The 10-Minute Private Car Walk-Around

Before you go

• Ask for the VIN and run it (free NMVTIS-approved or paid history report). Does the title say “clean”? Any lien?
• Meet in daylight, in public, with a friend. Bring: phone flashlight, a paper towel, your ID, a pen.
• Don’t pay a deposit or send money before you’ve seen the car and the title.

Outside (walk clockwise, ~5 minutes)

• Panels & paint: gaps even? Mismatched paint or overspray can mean a past repair. Note, don’t accuse.
• Tires: same brand/size on each axle? Even wear? Check the date code (4 digits, week + year). Tires older than ~6 years need a look.
• Glass & lights: cracks, chips; all lights, signals and brake lights work (have the seller help).
• Underneath & wheel wells: rust, fresh drips, anything hanging low.
• Door-jamb VIN sticker matches the title and the dash VIN. If not, stop.

Under the hood (cold engine)

• Oil: level OK, not milky or gritty. Coolant: level OK, not rusty or oily.
• Hoses and belts: no cracks. Battery: secure, no heavy corrosion.
• An engine bay that’s suspiciously spotless can hide leaks. Just note it.

Inside (~3 minutes)

• Turn the key to “on”: warning lights come on, then go off. A light that never comes on may have been disabled.
• Windows, locks, mirrors, wipers, horn, A/C and heat, defrost, seat belts all work.
• Carpet and trunk are dry, with no musty smell.
• Odometer looks plausible for the wear on the pedals, seat and wheel.

Start-up and short drive (~2 minutes)

• Starts easily; idle sounds smooth; no new warning lights.
• Brakes stop straight with no pulling or grinding. Steering tracks straight.
• Shifts feel normal in drive and reverse. No clunks or slipping.
• Look under the car after the drive for new drips.

Paperwork check (before you hand over money)

• The seller’s name on the title matches their photo ID.
• VIN on the title matches the car.
• No lien listed, or a lender’s payoff and release in hand.
• Never accept or sign a title with blank buyer or seller fields.
• Both people sign a bill of sale with date, VIN, odometer, price, and names and addresses. Each keeps a copy.
• Look up your state’s DMV page for title, notary, plate and deadline rules. They vary a lot.

Money basics

• Prefer a cashier’s check at the bank counter, or cash at the bank. Be wary of gift cards, crypto, payment-app “friends & family”, and changing wire instructions.
• Hand over the title and keys at the same moment the funds are confirmed.
• A far-below-market price plus extreme urgency usually means walk away.

If something’s off

“Thanks for letting me look it over. I like the car. The only thing I’m stuck on is ___. Would you be open to ___?” Or pause for a shop inspection. A walk-around isn’t a mechanic’s inspection, and it can’t promise a car is problem-free.