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. 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. +------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Test Description C*=comments | Good |Minor |Medium|Major | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 1 Fluid Leaks | | | | | | 1.a - Radiator ________|______|______|______|______| | 1.b - Engine ________|______|______|______|______| | 1.c - Transmission ________|______|______|______|______| | 1.d - Rear Axle ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 2. Tail Pipe | | | | | | 2.a - Carbon ________|______|______|______|______| | 2.b - Oil ________|______|______|______|______| | 2.c - Gunk ________|______|______|______|______| | 2.d - White Powder _ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 3. Radiator Fluid | | | | | | 3.a - Rust ________|______|______|______|______| | 3.b - Gunk ________|______|______|______|______| | 3.c - Oil ________|______|______|______|______| | 3.d - Water Only ________|______|______|______|______| | 3.e - Scaly Deposits ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 4. Dashboard Warng Lights | | | | | | 4.a - Any Fail to Light Up ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 5. Starting | | | | | | 5.a - Difficult ________|______|______|______|______| | 5.b - Sluggish ________|______|______|______|______| | 5.c - Sputtering ________|______|______|______|______| | 5.d - Cut-Out ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 6. Smoke Colour | | | | | | 6.a - Black ________|______|______|______|______| | 6.b - Blue ________|______|______|______|______| | 6.c - White (at First) _ ________|______|______|______|______| | 6.d - White (Lasting) ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 7. Drive Belts | | | | | | 7.a - Some Stationary ________|______|______|______|______| | Which ones: | | ___________________________________________________________| | 7.b - Squeals ________|______|______|______|______| | 7.c - Clutch Pulley Stoppd________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 8. Brakes (Stopped) | | | | | | 8.a - Soft ________|______|______|______|______| | 8.b - Spongy ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. +------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Test Description C*=comments | Good |Minor |Medium|Major | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| | 9. W/S Wipers Working | | | | | | 9.a - Front all speeds _ ________|______|______|______|______| | 9.b - Back all speeds _ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |10.a W/S Washer Working | | | | | | - Front _ ________|______|______|______|______| |10.b - Back _ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |11. Defroster | | | | | |11.a - Ind Light Workng _ ________|______|______|______|______| |11.b - Clears window _ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |12. Heater | | | | | |12.a - Warm Air _ ________|______|______|______|______| |12.b - Temp. Control Easy_ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |13. Fan Blower Works | | | | | |13.a - All Speeds _ ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |14. Air Conditioner | | | | | |14.a - Blows Cold Air _ ________|______|______|______|______| |14.b - Stops when cooled _ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |15. Entertainment | | | | | |15.a - Radio Works _ ________|______|______|______|______| |15.b - Cassette Player Works________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |16.a Other Accessories Work_________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |17 Manual Transmission ________|______|______|______|______| |17.a - Clutch Free Play min | | | | | | 5 cm / 1 inch _ ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |18 Manual Transmission ________|______|______|______|______| |18.a - Stall Test Works _ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |19 All Transmissions ________|______|______|______|______| |19.a Pulling Away Smooth _ ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |20 All Transmissions ________|______|______|______|______| |20.a Hill Start Smooth _ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. +------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Test Description C*=comments | Good |Minor |Medium|Major | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |21 Noises ________|______|______|______|______| |21.a - All Gears ________|______|______|______|______| |21.b - Shifting Gears ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |21.c - Coasting ________|______|______|______|______| |21.d - Hard Acceleration ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |21.e - Open Windows ________|______|______|______|______| |21.f - Closed Windows ________|______|______|______|______| |21.g - Different Surfaces ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |21.h - Flat Slopes ________|______|______|______|______| |21.i - Steep Slopes ________|______|______|______|______| |21.j - Knocking Sound ________|______|______|______|______| |21.k - Engine Noise ________|______|______|______|______| |21.l - Transmission Noise ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |22. Steering Test | | | | | |22.a - Pulls to one side ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |23. Hard Brake Test | | | | | |23.a - Pulls to one side ________|______|______|______|______| |23.b - Jerky ________|______|______|______|______| |23.c - Squealing ________|______|______|______|______| |23.d - Rumbling ________|______|______|______|______| |23.e - Wheels Lock problem ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |24. Smoke Colour Accelerating | | | | | |24.a - White _ ________|______|______|______|______| |24.b - Blue ________|______|______|______|______| |24.c - Black ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |25. Ride Smoothness | | | | | |25.a - Bumpy ________|______|______|______|______| |25.b - Shakes ________|______|______|______|______| |25.c - Sway ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |26.a Frame Twist Test: Fail ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |27. Engine Restart | | | | | |27.a - Difficult ________|______|______|______|______| |27.b - Oil Drips ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. +------------------------------------------------------------------+ |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |Test Description C*=comments | Good |Minor |Medium|Major | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |28. Step 7 Stationary Belts | | | | | |28.a - STILL Stationary ________|______|______|______|______| | Belt Condition | | | | | |28.b - Shiny ________|______|______|______|______| |28.c - Smooth ________|______|______|______|______| |28.d - Cracked ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |29. Dipstick Oil | | | | | |29.a - Not Full ________|______|______|______|______| |29.b - Water in it ________|______|______|______|______| |29.c - Carbon Specks ________|______|______|______|______| |29.d - Dirty Oil ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |30. Radiator Fluid | | | | | |30.a - Oil in it ________|______|______|______|______| |30.b - Rust ________|______|______|______|______| |30.c - Gunk ________|______|______|______|______| |30.d - Low/ No Overflow ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |31.a Engine Dirty: ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |32. Brake Master Cylinder | | | | | |32.a - Leaks ________|______|______|______|______| |32.b - Low Fluid ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |33. Automatic Transmission | | | | | |33.a - Opaque (Cloudy) ________|______|______|______|______| |33.b - Carbon Specks ________|______|______|______|______| |33.c - Orange ________|______|______|______|______| |33.d - Black ________|______|______|______|______| |33.e - Varnish Smell ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |34. Battery Terminal | | | | | |34.a - White Deposits ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |35. Tail Pipe recheck | | | | | |35.a - Carbon ________|______|______|______|______| |35.b - Oil ________|______|______|______|______| |35.c - Gunk ________|______|______|______|______| |35.d - White Powder _ ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. +------------------------------------------------------------------+ |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |Test Description C*=comments | Good |Minor |Medium|Major | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |36. Body Alignment ________|______|______|______|______| |36.a -Bent Left ________|______|______|______|______| | Right ________|______|______|______|______| | Front ________|______|______|______|______| | Back ________|______|______|______|______| |36.b - Ripples ________|______|______|______|______| |36.c - Irregularities ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |37.a Colour Variations ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |38. Dashboard Top | | | | | |38.a - Small Glass Pieces ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |39. Carpets, Mats, Seat Creases | | | | | |39.a - Small Glass Pieces ________|______|______|______|______| |39.b - Invoice/ Cr Cd Slip_________|______|______|______|______| |39.c - Drivr vs.Passgr wear________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |40. Bumper Splash Guards | | | | | |40.a - Rust ________|______|______|______|______| |40.b - Crash Damage ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |41. Bumper Mountg Brackets | | | | | |41.a - New ________|______|______|______|______| |41.b - New Welds ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |42. Loose Fit | | | | | |42.a - Doors ________|______|______|______|______| |42.b - Windows ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |43. Lubrication Stickers | | | | | |43.a - Overdue Lubrication ________|______|______|______|______| |43.b - Odometer mis-match ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |44. Pedal & Mat wear/ | | | | | |44.a Odometer mis-match ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |45.a Cracked Windows ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |46. Paint work | | | | | |46.a - Pitting ________|______|______|______|______| |46.b - Bumps ________|______|______|______|______| |46.c - Bubbles ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. +------------------------------------------------------------------+ |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |Test Description C*=comments | Good |Minor |Medium|Major | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |47. Small Holes | | | | | |47.a - Roof ________|______|______|______|______| |47.b - Fenders ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |48. Exhaust System | | | | | |48.a - Corrosion ________|______|______|______|______| |48.b - Rust ________|______|______|______|______| |48.c - Damage ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |49.a Rims & Hub Cap Dents ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |50. Tire Tread Depth | | | | | |50.a - Low ________|______|______|______|______| |50.b - Alignment/ Toe-in/ | | | | | | out Problems ________|______|______|______|______| |50.c - 4-Wheel Aligt Probs ________|______|______|______|______| |50.d - Under Infln Problems________|______|______|______|______| |50.e - Over Infln Problems________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |51.a Tire Scratches and Cuts________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |52.a Steering Linkage Slack ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |53.a Suspension/ Wheel | | | | | | Bearing Problems ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |54. Unlevel Car | | | | | |54.a - Suspension/ Shocks ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |55. Bounce Test | | | | | |55.a - Too many bounces ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |56. Check Locks Work | | | | | |56.a - Doors ________|______|______|______|______| |56.b - Trunk ________|______|______|______|______| |56.c - Tail Gate ________|______|______|______|______| |56.d - Other ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |57. Windows | | | | | |57.a - Open and Close Fully________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |58.a Dashboard Lights Work ________|______|______|______|______| +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Lemon Check your Used Car - Before You Buy It! By David M.Harris.B.Sc. +------------------------------------------------------------------+ |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |Test Description C*=comments | Good |Minor |Medium|Major | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |59. Flashers work | | | | | |59.a - front left ________|______|______|______|______| |59.b - front right ________|______|______|______|______| |59.c - back left ________|______|______|______|______| |59.d - back right ________|______|______|______|______| |59.e - front left Hazards ________|______|______|______|______| |59.f - front right Hazards ________|______|______|______|______| |59.g - back left Hazards ________|______|______|______|______| |59.h - back right Hazards ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |60.a All Parking Lights Work________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |61.a Normal Beam Lights OK ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |62.a Full Beam Lights OK ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |63.a Reversing Lights Work ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |64.a Brake Lights Work ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |65.a Marker Lights Work ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |66.a Good Spare Tire _ ________|______|______|______|______| |66.b Good Jack _ ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |67.a Odometer Scratches ________|______|______|______|______| | C* | | | | | |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |68.a VIN 10th Digit Yr match________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |69.a Dealer's Service Shop_ ________|______|______|______|______| |--------------------------------------+------+------+------+------| |70.a Bill marked Date & Time________|______|______|______|______| |------------------------------------------------------------------| |Comments | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------+ 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. 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