Paperwork check:   IMPORTANT - verify before you fall in love with your Jeep!!

OK?

INSPECT:

Vehicle Identification - Check VIN on dashboard and door plate against title

Option Verification - Check Sticker to verify all codes

Owners manual, Spare Tire lug lock, Wrangler video, tie-down straps (for tying the windshield down, the sides of the sport bars when removed and one is used to keep the rear seat tied in the 'flip-n-fold" position), vehicle warranty, Company contact pamphlet, key code identifier card (so a key can be made if all hard keys are lost), tire warranty, hard top removal wrench - should be in glove box. These items can be very difficult to obtain after the dealership has your money. 

Is the mileage realistic, or has the dealer used the vehicle as a demo since you agreed to purchase it? (Be reasonable, but question anything greater than 150 miles.)

Ask the dealer personnel if any repairs or alterations have been made to the vehicle? (Accidents happen, even to new vehicles being delivered. An honest dealership will tell you, but you often have to ask.)

Exterior Appearance Inspection: (walk around inspection of the exterior) Is the exterior in perfect shape? (Not a blemish, scratch, or streak. Walk around the vehicle several times looking from as many angles as possible.)

NOTE: While inspecting exterior, look for paint problems such as Bubbles in clear coat, Excessive orange peel, Industrial fallout on paint finish, Scratches, Dents, etc.

OK?

INSPECT:

Front End & Cab

       Nose / Fender / Hood Area

Bumpers (not even a hint of rust)

Fender fit and finish 

Hood fit and finish 

Grille fit and finish 

       Cab Area

Door fit and finish

Door Jamb Area

Hinges

Locks

Molding

Rubber gaskets

Window operation

Check for windshield cracks

Mirrors

Roof

Check seams for separation

Radio antenna

Soft top - do the zippers work well? Are the seams sewn well?

Doors - do they come out easily and go in easily

Rear End

       Rear End

Bumpers - watch for dents, rust, loose mounting bolts

Tail gate - check latch function, cables

Receiver - installed, bolts tight, trailer plug cover opens without interference

Under body inspection

Check for coffee cups and trash stuffed in chassis rails

Check for proper amount of grease in grease fittings

Check for loose steering box

Shake intermediate steering shaft - feel for any loose parts/joints

Check shocks for looseness

Check brake line routing (no kinks, no rubbing)

Check routing of emergency brake cable

Undercoating - look under the tub to see if they sprayed undercoating everywhere it should be

Axles - make sure you got the one you paid for with the right ratios (someone posted that they paid for Trak-loc but didn't get it) Trak-loc is evident from a tag on the diff that states the fluid requires friction modifiers

Jack, Lug Nut, and Tire Checks

OK?

INSPECT:

       Wheels & Tires

Check door plate against tire size for match

Right Front Tire - proper size, tread pattern, inflation pressure

Left Front Tire - proper size, tread pattern, inflation pressure

Right Rear Tire - proper size, tread pattern, inflation pressure

Left Rear Tire - proper size, tread pattern, inflation pressure

Spare - installed, proper size and tread

If you have wheel locks, where is the lug key?

Are all the tires the same and as ordered?

What is the tire warranty and where is it?

The tires should show no signs of wear, and should be properly inflated. Tires should be scuff-free.

       Jack and wheel changing accessories

Retrieve jack and tire tools - inspect for completeness

Check jack function - it will be stiff, but should crank up and down

Using the lug wrench, verify that all lugs are not cross threaded and tight

Check spare tire carrier - Check all functionality

Return jack and accessories

Under hood Inspection

OK?

INSPECT:

Check function of hood latches

Check for smooth hinge operation with no binding

Check grill for loose fasteners

Under hood light turns on with hood open, Light goes off before hood closes

Identify all components

Is every dipstick, plastic cover, wire harness present and properly secured?

Cleanliness-- There should be very little dirt and grime, and not a single sign of fluid leakage of any kind.

None of the engine components should show exterior wear or replacement -- things like one spark plug wire that is a completely different shade of black should draw a red flag and a question. They should replace them all with new items if that means you'll drive the vehicle away.

Check brake fluid

Check Power steering fluid

Check PS tubing and hoses for rubbing

Check Oil level

Check washer fluid

Check transmission fluid

Check for coolant leak, heater hose

Check Battery cables - tight?

Battery: Is it filled properly? Or is it a "no-service" type? (Check the level or sight dot.)

Battery:  No corrosion should be present on the electrodes

Battery:  Does it have a special separate warranty?

Check A/C hose routing for rubbing

       Check Air Cleaner

Installed?

Check housing for obstructions (coffee cups, trash)

Check filter seal - Smear vaseline on filter gasket, close cleaner, open again. check for 100% positive mating mark, vaseline should be displaced (plastic air cleaners housings can warp, allowing unfiltered air to pass) 

Take a break, go wash your hands

Interior Inspection - look inside for appearance problems

OK?

INSPECT:

Is the interior in perfect shape? Carpet, headliner, seats should have no tears, stains, or damage. Get in the car (both the front and back seats) and keep your eyes peeled for problems.

Try out any device that will move, bend, turn, be pushed, or pulled.

Do all the seatbelts work?

       Front Seats

Airbag deactivation switch - make sure the light turns on when the airbag is off.

Appearance of upholstery and hardware

Recline Function

Front to rear adjustment

Folding Function

Center Console opens and closes smoothly

Center Console Latch works.

Glove box -- does it open properly? Lock?

      Rear Seat

Appearance of upholstery and hardware

Function

Fold

      Carpet

Floor mats:  if you paid for them, did you get them?

Check for window or door seal leaks.

Check for stains and tears

       General Interior Fit and Finish

Dash & Steering wheel

Shifter & Pedals

Operation Verification

OK?

INSPECT:

Set parking brake
Put manual transmission in neutral, Automatic in Park
Turn key to run position ( DO NOT START )

Warning lights should illuminate and then go out (engine warning should stay lit )

Oil pressure reads 0

Water Temperature steady

Voltmeter reads less than 12.5 Volts and steady

Fuel Gauge steady

Tachometer reads 0

Warning Buzzer should sound if door is opened

Warning Buzzer should sound if headlights are turned on

      Start Engine

Firm brake pedal (not mush, does not slowly sink to floor)

Oil Pressure - normal and steady

Water temperature - steady

Voltmeter - should read 13.5 to 14.5 volts

Fuel Gauge - steady

Tachometer - steady at a reasonable idle speed

No Warning Lights or Buzzers

Shift between forward and reverse gears listening for abnormal sounds and clunks

      Test Lights

Turn on Lights and check bulbs

Check Instrument Panel Light dimmer

High beam

Low Beam

Tail Lights

License plate lights

Side marker lights

Fog Lights

Turn lights off

Brake lights

Flashers

Turn signals

Dome lights on when doors open

Dome lights on when doors closed and switch on

Check Map light switches

Glove compartment light - on when door open

Glove compartment light - Make certain that it shuts off when glove box door is closed

Temporarily Engage Transmission reverse gear and check backup lights

       Radio & speaker test - Turn Radio on

Tune an station AM

Balance speakers

Seek new station

Tune an station FM

Balance speakers

Seek new station

Play a tape

Play a CD

       Mirror Tests

Rearview Mirror - adjust, flip day/night

Outside Mirror - Adjust Left, Right, Up, Down

Look for Mirror Vibration at idle

      Steering Wheel

Blow Horn (should require an easy push, not a great deal of force)

Turn wheel to lock in both directions - should not bind

Adjust tilt to fit

      Windshield Wipers

Wash & Wipe

Check All Speeds

      Heat and Air Conditioner system

Check for blower motor squeak

Cycle through all heat positions - vents should change as expected

Check Fan on all speeds

AC runs in Defrost positions

Temperature knob turns smoothly - note: cold engine may not produce heat

Road Test - Ready for a drive??    Check Seat and Mirror Adjustments

OK?

INSPECT:

Keys: Do you have more than one set?

Ignition System: Does the car start properly?

Look at the tailpipe. Any abnormal smoke or color? Moisture?

When you put the vehicle into gear, does it sound okay?

Do the shift indicators line up with the proper gear that you are in (i.e. the indicator reads R when in reverse)?

Idle quality - ours was rough, many say theirs is fine. New plugs fixed ours.

Test reverse gear 

Parking Brake should hold in 1st gear

Release parking brake and run through the gears - listen for noise 

Feel for scratchy synchronizers (manual)

Torque Converter Lockup should stay locked, not hunting (auto)

Firm shifts

Listen for noises while running straight, turning, and when stopping

Can you hear the turn signals?

Listen for valve tappet noises

Feel for a Steering wheel clunk over bumps or when stopping 

Push/pull top of steering wheel to check for play

Check alignment - no pulling left or right

Braking - no pulling left or right

Cruise Control - check function of   Set, Coast, Accelerate, Resume, Cancel

Check mirrors for vibration at speed

Watch the gauges. Do they move and register properly? (Gauges include the odometer, speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, and coolant temperature.)

4WD -- ask if they have a gravel lot where you can engage the 4WD before leaving to make sure everything is working and get a demo on how to engage the system

If vehicle is still OK at this point, it can be accepted.

OK?

Complete:

Open the hood and have a look. Any new fluid leaks?

Is the radiator cap still on properly? (Have the service manager help with this one.)

Check the oil and transmission levels yourself.

Take a quick peek under the vehicle and make sure there are no fluids dripping on the pavement.

Service Department: Have you met the service manager and taken a tour of the service area?

Have they explained the specifics of the dealership's service policy and hours of operation? (Some dealers are by appointment only, some are first-come first-served. Most treat buyers from their dealership better than other walk-in customers. So keep that license plate holder with the dealer's name printed on it.)

Has the service manager reviewed the basics of the service plan for your vehicle with you? Does the dealership have a free check up? What period of operation does it cover?

Does your vehicle have a 24-hour roadside assistance program? What does it entail?

Do you understand all your warranties? Limits? Coverage periods?

Did you buy a special service plan? What is covered?

Do you have a business card for each of the dealership personnel you've worked with?

Is every defect that you've noted been properly corrected?

Finalize the paperwork and leave the dealer.  Make sure the VIN on the vehicle matches up with the documents that you are signing.  Read and keep copy of each document.

Title, Tags and Registration: Who holds the title? How long do the temporary tags last? Has the dealership ordered your new plates? Have your plates been transferred? Where is the registration located?

Insurance: Have you obtained proper insurance? If you're leasing do you have Gap Insurance?

Fill up the fuel tank if the dealer did not do it.

Drive the Jeep on expressway

Test speedometer accuracy with stopwatch & mile markers

Retest cruise control functions

Listen for noises

Feel for vibrations

Watch for steering problems

Note all the people staring at your sweet ride!