Module 12: Capstone — 100-Point Vehicle Inspection¶

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The capstone project: perform a complete, documented 100-point vehicle inspection — assessing every major system, scoring condition, estimating repair costs, and delivering a maintenance calendar. Build something a real owner can act on.

Project Brief¶

You have completed 11 modules covering every major vehicle system from the four-stroke cycle to EV battery chemistry. This capstone asks you to apply that knowledge as a unified whole: performing a thorough, documented inspection of a real vehicle and producing a report that the owner can actually use.

This is not a test with a right answer. It is a real-world task — the same task a professional pre-purchase inspector, fleet manager, or experienced DIY mechanic would undertake. There are no answers at the back of this module. Your output is the product.

[!IMPORTANT] You must do the work. The hints and milestone guidance in this module exist to help you move forward when you're stuck — not to give you a template to copy. An inspection performed mindlessly against a checklist teaches nothing. An inspection performed with your own eyes, hands, and reasoning, with the checklist as a guide, builds the intuition that lasts a lifetime.

Estimated time: 8–12 hours (including vehicle access, documentation, research, and write-up)

Prerequisites¶

All modules 01–11 must be studied. At minimum:

[[cars-maintenance/modules/01_introduction]] — safety, fluid checks, warning lights
[[cars-maintenance/modules/02_fluids-and-filters]] — fluid condition assessment
[[cars-maintenance/modules/03_tires-and-brakes]] — tire and brake inspection
[[cars-maintenance/modules/04_battery-and-electrical]] — battery and charging system test
[[cars-maintenance/modules/05_engine-fundamentals]] — engine condition assessment
[[cars-maintenance/modules/06_suspension-and-steering]] — suspension and steering inspection
[[cars-maintenance/modules/07_diagnostics-and-obd2]] — OBD-II scan and interpretation
[[cars-maintenance/modules/08_diy-repairs]] — repair procedures and cost estimation
[[cars-maintenance/modules/11_road-trips-and-emergencies]] — pre-trip checklist integrated into inspection

What You Will Produce¶

At the end of this project you will have:

A 100-point inspection report documenting the condition of each major system with a score (0–10 per category), photographs or detailed descriptions, and findings notes
A repair priority list — which issues require immediate action, which can wait, and estimated costs for each
A 12-month maintenance calendar with specific dates, tasks, and cost estimates for scheduled maintenance
A written summary (3–5 paragraphs) interpreting the overall condition, prioritizing actions, and advising the owner

Inspection Scope¶

The 100-point inspection covers 10 categories, 10 points each:

Category 1: Engine and Fluids (10 points)¶

Engine oil: level, color, consistency (2 pts)
Coolant: level, color, condition (2 pts)
Brake fluid: level, color (1 pt)
Transmission fluid: level, color if accessible (1 pt)
Evidence of leaks: oil, coolant, transmission, power steering (2 pts)
Engine belt condition (serpentine, accessory belts) (2 pts)

Category 2: Cooling System (10 points)¶

Coolant hose condition: upper, lower, heater hoses (3 pts)
Radiator condition: leaks, damage, fin blockage (3 pts)
Thermostat function (engine reaches operating temp within expected time) (2 pts)
Cooling fan operation (electric fans activate at temperature) (2 pts)

Category 3: Brakes (10 points)¶

Brake pad thickness: front (2 pts), rear (2 pts)
Rotor condition: scoring, rust, thickness estimate (3 pts)
Brake fluid condition: color, level (1 pt)
Pedal feel: firm, no sponginess (2 pts)

Category 4: Tires and Wheels (10 points)¶

Tread depth: all four tires (4 pts)
Tire condition: sidewall, age, wear pattern (3 pts)
Tire pressure: all four vs. spec (2 pts)
Spare tire condition and pressure (1 pt)

Category 5: Battery and Electrical (10 points)¶

Battery voltage: resting and running (3 pts)
Alternator output voltage (2 pts)
Terminal condition: corrosion, secure connection (2 pts)
All exterior lights functional (3 pts)

Category 6: OBD-II Diagnostic (10 points)¶

Connection and scan completed (2 pts)
Stored DTCs: each with research and assessment (4 pts)
Readiness monitors status (2 pts)
Freeze frame data (if any codes present) reviewed (2 pts)

Category 7: Suspension and Steering (10 points)¶

Bounce test: front and rear (2 pts)
Visual inspection: shocks/struts, control arms, tie rods (3 pts)
Steering play and wheel return (2 pts)
Evidence of uneven wear patterns (alignment indicator) (3 pts)

Category 8: Exterior and Body (10 points)¶

Panel alignment and gap consistency (3 pts)
Rust assessment: surface, edge, structural (4 pts)
Glass: chips, cracks, wiper condition (2 pts)
Undercarriage: rust, exhaust, fluid accumulation (1 pt)

Category 9: Interior and HVAC (10 points)¶

All interior controls functional (windows, locks, mirrors) (3 pts)
HVAC: heat, AC, fan speeds (3 pts)
Dashboard warning lights: none illuminated at operating temperature (2 pts)
Interior condition consistent with stated mileage (2 pts)

Category 10: Test Drive Assessment (10 points)¶

Cold start behavior: idle quality, warm-up time (2 pts)
Acceleration: smooth, no hesitation (2 pts)
Braking: straight tracking, no pulsation (2 pts)
Steering: straight tracking, no pull (2 pts)
Unusual noises: identified and noted (2 pts)

Project Milestones¶

Work through these milestones in order. Each one produces a tangible output.

Milestone 1: Vehicle Selection and Setup¶

Choose the vehicle you will inspect (your own, a family member's, or a willing volunteer's)
Gather required tools: OBD-II scanner, tire pressure gauge, multimeter, flashlight, notepad
Set up a documentation method: printed inspection sheet, phone photos, or spreadsheet
Run an OBD-II baseline scan before any physical inspection

Output: Vehicle selected; tools assembled; baseline scan saved

Milestone 2: Under-Hood and Systems Inspection¶

Complete Categories 1 and 2 (Engine, Fluids, Cooling)
Complete Category 5 (Battery and Electrical)
Record findings with scores and notes for each item

Output: 30 points scored and documented

Milestone 3: Safety Systems Inspection¶

Complete Category 3 (Brakes) — vehicle must be safely lifted for this
Complete Category 4 (Tires and Wheels)
Complete Category 7 (Suspension and Steering)

Output: 30 more points scored; total 60 points documented

Milestone 4: Body, Interior, and OBD-II¶

Complete Category 6 (OBD-II Diagnostic) — full fault code research
Complete Category 8 (Exterior and Body)
Complete Category 9 (Interior and HVAC)

Output: All static inspection complete; 90 points scored

Milestone 5: Test Drive and Report Completion¶

Complete Category 10 (Test Drive Assessment)
Calculate total score (out of 100)
Write repair priority list with cost estimates
Build 12-month maintenance calendar
Write owner summary

Output: Complete inspection report

Acceptance Criteria¶

Your capstone is complete when:

All 10 inspection categories scored with notes
OBD-II scan completed and all codes researched (if any)
Test drive completed and assessed
Repair priority list includes at least one finding (unless the vehicle is genuinely perfect — possible but unlikely)
Each repair item has a realistic cost estimate (parts + labor if not DIY)
12-month maintenance calendar created with specific dates
Written summary addresses: overall condition, top 3 priority repairs, and maintenance outlook
Report is clear enough that someone who didn't perform the inspection could understand and act on it

Getting Unstuck¶

Hint: I don't know where to start

Start with the OBD-II scan. It takes 5 minutes and gives you a roadmap — any stored codes tell you immediately which systems need more attention during your physical inspection. Then work under the hood (easy, no lifting) before moving to the wheel and brake inspection (requires lifting safely).

Hint: I don't have access to a vehicle for inspection

Simulate the inspection using public information. Pick a specific year/make/model of vehicle, research common problems reported by owners online, find a sample OBD-II report for that model, and use the manufacturer's service schedule as the baseline for the maintenance calendar. Note clearly in your report that this is a simulated inspection. The analytical work (prioritization, cost estimation, maintenance calendar) is the core learning — you can do this without physical access.

Hint: I found a serious problem — should I keep inspecting?

Yes. A professional inspection documents everything regardless. If you find a serious problem early (e.g., structural rust, milky oil), note it clearly and continue. Your final report should reflect the complete picture, not just the serious problems. Sometimes a car with one serious issue is otherwise in excellent condition; the repair may be worth doing.

Hint: I'm not sure how to estimate repair costs

For each repair, research: (1) what parts are needed and their cost at online retailers, (2) the labor time estimate (look up "labor time for [repair] on [year/make/model]" — many mechanics use flat-rate books), and (3) current labor rates in your area (varies from $80–200/hour depending on market). Add parts + labor = total estimate. For DIY items, labor = $0.

Hint: How do I build the maintenance calendar?

Start with your vehicle's manufacturer maintenance schedule (in the owner's manual). List every service item with its interval. For each item: (1) find out when it was last done (from service records or condition assessment), (2) calculate when it's due next, (3) assign a month on the calendar. Items overdue go on the calendar in the current or next month. Then add any repairs identified in the inspection.

Submission¶

Document your work in a file in your project folder (or in the PROJECTS.md at the topic level using the Project Attempt Template). Include:

The completed 100-point inspection score sheet
Your repair priority list with cost estimates
Your 12-month maintenance calendar
Your owner summary (3–5 paragraphs)

Link your project from the topic README Projects table and update PROGRESS.md with your completion.

This is the final module of the Cars, Maintenance and Automotive Knowledge topic. Completing this capstone marks the achievement of genuine automotive literacy — the ability to understand, maintain, diagnose, and make informed decisions about any vehicle you own or consider buying.