What should a vehicle inspection checklist include?

At minimum: a road test, fluids and battery, tyres and wheels, brakes, steering and suspension, lights and glass, and an underbody check. Record measurements in millimetres and volts rather than a plain pass or fail, so the next visit can be predicted instead of guessed.

Is this checklist builder free?

Yes. Everything runs in your browser, there is no account, no email and no watermark. Print it or save it as a PDF as many times as you like.

What is a multi-point inspection?

A fixed sequence of checks — commonly 30, 50 or 100 points — run on every vehicle in the same order, so advisories do not depend on which technician picked up the job.

Red, amber, green or pass and fail?

Red, amber and green grading sells more work because amber items give the customer a reason to come back. Pass and fail suits statutory safety inspections where there is no middle ground. The builder supports both.

Can I run this digitally instead of on paper?

Yes. ShopTop turns the same checklist into a digital vehicle inspection: photos attach to each line, red items become an estimate, and the customer approves from their phone. You can send your built checklist straight into a ShopTop template.

Free Vehicle Inspection Checklist Builder (Printable PDF)

Vehicle inspection

General multi-point inspection · 48 point check

Reg __________ Odometer __________ Date __________ Tech __________

Road test and first impressions

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Cold start behaviour and idle quality	________
Warning lamps at start-up and after	________
Braking feel, pull, judder and pedal travel	________
Steering wander, vibration or knocking over bumps	________
Gear selection, clutch or transmission slip	________
Unusual noise at 30, 60 and 90 km/h	________

Under the bonnet: fluids and battery

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Engine oil level, colour and contamination	________
Coolant level and condition	____ °C protection
Brake fluid moisture	____ %
Power steering and transmission fluid	________
Screen wash topped up	________
Battery voltage and cranking test	____ V
Drive belt cracking, glazing and tension	________
Air filter and cabin filter condition	________
Visible leaks at gaskets, hoses and clamps	________

Tyres and wheels

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Tread depth front left	____ mm
Tread depth front right	____ mm
Tread depth rear left	____ mm
Tread depth rear right	____ mm
Pressures set to placard, including spare	____ PSI
Uneven wear patterns	________
Sidewall damage, bulges, cracking and age code	________
Wheel nut torque to spec	____ Nm
Wheel bearing play and noise	________

Brakes

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Front pad thickness	____ mm
Rear pad thickness	____ mm
Disc thickness, lipping, scoring, heat cracking	____ mm
Caliper slide pins and piston operation	________
Flexible hoses for perishing and chafing	________
Hard lines for corrosion	________
Handbrake or park brake travel and hold	________

Steering and suspension

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Track rod ends and ball joints for play	________
Bushes for splitting and displacement	________
Shock absorbers for leaks and bounce test	________
Springs for breaks and corrosion	________
Anti-roll bar links and drop links	________
CV boots and driveshaft joints	________

Lights, glass and wipers

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Headlights, main beam, fog and aim	________
Indicators, hazards, brake and reverse lights	________
Number plate and interior lighting	________
Windscreen chips and cracks in swept area	________
Wiper blade condition and washer jet aim	________
Mirrors secure and undamaged	________

Underbody and exhaust

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Exhaust joints, mountings and blow points	________
Catalytic converter and heat shield security	________
Sump, gearbox and differential for weeping	________
Subframe and sill corrosion	________
Undertray fasteners present	________

Vehicle inspection checklist builder

1. Choose a checklist

2. Sheet options

3. Add your own line

4. Pick the checks

Your checklist