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Commercial Truck Inspection Form

The commercial truck pre-purchase checklist, ready to fill in at the truck. Pick the type, work through each section, and download the report when you are done.

Book a commercial truck inspectionCall 951-267-8500

Commercial Truck inspection form. A pre-purchase checklist written for trucks: 83 to 93 points across 13 sections. Mark each item Pass, Attention or Fail, add notes and readings, then download the report.

At a glance

  • Semis, box trucks, fleet
  • Air brakes and slack adjusters, fifth wheel, DOT annual, ECM fault history.
  • Downloads as a PDF report or a CSV
  • Free, and nothing you type leaves your device
What the form covers
  • ECM fault history, derate events and idle time, and ECM miles against the odometer
  • DOT annual sticker and paperwork
  • Air brakes: build time, governor, leak-down, low air warning, slack adjusters and pushrod stroke
  • Fifth wheel, jaws and slider on a tractor; box, doors and liftgate on a straight truck
  • Engine, engine brake, aftertreatment, frame, axles and suspension
  • A road test and every tire position, steer to drive

Want it inspected by someone who does this every day? The commercial truck inspection page explains what we check and how to book. Need a different form? Every one is on the inspection forms page.

Progress0 / 93
0Pass
0Attention
0Fail
0N/A

Truck and Inspection Details

Fill in what you know. Anything left blank prints as a dash on the report.

KeyPass, good conditionAttention, needs a closer look or a repair soonFail, needs repair before you rely on itN/A, not fitted or not tested
Documents, VIN and DOT0 / 9
  • VIN on the frame and door label matches the title
  • Title status and lien
  • DOT annual inspection sticker and report, current
  • Registration, and IRP cab card if it ran interstate
  • Maintenance records
  • Odometer agrees with ECM miles
  • Engine emissions label present
  • Open recalls checked (NHTSA)
  • ELD or log device present, if it ran under ELD rules

Readings

ECM and Fault History0 / 7
  • Active fault codes
  • Inactive and historic fault codes
  • Derate events logged
  • Engine protection shutdowns logged
  • Aftertreatment faults and regen history
  • Trip data: fuel economy and idle time
  • Speed limiter and cruise settings

Readings

Engine0 / 11
  • Cold start and idle
  • Crankcase blow-by
  • Oil level, condition and leaks
  • Coolant level, condition and leaks
  • Coolant in oil or oil in coolant
  • Turbo and charge air cooler leaks
  • Engine brake, every stage
  • Exhaust leaks
  • Belts, tensioner and fan hub
  • Fuel filters, water separator and fuel leaks
  • Engine mounts

Readings

Aftertreatment: DPF, SCR and DEF0 / 6
  • DPF soot and ash load
  • Regen interval and forced regen result
  • DEF quality and doser crystals
  • NOx sensors and SCR efficiency
  • DOC and DPF clamps, exhaust leaks
  • Delete signs

Readings

Air Brake System0 / 15
  • Air builds from 85 to 100 psi within 45 seconds
  • Governor cut-out and cut-in pressures
  • Air loss, brakes released, engine off
  • Air loss, brakes applied, engine off
  • Low air warning comes on at or above 60 psi
  • Spring brakes apply on their own as air drops
  • Air dryer and purge valve
  • Tanks drained, oil or water in them
  • Air lines, fittings and chafing
  • Brake chambers, cracked housings or broken springs
  • Slack adjusters, automatic and not hand-adjusted
  • Pushrod stroke within the limit
  • Drums and linings, cracks and thickness
  • ABS light off
  • Parking brake holds the truck

Readings

CDL pre-trip limits: released leak under 2 psi a minute on a single vehicle (3 on a combination), applied under 3 (4 on a combination). Check stroke against the limit for the chamber size.

Hydraulic Brakes0 / 6
  • Master cylinder fluid level and condition
  • Hydro-boost or vacuum booster
  • Pads and rotors
  • Brake hoses and lines
  • Parking brake, driveline drum or rear
  • ABS light off

Readings

Fifth Wheel and Coupling0 / 9
  • Top plate, cracks and wear, greased
  • Jaws and lock, slack in the lock
  • Release handle and secondary lock
  • Slider locks and pins
  • Mounting brackets and bolts
  • Gladhands and seals
  • Air lines and 7-way cord, chafing
  • Tractor protection valve works
  • Deck plate and headache rack
Body, Box and Liftgate0 / 8
  • Box floor, walls and roof, leaks
  • Rear roll-up or swing doors
  • Liftgate runs, platform and hydraulics
  • Body mounting to the frame
  • Rear impact guard and reflective tape
  • Dump hoist or PTO, if fitted
  • Reefer unit runs and pulls down, if fitted
  • Mud flaps
Frame, Axles and Suspension0 / 11
  • Frame rails and crossmembers, cracks and rust
  • Front axle king pins, play
  • Steering box, drag link and tie rods
  • Air bags and leveling valve, or leaf springs
  • Torque rods and equalizers
  • Drive axle leaks and inter-axle lockout
  • Driveshafts, U-joints and carrier bearings
  • Wheel seals and hub oil level
  • Lug nuts, rust streaks show loose ones
  • Fuel tanks, straps and caps
  • Battery box and cables
Transmission and Clutch0 / 5
  • Shifts every gear, manual or automated
  • Clutch engagement, slip and clutch brake
  • Transmission leaks
  • PTO engages, if fitted
  • Automated transmission faults
Cab, Sleeper and Lights0 / 10
  • Gauges and warning lights
  • Heat and A/C
  • Seats and seat belts
  • Windshield, cracks in the wiper sweep
  • Mirrors
  • Air and electric horns
  • Wipers and washers
  • Every light: head, tail, turn, brake, clearance
  • Sleeper bunk and APU, if fitted
  • Fire extinguisher and triangles
Road Test0 / 10 passed
Tires and DOT DatesAge from the DOT code

The last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year it was made. Federal minimum tread is 4/32 on a steer tire and 2/32 on the others. Note any recaps, they are not allowed on a steer axle of a bus and many fleets keep them off steers.

PositionDOT dateAgeTreadPSI
Steer left–
Steer right–
Drive 1 left outer–
Drive 1 left inner–
Drive 1 right inner–
Drive 1 right outer–
Drive 2 left outer–
Drive 2 left inner–
Drive 2 right inner–
Drive 2 right outer–
PositionDOT dateAgeTreadPSI
Steer left–
Steer right–
Rear left outer–
Rear left inner–
Rear right inner–
Rear right outer–
Rear 2 left outer–
Rear 2 left inner–
Rear 2 right inner–
Rear 2 right outer–
PositionDOT dateAgeTreadPSI
Steer left–
Steer right–
Rear left outer–
Rear left inner–
Rear right inner–
Rear right outer–
Additional Comments
Inspector Sign-Off

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Download the Report

Every item, note and reading goes into the report. Download opens it ready to save as a PDF or print. Your answers stay on this device until you clear them.

Common questions
Is the commercial truck inspection form free?
Yes. Fill it in on a phone or a laptop and download the report as a PDF or a CSV. Nothing you type is sent anywhere; it stays on your device until you press Clear all.
What if an item does not apply?
Mark it N/A. N/A means the part is not fitted or could not be tested, and the report says so. Pick the truck type at the top first: sections that do not apply drop out of the form, the count and the report.
Can someone inspect the truck for me?
Yes. Book a commercial truck inspection and a PPI Auto inspector checks it where it sits and gives you a written report. Call 951-267-8500 or send the request form on this page.
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