Spotting a lemon: 115-Point Inspections Explained

Most of us, including myself, have bought or know someone who bought a "lemon" at some point in the past. At Coopers of Hampshire, all of our cars are 115-point inspected. This includes a thorough examination of the vehicle exterior and engine bay, where various tests get undertaken, an extended test drive, an interior inspection and underbody inspection.

This blog post explains exactly what goes on during our 115-point inspection, and why you should value such a thing on a used car.

1. The Exterior Inspection

We start by a full exterior inspection. We inspect the vehicle lighting, to confirm all headlamps, indicators, fog lamps, main beam, dipped beam, side lights, tail lights, brake lights, numberplate lights and all other exterior driving lamps are working correctly. We will replace any bulbs or lighting fixtures that need changing, to ensure they function correctly. We also make sure the remote locking and alarm are working properly, confirm both keys work, and check each door to ensure they are unlocking and locking correctly. We also check to ensure the fuel filler cap is present and functions correctly.

We then examine the bodywork for any damage, insecure items such as bumpers of mirrors, cracked lamps, dents and damage to the windscreen that are too minor to be repaired by us. This then gets marked on the below diagram in the Body Condition Report available with every vehicle via our website.

2. The Interior Inspection

We then move onto the interior inspection of the vehicle. We check all seatbelts are functioning correctly, check the windows work, confirm headrests can be adjusted, and check the front seats can be adjusted.

We check the interior condition and anything too minor to be repaired by us gets marked on the below diagram in the Body Condition Report available with every vehicle via our website.

We also check to ensure the locking wheel nut key (where locking wheel nuts are fitted) is present.

3. The Instrument Cluster and Dashboard

At this point we check the centre console to make sure all interior accessories are working correctly, including the blower, air conditioning (where fitted), infotainment system, climate control (where fitted), heated/cooled seats (where fitted), heated front and rear screens, de-mist function, and any other electrical device.

We also check that all warning lights on the dashboard correctly extinguish when the engine is started, and confirm functionality of the indicator and main beam and wipers from the driver controls. We check when the next service is due, and carry out an oil and filter change if required.

4. The Test Drive

Next, we move onto the test drive. A vehicle is driven for a minimum of 20 miles in a variety of conditions, including a high-speed run. We check for correct engine start, how the steering and handling feels, suspension, feel for any rough gear changes, confirm the transmission is performing normally and test in all gears, confirm the engine isn't under reduced performance and is boosting correctly (where the engine is turbo charged), check performance of the brakes and parking brake, check the odometer functions correctly and confirm accessories such as cruise control (where fitted) functions correctly. We also monitor the engine temperature, perform a hot engine restart, and check for any unusual noises when idling as well under road test. We use a sleeping policeman to check shock absorber rebound.

We check the wipers, washers and horn all function correctly. We also check parking sensors and reversing cameras where fitted.

5. The Engine Bay Inspection

Once the engine is up to temperature, we inspect the engine bay. At this point we remove the engine cover and check for any visible oil leaks around the engine. We look for any visible coolant loss also. We check the condition of the auxiliary/drive belt and tensioner and that the cooling fan operates. We also check for excessive vibration from engine mounts and listen for any unusual noises.

Next, we move onto more in-depth inspections. First, we check the oil cap and dipstick for signs of water or coolant contamination. Next we check for any obvious signs of "blow-by" or smoking, which could indicate a cylinder leak. We also run a dye test on the cooling system which can detect any signs of combustion gases which might identify a more serious problem. Where possible, brake fluid is tested for moisture content.

We also perform battery and alternator tests. We test the battery to confirm where in its lifecycle it is. If its cranking ability is below the required threshold, it will be replaced. We then check the alternator with workshop equipment. We confirm when the engine is running that the alternator is charging the battery, and when under load, it responds as expected and continues charging.

Once the engine has cooled to the correct temperature, we check the oil level and top up the windscreen washer fluid.

6. The Under-Body Inspection

The vehicle is put on a ramp (where possible), and an underbody inspection is carried out. We look to confirm the exhaust is secure and has no obvious leaks. We check each wheel to confirm tyre tread depth, check the brake pads, check the brake discs for wear/scoring or any lips, and look for signs of sticking brake calipers. Wheels are checked to confirm the wheel nuts are tight and that the are no missing wheel nuts, and tyres are topped up to the correct pressures. These then get monitored for any leaks and repaired as appropriate. We also check the underbody to make sure any protective coverings or undertrays are secure.

On each wheel, we check the suspension strut and spring for any cracking, and we check the shock absorbers for oil leakage or signs of failed internal bearings. We then perform a visual inspection of all ball joint, CV joint and steering rack gaiters. Wheels are checked for horizontal and vertical movement, which could indicate worn suspension components or wheel bearings. We also look for any obviously worn bushings.

If a vehicle has had an MOT in the preceding month, this serves as the under-body inspection.

A copy of the 115-point vehicle inspection can be found on each vehicle listing on our website. An example can be found here.

Now obviously, there are thousands of components on a vehicle, and it is reasonable to expect that on a car that has travelled nearly 100,000 miles or more and seen 10+ British winters will have components that wear out. Our 115-point inspection aims to be a comprehensive guide and re-assurance that the main things have been checked over, and the buyer can purchase with confidence. You will find few other dealers seller vehicles over 5 years old which have had any form of inspection. We encourage buyers to value those dealers who do.

Coopers of Hampshire are an automatic vehicle specialist based just outside Southampton in Ower. All of our vehicles are 115-point inspected and include body condition reports, and unless otherwise stated, include a minimum 3 months warranty. We are a registered company in England, number 14416644. We are VAT registered, number 451375008. We are Accredited by the Motor Ombudsman, the UK’s government-backed, self-regulatory body for the motor industry, registration number 23439.