Phase 1 — The Test Drive: Listen to the Car

A proper inspection always begins with a real test drive.

1. Cold Start Check

Start the car when the engine is cold. Listen for rattles, ticking, or abnormal noises—this is when an engine is most honest.

2. Transmission Engagement

Shift from Park → Reverse → Drive.
There should be no delay, hesitation, or clunk.

3. Steering Tracking

On a straight road, release the wheel lightly.
A healthy car should drive straight with no pulling.

4. Brake Pulsation

Vibrations reveal hidden brake issues:

• Steering wheel vibration = warped front rotors

• Seat/body vibration = warped rear rotors

5. Wheel Bearing vs Tire Noise (Swerve Test)

Gently sway the car left/right at speed.
If the noise changes → wheel bearing
If it doesn’t change → tire noise

6. Torque Converter Shudder Check

At ~40 mph with light throttle,
a shudder could mean torque-converter problems.

Phase 2 — Visual Inspection: Exterior & Interior

Glass Markings

Each window should have the original manufacturer’s marking.
Mismatched glass often indicates past accident damage.

Paint Quality

Feel the edges of panels. Rough texture = repainted part.

Door Lock Actuators

Tap the lock button 2–3 times quickly to detect weak motors.

Sunroof Seal

Wind noise when closed = worn or dried seal.

Phase 3 — Under the Hood: Mechanical Health Check

Oil Cap & Engine Cleanliness

Remove the oil cap and check inside for:

• Clean metal = good maintenance

• Heavy sludge = poor maintenance

Brake & Coolant Test Strips

Fluid may look clean but can be chemically degraded.
Test strips reveal acidity, copper content, and corrosion.

V6 “Valley” Leak Check

For engines like the Lexus/Toyota 2GR V6,
inspect the valley under the intake manifold for coolant leaks.

Spark Plug Identification

OEM Toyota/Lexus plugs have a specific dot mark.
Missing mark = plugs were replaced (not bad—just information).

Structural Rail Inspection

Look for hammer marks, bent metal, or non-factory welds.

Phase 4 — Under the Vehicle: Where the Truth Lives

Tire Date Codes (DOT)

Example: 2424 = 24th week of 2024
Old tires with good tread can still be unsafe.

Struts & Shocks

Oil leaks = replacement required.
Torn boots alone are not a dealbreaker.

Timing Cover Leaks

Common on many V6 engines. Minor seepage is okay; severe leakage is costly.

Suspension Play Test

Shake wheels at 3 & 9 o’clock and 12 & 6 o’clock
to detect bad tie rods, ball joints, or bearings.

Phase 5 — Scan Tool Diagnostics: Catch Hidden Problems

Monitor Readiness

If OBD monitors say “Not Complete,”
the seller may have recently cleared codes.

Distance Since DTC Cleared

Low mileage/time since reset = suspicious.
Thousands of miles = stable and trustworthy.

History Codes

Low-voltage history is normal after a battery change.

Phase 6 — Service History Review

Look for:

• Consistent oil change intervals

• Transmission fluid service history

• Cooling system and brake fluid replacement

For very high mileage cars, if the transmission has never been serviced but shifts perfectly, it might be safer to leave it alone.

Chief Mechanic Recommendation

In our example review, a 275k-mile Lexus ES 350 passed nearly every test with only minor maintenance needed.

Key Lessons

1. Know the common problems of the model you’re buying.

2. Don’t reject a mechanically solid car over minor cosmetic flaws.

3. Always inspect the underside—it’s where the real story is.