Used Toyota Camry Inspection Checklist

Get the VIN and rego before you travel. A seller who won't share them is a red flag on its own.

Ask how it was used: private, fleet, taxi or rideshare? Camry hybrids are taxi and rideshare favourites: very high kilometres and hard-worn interiors.

Petrol or hybrid? Hybrids have extra checks below, marked "Hybrid".

Ask for the engine to be cold, go in daylight, and bring a torch, paper towel and a friend.

Panels and paint. Uneven gaps, mismatched colour or overspray on seals and trim mean crash repair. Fleet cars often carry minor repaired scrapes.

Hail and dents. Look along the roof, bonnet and boot at a low angle to the light for small dimples.

Bumpers and wheels. Parking scrapes, cracked bumper tabs and kerbed alloys.

Taxi or rideshare signs: holes in the roof or dash for signs and meters, and decal residue on the doors.

Lights and glass. All lights work; windscreen free of chips in the driver's view. Hazy, yellowed headlight lenses cut light output.

Paint on the roof and boot. Faded or peeling clear coat is common on older cars left in the sun.

VIN plate (in a door frame or under the bonnet) is there, untouched, and matches the papers.

Engine oil between the dipstick marks, brown not black. A low level between services is a clue the engine uses oil.

Coolant at the mark and a clean pink colour. Pink crusty residue or drips at the front of the engine can mean a leaking water pump.

Hybrid: second coolant tank. Hybrids have a separate coolant tank for the hybrid system. Check it's at the mark too.

Brake fluid (small tank at the back of the engine bay) is clear to light amber, not dark.

Belts, hoses and battery. No cracked belts or swollen hoses. A weak 12V battery can stop a hybrid reaching "READY".

Leaks. Wet oil on the engine is a leak. A freshly degreased engine on an older car can be hiding one.

Cold start. Petrol: starts easily and idles smoothly, no rattle or smoke. Hybrid: press start and "READY" should show; the engine may start and stop by itself, which is normal.

Tyre tread above the wear bars, worn evenly. Wear on one edge only means the wheels are out of line.

Tyre age. The 4-digit code on the side is the week and year made (2319 = week 23, 2019). Over ~6 years: budget for new ones.

Rust and crash repairs. Rust on the floor or around the suspension; bent metal, fresh welds or new black coating in one spot.

Drips under the car, and oil stains where it's normally parked.

Suspension. Push down on each corner: it should bounce back once and settle. Oily shock absorbers leak.

Brakes. Deep grooves or a raised edge on the discs mean they're due.

Exhaust. Heavy rust, holes or loose heat shields that rattle.

Warning lights. Key to "on": every dash light comes on, then goes out once running. An airbag, brake, engine or hybrid warning that stays on needs explaining.

Hybrid: battery cooling vent near the rear seat is clear of dust, pet hair and clutter. Blocked vents can overheat the hybrid battery.

Wear matches the kilometres. Steering wheel, pedals and driver's seat. Taxi and rideshare cars also wear the rear seats, door handles and belts.

Seatbelts pull out fully, retract and latch, with no fraying.

Dashboard. No cracks, sticky or shiny patches, or a smell from the dash top.

Air con blows cold within a minute or two, without a musty smell; heater gets hot.

Electrics. Screen, Bluetooth/CarPlay, reversing camera, sensors, windows and mirrors. Count the keys.

Idle in Drive. Foot on the brake, in Drive: no heavy shaking through the seat or steering. Heavy shaking can mean worn engine mounts.

Automatic. Pulls away smoothly with no jerk, shudder, slipping or delay into gear.

Hybrid. Moves off on electric power at low speed, and the engine joins in smoothly with no surges, cut-outs or warnings.

Brakes. Firm pedal; stops straight with no pulling, pulsing or grinding. Hybrid brakes feel different but should still be progressive.

Steering and suspension. Drives straight; no knocks or clunks over bumps.

Noises at speed. A hum that grows with speed is often a worn wheel bearing.

Afterwards, check for new drips, a steady temperature gauge and no hot smells.

Seller's ID matches the rego papers, and the VIN matches on the papers and VIN plate.

Service history. Logbook stamped on time, with receipts. Ask when the gearbox fluid was last changed, if ever.

Hybrid battery health checks. Ask for any reports. Toyota's extended battery warranty depends on them.

Taxi, fleet or rideshare records. Ask for the log, and ask directly whether it was ever registered as a taxi.

Warranty. A newer Camry may still be under Toyota's new-car warranty. Check the start date and that servicing kept it valid.

Rego and roadworthy. Rego checked online; roadworthy supplied if your state requires one on sale.