Originally Posted by Boosted Power

- Rust usually occurs at the bottom of doors, and rear quarter panels (typical Honda spots). Assuming you're going to look at a CRV from up North.
- Clock. If the clock is dead. It will need a new assembly. $5-$20 from junkyards if you can find a working one. $100+ if you order one.
- Front mudflaps. It's always a plus. Trust me.
- Timing belt and waterpump. Valve adjust. Can be a $600+ job if you have someone else do it.
- Rear diff fluid service and all other maintenance fluids. Trans, coolant, etc.
- Oil pan gasket. Usually leaks on most used CRVs of this era.
- Oil pressure switch leaks. Pretty much like the oil pan.
- Inspect radiator for leaks. A good place to start is the coolant overflow reservoir. If it's empty, or not, inspect the radiator for leaks. Inspect for coolant residue that may have dried up on the engine, intake piping/covers, etc.
- Inspect front and rear wiper condition and functions. Make sure they operate accordingly. Front wiper arms should not bang against eachother or the side of the windshield mouldings. Make sure the rear wiper arm works accordingly. It should be easy to pull the rear arm away from the tailgate glass and when you let go of it, it should want to slam back onto the glass. If not, it's going to need a new arm. If the whole arm is loose and just slops around. It probably just needs the arm nut tightened down.
- Inspect brakes. Rears would be harder to check, being drums, but the fronts are discs. Just take a quick look. It's usually the inner pads the wear out first, but an outter with 8mm pad thickness usually means the pads are still "newer". Test drive and make sure there isn't any abnormal pulsation from the front. If there is, it may just need a good front rotor resurface, but it could also mean you may need new front brake rotors also.
- Tires and abnormal wear. Can pretty much speak for itself. Alignment. Look for tires with low tire pressure, low amount of air. (Punctures, nails, bead seal, etc.)
- Test drive vehicle for pulls, drifts. (alignment and or tire issues)
- Seat belts. If a seat belt buckle doesn't buckle, or seat belt isn't retracting, etc. you can always talk the vehicle price down and bring it to your local Honda and get it replaced by Honda with OEM Honda parts for free.
- Test drive the vehicle. Most CRVs have some slight shake all the time. But if you feel something abnormal coming from the front/center/rear of the vehicle. It may be due to the driveshaft (AWD) or the front axles. The way the engine sits on the V, the front axles sit at a high angle. Causing the axles to wear out and start vibrating after a long time. Very common thing that most customers do not notice, or care for. Very costly.
- Listen and or feel for abnormal noises, vibrations, etc.. Wheel bearings, rear diff, axles, control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends, stabilizer bar end links/bushings, brakes, exhausts, excessive wind noises, doors (checker/detent rod, misalignment, door lock actuators, hinges, etc.), windows (regulators, run channels, hard/slow moving windows), etc. etc.
- Good heat, AC, rear defrost and make sure all lights, accessories, gauges, etc. work.
- I can go on, but this is what I remember as of the moment. I safety used cars quite a bit at work and this would be what I would look for.