We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn't feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we're proud that the
guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on
the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are
grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to
guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
What to Look for When Buying a Used Car
This car inspection checklist can help you uncover red flags so you can decide whether a used vehicle is for you.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising
partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or
click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our
evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and
here's how we make money.
Updated · 4 min read
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and
relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and
editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.
Shannon Bradley is a NerdWallet authority on autos and home services. Before joining NerdWallet in 2021, Shannon spent 30-plus years as a writer, content manager and marketer in the financial services industry. In these roles, she developed financial expertise and created educational content covering a wide range of personal and business topics. Shannon is based in Newburgh, Indiana.
Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
Published in
Editor & Content Strategist
SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on
NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not
been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
You don’t have to be a car expert to quickly evaluate a used car you’re thinking about buying. Our car inspection checklist isn’t intended to replace a professional pre-purchase inspection, but it can help you assess whether a used car might be worth pursuing.
When to go and what to bring
When you inspect a car that’s for sale, it’s best to do it in the daylight. Take a small flashlight to look under it. If you’re considering several cars, a notebook and camera to record what you find can be helpful for later comparison. Also, have a paper towel to check the oil and a small magnet to test steel panels.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
Best for borrowers with good or excellent credit who want fast approval and funding to buy a new car.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
4.5
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
6.74 - 15.24%
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
Best for applicants who want to compare multiple new car purchase loan offers.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
4.0
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
6.24 - 29.90%
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
Auto Credit Express
New car purchase loan
Not yet rated
Best for new-car buyers who can’t qualify for a lower-rate loan through a traditional lender and need help finding a dealer with subprime lending.
Min score: 525
Amount: $5,000 - $50,000
Min. Amount$5,000
Max. Amount$50,000
Not yet rated
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
N/A - N/A
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
Here are four key areas to check on a car. Finding a few of the listed items doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy it. However, if you find many items — especially if they’re indicators of serious problems — continuing your search for a car in better condition is probably a wise choice.
1. The exterior
☐ Paint is free of deep scratches and dents, and it isn’t blistering or peeling.
☐ No large rust patches; fresh paint might be an attempt to cover rust.
☐ Paint colors match on all panels; mismatched paint can be a sign of repairs.
☐ No gaps between body panels and bumpers; large gaps might be from accident damage.
☐ Magnet adheres to all steel body panels; if not, damage could have been repaired with filler.
☐ The windshield is free of cracks and chips.
☐ Windshield wipers are fully functional.
☐ Headlights and directional lights are intact and operational.
☐ Doors, trunk or liftgate work smoothly, close tightly and lock.
☐ The car rebounds, but doesn’t bounce up and down, when pushed down on each corner (tests the shock absorbers).
☐ Tires are the same size and brand.
☐ Tires don’t have uneven tread; uneven wear can be a sign of alignment issues.
☐ Tires aren’t overly worn; a penny placed in the tread groove with Lincoln’s head down shouldn’t show the top of his head.
☐ No evidence of fluid leaks under the car.
☐ No rust on underbody surfaces.
☐ No obvious signs of damage, repairs or pieces hanging down beneath the car.
☐ The catalytic converter isn’t missing; in states with emissions standards, the lack of a catalytic converter can cause a car to fail emissions testing.
2. The interior
☐ Seats aren’t overly worn and are free of cracks, tears and holes.
☐ Upholstery is free of large stains.
☐ All seats adjust properly.
☐ Seatbelts extend, retract and buckle.
☐ No signs of water damage under carpets.
☐ No signs of leaks around the windows or sunroof.
☐ Free of odors, musty or smoky smells; heavy air freshener scent could mean something is being concealed.
☐ All controls, gauges and indicators are functional.
☐ Windows and sunroof (if applicable) open and close.
☐ Warning lights illuminate and go off.
☐ Everything functions properly, including air conditioner, heater, hazard lights, turn signals, door locks and the sound system.
☐ Smart device pairing works (if applicable).
☐ Mileage on the odometer is reasonable for the car’s age and condition; if not, the mileage could have been illegally rolled back.
3. Under the hood
☐ Rubber hoses for the radiator, air conditioner and other parts are free of cracks and holes.
☐ Hoses don’t feel too stiff, brittle or mushy; make sure the car is turned off and hoses are cool before touching.
☐ Belts aren’t worn or frayed.
☐ Wires and hoses aren’t hanging loose.
☐ Oil on the dipstick doesn’t have water droplets or appear grey or foamy, which could indicate a serious problem.
☐ Oil is amber colored, not dark brown, black or gooey.
☐ No shiny metallic particles in the oil.
☐ No sign of fluid leaks on the bottom of the engine.
☐ Fluid levels (power steering, brake, coolant, oil and transmission) aren’t low; fluids below the minimum level could indicate leaks.
☐ Battery terminals are free of corrosion; corrosion could indicate damage to other parts of the car.
☐ The radiator doesn’t show signs of leaking; radiator fluid is green or orange and not milky or a rusty color.
☐ No evidence of mice or other nesting animals, which could have caused damage.
4. When driving
☐ No clunking noise when putting the car into drive (for cars with automatic transmission).
☐ Drives smoothly and shifts gears as it should.
☐ Doesn’t vibrate at highway speeds.
☐ Brakes are effective and don’t make unusual sounds.
☐ Steering is smooth, responsive and returns to center after turns.
☐ No odd noises, squeaks or rattles; turn any music down to listen.
☐ For hybrid vehicles, the in-car display shows battery charging and discharging.
☐ For EVs, the estimated range displayed is close to the actual miles driven.
☐ Parking brake engages and disengages.
☐ No hissing noises under the hood or signs of fresh leaks after driving.
If you feel positive about a vehicle after going through the used car checklist, you may want to invest more time (and money) into confirming that buying the car would be a good decision. Here are some next steps to take:
Get a professional inspection. This will cost several hundred dollars, but a used car inspection by a trained mechanic with the necessary equipment is critical to uncover issues that aren’t visible to you.
Buy a vehicle history report. A vehicle history report tells you about a car’s past, such as number of owners, whether it was in an accident and how often it was serviced. Expect to spend about $30 to $45 for a comprehensive report.
Check safety ratings. See how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have rated the car
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ratings. Accessed Feb 19, 2025.
Check for a branded title. Branded titles identify cars that have been damaged. For example, a car with a salvage title has been declared a total loss by an insurance company. Information about the status of a car’s title usually appears on a vehicle history report.
Ask for service records. See if it’s possible to obtain service and maintenance records on the car.
Look at a car’s Buyers Guide. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires car dealers to display a Buyers Guide, which is actually a large sticker, on every used car they have for sale. The sticker tells you whether a car is for sale “as is” or with a warranty. It also lists the car’s major mechanical and electrical systems and problems to look out for
Buying a used car can save you money and even enable you to step up to a higher trim level than you could afford with a new car. But it’s critical to know what to look for and what questions to ask about a used vehicle. Due diligence before you buy can help prevent a buying decision that you later regret.
Article sources Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
1.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ratings. Accessed Feb 19, 2025.
2.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Vehicle Ratings. Accessed Feb 19, 2025.
3.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Check for Recalls. Accessed Feb 19, 2025.
