Used to do view to purchase inspections ....
1) when you get there read all the paperwork THOROUGHLY try to get its history into your head , what mileage was it doing each year, if there is a period with no miles, try to find out why, could have been in bodyshop for six months
2) look at body gaps, should be parallel , if any out why,
3) look for uneven tyre wear - measure horizontal distance between tyre and wheelarch - how many fingers will be accurate enough to show serious problems ....most important between front wheels and door post side -- should be same on both sides -- if not is one wheel back?
4) is the wear on pedal rubbers consistent with mileage
5) ditto trim and interior
6) open bonnet ......just look .... I hate signs of overheating, look for rusty water stains, look on inner wheel arches and down by chassis legs ...down radiator ....personally I'd walk away from car that shows signs of overheating
7) look for oil leaks ......pull out dipstick and smell.....does it smelled burned
8) look at bolt heads on engine, have they been undone recently? Ditto screw heads
9) ditto screw heads on bodywork - if wing has been off why
10) check coolant, any signs of oil in it?
11) engine should be cold, get it started and look around head gasket, any signs of fluid leakage -- alloy heads will leak for few seconds and then seal as head warms up and tightens joints, a slight weep on starting is sign gasket on way out, will seal in less than a minute so be quick looking
12) check every electrical switch, electric windows, etc etc
13) glass check for chips n scratches.....if your really fussy the manufacturers put codes on the glass, check they are consistent on all windows, if one differs has the car been broken into , possible abuse by thieves
14) drive the car and check everything - I'm crap at hearing what wrong during a test drive, but look for obvious, excessive pedal travel, pulling breaks, gear changes, noisy wheel bearings ( cheap reair)
15) look at brake discs are they corroded?
Your sort of getting there now
I'd say any major problem = walk away
If seller starts talking to you whilst looking at it wonder if he's trying to distract you --- go back and check what you were looking at when he interrupted
If you have a large mirror take it with you ( old dressing table mirror is 110%) lie it on floor under carand inspect underside ...amazing how good this is
I hated doing this easy to miss something big
We saw brand new sierra sold from ford main agent, that was two cars welded together
Not found till stone chips on red bonnet came through blue
Fooled main agent that it was new car ...bought cheap through the trade
Goog luck