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Vehicle inspection checklist

A general vehicle inspection form for any car, truck or van. Mark each item OK, Soon or Now, add notes, and download a PDF report.

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Inspection details

Customer

Vehicle

0 of 32 marked OK, 0 need attention

Exterior

  • Body and paint damage
  • Windshield and windows
  • Mirrors
  • Wipers and washers
  • License plates and stickers

Lights

  • Headlights (low and high)
  • Tail and brake lights
  • Turn signals and hazards
  • Reverse lights

Tires and wheels

  • Left front tire
    Tread /32
  • Right front tire
    Tread /32
  • Left rear tire
    Tread /32
  • Right rear tire
    Tread /32
  • Tire pressure
    PSI
  • Wheels and lug nuts

Brakes

  • Service brakes
  • Parking brake
  • Brake fluid level

Under hood

  • Engine oil
  • Coolant
  • Belts and hoses
  • Battery and terminals
  • Leaks

Interior and safety

  • Seat belts
  • Horn
  • Gauges and warning lights
  • Heater, defroster and A/C
  • Emergency kit and fire extinguisher

Road test

  • Steering and handling
  • Braking feel and noise
  • Engine and transmission
  • Unusual noises or vibration

Notes

Vehicle Inspection Checklist summary

No items flagged yet. Items marked Soon or Now show up here and on the PDF.

0 need attention

Quick answer

A vehicle inspection checklist covers the outside, lights, tires, brakes, under the hood, the inside and a road test, with a rating and a note for each item. Fill it in above for any car, truck or van and download the PDF report.

How it works

  1. 1Enter the vehicle and who is doing the inspection.
  2. 2Mark each item OK, Soon or Now and add notes.
  3. 3Check the summary of items that need work.
  4. 4Download the PDF report, or print the blank form.

What you get

Real pages from this tool, with sample details. Tap one to see it full size.

Prefer to fill it in by hand?

Print the blank PDF. Free, no email needed.

Blank vehicle inspection checklist (PDF)

Want it in Word or Excel?

The Starter Kit has all 7 forms as editable Word and Excel files, with the math built into Excel. $29 one time.

See the Starter Kit

What this vehicle inspection form covers

This checklist is built for a general condition check. It fits a used car purchase, a fleet walk around, a rental return, or a quick check before a long trip. The sections are:

  • Exterior: body damage, glass, mirrors, wipers, plates and stickers
  • Lights: headlights, tail and brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights
  • Tires and wheels: tread depth on each tire, pressure, lug nuts
  • Brakes: service brakes, parking brake, fluid level
  • Under hood: oil, coolant, belts and hoses, battery, leaks
  • Interior and safety: seat belts, horn, warning lights, heat and A/C, emergency kit
  • Road test: steering, braking, engine and transmission, noises

For a deeper shop inspection with brake pad and battery test measurements, use the multi point inspection checklist.

How to do a vehicle inspection

  1. Park on level ground with the engine off and cool for the under hood checks.
  2. Walk around the vehicle clockwise, starting at the driver door. Note every dent and chip.
  3. Have a helper confirm each light while you work the switches.
  4. Measure tread depth in the main grooves of each tire.
  5. Check fluids with the dipsticks and reservoir marks.
  6. Finish with a short road test: steering pull, brake feel, shifting and noises.

A filled example

A buyer checks a 2016 pickup with 98,400 miles. Exterior is fine except a cracked windshield on the passenger side, marked Soon. The right rear brake light is out, marked Now. Tires read 6/32 all around, marked OK. On the road test the steering pulls left, marked Soon with the note "check alignment". The PDF summary gives the buyer a short list to discuss with the seller.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping the road test. Many problems only show up when the vehicle moves.
  • Checking lights alone. You cannot see your own brake lights. Use a helper or a reflection.
  • No photos. Take photos of any damage and keep them with the PDF.
  • Treating it as a state inspection. This form is a record of condition, not an official inspection.

Keep the inspection with the vehicle's maintenance log so the next check can compare.

Questions shop owners ask

What should a vehicle inspection checklist include?

At minimum: exterior and glass, lights, tires and wheels, brakes, fluids and belts under the hood, interior safety items like seat belts and horn, and a short road test. Record a status and a note for each item.

Is this an official state inspection form?

No. This is a general vehicle inspection checklist. It does not replace a state safety or emissions inspection, a DOT inspection, or any form your state or employer requires.

Can I use it to check a used car before buying?

Yes. Walk through each section, note anything that is not OK, and use the summary as your list of questions for the seller or for a mechanic to look at.

Can fleets use this checklist?

Yes, as a general walk around and condition record. Fleets with commercial vehicles may have their own required inspection reports, so use the form your rules require.

Do I need to sign up to download it?

No sign up. The blank PDF downloads directly. The online checklist asks for an email once before your first filled PDF.

More free shop tools

This is a general template, not legal or tax advice. Check the rules for your state.