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This is a general guide that you should print and use as a
checklist.
General check during initial phone/email
1. Number of owners and who they were (the less the better)
2. Length of current ownership
3. Reason for sale
4. Central locking- working?
5. Air conditioning - working?
6. Electric windows - working?
7. Electric mirrors - working?
8. Type of wheels and original or replacement
9. Ask if the car has rust
10. ABS (Newer Models)
11. Stereo
12. Any spares or extras such as service manuals
13. Auto/manual
14. True Mileage
15. Body color original? (The code is located on Sticker located
underside of front hood on later models and in driver door jamb on
older cars if the seller is unaware of original color)
16. Interior color(s) and material original?
17. Does it have a genuine Porsche or independent service history
18. Service history - All bills or service book stamps
19. Caveat ump tor (Let the buyer beware) If vehicle is at a used car
lot ask about where it was purchased from. Be wary of
Dealer auction cars, cars purchased from a Porsche dealer trade in
(Why didn’t the dealer keep it, if it’s a quality car!) and body shops
or collision repair shops.
20. Purchase a Car Fax (Test Drive page)
21. Has vehicle been Garaged?
22. Does the vehicle have Matching Numbers?
Numbers Matching just means that the chassis, engine, and
transmission units are the same as the car was delivered with,
not that they all match sequentially. A "Certificate of
Authenticity" is the build sheet that you can request of
Porsche Cars North America®
which will list all the various serial numbers that the car was
built with, and if the car still has all those it is a "matching
numbers" car, and is generally worth more than one that is
not.
Physical Inspection
Always examine a car outside and during the day in good light
1. Check service history against service manual (older 911’s
sometimes not applicable)
2. Vehicle Identification Number- Usually located on driver side
window pillar and in door jamb. Verify V.I.N. In these locations
matches VIN under front hood (pull up carpet and inspect for this)
3. VIN plate condition (if scratched or bent, walk away)
4. VIN check to ownership papers and service book
5. Check VIN year code is correct for first registration
6. Check option codes on sticker under hood (Newer models) and
make sure those same options are still on the car
7. Check engine and transmission type and match to known model
codes(purchase a book if unsure of location)
8. Check mileage and compare to interior wear & tear
9. Check odometer to see if numbers line up
10. All tires condition and wear patterns - should be wearing evenly
all around
11. Tires should all be of the same model/brand/size
12. Wheel condition
13. Brake pads/discs - discs should have no more than a 2mm lip,
otherwise need replacing
14. Examine CV joint condition - should be no leaks at all
15. Check for leaks before driving. After driving, let stand for 10
minutes, then move car and check for new leaks
16. Panel colors should match exactly all around. If not, check why
the car has been re sprayed
17. Check panel fitments for even gaps all around
18. Look down the sides of the car, should be straight. Look for rust
by torsion tubes, front torsion bar mounts, battery trays, rocker
panels, floor pans, fender bottoms...basically all the nooks and
crannies.
19. Look for paint over spray
20. Check all metal panels for filler- A refrigerator magnet will suffice
21. Check front and rear bumpers for condition and paint - if paint is
hazed or badly cracked, has been re-sprayed incorrectly
22. Engine bay condition - is it clean?
23. Oil condition and levels
24. Check front chassis members for straightness
25. Press down hard on each corner and release - car should bounce
up once and settle immediately, otherwise needs new dampers
urgently
26. Check that one key operates both doors and hatch and the
ignition, and sets alarm (if fitted)
27. Check engine cover fit, proper closing, latching, and opening
28. Check spare wheel for condition, check for full toolkit, electric
pump and jack
29. Check rear seats fold correctly
30. Check condition of all seats, and check full operation of all seat
electrics
31. Check condition of carpeting and remainder of interior.
32. Check operation of all interior electric lights
33. Check operation of heater/air conditioning/rear defog/heated
mirrors and check all heater fan speeds
34. Check wipers, screen wash and intensive wash operation
35. Check operation of headlights, sidelights, fog lights, brake lights,
indicators
36. Check condition of all glass areas and seals including mirrors
37. Check condition of headlining and sunroof operation
38. Check operation of stereo and speaker condition
39. Lift carpets front and rear and check for stains/undue
wear/rust/other damage
40. Purchase a book on the model you are considering
41. Have a Pre-Purchase Inspection done by a Porsche Dealer
or reputable independent (If vehicle for sale online only buy
from reputable seller and see if the seller will take vehicle to a
Porsche dealer for a pre-purchase inspection at your cost. If
not be wary- Even if you don’t follow through (You should)
just asking this question and receiving a "no" could prompt a
red flag.
Driving Test
1. Car should start smoothly after no more than two or three turns
2. Check for steady idle speed of around 800 - 1,000 rpm
3. Check for any vibration when running
4. Accelerate in neutral and check for exhaust smoke when engine is
cold
5. There should be no dashboard lights illuminated when driving after
a few minutes
6. Does the car drive and brake straight.
7. Check the brakes for grabbing or shudder
8. Accelerator should be smooth and light to operate
9. Check ABS operation (on an empty road, HARD emergency stop
from 15-20mph)
10. Check odometer and trip meter work
11. Check cruise control works
12. In a car park, drive the car in tight circles - there should be no
noise or clonking from front or rear suspension
13. Smooth gear change operation
17. Check handbrake operation
18. Check all gauges work correctly
19. Under acceleration, power should pick up smoothly throughout
the rev range with no flat spots
20. Under acceleration, engine should not hesitate around 4,000 rpm
- Be wary of areas that have experienced flooding and states
that have less stringent motor vehicle laws. - Communication is key, avoid sellers that don’t communicate.
- If a deal appears “to good to be true” it probably is.
- Porsche should be purchased on condition not price.
- Repairs are very expensive on Porsche and it is often better to
pay top dollar for a pristine example with a good history.
This is only a guide, consult with a Genuine Porsche Dealer if
you are unsure.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for information only and makes no
guarantee that a problem/problems won’t be missed.
| Buyers Checklist |