PPI or Pre Purchase Inspection Outline comments requested!
06-08-2005, 03:38 AM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
PPI or Pre Purchase Inspection Outline comments requested!
Here's a generic PPI or Pre Purchase Inspection guide (please excuse my spelling as I am trying to modify one that I found in the 928 Forum that started out in correct english
)
Car details or specifications - check during initial phone conversation
1. Auto or manual?
2. Mileage?
3. Body color?
4. Interior colour(s) and material?
5. Does it have an MOT and service history?
6. Service history - all bills or service book stamps only?
7. Number of owners and who?
8. Length of current ownership?
9. Reason for sale?
10. Central locking?
11. Air conditioning - working?
12. Electric windows - working?
13. Electric mirrors - working?
14. Type of wheels and original or replacement?
15. Sunroof?
16. ABS?
17. Stereo?
18. Any spares or extras such as service manuals?
19. Price?
Physical check:
(Remember to take a flashlight to look in corners and something to clean your hands on! Also, always examine a car outside and during the day with good lighting if possible.)
1. Check the service history. (1 year/12,000 mile minimum)
2. Check tax disc matches number plate and how long to run? (what is this???)
3. VIN plate and label conditions around the car if '87 or later. (If scratched, bent or missing ask questions as our cars are getting older. It is possible theat panels have been replaced)
4. VIN check to ownership papers, manuals and service books.
5. Check VIN year code is correct for first registration.
6. Check option codes on sticker on the car. (if applicable)
7. Check for documentation on belt changes.
8. Check if water pump and all pulleys replaced at last belt change.
9. Check engine and transmission type and match to known model codes.
10. Check mileage and compare to interior wear & tear.
11. Check odometer to see if numbers line up - if not, may have been changed. Buy on condition, and carefully check for stated mileage which should be going up, not down! A current Carfax could help with this.
12. All tires condition and wear patterns - should be wearing evenly all around.
13. Tires should be same model on each axle.
14. When was the last time tires changed.
15. Wheel condition - scratches, curb marks, corrosion or cracking.
16. Brake pads/discs if visible - discs should have no more than a 2mm lip, otherwise need replacing.
17. Examine CV joint conditions - should be no leaks at all.
18. Check for leaks before driving. After driving, let stand for 10 minutes, then move car and check for new leaks.
19. Panel colors should match exactly all around. If not, check why the car has been resprayed.
20. Check panel fitments for even gaps all around.
21. Look down the sides of the cars and check panels for bumps and ripples.
22. Look for paint overspray in engine bay, on hoses and on rubber seals.
23. Check all metal panels for filler. (tap the panels, they should be metal)
24. Check front and rear polyurethane bumpers condition and paint - if paint is etched or badly cracked, it may have been resprayed incorrectly.
25. Engine bay condition - is it clean?
26. Oil and water condition and levels?
27. Look for factory stickers on underside of engine hood - if none are present, front may have been resprayed.
28. Check front chassis members for straightness.
29. Press down hard on each corner of the car and release - car should bounce up once and settle immediately, otherwise it may need work urgently.
30. Check that one key operates both doors and hatch/trunk and the ignition, and sets alarm. (if applicable)
31. Check tailgate fit, proper closing, latching, and open with remote release. (if applicable)
32. Check spare wheel for condition, check for toolkit, electric pump or jack. (if applicable)
33. Check rear seats fold correctly and don't fowl rear seatbelts. (if applicable)
34. Check condition of all seats, and check full operation of all seat electrics and mechanics.
35. Check condition of carpeting and remainder of interior.
36. Look for cargo net and luggage cover in rear hatch or trunk. (if applicable)
37. Lift carpeting and look for any sign of manufacturers stickers - if not present, very likely that the car has been impacted from the rear.
38. Check operation of all interior electric lights.
39. Check operation of heater/air conditioning/rear defog/heated mirrors and check all heater fan speeds.
40. Check wipers, screen wash and intensive wash operation.
41. Check operation of headlights, sidelights, foglights, brakelights, indicators.
42. Check condition of all glass areas and seals including mirrors.
43. Check condition of headlining and sunroof operation.
44. Check operation of stereo and speaker condition.
45. Lift carpets front and rear and check for stains/undue wear/rust/other damage.
Driving
1. Car should start smoothly after no more than two or three turns.
2. Check for steady idle speed of around 800 - 1,000 rpm. (depending on car)
3. Check for any vibration when running or severe body twist when starting - possible failed motor mounts.
4. Accelerate in neutral and check for exhaust smoke when engine is cold.
5. There should be no dashboard lights illuminated when driving normally (for digital dash, also check for error messages on startup and when driving)
6. Does the car drive and brake straight. All cars have some tendency to follow road camber, especially the newer ones, so expect some following of road contours
7. Check the brakes for catching or shaking
8. Accelerator should be smooth and tight to operate - if stiff or sticking, accelerator cable/mechananisms may need replacing.
9. Check ABS operation (on an empty road, HARD emergency stop from 15-20mph)
10. Check odometer and trip meter work.
11. Check cruise control works. (if applicable)
12. In a parking lot, drive the car in tight circles - there should be no noise or clonking from front or rear suspension.
13. Smooth gear change operation. (although manual gearboxes are usually notchy when cold and nothin to worry about)
14. In a manual, check clutch operation and biting point.
15. In an auto, change between reverse and first should take no longer than a second or two with the car at a standstill.
16. In an auto, check for smooth changing of gears (up and down - press down 2/3 to kick down) and kickdown switch operation (press accelerator hard to very end of travel). Gear changes should be quick with no judder or clunking
17. Check handbrake operation.
18. Check all gauges work correctly.
19. Under acceleration, power should pick up smoothly throughout the rev range with no flat spots. ( except 951's expect nothing till 3K or so
)
20. Under acceleration, engine should not hesitate.
OK, suggestions and or revisions are requested!! Be nice, once again I am trying to make this a template for other/all cars, not trying to pick on anyone.
Michael
)Car details or specifications - check during initial phone conversation
1. Auto or manual?
2. Mileage?
3. Body color?
4. Interior colour(s) and material?
5. Does it have an MOT and service history?
6. Service history - all bills or service book stamps only?
7. Number of owners and who?
8. Length of current ownership?
9. Reason for sale?
10. Central locking?
11. Air conditioning - working?
12. Electric windows - working?
13. Electric mirrors - working?
14. Type of wheels and original or replacement?
15. Sunroof?
16. ABS?
17. Stereo?
18. Any spares or extras such as service manuals?
19. Price?
Physical check:
(Remember to take a flashlight to look in corners and something to clean your hands on! Also, always examine a car outside and during the day with good lighting if possible.)
1. Check the service history. (1 year/12,000 mile minimum)
2. Check tax disc matches number plate and how long to run? (what is this???)
3. VIN plate and label conditions around the car if '87 or later. (If scratched, bent or missing ask questions as our cars are getting older. It is possible theat panels have been replaced)
4. VIN check to ownership papers, manuals and service books.
5. Check VIN year code is correct for first registration.
6. Check option codes on sticker on the car. (if applicable)
7. Check for documentation on belt changes.
8. Check if water pump and all pulleys replaced at last belt change.
9. Check engine and transmission type and match to known model codes.
10. Check mileage and compare to interior wear & tear.
11. Check odometer to see if numbers line up - if not, may have been changed. Buy on condition, and carefully check for stated mileage which should be going up, not down! A current Carfax could help with this.
12. All tires condition and wear patterns - should be wearing evenly all around.
13. Tires should be same model on each axle.
14. When was the last time tires changed.
15. Wheel condition - scratches, curb marks, corrosion or cracking.
16. Brake pads/discs if visible - discs should have no more than a 2mm lip, otherwise need replacing.
17. Examine CV joint conditions - should be no leaks at all.
18. Check for leaks before driving. After driving, let stand for 10 minutes, then move car and check for new leaks.
19. Panel colors should match exactly all around. If not, check why the car has been resprayed.
20. Check panel fitments for even gaps all around.
21. Look down the sides of the cars and check panels for bumps and ripples.
22. Look for paint overspray in engine bay, on hoses and on rubber seals.
23. Check all metal panels for filler. (tap the panels, they should be metal)
24. Check front and rear polyurethane bumpers condition and paint - if paint is etched or badly cracked, it may have been resprayed incorrectly.
25. Engine bay condition - is it clean?
26. Oil and water condition and levels?
27. Look for factory stickers on underside of engine hood - if none are present, front may have been resprayed.
28. Check front chassis members for straightness.
29. Press down hard on each corner of the car and release - car should bounce up once and settle immediately, otherwise it may need work urgently.
30. Check that one key operates both doors and hatch/trunk and the ignition, and sets alarm. (if applicable)
31. Check tailgate fit, proper closing, latching, and open with remote release. (if applicable)
32. Check spare wheel for condition, check for toolkit, electric pump or jack. (if applicable)
33. Check rear seats fold correctly and don't fowl rear seatbelts. (if applicable)
34. Check condition of all seats, and check full operation of all seat electrics and mechanics.
35. Check condition of carpeting and remainder of interior.
36. Look for cargo net and luggage cover in rear hatch or trunk. (if applicable)
37. Lift carpeting and look for any sign of manufacturers stickers - if not present, very likely that the car has been impacted from the rear.
38. Check operation of all interior electric lights.
39. Check operation of heater/air conditioning/rear defog/heated mirrors and check all heater fan speeds.
40. Check wipers, screen wash and intensive wash operation.
41. Check operation of headlights, sidelights, foglights, brakelights, indicators.
42. Check condition of all glass areas and seals including mirrors.
43. Check condition of headlining and sunroof operation.
44. Check operation of stereo and speaker condition.
45. Lift carpets front and rear and check for stains/undue wear/rust/other damage.
Driving
1. Car should start smoothly after no more than two or three turns.
2. Check for steady idle speed of around 800 - 1,000 rpm. (depending on car)
3. Check for any vibration when running or severe body twist when starting - possible failed motor mounts.
4. Accelerate in neutral and check for exhaust smoke when engine is cold.
5. There should be no dashboard lights illuminated when driving normally (for digital dash, also check for error messages on startup and when driving)
6. Does the car drive and brake straight. All cars have some tendency to follow road camber, especially the newer ones, so expect some following of road contours
7. Check the brakes for catching or shaking
8. Accelerator should be smooth and tight to operate - if stiff or sticking, accelerator cable/mechananisms may need replacing.
9. Check ABS operation (on an empty road, HARD emergency stop from 15-20mph)
10. Check odometer and trip meter work.
11. Check cruise control works. (if applicable)
12. In a parking lot, drive the car in tight circles - there should be no noise or clonking from front or rear suspension.
13. Smooth gear change operation. (although manual gearboxes are usually notchy when cold and nothin to worry about)
14. In a manual, check clutch operation and biting point.
15. In an auto, change between reverse and first should take no longer than a second or two with the car at a standstill.
16. In an auto, check for smooth changing of gears (up and down - press down 2/3 to kick down) and kickdown switch operation (press accelerator hard to very end of travel). Gear changes should be quick with no judder or clunking
17. Check handbrake operation.
18. Check all gauges work correctly.
19. Under acceleration, power should pick up smoothly throughout the rev range with no flat spots. ( except 951's expect nothing till 3K or so
)20. Under acceleration, engine should not hesitate.
OK, suggestions and or revisions are requested!! Be nice, once again I am trying to make this a template for other/all cars, not trying to pick on anyone.
Michael
