Car buying checklist: inspection, test drive and car comparison pages

Car buying checklist pages for anyone shopping for a new or used vehicle who wants to feel calm, organized and fully in charge of the decision. The 22 undated pages guide you through needs and wants, your budget, research, a chart that compares six cars, test drives, used car inspections, financing and the final paperwork. US Letter and A4 PDF files come as an instant download, and nothing is shipped.

Every page is currency-free, so the set works wherever you live and whatever you pay in.

How this car buying checklist keeps you in control

Before you set foot on a dealer lot, note what you truly need. Then add up the real price of every option, with fees, insurance and running costs included, and line up as many as six cars on a single page so the best fit becomes obvious.

Bring the test drive sheet and the two page used car inspection along, ask a dealer or private seller the questions that count, and weigh up to four loans by their total cost rather than just the monthly figure. When you are ready to sign, the closing pages guide you through paperwork, collection day and a maintenance plan for your new car.

Who this used vehicle inspection set is for

• First time buyers who want a simple path from setting a budget to getting the keys
• Anyone buying used from a dealership or a private seller who wants a thorough inspection and a ready list of questions
• Families weighing up several cars, loans or trade-in offers before they choose
• Anyone who likes their car research, figures and paperwork kept together on paper

Design and printing

• Elegant, minimal style with white pages and soft blush pink accents that use little ink
• Generous margins, so nothing gets trimmed on a home printer
• Portrait pages in US Letter (8.5 x 11 in) or A4 (210 x 297 mm)
• Undated and free of any currency, so it suits any year and any country
• Fits a binder or clipboard, or have it spiral bound at a print shop

Inside the car buying checklist: 22 pages

1. 1Cover page with an index of the sections
2. 2My car buying plan, covering why you are buying, your timeline, who will be driving, where you may shop, your 3 biggest priorities, worries, first steps and things to research
3. 3Needs and wants list with 8 must-haves and 8 nice-to-haves, deal-breakers, compromises, the basics such as body style, seating, fuel type and model years, how you will use the car and 12 features to check off
4. 4Budget worksheet for your monthly take-home pay, current monthly expenses, the monthly cost of a car (payment, fuel or charging, insurance, maintenance, parking, registration) and the numbers you feel comfortable with
5. 5Total cost worksheet for 3 cars, adding up the upfront cost from price, fees, tax and registration to an out-the-door figure, then yearly running costs and the full cost across the years you plan to keep it
6. 6New vs used checklist weighing new, used and certified pre-owned options, 4 yes or no questions for yourself and which way you are leaning
7. 7Research notes for 4 models covering price range, safety ratings, reliability, fuel economy or range, known problems, recalls and owner opinions
8. 8Car search tracker in 18 numbered rows for the year and model, price, mileage, seller, whether you have seen it and notes
9. 9Compare 6 cars side by side over 16 rows, starting with asking price, mileage and warranty and ending with the insurance quote, test drive score, inspection result and your gut feeling
10. 10Test drive checklist with the car's details, an overall score from 1 to 10, 10 driving qualities to rate, 10 yes or no checks on the road, what you loved, concerns and questions
11. 11Test drive checklist, an extra copy so you can compare cars
12. 12Used car inspection, outside: paint and body, wheels and tires, glass and lights, under the hood and underneath, each with OK and ASK boxes, plus notes for your mechanic
13. 13Used car inspection, inside and papers: the interior, electronics and controls, the title, VIN, history report and recalls, a check by an independent mechanic and your decision
14. 14Questions for the dealer, 14 prepared questions with room for answers, plus your own questions and warning signs
15. 15Questions for a private seller, 14 prepared questions with room for answers, your own questions, warning signs and tips for meeting safely
16. 16Financing comparison of up to 4 loans (interest rate, term, monthly payment, total interest, fees, early payoff penalty), the option of paying cash and the documents you might need
17. 17Negotiation and offers, with your own numbers and walk-away price, prices you have come across, a 7 row log of offers, useful phrases and add-ons worth questioning
18. 18Trade-in notes with details of the car you have now, a checklist to get it ready, a 6 row log of offers received, the option to sell it yourself and steps before you hand it over
19. 19Paperwork checklist covering what to take with you, what to read before you sign, documents you should receive and next steps after signing, plus the details of purchase day
20. 20Pick-up day checklist for the walk around, the interior and the last checks before you drive off, plus your first week with the car
21. 21Maintenance setup with a schedule for 9 common services, an 8 row maintenance log, reminders to set and a fund for car care
22. 22My car details for the car itself, insurance, loan, warranty, service shop and the dealer or seller contacts, with notes

Files in your download

• Car Buying Checklist & Comparison, US Letter PDF (22 pages)
• Car Buying Checklist & Comparison, A4 PDF (22 pages)
• Read Me First, a brief guide to printing (PDF)
• Tip: the planning pages only need one print, while a fresh test drive sheet and inspection pages can be printed for each car you view

How to download and print

• Check out with PayPal, a debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your download page opens as soon as the payment goes through.
• We email the same private download links to you, so you can download your files again later.
• Open the PDF in a free reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader and print at 100% or Actual size.
• Print only the pages you need, as often as you like, for your own personal use.

Good to know

• This file is made for paper and has no hyperlinks, so it is not a clickable digital planner. You can still import it into a note taking app and write on the pages.
• You receive digital files only. Nothing physical is posted.
• Printed colors may differ slightly from what you see on screen.
• Personal use only. Please do not pass on, resell or distribute the files.
• Digital files cannot be returned. If something will not open or print properly, email us and we will help quickly.
• These pages help you organize your own research and figures. They are not legal or financial advice and contain no prices, rates or recommendations. Please confirm details with your insurer, lender, mechanic and local vehicle office.

How this was made

Designed and written by PetiteDiary. AI tools helped draft parts of the text, and some background scenes in the preview images were created with AI. Every page was designed, reviewed and checked before release.

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