Checklist to inspect cart for purchase ?

[bdsii]

Hey guys....I wanted to create a checklist of sorts to use when looking at a used cart to purchase and wanted to see what you think I should add to the checklist. The checklist is based on someone without a lot of mechanical experience.

For you experts, you know what to look for without any difficulty, but I found it is helpful to have something to remind me to check everything I should. It is easy to get excited and forget important basics to check.

It seems with technology today, a lot of people do most of their searching on websites such as craigslist. You can get many basics before even seeing the cart but you would want to verify that previous info too.

Prior to seeing the cart:
Year of cart
Year of batteries
Options that are on cart (backseat/lights/etc)

Inspecting the cart in person
Check:
- plate for serial number / year
- condition of the cart body for scratches/dents
- tire condition and wear
- seats for tears
- battery ages
- battery voltages using multimeter and condition of batteries
- functioning lights and accessories
- how the cart handles when driving / unusual noises or motion
- battery charger works properly by plugging in charging
- ask if original controller or replaced stock / upgraded controller
- ask if original motor or replaced stock / upgraded motor

Anything else to add ?

[Sir Nuke]

look UNDER the cart.....check for rust.....especially the battery tray.

[scottyb]

Look at the owners car or truck and home. If everything is nice and clean then buy the cart. If everything is a patched together mess than so is the cart

[bdsii]

Thanks guys.....any other advice ?

[JcXtreme72]

For gas powered remember to check the engine for oil before trying to start. And secondly check to see if it starts. If I can't see something move and can't test drive it myself I never pay more then I would for a parts cart/motorcycle/atv/car or truck... you get the idea. Engines run differently warm versus cold to if it does start get it up to temp (only if all the fluids check out). Might have a small oil leak and you can only tell at first look cause it smokes on the engine when warm or something like that.

[stang99x]

Scotty is right in that you can look at a person's cars and get a good feeling for how they treat the cart. I'd say add to your list looking at the wiring and seeing if it's been repaired, is hard, or shows any burns. Many times you can see burned wires before they fail, and they become really hard and lose their flexibility as they fail. Take a voltmeter and test the batteries right in front of the seller. If possible, pull the cart up to a curb and do a light load test on them if they are older. Remember that batteries have more of a "usage" lifespan than one based on time. Assuming that batteries will normally last 3-5 years, if they are 2 years old then they are already in the later half of the lifespan. People often call 18-24 month old batteries "new." Glance at the motor and see if it's excessively dirty. Look at the rear end and see if you see any permatex (gasket maker) around the rear end. If you don't, it's probably never been changed. Look at the shocks (they aren't really shocks, they are more of a "damper") and look for an oily residue. If you see oil and dirt, the shock is blown out. Shocks are stupid expensive for a cart all things considered. Look at tire wear, is it even or more outside or more center wear? (over inflation causes center tread wear, under inflation causes outer tread wear) Are they dry rotted? You will look at a cart the same way you look at a car. Ask if the brake shoes have ever been changed if it's more than 3-4 years old. Bombard the seller with questions and then they'll realize they have never done any of that and perhaps you'll get a better deal.

[yurtle]

Steering and breaking.

[tag50]

Originally Posted by yurtle

Steering and breaking.

Ya, breaking it will lower the price. (sorry, I couldn't stop myself)


.

[yurtle]

Though not specifically listed, check battery electrolyte levels.

[bdsii]

Yurtle - is that the correct term for the distilled water levels in the batteries ?