# Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for Used Cars > A used car inspection checklist: tires and date codes, brakes, leaks, codes, 4WD and a road test, plus what an inspection cannot promise. Book a PPI. Source: https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/about/resources/ppi-checklist/ Last updated: 2026-09-17 Business: Goodyear Elite Tire Upland, 1775 W Foothill Blvd, Upland, CA 91786, (909) 608-7699 **TL;DR:** A **pre-purchase inspection** checks tires, brakes, leaks, codes and a road test with photos. It is **not a warranty** and cannot promise nothing will fail later. A pre-purchase inspection is an independent look at a used car before you buy it. It covers the exterior, tires and date codes, brakes, leaks, stored codes, suspension, 4WD where fitted, and a road test, with photos. It is not a warranty and cannot promise that nothing will fail after you buy. ## What is a pre-purchase inspection, and what is it not? A pre-purchase inspection, or PPI, is a check by a shop that is not selling the car. It gives you a written picture of the car's condition on the day of the inspection, so you can negotiate, walk away or buy with open eyes. It is not a warranty. It is not a promise that nothing will fail next week. It does not replace the seller's service records, and it does not take the seller's word for anything. Some problems only appear under conditions we cannot recreate in one visit, and some parts cannot be seen without taking things apart. ## What should you check on the outside and tires? The outside tells you how the car was treated. Tires tell you about alignment, suspension and how soon you will be spending money. - Panel gaps and paint that does not match, which can suggest past repairs - Rust on the underside, rocker panels and around the hitch on trucks - Tread depth on all four tires, and whether the brands and wear match - **Date codes:** the last four digits of the DOT code show week and year. See the [tire date code guide](https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/tires/tire-date-code-guide/). - Uneven wear that points to alignment or suspension problems - On trucks: the tire load range fits how you plan to use it ## What should you check under the hood and underneath? Leaks and neglect show up here. A clean engine bay is not proof of good care, and a fresh wash can hide a leak. - Oil, coolant, transmission and brake fluid levels and condition - Leaks at the engine, transmission, differential and power steering - Belts and hoses for cracks or swelling - Battery age and a load test - Exhaust leaks and hangers - Brake pads, rotors and lines, with photos - Suspension parts, CV boots and steering play - On 4WD vehicles: transfer case and front differential engagement ## Why do codes and a road test matter? A car can have no warning light and still store codes, or the codes may have been cleared recently. A scan checks for stored and pending codes and whether the emissions readiness monitors have finished running. Monitors that are not ready can mean the codes were recently erased. The road test covers cold start, idle, shifting, braking, steering, noises, vibration at speed, and the AC. On a 4WD, we engage it where it is safe to do so. ## What extra checks does a used truck need? Trucks often lived harder lives than their mileage suggests. Towing and hauling wear parts that a commuter car never stresses. - Hitch, receiver, wiring and signs of heavy towing - Rear springs and shocks for sag - Brake condition, since towing heats brakes - Transmission fluid color and smell - Tire load range and whether it matches the truck's use - Aftermarket lifts or wheels that can affect alignment and handling For towing questions, see our [hitch and tow package inspection](https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/services/hitch-tow-package-inspection/). ## What should you say to the seller, and what photos should you expect? Keep it simple: "I would like an independent inspection before I buy. Can you bring it to the shop, or can I?" A seller who refuses gives you information too. After the inspection, ask to see the report and the scan printout. Expect photos of tires, brakes, leaks and anything flagged. We separate safety needs from wants so you can price the car honestly. Recall status can be checked by VIN at [NHTSA recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). Book through the [pre-purchase inspections](https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/services/pre-purchase-inspections/) page. ## What are the limits of an inspection? We report what we can see, measure and test on the day. We do not take apart the engine or transmission, and we cannot predict how long any part will last. Intermittent problems may not show up during the visit. An inspection lowers your risk. It does not remove it. Treat the report as one input along with the price, the service history and your own gut. ## When should you schedule the inspection? Schedule the inspection after you like the car on a test drive but before you pay, sign or hand over a deposit you cannot get back. Ask the seller for a window that lets the car sit cold overnight if possible, since a cold start reveals noises and smoke that a warm engine hides. - Agree with the seller on who drives the car to the shop - Ask the seller not to warm the car up before it arrives - Send a request and we call or text to confirm a time - Plan to be reachable by phone while the inspection runs - Keep the deal open until you have read the findings ## Can a used hybrid or EV get a pre-purchase inspection? Yes, with a clear limit. We inspect the parts we service on these cars: tires, brakes, the 12-volt battery, alignment, suspension, the cabin filter and stored codes, plus a road test. The health of the high-voltage battery and any orange cable components needs a specialist, so plan a separate check if that matters to the price. Brakes on hybrids and EVs often wear slowly because regenerative braking does much of the work, but rotors can rust from light use. Heavy EVs can also wear tires faster than owners expect. Both are worth a close look before you buy. ## How do you use the report when you talk price? The report turns guesses into specific items. Needs, such as worn brakes or old tires, are fair points to raise with the seller because you will pay for them soon. Wants are small and rarely worth arguing over. Some findings suggest walking away rather than negotiating. | Finding | Usual next step | |---|---| | Tires near the wear bars or several years old | Raise it in the price talk | | Brake pads low, rotors scored | Raise it in the price talk | | Monitors not ready, codes recently cleared | Ask why before going further | | Frame rust or signs of flood damage | Consider walking away | | Seller refuses to share records | Weigh it with everything else | ## Needed now versus can wait ### Needed now - Brake, tire or steering problems found before purchase - Active leaks of brake fluid or coolant - Stored codes or monitors that are not ready - Frame or heavy underbody rust ### Can wait - Cosmetic paint and trim repairs - Worn but legal tires to factor into price - Cabin filter and wipers - Minor oil seep with no dripping ## Frequently asked questions ### Does a pre-purchase inspection guarantee the car? No. It is a snapshot of what we can see and test on the day. It is not a warranty and cannot promise nothing will fail later. It helps you negotiate or walk away with better information. ### What should I bring to a pre-purchase inspection? The car, the seller or their permission, the VIN, and any service records they have. If the seller brings the car, make sure you can talk to us about the results directly. ### Can you inspect a used truck I plan to tow with? Yes. Tell us how you plan to use it. We add checks on the hitch, wiring, springs, brakes, transmission fluid and tire load range, since towing wears those parts faster. ### Will you tell me whether to buy the car? We tell you what we found and what it would take to fix, split into needs and wants. The buying decision stays yours. The report helps you compare the price with the repairs ahead. ### Can you check whether the car has open recalls? You can look up open safety recalls by VIN on the NHTSA recall site, and we can note anything we find during the inspection. Recall repairs are usually done by a dealer at no charge, so ask the seller whether open recalls were completed. ### How long does a pre-purchase inspection take? It depends on the vehicle and what you want checked, such as 4WD or towing items. Call (909) 608-7699 to confirm timing for your car, and plan for the seller to leave it with us for part of the day if needed. ## Related pages - https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/services/pre-purchase-inspections/ - https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/services/digital-vehicle-inspections/ - https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/tires/tire-date-code-guide/ - https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/contact/book-appointment/ --- Call (909) 608-7699 or book at https://goodyearelitetireupland.com/contact/book-appointment/