PrePurchase Checklist
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
PrePurchase Checklist
Member PreviousOwner emailed me asking for this. It is a checklist I created for myself and as you can see is slanted towards Corvette but was created to use for any car. I thought some other members might like it as well.
The scoring is for original as factory build. You will need to be armed with the appropriate information for the car you are looking at for the correct part numbers for specific thing to compare to how the car is equipped. You will have to make your own judgment call for the total score of areas such as "mechanical" as there are many things that can effect this score with regards to such things as the difference between like new original parts or reproduction etc. Some of these areas will have multiple areas for scoring so you will need to divide these scores by the number scored for the overall score for that area.
GENERAL:
Seller information
Name____________________________
Address__________________________
City_____________________________
State______ Zip code_______
Phone number____________
Email___________________
Year___ Make________ Model________ Sub-model__________
Vehicle Identification Number_____________________
Exterior color__________
Interior color__________
Options:
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ _______________
Please note that in all places marked for condition you should indicate the # as 1 through 5. After the checklist is completed add all of the 1-5 scores together and divide by the number of items scored for your overall total.
EXTERIOR:
Please provide the current color of the car and the paint code information and location of the code on the vehicle. Code #_________
Code location________________________________ _______
Condition of paint and body #____ note: deduct 2 points for orange peel, 2 points for blemishes, scratches, body cracks or minimal rust, 4 points for moderate rust or body filler 6 inches square or more (magnet test required), 5 points for heavy rust. Be sure to check frame areas also. Deduct 2 to 5 points for poor fitting body panels, spacing and alignment depending on the degree of fit.
Condition of trim #___ chrome, stainless, rubber, vinyl or decals. Deduct 4 points for pitting and or rust, 2 points for stains or cracks, 1 point for fading or dullness.
Glass condition #___ Are there any crack or stars in any of the glass or plexiglass including headlights, taillights, parking lights and mirrors. ___yes ___no describe_____________________________
Lights condition #___ Indicate any malfunction of any light________
________________________________________ __________
Wheel/wheel covers condition #___ are the wheels and or wheel covers the correct size and style for the specific year, make and model of the vehicle? ___yes ___no
Tires— size ________ brand _________ % of tread _____ weather checked ___yes ___no
Vinyl, removable hardtop or convertible top— does not apply ___ Overall fit and condition #___ rips, splits or tears ___yes ___no
MECHANICAL:
Does the engine smoke, burn oil, have lifter, rod or any other unusual noises ___yes ___no if so explain _________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ______________________
Does the transmission shift smoothly or slip ___yes ___no if manual do the gears grind, does it pop out of gear or does the clutch slip ___yes ___no if so explain _______________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ______________________
Does the rear end make any unusual noise ___yes ___no if yes explain_________________________________ ________________________________________ _________________________
Engine casting part #________________ date_________
Stamped engine I.D. #_______________
Stamped V.I.N ____________________
Transmission casting part #_____________ date________
Stamped V.I.N. ____________________
Rear end casting part #_________________ date________
Distributor—correct for specific vehicle, year and engine horsepower ___yes ___no part #_______________
Carburetor(s) or fuel injection unit—correct for the specific year and engine ___yes ___no part #____________
Intake manifold—correct for specific year and engine horsepower ___yes ___no part #____________ date______
Exhaust manifolds—headers ___yes ___no or correct factory exhaust manifolds for specific year and horsepower ___yes ___no part #___________ date ______
Air cleaner condition #___ correct unit for the specific year and horsepower ___yes ___no is it the original or reproduction ___yes ___no
Radio ignition shielding condition #___ not applicable ___ correct for year and horsepower ___yes ___no
Valve covers condition #___ are they correct for the specific year and horsepower ___yes ___no
General correctness and condition of engine compartment appearance #___.
Brakes condition #___
Are there any leaks in the engine, transmission or rear end including the radiator, power steering, air conditioning or transmission cooler ___yes ___no if yes describe______________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ _________________________________
INTERIOR:
Seats condition #___ is the upholstery the correct grain, material, pattern and stitching for the specific vehicle year and model ___yes ___no
does the interior color and material match the trim data tag ___yes ___no what is the code #_______
Carpet condition #___is the carpet the correct nap, loop, weave, color and are the heel pad, seams (sewn or heat formed) correct for the specific year and model ___yes ___no
Dash, door panels, kick panels and console condition #___ are all of these present and correct including color for the specific year and model ___yes ___no if no explain__________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ______________________
Interior lights—do all of the dash, courtesy and dome lights work ___yes ___no
Steering wheel condition #___ is it correct for the specific year, make and model of the vehicle ___yes ___no
Radio condition #___ is it the original correct unit for the specific year, make and model of the vehicle ___yes ___no is the antenna correct ___yes ___no if it is an after market radio has the dash been modified to make it fit ___yes ___no
Instruments and control condition #___ are all of these correct for the specific make model, year and horsepower ___yes ___no do they all work correctly ___yes ___no
Collector Car Market Review http://www.vmrintl.com/cctm/coll_frame.htm]http://www.vmrintl.com/cctm/coll_frame.htm
Condition Guidelines These are condition guidelines to help assess a vehicle's condition. Keep in mind that there are many factors that affect value. For example, a "barn find" may on the surface look like a #4 or #5 vehicle, but it's time capsule character often means it is worth far more than it's condition would normally warrant.
OVERALL VEHICLE CONDITION: After review of the vehicle from the following checklist please rate the car from the following guidelines:
#1 EXCELLENT: A close to perfect original or very well restored vehicle. Generally a body-off restoration, but a well done body-on restoration that has been fully detailed may qualify. The vehicle is stunning to look at and any flaws are trivial and not readily apparent. Everything works as new. All equipment is original, NOS, or excellent quality reproductions.
#2 VERY GOOD: An extremely presentable vehicle showing minimal wear,or a well restored vehicle. Runs and drives smooth and tight. Needs no mechanical or cosmetic work. All areas (chassis not required) have been detailed. Beautiful to look at but clearly below a #1 vehicle.
#3 GOOD: Presentable inside and out with some signs of wear. Not detailed but very clean. Body should be straight and solid with no rust through anywhere. Shiny, attractive paint but may have evidence of minor fading or checking or other imperfection. Runs and drives well. May need some minor mechanical or cosmetic work but is fully usable and enjoyable as is.
#4 FAIR: Runs and drives OK but needs work throughout the vehicle. Body shows signs of wear or previous restoration work. Any rust should be minimal and not in any structural areas. Cosmetics, body, and mechanics all need work in some degree.
#5 POOR: In need of a complete restoration, but is complete and not a rust bucket beyond repair. May or may not run and drive. This checklist is designed to be used with the Collector Car Market Review Condition Guidelines.
With the aid of the previous pages and scoring you should now be able to determine a final score for the subject car.
YOUR RATING OF THIS CAR IS #___
The scoring is for original as factory build. You will need to be armed with the appropriate information for the car you are looking at for the correct part numbers for specific thing to compare to how the car is equipped. You will have to make your own judgment call for the total score of areas such as "mechanical" as there are many things that can effect this score with regards to such things as the difference between like new original parts or reproduction etc. Some of these areas will have multiple areas for scoring so you will need to divide these scores by the number scored for the overall score for that area.
GENERAL:
Seller information
Name____________________________
Address__________________________
City_____________________________
State______ Zip code_______
Phone number____________
Email___________________
Year___ Make________ Model________ Sub-model__________
Vehicle Identification Number_____________________
Exterior color__________
Interior color__________
Options:
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ _______________
Please note that in all places marked for condition you should indicate the # as 1 through 5. After the checklist is completed add all of the 1-5 scores together and divide by the number of items scored for your overall total.
EXTERIOR:
Please provide the current color of the car and the paint code information and location of the code on the vehicle. Code #_________
Code location________________________________ _______
Condition of paint and body #____ note: deduct 2 points for orange peel, 2 points for blemishes, scratches, body cracks or minimal rust, 4 points for moderate rust or body filler 6 inches square or more (magnet test required), 5 points for heavy rust. Be sure to check frame areas also. Deduct 2 to 5 points for poor fitting body panels, spacing and alignment depending on the degree of fit.
Condition of trim #___ chrome, stainless, rubber, vinyl or decals. Deduct 4 points for pitting and or rust, 2 points for stains or cracks, 1 point for fading or dullness.
Glass condition #___ Are there any crack or stars in any of the glass or plexiglass including headlights, taillights, parking lights and mirrors. ___yes ___no describe_____________________________
Lights condition #___ Indicate any malfunction of any light________
________________________________________ __________
Wheel/wheel covers condition #___ are the wheels and or wheel covers the correct size and style for the specific year, make and model of the vehicle? ___yes ___no
Tires— size ________ brand _________ % of tread _____ weather checked ___yes ___no
Vinyl, removable hardtop or convertible top— does not apply ___ Overall fit and condition #___ rips, splits or tears ___yes ___no
MECHANICAL:
Does the engine smoke, burn oil, have lifter, rod or any other unusual noises ___yes ___no if so explain _________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ______________________
Does the transmission shift smoothly or slip ___yes ___no if manual do the gears grind, does it pop out of gear or does the clutch slip ___yes ___no if so explain _______________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ______________________
Does the rear end make any unusual noise ___yes ___no if yes explain_________________________________ ________________________________________ _________________________
Engine casting part #________________ date_________
Stamped engine I.D. #_______________
Stamped V.I.N ____________________
Transmission casting part #_____________ date________
Stamped V.I.N. ____________________
Rear end casting part #_________________ date________
Distributor—correct for specific vehicle, year and engine horsepower ___yes ___no part #_______________
Carburetor(s) or fuel injection unit—correct for the specific year and engine ___yes ___no part #____________
Intake manifold—correct for specific year and engine horsepower ___yes ___no part #____________ date______
Exhaust manifolds—headers ___yes ___no or correct factory exhaust manifolds for specific year and horsepower ___yes ___no part #___________ date ______
Air cleaner condition #___ correct unit for the specific year and horsepower ___yes ___no is it the original or reproduction ___yes ___no
Radio ignition shielding condition #___ not applicable ___ correct for year and horsepower ___yes ___no
Valve covers condition #___ are they correct for the specific year and horsepower ___yes ___no
General correctness and condition of engine compartment appearance #___.
Brakes condition #___
Are there any leaks in the engine, transmission or rear end including the radiator, power steering, air conditioning or transmission cooler ___yes ___no if yes describe______________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ _________________________________
INTERIOR:
Seats condition #___ is the upholstery the correct grain, material, pattern and stitching for the specific vehicle year and model ___yes ___no
does the interior color and material match the trim data tag ___yes ___no what is the code #_______
Carpet condition #___is the carpet the correct nap, loop, weave, color and are the heel pad, seams (sewn or heat formed) correct for the specific year and model ___yes ___no
Dash, door panels, kick panels and console condition #___ are all of these present and correct including color for the specific year and model ___yes ___no if no explain__________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ______________________
Interior lights—do all of the dash, courtesy and dome lights work ___yes ___no
Steering wheel condition #___ is it correct for the specific year, make and model of the vehicle ___yes ___no
Radio condition #___ is it the original correct unit for the specific year, make and model of the vehicle ___yes ___no is the antenna correct ___yes ___no if it is an after market radio has the dash been modified to make it fit ___yes ___no
Instruments and control condition #___ are all of these correct for the specific make model, year and horsepower ___yes ___no do they all work correctly ___yes ___no
Collector Car Market Review http://www.vmrintl.com/cctm/coll_frame.htm]http://www.vmrintl.com/cctm/coll_frame.htm
Condition Guidelines These are condition guidelines to help assess a vehicle's condition. Keep in mind that there are many factors that affect value. For example, a "barn find" may on the surface look like a #4 or #5 vehicle, but it's time capsule character often means it is worth far more than it's condition would normally warrant.
OVERALL VEHICLE CONDITION: After review of the vehicle from the following checklist please rate the car from the following guidelines:
#1 EXCELLENT: A close to perfect original or very well restored vehicle. Generally a body-off restoration, but a well done body-on restoration that has been fully detailed may qualify. The vehicle is stunning to look at and any flaws are trivial and not readily apparent. Everything works as new. All equipment is original, NOS, or excellent quality reproductions.
#2 VERY GOOD: An extremely presentable vehicle showing minimal wear,or a well restored vehicle. Runs and drives smooth and tight. Needs no mechanical or cosmetic work. All areas (chassis not required) have been detailed. Beautiful to look at but clearly below a #1 vehicle.
#3 GOOD: Presentable inside and out with some signs of wear. Not detailed but very clean. Body should be straight and solid with no rust through anywhere. Shiny, attractive paint but may have evidence of minor fading or checking or other imperfection. Runs and drives well. May need some minor mechanical or cosmetic work but is fully usable and enjoyable as is.
#4 FAIR: Runs and drives OK but needs work throughout the vehicle. Body shows signs of wear or previous restoration work. Any rust should be minimal and not in any structural areas. Cosmetics, body, and mechanics all need work in some degree.
#5 POOR: In need of a complete restoration, but is complete and not a rust bucket beyond repair. May or may not run and drive. This checklist is designed to be used with the Collector Car Market Review Condition Guidelines.
With the aid of the previous pages and scoring you should now be able to determine a final score for the subject car.
YOUR RATING OF THIS CAR IS #___
Last edited by 68hemi; Sep 6, 2019 at 07:28 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 2,761
From: Pittsburgh
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Not Bad! I'll use it Sunday in New York State.............
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
BTW, I created the list to be sent to a seller to fill it in for potential long distant purchases. I used it to purchase the red 1965 I have and purchased from a forum member that had no problem with filling it out.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,928
Likes: 3,334
From: NYC NY
Well like it or not it would certainly be helpful for the inexperienced buyer keep from making purely emotional purchase.
It's also a reminder for those of us that feel experienced enough that we don't need it of what not to forget.
It's also a reminder for those of us that feel experienced enough that we don't need it of what not to forget.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,979
Likes: 6,207
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I Always found that people that responded that way had something to hide. What do you think happens when you pay an “expert “ to inspect a car?
BTW, I created the list to be sent to a seller to fill it in for potential long distant purchases. I used it to purchase the red 1965 I have and purchased from a forum member that had no problem with filling it out.
BTW, I created the list to be sent to a seller to fill it in for potential long distant purchases. I used it to purchase the red 1965 I have and purchased from a forum member that had no problem with filling it out.
Secondly, a guide for someone doing an inspection and gathering info for a second party is one thing. Someone filling out that thing is telling me the last thing that person is is an “expert.”
Ive had buyers who had no business trying to buy a classic car alone, walk around my car with a modified car show judging sheet and try to buy a car. It’s never ended well.
Dealing and negotiating with people who haven’t got a clue what they are doing and are trying to apply expertise off a piece of paper is often maddening to me. I’d rather not. YRMV.
PS, not trying to rain on anyone’s parade. I’m sure this is a useful tool for some people.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Sep 8, 2019 at 11:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
First, I’ll challenge you to review any of the many sales I’ve made since the 70s and tell me what I was trying to hide. Get back to me with that list.
Secondly, a guide for someone doing an inspection and gathering info for a second party is one thing. Someone filling out that thing is telling me the last thing that person is is an “expert.”
Ive had buyers who had no business trying to buy a classic car alone, walk around my car with a modified car show judging sheet and try to buy a car. It’s never ended well.
Dealing and negotiating with people who haven’t got a clue what they are doing and are trying to apply expertise off a piece of paper is often maddening to me. I’d rather not. YRMV.
PS, not trying to rain on anyone’s parade. I’m sure this is a useful tool for some people.
Secondly, a guide for someone doing an inspection and gathering info for a second party is one thing. Someone filling out that thing is telling me the last thing that person is is an “expert.”
Ive had buyers who had no business trying to buy a classic car alone, walk around my car with a modified car show judging sheet and try to buy a car. It’s never ended well.
Dealing and negotiating with people who haven’t got a clue what they are doing and are trying to apply expertise off a piece of paper is often maddening to me. I’d rather not. YRMV.
PS, not trying to rain on anyone’s parade. I’m sure this is a useful tool for some people.
My comment of “having something to hide” was not directed at you personally but was general comment to yours. I have no idea of what or how many cars you have sold and don’t care. PERSONALLY I have owned/sold approximately 150 sports, muscle, antique and special interest cars in the last 50 years and have dealt with all kinds of buyers. That numbers is for personally owned cars and does not include the thousands I have sold in my time in the car business. BTW. we used a “list” when selling cars to make sure we covered everything with the customers for customer satisfaction and it was REQUIRED by the manufacture AND dealer who has far more experience in these matter than any one individual.
Regardless of who is using this or any other list tells me that they have the forethought to rely on it rather then their memory so they don’t forget something especially if it is the potential buyer that can get excited from the overall appearance of the car’s shiny paint job.
Happy that you feel you can be picky enough to choose the type of buyer for your cars to dismiss one with a list.
After all, isn’t that the whole point of using the list? As I said in my opening post I was contacted by another member and I decided to share it with him in this thread rather than just him personally so I post it for the benefit of others as well. If you don’t feel the need to use a list the next time you buy a car fine but as we all get older we have memory problems that sometimes comes back to bite us in the ***.
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