How we inspect
Every car gets the same four walks round and the same sheet before it gets a price. You get the sheet with the car.
The sheet, before we start
The car is drawn from above, front to the right. Each panel has a name, and every mark we find is ringed on the panel where it is, with a letter and its size.
Stock no.
Car
Odometer
Walked round by
Front bumper
Hood
Windshield
Roof
Rear glass
Trunk
Rear bumper
Front
door
Rear
door
Front
door
Rear
door
__/32
__/32
__/32
__/32
S scratch, D dent, C chip, W wheel scuff; the number counts marks of that kind. Tread depth in 32nds of an inch at each wheel: a new tire has about 10/32, and we replace tires below 4/32.
What the letters mean
Four letters cover almost everything a walk round finds. Anything else is written out in full on the back of the sheet.
S
Scratch
Polished out when it is in the clear coat. If it is deeper, it is ringed with its length.
D
Dent
Measured across. Dents over 5 cm are repaired before the car is priced (sample).
C
Chip
Paint chips are touched in. A chip or crack in the windshield in front of the driver is always repaired.
W
Wheel scuff
Curb marks on the rim, ringed on the wheel. The tire beside it is measured anyway.
Four walks round every car
About two hours per car, by the same two people, before it gets a price. Cars that fail come off the lot and go to auction.
1
Walk round it
Every panel, the glass, the lights and the wheels, in daylight. Each scratch, dent and chip is ringed on the sheet with its size.
2
Tires and brakes
Tread depth measured at every wheel and written on the sheet; pads and rotors checked through the wheels.
3
Under the hood and underneath
Fluids, belts, battery test, leaks, rust and the exhaust, with the car up on a lift.
4
Road test
Twenty minutes of town and highway: brakes, steering, gearbox, noises, and every warning light off.
What we fix, and what we leave
We fix anything that affects safety or would fail a state inspection. Small cosmetic marks are left, ringed and priced in, so you can choose.
Brakes, tires, lights, wipers
Always fixed
Glass damage in the driver’s view
Always fixed
Warning lights
A car never goes on the lot with one on
Always fixed
Scratches, chips, small dents
Left as is unless you ask; we quote for it
Ringed on the sheet
Upholstery wear
Photographed for the listing
Written on the back
Seen one you like? Ask before you drive over
Cars sell fast. Send the stock number and we check it is still here, hold it for you for 24 hours and have it ready for a test drive, or call (555) 018-4400 while the lot is open.