How do you inspect a used car/engine?

[Marcozi]

Find a reputable indie shop and have the shop perform a pre-purchase inspection. If the car is a more expensive brand, find a shop that specializes in that brand. It'll be the best $200 you'll ever spend.

 

[CarlB]

I have recently helped a family member purchase a used car(2011 Honda CR-V). I have tried to use Carfax to look at maintenance history but some people *cough* *cough* (bitog-goers) like to do most if not all maintenance on their own.

Assuming a car runs and drives well how would you guys assess the health of engine and transmission without having records or documents?

Pay for a PPI. If worried, pay extra for a compression test.

 

[vwmaniaman]

I remove the oil cap while its running and warm. Check for vacuum or smoke. Tells a lot about condition.

 

[Dave1027]

The first thing I look at is the tail pipe. If the inside is all black that usually indicates it's an oil burner.