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

Pre-purchase inspection · 27 point check

Reg __________ Odometer __________ Date __________ Tech __________

Identity and paperwork

Check	Measured	R / A / G
VIN matches documents and body stampings	________
Registration and ownership documents present	________
Service history complete and stamped	________
Odometer reading plausible against wear	____ km
Outstanding recalls checked	________
Keys, locks and remotes all present	________

Body, paint and glass

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Paint depth consistent across panels	____ µm
Panel gaps even, no overspray	________
Evidence of accident repair or welding	________
Rust at arches, sills and boot floor	________
Glass free of chips and cracks	________

Engine and transmission

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Cold start, idle and smoke colour	________
Oil condition and any mayonnaise on cap	________
Coolant clean, no oil contamination	________
Compression or leak-down if in doubt	____ PSI
Clutch bite point and slip under load	________
Automatic shift quality, hot and cold	________

Road test

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Straight line stability and braking	________
Suspension noise over bumps	________
Cruise, ABS, traction control operate	________
Air conditioning cools	____ °C at vent
Electrics: windows, locks, infotainment	________

Wear items and cost to put right

Check	Measured	R / A / G
Tyre tread and age at four corners	____ mm
Brake pad and disc life remaining	____ mm
Battery health	____ V
Timing belt or chain service due	________
Estimated immediate spend	________

Vehicle inspection checklist builder

1. Choose a checklist

2. Sheet options

3. Add your own line

4. Pick the checks

Your checklist

Vehicle inspection

Identity and paperwork

Body, paint and glass

Engine and transmission

Road test

Wear items and cost to put right

More inspection checklists

Questions about inspection checklists

Run the same checklist digitally