How to Inspect a Used Motorsports Vehicle

When inspecting a used motorsports vehicle you don’t want to spend an hour going over every nook and cranny, but you also don’t want to miss an important mechanical issue! Finding a balance between a quick but thorough inspection can be difficult - but the following tips can help.

Check the Vehicle History

When considering a used motorsports vehicle, you’ll want to get a copy of the maintenance report. This will consist of information like preventative maintenance work that’s been done or any post-accident repairs that have been handled. We encourage you to ask for this report and review it carefully. Repeat maintenance issues or multiple accidents are red flags to look out for.

Check the Engine

Start up the engine. Does it start without issue or does it take a while? Is the engine making any suspicious noises as it idles? Remember that engine repairs can be quite costly, so be cautious about used motorsports vehicles with engine issues right off the bat.

Check the Undercarriage

Checking the undercarriage is an important inspection task that’s relatively easy. If you have a flashlight, you may want to use it as you begin to inspect the underside of the used motorsports vehicle. Look for any bends, cracks, or leaks.

Check the Tires

Next, you’ll want to give the tires a quick inspection. Keep your ear out for the sound of leaking air as you lean down to inspect the tires. Make sure there are no punctures or cracks!

Don’t forget to inspect the tread.  If the tread is worn down unevenly across the tire, it could indicate a larger structural issue.

Check the Fluids

Look over the quality of the various vehicle fluids, such as the coolant, brake fluid, and oil. If things are an odd color, have an odd smell, or contain bits of debris, this could mean that there are problems with the used motorsports vehicle.

Now that you know how to perform a quick and efficient inspection on a used motorsports vehicle, you’re ready to start shopping. Check out the selection at Big St. Charles Motorsports today! We are based in St. Charles, Missouri, and also serve those in St. Louis and St. Peters.