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If the seats are saggy and the steering wheel worn smooth, then the car's a high-miler, whatever the odometer (or the seller) says. Other signs of high mileage include worn or missing pedal rubbers (or brand-new ones), a driver's seatbelt that doesn't retract properly, worn carpet under the driver's mat, sagging or stained upholstery, damaged trim etc. If the numbers on the clock (odometer or mileometer) don't line up properly, then it could have been tampered with.
Are the carpets wet, especially in the driver's footwell? This could mean leaking windscreen seals, or holes in the bulkhead, floor or even the heater matrix. Look in the boot, and lift up the carpet if possible. Are there any signs of welding? Or is the floor rippled from an impact?
Check that the seats fold, swivel (where appropriate) and adjust correctly, are properly anchored to the base of the car, and that all the seatbelts fasten and retract correctly
Under the bonnet
Look at both the front corners and down the sides for signs of welding or botched repair to the inner wings (also a chance to note down the VIN on the engine). Look at the oil dipstick - is the oil golden-brown and clear, or black and lumpy? If it's very lumpy or has white mayonnaise-like froth in it, then the engine may have been seriously neglected or the head gasket has gone.
Look at all the fluid containers - is there enough coolant in the radiator expansion tank? Is the brake fluid or gearbox oil low? And what about the power-steering or windscreen washer fluid? All this indicates whether the car has been well cared for.
Engine first
Test the engine first. Does it fire up quickly? Check whether the car was warmed up and started before you arrived (the engine will be warm if it was). Are there clouds of blue smoke from the exhaust? Are there any odd tapping noises - especially those that speed up when the engine speeds up - metallic clunks and so on, and does the car tick over evenly when the driver's foot is not on the throttle?
Set off
Make sure that you are insured to drive the car. Does it pull away evenly? Check that you can engage all the gears - don't forget reverse - and that the car doesn't jump out of gear. In an automatic, feel for the changes in ratio and smoothness of acceleration - does the car jerk or lurch?
