*Retyped and Submitted to the FCA-Northwest Region by Stan Gordon.*
*www.ferrariclub.com*
*Reformatted to HTML by Bruce R. Morehead*
I'm constantly getting requests for this. It appeared in Ferraris.com before I put the site on hiatus. I post it here so it will become part of the archives. Based on a guide written by Lawrence Buja & Roger Garnett. Dave Steven
COPYRIGHT (c) 1991, Scions of Lucas (SOL). Permission to freely copy and distribute to all or portion of this checklist is hereby granted that all of the following apply: it is not made part of another copyrighted work, the source is acknowledged, this copyright notice is retained, and no aspect of the distribution is for profit.
Name: ______________________________________________ (affix original ad here)
Address: ____________________________________________ (dealer, broker, private)
Time Zone Differential: plus / minus _______ hours
Phone (Home) _____________________________ (FAX) ______________________________
(Work) _____________________________ (FAX) ______________________________
(Cell) ____________________________ (Private) __________________________
email ____________________________@___________________________
Date/Time: ____________________________________________________
Model: ________________________________________________________
Serial #: _______________________________________________________
Mileage: _______________________________________________________
Color: _________________________________________________________
Interior: ________________________________________________________
Asking Price: $______________________________
1. Can you describe the car and its condition?
Does it run well?
2. How was the car generally driven?
3. How is the:
Body Any Rust
Paint
Dings/Chips
Paint Work Needed
Interior Driver Seat Side Bolster Worn
Re-dyed
Tires Condition
Original Size? Size F___________B__________
Manufacture_________________
Rims Condition/Curbed
Original size? Aftermarket?
Engine
Brakes
Shocks
Clutch
Soft Top
4.What special features or options does it have?
5. Any aftermarket parts on the car?
6. Why are you selling it?
7. How long have you owned it? _____________Had it for sale? ______________
8. Is it currently registered and licensed?
9. Where is the car located?
10. Is it US or European Car?
11. If European, do you have original DOT/EPA paperwork?
12. What problems have you had with the car?
13. What gas mileage have you been getting?
14. Has it ever been hit or in an accident?
15. Has the car been raced or had track time?
16. Any major components been replaced?
17. Has there been any Warranty work done?
18. What work remains to be done or corrected?
19. Are there any missing parts?
20. Do you have any extra parts or wheels for it?
21. Are you the Original Owner?
22. Is there a traceable ownership history on the car?
23. Can the previous owner(s) be contacted?
24. Is there a complete service history on the car?
25. Who was your mechanic? name/address/phone?
26. Are there any repair or gas mileage records?
27. Oil change interval? Type of oil?
28. May I bring the car to a place where it can be put in the air for inspection?
29. Has it passed emissions recently?
30. Any interesting history?
31. What's the least you're willing to take for it?
32. Additional questions...
At this point you might want to schedule an appointment to see the car yourself or have it inspected by a third party. In the interim you may want to have the seller fax or send copies of certain records such as the title (both sides) and verification of major services / repairs. If the seller hesitates or insists on a deposit first by wary. See the article entitled Ferraris: deposits and other scams.
What's your gut reaction?
Does this car seem like a possibility?
Does the current owner seem like he cared for the car?
Why am I interested in buying "this" car?
Am I willing to pay a premium because someone else has already done most of the serious work on the car?
Or
Is this a car I can buy cheap and put some sweat equity into?
What is the most that I'm willing to pay for this car?
What is the least that I think that the car can be had for?
Essentials: A cynical, mechanically-minded friend, your standard tool set, Voltmeter, Compression Gauge, Tire gauge, Flashlight, Magnet, the 2 different spark plug sockets, spray lube, clean rags, clipboard, pen and hi-liter to use with a photocopy of this list, some cash, drivers license and copy of your insurance showing you are covered driving the sellers car.
Optional: tow rope, starting fluid, jumper cables, timing light, ramps, jack (floor or scissors), mirror, coveralls, rags, gas can, oil, duct tape, wire, repair manuals, misc. fuses, calculator.
--- OWNERSHIP VERIFICATION: (Do all of the following agree and seem right?)
Name on title: __________________________________________________________
Name on registration: ____________________________________________________
Model/Year on title: _____________________________________________________
VIN on title: ___________________________________________________________
VIN on registration: _____________________________________________________
VIN on dash: ___________________________________________________________
VIN on door: ___________________________________________________________
Mileage on title: _________________________________________________________
Mileage on odometer: _____________________________________________________
Price on title: ____________________________________________________________
Asking price: ____________________________________________________________
Blue Book price: _________________________________________________________
Yes No Title ready for transfer? Any liens?
Yes No Do body numbers match those on title?
Yes No Title in sellers name?
Yes No Title marked Salvage or TMU?
Yes No Do body numbers match registration?
Yes No Current Emissions certificate, < 30 days old?
Yes No Current registration? Current Plates?
Yes No Current Safety certificate if req'd, < 30 days?
Yes No Check door edges and underside for rust/tears
Yes No Check doors/hinges for stress/tears
Yes No Doors/hoods open/close freely? Rubs?
Yes No Is anything obviously broken?
Yes No Are grill/lights cracked, dented or broken?
Yes No Car sits level? (view from all sides)
Yes No Are bumpers dinged? Rusty? Loose? Level?
Yes No Paint OK? Panels same shade? Cracks?
Yes No Any of the trim or hubcaps rusty or missing?
Yes No New Paint? Why? Any body ripples?
Yes No Find bottom of trunk/side wells. Rust? Holes?
Yes No Rust/repair on body? Fenders? Sills?
Yes No Raise/lower the top. Condition? Does it leak?
Yes No Any Bondo? Fiberglass? (magnet) Why?
Yes No Rubber parts and seals condition? Cracked?
Yes No Any fender dings or misalignment? Why?
Yes No Gas Tank & fill hose OK? Rusty? Patched?
Yes No Door/hood dings? Misalignment? Why?
Yes No Jack OK? Spare tire good? Jack points good?
Yes No Tires: Tread? Bulges? Cracks? All the same model/brand? Rims: Bent? Rusted? Cracks? All the same?
Yes No Anything dented? Bent? Welded? Why?
Yes No Any underbody/floor pan/trunk rust?
Yes No Any rocker panel or wheel well rust?
Yes No Are main frame members rusted? Dogs?
Yes No Disks grooved? Brake pads? Any leaks?
Yes No Turn, push/pull driveshaft by hand
Yes No Any movement or slop? U-joints OK?
Yes No Constant velocity joints and boots OK?
Yes No Camber? Caster? Tire wear even?
Yes No Suspension loose? Pull on side/top of wheels
Yes No All shocks & struts damp OK? Any leaks?
Yes No Exhaust pipe/cats/muffler solid & original?
Yes No Tail pipe: Grey=OK, sooty/oily/greasy=Not-OK
Yes No Anything hanging down, taped or wired up?
Yes No Any non-stock suspension mods?
Yes No All emissions/smog equipment intact?
Yes No Anything broken? Patched? Leaking?
Yes No Is engine clean? Any rust? Stock?
Yes No Has it overheated? Paint blistered?
Yes No Check fluid levels. Look for leaks.
Yes No Check fluid condition with flashlight.
Yes No Any play in main crankshaft pulley?
Yes No Any play in any of the other pulleys?
Yes No V-Belts cracked? Frayed? Missing?
Yes No Radiator corroded? Hoses cracked?
Yes No Check coolant; run finger inside radiator neck to check for oil.
Yes No Heater hoses stiff? Cracked? Patched?
Yes No Vacuum hoses stiff? Patched? Capped? Missing?
Yes No Is emissions equip original & working?
Yes No Are catalytic converters original & working?
Yes No Distributor, cap, rotor, and points OK?
Yes No Wiring harness appearance? Any new electrical tape?
Yes No Open fuse box. Any missing? Any wiring hacks?
Yes No Any non-stock engine modifications?
Yes No Remove grounding cable, check for shorts
Yes No System polarity: + or - ground?
Yes No System voltage: _________ volts
Yes No Battery age/voltage ______/_______volts
Yes No Is anything broken? Torn? Patched?
Yes No Carpets OK? Underlayment condition?
Yes No Rust, rot or water under the carpets?
Yes No Any wiring hacks under the dash?
Yes No Seats dirty or torn, redyed? Look under cover
Yes No Do both seats adjust?
Yes No Dash cracked? Headliner torn/dirty?
Yes No Windshield cracked? Chips? Scratched?
Yes No Windows all open & close freely? Any cracks?
Yes No Mirrors all present and adjustable?
Yes No Steering play? Does shaft move at all? Why?
Yes No Brake pedal feels right? Smooth? Firm?
Yes No Clutch pedal feels right? Smooth?
Yes No All gauges/controls work? Stereo? Tape?
Yes No Headlights high/low work? Lenses OK?
Yes No Tail and side lights all work? Lenses OK?
Yes No Brake lights all work? Any broken lenses?
Yes No Turn signals all work? Any broken lenses?
Yes No Windshield wipers & washer work?
Yes No Heater, defroster, AC, and fans work?
Yes No Safety equipment (seat belts, horn work?)
Yes No Sound system installed competently?
Yes No Temp light or gauge should come on. Connected?
Yes No Oil warning light or gauge should come on. Connected?
Yes No Charge warning light or gauge should come on.
Yes No Temp warning light goes out? Or gauge works?
Yes No Oil warning light goes out? Or gauge works?
Yes No Charge warning light goes out? Or gauge works?
Yes No Do all idiot lights go on/out right?
Yes No Are all other instruments working?
Yes No Does it start easily when cold?
Yes No Does it run smoothly when cold?
Yes No Depress clutch several times. Noises?
Yes No Oil Pressure: idle _________ 4000 RPM ________
Yes No Volts/Amps: idle _________ 4000 RPM ________
Yes No Any odd engine noises when cold?
Yes No Exhaust condition/noises? Pressure even?
Yes No Cap pipe with clipboard? Does it smoke?
Yes No Any deposits on clipboard? Does it smoke?
Yes No Turn car off. Does it restart? Restart again.
Yes No Now pull forward. Check for leaks on ground.
Yes No Do you have any gas? Does gauge really work?
Yes No Test the foot and hand brakes first.
Yes No Relax, drive a bit to get used to it.
Yes No How does car ridge? Soft or hard?
Yes No Revs smoothly to red line? Flat spots?
Yes No Any unusual engine noises / vibrations?
Yes No Any drive train noises or vibrations?
Yes No Reverse works? Rev lights go on/off?
Yes No Trans shifts smoothly to all gears?
Yes No Overdrive engages/disengages properly.
Yes No Turbo engages/disengages properly?
Yes No Any clunks, whines, rumbles, rattles?
Yes No Clutch smooth? Slippage on hill test?
Yes No Hand brake works? Test against engine.
Yes No Is the low engine speed operation OK?
Yes No Brakes strongly to stop from 50mph?
Yes No Do brakes still work? Stops straight?
Yes No Make 2 tight 360 degree turns each way. Any noises?
Yes No Accelerates smoothly from dead stop?
Yes No Are there any hesitations/flat spots?
Yes No Does the power seem right? Hill test.
Yes No Is it running too hot or cold? Why?
Yes No Drive besides a long wall. Any unusual sounds?
Yes No Is it too noisy in general at highway speeds?
Yes No Any noises or vibrations when accelerating?
Yes No Any noises or vibrations when coasting?
Yes No Any noises or vibrations when decelerating?
Yes No Any noises or vibrations when braking?
Yes No Steering action loose or tight? Parallel park.
Yes No Handles OK on bumps, curves and sharp corners?
Yes No Bad understeer, oversteer, lean?
Yes No Tracks straight with hands off steering wheel?
Yes No Brakes straight with hands off steering wheel?
Yes No Brakes still work? Pulls? Pulse? Drag? Noises?
Yes No Having fun yet? Comfortable? Does it fit you?
Yes No Do the heater, defroster and AC work right?
Yes No Are all the instruments & lights still working?
Yes No Now let it idle a while. Is temp stable/OK?
Yes No Any exhaust, gas or coolant odors? Pull forward.
Yes No Turn it off. Go back to check ground for leaks.
Yes No Tracks straight? Frame bent?
Yes No Smokes?
Yes No Wheels wobble? Any noises?
Yes No Leans? General impression?
Yes No Open hood. See or hear anything unusual?
Yes No Does engine seem too hot?
Yes No Check for fluid leaks after shutdown.
Yes No Check oil cap and dipsticks for signs of water. (oil off-color, brown/grey/white or bubbly)
Yes No Compression test: (disconnect coil, remove ALL plugs)
1. Dry:
1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9___10___11___12___
2. Oiled:
1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9___10___11___12___
3. Plug condition? (OK? Burnt? Oily? Sooty?)
1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9___10___11___12___
____ Does it restart when warm? Why not?
(Federal regulations require you to state the odometer mileage upon transfer of ownership. An inaccurate or untruthful statement may make you liable for damages to your transferee, for attorney fees, and for civil or criminal penalties, pursuant to Sections 409, 412, and 413 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act of 1972 (pub. L. 92-513, as amended by Pub. L. 94-364) and applicable state laws.)
I, the seller _________________________________, state that the odometer mileage on the vehicle described below now reads ________________________ miles/kilometers.
Circle ONE only:
(1) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading as stated above reflects the actual mileage of thenvehicle described below.
(2) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading as stated above reflects the amount of mileage in excess of designed mechanical odometer limit of 99,999 miles/kilometers of the vehicle described below.
(3) I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading as stated above is NOT the actual mileage of vehicle described below and should not be relied upon.
Make: ________________________________
Model: ____________________________ Body Type: ___________
Vehicle Identification No.: ________________________________
Year: ______________________ Dealer Stock No.: _________________
Circle ONE only:
(1) I hereby certify that the odometer of said vehicle was not altered, set back, or disconnected while in my possession, and I have no knowledge of anyone doing so.
(2) I hereby certify that the odometer was altered for repair or replacement purposes while in my possession, and the the mileage registered on the repaired or replacement odometer was identical to that before such service.
(3) I hereby certify that the repaired or replacement odometer was incapable of registering the same mileage, that it was reset to zero, and that the mileage on the original odometer or the odometer before repair was _______________miles/kilometers.
Seller 1's signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________
Buyer 1's signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________
Seller 1's signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________
Buyer 1's signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________
Seller: _______________________________ Buyer: _______________________________
Phone: _______________________________ Phone: _______________________________
Address: ______________________________ Address: _____________________________