| 1 | Service history and identity | Match the machine identification plate and hour-meter reading to service records, ownership documents, and available parts information. | Consistent records, documented maintenance, and a meter reading that fits the machine’s condition. | Missing or altered identification, unexplained meter discrepancies, or no credible maintenance history. | High |
| 2 | Cold start and engine | Request a cold start. Observe starting behavior, exhaust, idle stability, warning indicators, and response under load. | Starts without excessive cranking, runs steadily, and shows no persistent warning lights or abnormal exhaust. | Hard starting, persistent smoke, overheating, unusual knocking, or warning indicators that remain active. | High |
| 3 | Hydraulic system | Inspect hoses, cylinders, pumps, and connections for leaks. Operate steering, conveyors, augers, screed functions, and other hydraulic controls. | Smooth, predictable movements and dry connections; functions operate consistently during the test. | Active leaks, jerky or slow movements, unusual hydraulic noise, or functions that fail when warm. | High |
| 4 | Screed plate and wear parts | Check the screed plate for wear, damage, unevenness, and evidence of repair. Inspect replaceable wear components against the manufacturer’s wear limits. | Even wear, secure components, and condition within the service specifications. | Deep grooves, distortion, cracked repairs, loose parts, or wear beyond the specified limits. | High |
| 5 | Screed heating and vibration | Test each heating section and screed vibration or tamper functions, where fitted. Check displays, wiring, burners, and temperature response. | Heating and vibration functions respond consistently, with no damaged wiring or persistent fault codes. | Cold sections, uneven heating, failed controls, excessive vibration noise, or recurring electrical faults. | High |
| 6 | Conveyors and augers | Inspect conveyor chains, flights, auger blades, bearings, and covers. Run the material-handling system and listen for noise or binding. | Components turn smoothly, wear is within service limits, and material-flow controls respond properly. | Bent or severely worn flights, uneven operation, damaged bearings, or signs of material buildup and neglect. | High |
| 7 | Track or tire undercarriage | For tracked machines, inspect belts or track links, rollers, sprockets, and tension. For wheeled machines, check tires, steering, and visible suspension components. | Wear is reasonably even, components meet service limits, and the machine travels and steers predictably. | Cracked or damaged tracks, uneven tire wear, excessive play, poor tracking, or costly wear across several components. | High |
| 8 | Frame, hitch, and extensions | Inspect the main frame, screed supports, extension guides, adjustment points, and towing or transport connections for cracks, deformation, and poor repairs. | Straight structural components, secure connections, and adjustments that move and lock as designed. | Cracks, distorted supports, misaligned extensions, or weld repairs in structurally important areas that lack documentation. | High |
| 9 | Controls, sensors, and safety | Test operator controls, displays, grade or slope sensors if fitted, emergency stops, alarms, lights, and guarding. | Controls are legible and responsive; safety devices and sensors operate according to the manual. | Bypassed safety devices, intermittent controls, damaged wiring, or sensors that cannot be calibrated or verified. | High |
| 10 | Operational paving test | When practical, run the paver through a controlled test with a qualified operator. Observe travel, material flow, screed response, and mat consistency. | The machine operates steadily, adjustments respond, and the resulting mat is consistent for the test conditions. | Unstable travel, inconsistent material feed, repeated stoppages, or a test that the seller will not permit without a reasonable explanation. | High |