Used car checklist
Before you buy, check these known problems on the car. Each line comes from our Problems page.
Look for: Car drives in 2, L and R but not in D. The D light on the meter does not come on
More →Look for: "Keter keter" noise at idle only, at high mileage (about 190,000 km in the thread)
More →Look for: A/C cools while driving but not at signals or in traffic jams
More →Look for: Starter spins or slips but does not turn the engine on the first tries
More →Look for: Starter makes noise and the engine will not start; battery under 12 V
More →Look for: Underbody hits speed breakers at speed
More →Look for: Starts in the morning but about 50 seconds later rpm drops and the engine stops
More →Look for: Engine overheats in jams or when driven hard
More →Look for: Whistling at idle that stops when you press the accelerator quickly
More →Look for: Check-engine light comes on after the air-flow (MAF) sensor was cleaned
More →Look for: Rattle at the front of the engine, timing codes, or engine will not start after a rattle
More →Look for: Oil level drops between changes; blue smoke
More →Look for: After the crank pulley was removed (belt or timing work) the engine runs badly or valves hit pistons
More →Look for: Starts cold but dies unless you press the accelerator
More →Look for: Speedo or clock display fades or goes blank
More →Look for: Brake noise, low pedal, or rusty discs
More →Look for: Bubbling paint at rear arches; exhaust blowing
More →Look for: Knocks over bumps; loose feeling steering
More →Look for: Weak, yellow light at night
More →Look for: Rough idle, P0171 code
More →
Recalls: ask for proof
Rear brake pipe shape: packed snow can freeze, hit the pipe and damage it, so brake fluid can leak.
More →Driver airbag inflator housing poorly sealed. Moisture can get in and the airbag may not open properly.
More →Driver airbag inflator propellant can degrade; the housing can burst when the airbag opens.
More →
Also: scan for fault codes, look at every warning light at key-on, and check the service record. Fault codes · Warning lights