Motorhead 2-Hour Inspection

This check list is designed to encourage intelligent decisions about your car or a car you are interested in acquiring. The more you know before you spend loads of dough, the happier you will be. This is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a reference so you can quickly decide the approximate cost of repairing and renovating an old friend or beginning a new project. Knowledge is great stuff.

You can use this worksheet in a variety of ways – make up your own notation scheme using words like “needs”, “will need”, X’s, and check marks. Emphasize the negative. You will remember the positive. Make copies if you want.

______________________________________ Serial #_____________________

Type Model Year

_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________
Color	Mileage	#of years off of the road	Stored inside or out	#of owners

Date _____________________

Please check or comment: Purchase Price $____________

_____Starts____________________________________________________	+$____________
_____Runs____________________________________________________	+$____________
_____Stops____________________________________________________	+$____________
_____Steers____________________________________________________	+$____________
_____Lights Up ________________________________________________	+$____________
_____Looks Good______________________________________________	+$____________
_____Is Legalized_______________________________________________	+$____________

Running Total (purchase + repair) $____________

Engine		Exhaust		Charging System

______Compression		______Manifold		______Alternator
______Starts Easily		______Front Pipe		______Battery
______Runs Well		______Middle Muffler		______Connections
______Carburetors		______Rear Muffler		______Fusebox
______Pollution Control Equipment		______Mounts
______Fuel Pump		______Converter		Cooling System
______Air Cleaner
______Mounts & Brackets		Dash		______Radiator
______Oil Leaks				______Thermostat
______Fuel Leaks		______Tach.		______Heater Valve
		______Speedo.		______Top Hose
Clutch		______Gas Gauge		______Bottom Hose
		______Temp. Gauge		______Water Pump
______Grinds		______Oil Gauge		______Cooling Fans
______Slips		______Horn
______Leaks		______Heater Fan		Driveshaft
______Clutch Master Cylinder
______Clutch Slave Cylinder				______Universal Joints
______Clutch slave hose

Stopping	Looks Good (appearance)		Other Stuff
______Front brake pads	______Antenna		______Choke cable
______Brake rotors	______Door rope		______Bonnet release
______Calipers	______Shift boot		______Accelerator cable
______Front hoses	______Shift knob		______Seat belts
______Brake master	______Carpet		______2 sets of keys
______Rear shoes	______Engine compartment		______Key fob
______Rear drums	______Seats		______Radio
______Rear cylinder	______Console		______Beway
______Rear hoses & lines	______Top		______Toys
______Handbrake	______Tonneau		______Doors & Locks
______Booster	______Boot		______Books
	______Side panels
Steering and Suspension	______Cockpit trim		Legalized
(front)	______Lamp rubber
______Tie rod ends	______Trim straps		______Title
______King pins	______Wiper arms		______Plates
______A-arms	______Wiper blades		______Inspection
______Shocks	______Windshield		______Emissions inspection
______Bushings	______Windows		______Insurance

(Rear)	Body
______Straps
______Shocks	______Rust
______Links	______Bodywork
______Springs	______Door crack
______Bushings	______Paint
______U-bolts	______Touch-up
	______Buff
Lighting
	Wheels & Tires
______Headlights (high beam)
______Headlights (low beam)	______Wheels
______Front turn signals	______Tires
______Front parking lights
______Side lamps	Trunk
______Reverse lights
______Rear turn signals	______Jack & handle
______Stoplights	______Hammer & wrench
______Rear running lights	______Detail
______License light	______Spare wheel & tire
______Interior light	______Trunk lock
______Trunk light

These are $5,000 cars by the time they begin to become reliable, $10,000 cars if they need to look good and $15,000 allows enough resources for a renovation. Remember: purchase price + initial repairs (to achieve safety and reliability) = the true purchase price.