Free Vehicle Inspection ChecklistSet up the areas, then fill it in here or print it and fill it in by hand as you walk around the vehicle. No sign-up, and nothing you type is uploaded.
Layout
Whole page · the printed page has no watermark or logo.
Examples2 layouts filled in with made-up details. Open one to start with that layout, or print a blank template to fill in by hand.
Default layout
GridA ruled table: every area and item boxed.
Start with this layoutOpen
Layout
LinedLight rules and small boxes. Uses less ink.
Start with this layoutOpen
Prefer to fill it in by hand? Print a blank template and write on it.
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Notice: Generated via SnapPaperwork. For your own checks. It is not an official safety, emissions or roadworthiness inspection, and not a commercial driver’s inspection report.
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How to inspect a vehicle in 3 steps
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Set up the areas
Start from the standard areas (outside, lights, tires, under the hood, brakes, inside, safety kit, documents), and add a trailer or a test drive if you need them.
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Walk around the vehicle
Mark each item G (good), F (fair), P (poor), S (unsafe, fix before driving) or N/A, and write what you saw. Or print it blank and fill it in by hand.
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Fix and keep a record
List the repairs, fix anything marked S before you drive, and keep the checklist with the vehicle’s records.
When to use it
- Before a long trip: lights, tires, fluids and the safety kit
- Before you buy a used car: your own check before a mechanic’s
- Before you sell or return a lease: what to fix, and a record of the condition
- For a small business with vans or cars: a regular check of each one
Tips
- Check tire pressure with the tires cold, against the label inside the driver’s door.
- Ask someone to stand behind the vehicle while you test the brake and reverse lights.
- Check fluids with the engine off and the vehicle on level ground.
- Commercial trucks and buses have their own required inspection reports; use those where the rules ask for them.
Frequently asked questions
Is this vehicle inspection checklist free?
Yes. It is free to use, needs no account or sign-up, and never adds a watermark or a SnapPaperwork logo to your checklist.
Is this an official vehicle inspection?
No. It is a checklist for your own walk-around. State or national safety and emissions inspections, and the reports commercial drivers must keep, have their own forms and rules.
What do the condition codes mean?
G is good, F is fair (check it again soon), P is poor and needs repair, S means unsafe: fix it before driving, and N/A means the item does not apply.
Can I add my own areas and items?
Yes. Add a trailer, a test drive or your own area, rename anything, and add or remove items.
Can I use it for a used car I am buying?
Yes. Add the test drive area and take it with you. It is a good start, but have a mechanic look at it too before you pay.
Is my information uploaded or stored on your servers?
No. Everything you type stays in your browser and is never sent to me. It is saved on your own device so it is there next time.