________3______3______3______3______: : Which ones: : : ___________________________________________________________: : 7.b - Squeals ________3______3______3______3______: : 7.c - Clutch Pulley Stoppd________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 8. Brakes (Stopped) 3 3 3 3 : : 8.a - Soft ________3______3______3______3______: : 8.b - Spongy ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : SDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDD= Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. VDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDD7 :Test Description C*=comments 3 Good 3Minor 3Medium3Major : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 : 9. W/S Wipers Working 3 3 3 3 : : 9.a - Front all speeds { ________3______3______3______3______: : 9.b - Back all speeds { ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :10.a W/S Washer Working 3 3 3 3 : : - Front { ________3______3______3______3______: :10.b - Back { ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :11. Defroster 3 3 3 3 : :11.a - Ind Light Workng { ________3______3______3______3______: :11.b - Clears window { ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :12. Heater 3 3 3 3 : :12.a - Warm Air { ________3______3______3______3______: :12.b - Temp. Control Easy{ ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :13. Fan Blower Works 3 3 3 3 : :13.a - All Speeds { ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :14. Air Conditioner 3 3 3 3 : :14.a - Blows Cold Air { ________3______3______3______3______: :14.b - Stops when cooled { ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :15. Entertainment 3 3 3 3 : :15.a - Radio Works { ________3______3______3______3______: :15.b - Cassette Player Works{_______3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :16.a Other Accessories Work{________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :17 Manual Transmission ________3______3______3______3______: :17.a - Clutch Free Play min 3 3 3 3 : : 5 cm / 1 inch { ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :18 Manual Transmission ________3______3______3______3______: :18.a - Stall Test Works { ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :19 All Transmissions ________3______3______3______3______: :19.a Pulling Away Smooth { ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :20 All Transmissions ________3______3______3______3______: :20.a Hill Start Smooth { ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : SDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDD= Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. VDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDD7 :Test Description C*=comments 3 Good 3Minor 3Medium3Major : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :21 Noises ________3______3______3______3______: :21.a - All Gears ________3______3______3______3______: :21.b - Shifting Gears ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : :21.c - Coasting ________3______3______3______3______: :21.d - Hard Acceleration ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : :21.e - Open Windows ________3______3______3______3______: :21.f - Closed Windows ________3______3______3______3______: :21.g - Different Surfaces ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : :21.h - Flat Slopes ________3______3______3______3______: :21.i - Steep Slopes ________3______3______3______3______: :21.j - Knocking Sound ________3______3______3______3______: :21.k - Engine Noise ________3______3______3______3______: :21.l - Transmission Noise ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :22. Steering Test 3 3 3 3 : :22.a - Pulls to one side ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :23. Hard Brake Test 3 3 3 3 : :23.a - Pulls to one side ________3______3______3______3______: :23.b - Jerky ________3______3______3______3______: :23.c - Squealing ________3______3______3______3______: :23.d - Rumbling ________3______3______3______3______: :23.e - Wheels Lock problem ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :24. Smoke Colour Accelerating 3 3 3 3 : :24.a - White { ________3______3______3______3______: :24.b - Blue ________3______3______3______3______: :24.c - Black ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :25. Ride Smoothness 3 3 3 3 : :25.a - Bumpy ________3______3______3______3______: :25.b - Shakes ________3______3______3______3______: :25.c - Sway ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :26.a Frame Twist Test: Fail ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :27. Engine Restart 3 3 3 3 : :27.a - Difficult ________3______3______3______3______: :27.b - Oil Drips ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : SDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDD= Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. VDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDD7 GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :Test Description C*=comments 3 Good 3Minor 3Medium3Major : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :28. Step 7 Stationary Belts 3 3 3 3 : :28.a - STILL Stationary ________3______3______3______3______: : Belt Condition 3 3 3 3 : :28.b - Shiny ________3______3______3______3______: :28.c - Smooth ________3______3______3______3______: :28.d - Cracked ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :29. Dipstick Oil 3 3 3 3 : :29.a - Not Full ________3______3______3______3______: :29.b - Water in it ________3______3______3______3______: :29.c - Carbon Specks ________3______3______3______3______: :29.d - Dirty Oil ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :30. Radiator Fluid 3 3 3 3 : :30.a - Oil in it ________3______3______3______3______: :30.b - Rust ________3______3______3______3______: :30.c - Gunk ________3______3______3______3______: :30.d - Low/ No Overflow ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :31.a Engine Dirty: ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :32. Brake Master Cylinder 3 3 3 3 : :32.a - Leaks ________3______3______3______3______: :32.b - Low Fluid ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :33. Automatic Transmission 3 3 3 3 : :33.a - Opaque (Cloudy) ________3______3______3______3______: :33.b - Carbon Specks ________3______3______3______3______: :33.c - Orange ________3______3______3______3______: :33.d - Black ________3______3______3______3______: :33.e - Varnish Smell ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :34. Battery Terminal 3 3 3 3 : :34.a - White Deposits ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :35. Tail Pipe recheck 3 3 3 3 : :35.a - Carbon ________3______3______3______3______: :35.b - Oil ________3______3______3______3______: :35.c - Gunk ________3______3______3______3______: :35.d - White Powder { ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : SDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDD= Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. VDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDD7 GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :Test Description C*=comments 3 Good 3Minor 3Medium3Major : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :36. Body Alignment ________3______3______3______3______: :36.a -Bent Left ________3______3______3______3______: : Right ________3______3______3______3______: : Front ________3______3______3______3______: : Back ________3______3______3______3______: :36.b - Ripples ________3______3______3______3______: :36.c - Irregularities ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :37.a Colour Variations ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :38. Dashboard Top 3 3 3 3 : :38.a - Small Glass Pieces ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :39. Carpets, Mats, Seat Creases 3 3 3 3 : :39.a - Small Glass Pieces ________3______3______3______3______: :39.b - Invoice/ Cr Cd Slip{________3______3______3______3______: :39.c - Drivr vs.Passgr wear________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :40. Bumper Splash Guards 3 3 3 3 : :40.a - Rust ________3______3______3______3______: :40.b - Crash Damage ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :41. Bumper Mountg Brackets 3 3 3 3 : :41.a - New ________3______3______3______3______: :41.b - New Welds ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :42. Loose Fit 3 3 3 3 : :42.a - Doors ________3______3______3______3______: :42.b - Windows ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :43. Lubrication Stickers 3 3 3 3 : :43.a - Overdue Lubrication ________3______3______3______3______: :43.b - Odometer mis-match ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :44. Pedal & Mat wear/ 3 3 3 3 : :44.a Odometer mis-match ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :45.a Cracked Windows ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :46. Paint work 3 3 3 3 : :46.a - Pitting ________3______3______3______3______: :46.b - Bumps ________3______3______3______3______: :46.c - Bubbles ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : SDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDD= Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. VDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDD7 GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :Test Description C*=comments 3 Good 3Minor 3Medium3Major : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :47. Small Holes 3 3 3 3 : :47.a - Roof ________3______3______3______3______: :47.b - Fenders ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :48. Exhaust System 3 3 3 3 : :48.a - Corrosion ________3______3______3______3______: :48.b - Rust ________3______3______3______3______: :48.c - Damage ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :49.a Rims & Hub Cap Dents ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :50. Tire Tread Depth 3 3 3 3 : :50.a - Low ________3______3______3______3______: :50.b - Alignment/ Toe-in/ 3 3 3 3 : : out Problems ________3______3______3______3______: :50.c - 4-Wheel Aligt Probs ________3______3______3______3______: :50.d - Under Infln Problems________3______3______3______3______: :50.e - Over Infln Problems________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :51.a Tire Scratches and Cuts________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :52.a Steering Linkage Slack ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :53.a Suspension/ Wheel 3 3 3 3 : : Bearing Problems ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :54. Unlevel Car 3 3 3 3 : :54.a - Suspension/ Shocks ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :55. Bounce Test 3 3 3 3 : :55.a - Too many bounces ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :56. Check Locks Work 3 3 3 3 : :56.a - Doors ________3______3______3______3______: :56.b - Trunk ________3______3______3______3______: :56.c - Tail Gate ________3______3______3______3______: :56.d - Other ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :57. Windows 3 3 3 3 : :57.a - Open and Close Fully________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :58.a Dashboard Lights Work ________3______3______3______3______: SDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDD= Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. VDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDDBDDDDDD7 GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :Test Description C*=comments 3 Good 3Minor 3Medium3Major : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :59. Flashers work 3 3 3 3 : :59.a - front left ________3______3______3______3______: :59.b - front right ________3______3______3______3______: :59.c - back left ________3______3______3______3______: :59.d - back right ________3______3______3______3______: :59.e - front left Hazards ________3______3______3______3______: :59.f - front right Hazards ________3______3______3______3______: :59.g - back left Hazards ________3______3______3______3______: :59.h - back right Hazards ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :60.a All Parking Lights Work________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :61.a Normal Beam Lights OK ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :62.a Full Beam Lights OK ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :63.a Reversing Lights Work ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :64.a Brake Lights Work ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :65.a Marker Lights Work ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :66.a Good Spare Tire { ________3______3______3______3______: :66.b Good Jack { ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :67.a Odometer Scratches ________3______3______3______3______: : C* 3 3 3 3 : GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :68.a VIN 10th Digit Yr match{_______3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :69.a Dealer's Service Shop{ ________3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDDEDDDDDD6 :70.a Bill marked Date & Time{_______3______3______3______3______: GDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDDADDDDDD6 :Comments : : : : : : : HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM< When you have performed all the tests possible, check or even total each column to see the basic condition of the used car you are checking. Use this to determine if you want to buy the car, and if you want to get the price reduced. Some factors such as major collision damage could far outweigh any other factors. Caveat Emptor, or in English, buyer, beware. This information helps you to be aware of what you are about to buy. Note the { symbol means that if the item is present it usually indicates something good about the car you are checking. For further information please register as described. Harris Data Systems, 19 Orleans Dr, West Hill,Ontario,Canada, M1C 4T1 (416)286-4282 FAX (416)286-0661 Compuserve 70302,122