Free Vehicle Condition Report Templates

Streamline the process of assessing and documenting your vehicle’s overall condition using downloadable vehicle condition report templates.

Vehicle Condition Report Template

Download this free vehicle condition report template to efficiently assess and document information and the condition of a vehicle, from exterior flaws and interior details to mechanical components and tire conditions. Ensure accuracy, maintain consistency, and enhance transparency when buying, selling, or maintaining a vehicle by doing the following:

1. Fill in basic information about the vehicle being assessed and the purpose of the vehicle condition report being created.
2. Rate the various aspects of the vehicle if they’re in Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor condition.
3. Add notes and attach annotated photos as evidence of the vehicle’s condition during the inspection.
4. Document any additional details and observations as needed.
5. Include digital signatures to verify accuracy and export the completed report into a PDF, Excel, or Word file for recordkeeping and store it securely on the cloud.

What is a Vehicle Condition Report Template?

A vehicle condition report template is a standardized document and tool used to record and state the condition of a vehicle. It provides a structured format to help the individual assessing a vehicle describe its exterior, interior, mechanical components, and any existing damages or issues in detail.

How to Describe Vehicle Condition

When describing a vehicle’s condition, be specific and provide details about its overall aspects, including the exterior, interior, mechanical aspects, and tire condition. Include information about any repairs needed, maintenance history, and the overall impression of the vehicle. With these guidelines, you can accurately assess and describe a vehicle’s condition using the common terms “Excellent,” “Very Good,” “Good,” “Fair,” and “Poor.”

You can use these sample criteria to help you describe a vehicle’s condition:

Excellent:

• Exterior: Minimal or no visible flaws, scratches, or dents
• Interior: No signs of wear or damage, clean and well-maintained.
• Mechanical: All systems and components are in excellent working order, with no issues or repairs needed; the tread depth is good, and the tires are in excellent condition.
• Overall: The vehicle appears almost new and has been meticulously cared for.

Very Good:

• Exterior: Minor cosmetic flaws like light scratches or small dents
• Interior: Minimal wear and tear, clean and well-kept
• Mechanical: All systems and components are in good working order, with no major issues; the tread depth is decent, and the tires are in good condition.
• Overall: The vehicle shows slight signs of use but is in overall great condition.

Good:

• Exterior: Visible wear and tear, including scratches, dents, or blemishes
• Interior: Some signs of wear, such as minor stains or wear on upholstery
• Mechanical: All major systems and components are functional, with no significant issues; the tread depth is reasonable, and the tires are in acceptable condition.
• Overall: The vehicle shows average wear and tear for its age and mileage.

Fair:

• Exterior: Noticeable wear and tear, multiple scratches, dents, or paint damage
• Interior: Moderate wear, such as stains, tears, or significant signs of use
• Mechanical: Some mechanical or electrical issues that require attention, but the vehicle is still operational; the tread depth may be low, and the tires may require replacement soon.
• Overall: The vehicle shows significant signs of use, with noticeable wear and some functional issues.

Poor:

• Exterior: Extensive damage, including major dents, deep scratches, or severe paint damage
• Interior: Severe wear, significant damage, or non-functional components
• Mechanical: Multiple mechanical or electrical issues that impact the vehicle’s functionality; low tread depth, worn-out tires, or uneven wear.
• Overall: The vehicle is in poor condition, with significant cosmetic and mechanical deficiencies.

Why Use a Template For Recording Vehicle Condition

Having a standardized vehicle condition report template is important to achieve the following benefits and more:

• Ensures that all necessary information is consistently captured for each vehicle assessment
• Saves time and effort by not having to create a format from scratch for each vehicle assessment
• Provides a clear and objective assessment of the vehicle’s condition before and after a specific event, such as a rental period or transport
• Helps protect the interests of both parties involved by documenting any pre-existing damages or issues
• Makes it easier to share information about the vehicle’s condition with relevant parties, such as buyers, sellers, renters, or insurers
• Serves as a reference point or legal document for resolving disputes or claims regarding damages that may occur during the use or transportation of the vehicle

What Should Be Included in a Vehicle Condition Report Template

A comprehensive vehicle condition report template typically includes these key information and sections:

• Title Page – Details about the vehicle assessment and report being created
• Vehicle Information – Make, model, year, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), license plate number, mileage, etc.
• Exterior Assessment – Any scratches, dents, paint chips, windshield cracks, rust, or other visible damages
• Interior Assessment – Condition of seats, upholstery, dashboard, carpets, and any equipment or accessories
• Mechanical Assessment – Functionality of lights, indicators, brakes, tires, wheels, engine, transmission, etc.
• Additional Details – Fuel level, tire pressure, and existing damages
• Provision for Media Attachments – photos and other visual documentation of the vehicle’s condition and any damages or issues
• Completion Page – Any other relevant observations and sign-offs

How to Write a Vehicle Condition Report Using a Template

To write a vehicle condition report using a template, follow these steps:

1. Include information about the vehicle assessment being conducted and the purpose of recording the vehicle’s condition.
2. Enter the vehicle information, including the make, model, year, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), license plate number, and mileage or odometer reading.
3. Use the designated sections to describe the condition of the vehicle’s:
   • exterior, including the lights, mirrors, windows, and windshields;
   • interior, including the seats, upholstery, dashboard, carpets, headliner, air conditioning, infotainment system, and controls;
   • mechanical components and systems, including the engine, transmission, brakes, steering, suspension, exhaust, lights, indicators, audio system, and power windows; and
   • tires, including tread depth, wheels, and rims.
4. Note any scratches, dents, paint chips, rust, stains, wear and tear, abnormal noises, vibrations, leaks, or other visible damages and issues.
5. Include any additional observations or details about the vehicle’s condition, such as maintenance records, recent repairs, modifications, or known issues.
6. Attach relevant photos and notes to provide context or evidence of the vehicle’s condition.
7. Ensure the report is dated and signed by the person conducting the assessment. If applicable, obtain the signature of the vehicle owner or representative as well.

FAQs About Vehicle Condition Report Templates

What are the most common failures of a car?

The most common failures or issues experienced by cars can vary depending on the make, model, age, and maintenance history of the vehicle. However, there are several common failures that many cars may encounter over time, such as:

• Battery failure
• Alternator failure
• Starter motor failure
• Engine overheating
• Transmission issues
• Brake system problems
• Suspension and steering system failures
• Fuel system issues
• Exhaust system failures

Who uses vehicle condition reports?

Vehicle condition reports can be used by various parties, including:

• Rental car companies – to document the condition of the vehicle before and after a rental period, ensuring that any damages incurred during the rental are properly recorded
• Dealerships – to assess the condition of used vehicles before offering them for sale
• Transport companies – to record the condition of vehicles being transported and to establish responsibility for any damages that may occur during transit
• Individuals – to ensure an accurate record of a vehicle’s condition when buying or selling a used vehicle
• Fleet Departments – to monitor the condition of their assets, their maintenance schedules, and repair history

Are vehicle condition reports legally binding?

Vehicle condition reports are not inherently legally binding documents, but they can serve as crucial evidence in case of disputes. Their importance lies in their ability to provide an objective record of the vehicle’s condition, which can support or challenge claims related to damages or issues.

Can vehicle condition reports be used for insurance claims?

Yes, vehicle condition reports can be used as supporting documentation for insurance claims. When filing a claim for damages, having a vehicle condition report that predates the incident can help establish the pre-existing condition of the vehicle and provide evidence of the damages caused by the incident.

Improve Reporting of Vehicle Condition Using SafetyCulture

Why use SafetyCulture?

Managing and documenting vehicles’ conditions can be tedious and time-consuming if the process isn’t optimized for quality recordkeeping. Hence, using a tool like SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) is advisable and beneficial for any organization or individual when creating vehicle condition reports.

SafetyCulture is an operations platform and vehicle inspection app that has powerful features and functionalities that enable operational improvement in organizations. Using this tool, vehicle inspectors, fleet managers, and other individuals can do the following:

• Download and use checklists and templates from the Public Library when creating vehicle condition reports. Export them into various formats—including PDF, Excel, Word, or Weblink—and store them on SafetyCulture’s secure cloud.
• Record vehicle issues and assign corrective actions as needed.
• Use the Analytics dashboard to benchmark recurring vehicle performance issues and trends to develop continuous improvement plans.
• Create and deploy training to assigned personnel to standardize vehicle condition maintenance, inspections, and reporting in your organization.
• Ensure workers have the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when inspecting vehicles. Don’t run out of PPE stocks by purchasing from the SafetyCulture Marketplace.
• Promote and manage the safety of lone workers inspecting vehicles using SHEQSY by SafetyCulture.
• Manage your organization’s assets, including various types of vehicles, using the Asset Management feature so that you won’t need to manually enter asset information during scheduled maintenance and inspections.

Related Vehicle Condition Report Templates

Vehicle Defect and Condition Report

To document your organization’s fleet’s defects and condition, use this template to indicate vehicle details, defects, and overall assessments. Answer Yes-No-N/A questions to check each component or aspect of vehicles and note any additional information.

Fleet Vehicle Condition Inspection

Record fleet vehicles’ information along with their exterior, engine compartment, and interior condition during inspections using this template. Identify whether each aspect passes minimum requirements and attach media to provide evidence of the assessment.

Vehicle Damage Report

Use this vehicle damage report template to collect necessary information, such as details of the driver, vehicle damage, parties involved, and witnesses’ statements to support insurance claims. Complete the form by providing digital signatures verified by the fleet manager.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist

This generic vehicle inspection checklist aims to help you identify defects and mechanical issues in any vehicle by having an authorized inspector check all the parts and determine if the vehicle is good to go, needs repair service, or must have parts replacement.

Explore more templates

Vehicle Defect and Condition Report

To document your organization’s fleet’s defects and condition, use this template to indicate vehicle details, defects, and overall assessments. Answer Yes-No-N/A questions to check each component or aspect of vehicles and note any additional information.

Fleet Vehicle Condition Inspection

Record fleet vehicles’ information along with their exterior, engine compartment, and interior condition during inspections using this template. Identify whether each aspect passes minimum requirements and attach media to provide evidence of the assessment.

Vehicle Damage Report

Use this vehicle damage report template to collect necessary information, such as details of the driver, vehicle damage, parties involved, and witnesses’ statements to support insurance claims. Complete the form by providing digital signatures verified by the fleet manager.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist

This generic vehicle inspection checklist aims to help you identify defects and mechanical issues in any vehicle by having an authorized inspector check all the parts and determine if the vehicle is good to go, needs repair service, or must have parts replacement.