【Car Tips】Key Points for Physical Inspection of Used Cars
🚗 Let me tell you: just because you look good on the outside doesn’t mean you don’t have any hidden problems on the inside.
Hong Kong's used car market is diverse, but it also includes a significant number of "refurbished," "flood-damaged," and "accidental" vehicles. Often, after being cleaned and waxed, they appear brand new to the naked eye, but in reality, the internal parts are severely worn. A physical inspection is your first line of defense against potential scams.
1️⃣ Prepare a tool list (Editor’s Tip)
- Flashlight (to check chassis and engine position)
- Thick paper towel (the color of the oil test solution)
- Magnet (to measure the originality of the body sheet metal)
- Tire pressure gauge (to check whether the tire pressure is uniform)
- OBD vehicle diagnostic instrument (reads vehicle fault codes)
- Camera/mobile phone (take a picture of the suspicious location for easy comparison)
2️⃣ Key points for appearance inspection
🔹 Body color and paint
- Observe color consistency : Slight color differences between panels may indicate repairs (accidents or scratches)
- Pay attention to the orange peel feeling/paint flow marks on the paint surface : non-original paint often has fine lines or drip marks
- Magnet test : The part that the magnet cannot attract may be thick mud, which means it has been repaired.
🔹 Frame clearance
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Check the gaps between the door, hood, and trunk lid :
- One side is narrow while the other side is wide → It may be replaced or repaired after a collision.
- Check the door hinges and screws for signs of disassembly (color peeling, tool marks)
🔹 Headlights
- Evenly illuminated, no moisture
- The marked year matches the age of the vehicle (a newer year may be due to a collision or replacement)
3️⃣ Tires and suspension
🔹 Tires
- Tread depth : less than 3mm, basically need to be replaced
- All four tires need to wear evenly; if one tire is worn, there may be a problem with the suspension or positioning.
- Production date (DOT number on the sidewall): more than 5-6 years old, even if there is deep groove, safety should be considered
🔹 Suspension system
- Lower the car and observe the rebound: it should rebound smoothly once. If it rebounds multiple times, it means the shock absorber is aging.
- During the test run, listen for any "bang bang" sounds when passing through the hole.
4️⃣ Engine compartment inspection
🔹 Liquid condition
- Engine oil : Pull out the dipstick to check the color → Light brown is normal, thick black means the oil has not been changed for a long time
- Coolant : Should be transparent green/pink; if it turns brown and cloudy, be careful of the water tank or cylinder gasket problem.
- Transmission oil (automatic transmission): should be red and transparent. Be careful if it is too dark or has a burning smell.
- Brake fluid : Transparent to light yellow, too dark means it needs to be replaced
🔹 Oil/water leak
- Check the bottom of the engine, the oil pan, and the gearbox joints
- Use a flashlight to check if there are any water stains near the water pump and the condenser.
🔹 Belt and hose
- Cracks, aging, and loosening are all signs of replacement.
5️⃣ Car interior inspection
🔹 Dashboard
- Check that all warning lights are on/off correctly
- Insert the key and turn on the car before driving → the lights should all light up for self-test and go out normally after starting the car.
- Use an OBD detector to check for hidden fault codes
🔹 Degree of interior wear
- The wear of the steering wheel, gear lever, and pedals should be compared with the mileage on the instrument panel (if the mileage is low but the wear is significant, suspect tampering).
🔹 Air conditioning system
- The air conditioning is cold enough and the air is evenly distributed
- The hot air function is normal (testing the hot air helps verify that the warm water circulation is normal)
🔹 Car windows and electronic devices
- Power windows, rearview mirrors, door locks, audio, and navigation are all tested one by one
- In particular, check whether the safety features such as the reversing camera and parking sensors are functioning properly.
6️⃣ Chassis and frame inspection
🔹 Chassis
- It is safer to find a vehicle inspection center with a lifting platform
- Check for rust (especially for flooded vehicles) and impact welding positions
🔹 Exhaust system
- Severe rust will cause air leakage, abnormal noise or exhaust gas infiltration during test driving
🔹 Braking system
- Check the brake disc for scratches or cracks
- During the test drive, check whether the braking force is even and whether there is any deviation to one side.
7️⃣ Test drive
🔹 Launch
- Cold engine start should be successful in one ignition
- The idle speed should be smooth, and the rpm should be fixed at about 700-900 rpm (depending on the vehicle type).
🔹 Driving
- The steering wheel should not deviate when driving in a straight line.
- Smooth gear shifting (automatic transmission should not have strong jerks)
- No unusual noise during acceleration, no black smoke/white smoke/blue smoke (blue smoke = burning oil) from exhaust
🔹 Driving experience
- There should be no vibration when you step on the brakes (the disc may be deformed)
- There shouldn't be too much metal clashing noise when going over potholes
8️⃣ Editor's List of Common Pitfalls
- Flooded car → Check the carpet under the sponge for water stains and musty odors
- Accident vehicle → Chassis welding, frame tilt, airbag replacement traces
- Meter adjustment → The mileage on the meter does not match the degree of wear
- Hidden Consumables → Repairs for broken power tailgate, camera, and parking sensors are incredibly expensive.
❤️ Summary
📌 Hong Kong used car physical inspections should be carried out from the outside to the inside, from static to dynamic . Don't just test drive and then close the deal. 📌 Some hidden defects are hard to see with the naked eye, so it's best to seek a third-party professional vehicle inspection service. 📌 Inspection results should be cross-checked with documents (maintenance records, vehicle inspection papers) to ensure transparency.
