The CarTick inspection
Our 40-point used car inspection checklist.
Every $149 inspection follows the same checklist, so nothing is missed. You get every finding in a written report with photos.
Exterior & body
7 checks- Panel gaps and alignment on every door, the hood and trunk
- Paint thickness on each panel to spot repainting
- Signs of collision repair, overspray and mismatched colour
- Rust on rocker panels, wheel arches, doors and subframe
- Glass chips and cracks, wipers and seals
- Headlights, tail lights, signals and fog lights
- Frame rails and underbody for damage or welding
Under the hood
7 checks- Engine oil level, colour and leaks
- Coolant level and condition
- Brake and power-steering fluid
- Transmission fluid where it can be checked
- Belts, hoses and visible leaks
- Battery condition and terminals
- Signs of recent cleaning that may hide leaks
Diagnostics (OBD-II)
4 checks- Stored, pending and permanent fault codes
- Readiness monitors (shows recently cleared codes)
- Warning lights at start-up and while driving
- Live engine data where available
Tires, brakes & suspension
5 checks- Tread depth and uneven wear on all four tires
- Tire age and matching brands
- Brake pads and rotors where visible
- Shocks, struts, bushings and ball joints
- Steering play and alignment
Interior & electronics
6 checks- Seats, belts and airbag warning light
- Heat, A/C and defrost
- Windows, locks, mirrors and sunroof
- Infotainment, cameras and sensors
- Water stains or damp smell (possible flood damage)
- Wear that matches the kilometres
Test drive (when the seller allows)
5 checks- Cold start: smoke, noises and idle
- Transmission shifting and slipping
- Braking: pulling, vibration and noise
- Steering and suspension over bumps
- Engine power, noises and temperature
Documents & history
6 checks- Ontario UVIP: owner, liens and vehicle brand
- VIN on dash, door and ownership all match
- Seller's name matches the ownership
- Service records and receipts
- History report review when you supply one (CARFAX extra)
- Open safety recalls for the model
Your written report
Every finding is marked Verified, Needs attention or Not verified, with photos, a fair price range and our buying recommendation.
See a sample report →What the inspection is not. It is a visual and diagnostic pre-purchase inspection of about one hour. It is not an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate, a teardown, or a guarantee. Items we can't confirm are marked "Not verified" in your report. Need a Safety Standards Certificate or repairs? Our partner AC/DC Auto Centre can help.
Know before you buy
Found a car? Check it first.
Launch price: $199 $149 complete pre-purchase inspection across the GTA, and up to 100 km from Toronto. Written report with photos the same day.