What should I bring to inspect a used car before buying it?
Use the free tool — Used Car Decoder
Why bring anything at all?
A used car listing can hide a lot in a few words. Phrases like "runs great" or "title in hand" mean something, but you can't verify them from the ad alone. Before you meet a seller, get ready with the right documents, questions, and checks — before you drive across town.
Bring the VIN — and check recalls first
The VIN unlocks two things: the official recall check and clues about title washing. Look up open recalls yourself at nhtsa.gov/recalls. This has to be checked directly at the official source — a decoding tool can link you there, but it does not pull or confirm recall data itself.
Bring the questions to text first, and a plan for title history
- Text the seller specific questions before you drive over — the exact wording depends on the listing itself, so there's no one-size-fits-all list.
- Nobody can check title or accident history for free from the ad alone. For that, get a paid report such as Carfax or AutoCheck, or check the NMVTIS.
Bring the inspection checklist — and a mechanic
Get a pre-purchase inspection before you pay, no matter what the ad says. The exact checklist to bring depends on the specific car and listing — this guide can't invent one for you, so get that list built from your own document before you go.
What the price band tells you — and doesn't
A price band for that year and mileage is a typical market figure, not an appraisal of the specific car. Actual value varies by region and condition. Use it as a starting point, not a final number.
What to do next
This page is general information, not an inspection or appraisal of any specific vehicle — confirm recall status directly at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and confirm title and accident history through a paid report or the NMVTIS. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before paying. The free tool described here reads your own pasted listing and VIN — not a generic example — and gives you the red flags, price band, seller questions, and inspection checklist built from your specific ad. The first decode is free.
Used Car Decoder is an informational tool. It cannot see the vehicle, verify the VIN, or access title or accident databases; recall status must be checked at nhtsa.gov/recalls and history through a paid report (Carfax/AutoCheck) or the NMVTIS. Price bands are typical figures and vary by region and condition. It is not affiliated with any seller, dealer, marketplace, or manufacturer.