CARTRUVO USED SMALL-SUV BUYER COMPARISON WORKSHEET Prepared November 8, 2026 Guide: https://cartruvo.com/blog/best-used-small-suvs Copy the candidate section for each actual VIN. Keep published figures, seller claims, observed fit and inspection findings in separate fields. Mark unknowns UNRESOLVED. A lower price cannot fix an essential fit failure. This is a planning aid, not a road-test report, appraisal or safety approval. YOUR EVERYDAY REQUIREMENTS Normal driver/front-passenger initials and seating needs: ________________ Required rear passengers/seating positions: _____________________________ Normal bags/stroller/crate/work case and item dimensions: ________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Child-restraint fit check required? Follow both manuals: ________________ Parking/door-opening space and access requirements: _____________________ Available purchase/preparation cash and money to retain: ________________ CANDIDATE Year / make / model / exact trim: ________________________________________ VIN / mileage: _________________________________________________________ Engine / transmission / FWD or AWD / gasoline or hybrid: _________________ Seller / listing / date: ________________________________________________ Title/lien and transfer questions: ______________________________________ Price reference / source / date / condition / mileage assumptions: _______ Actual written purchase quote / expiry / conditions: ____________________ Do not treat a dealer trim-reference estimate as a VIN-specific offer. PUBLISHED SPECIFICATIONS (BEFORE YOUR FIT TEST) Exact EPA record and drivetrain/engine/transmission match: ______________ City / highway / combined MPG: __________________________________________ Rear legroom / source / model year: _____________________________________ Cargo figure / source / published measurement label: ____________________ Seat-up figure and exact drivetrain/trim: _______________________________ Folded figure, if verified, and exact seat configuration: ________________ Moonroof or other configuration differences to verify: _________________ Do not invent a missing folded maximum or assume all makers measure alike. Cargo volume is not allowable load weight. Check the actual loading label. PARKED FIT CHECK, WITH SELLER'S PERMISSION Set front seats for normal drivers first. Record the setting or a repeatable reference. Use the same passengers and items for every candidate. Driver/front-passenger setting: _________________________________________ Rear knee/foot space, head clearance and belt access: ____________________ Normal entry/exit and door opening: _____________________________________ For child seats, use the restraint and vehicle instructions; a five-seat specification does not establish compatibility with your restraints. TEST A: DAILY PASSENGERS PLUS LUGGAGE Required seats remain usable? __________________________________________ Exact items/dimensions tried: ___________________________________________ Load opening / narrowest useful width / length / hatch clearance: ________ Observed result: SUITABLE / UNSUITABLE / UNRESOLVED Reason/evidence and next step: __________________________________________ TEST B: LONGER ITEM PLUS REAR PASSENGER, IF NEEDED Manual-permitted split-fold layout and usable seats: ____________________ Front-seat setting unchanged? ___________________________________________ Exact item/dimensions tried and appropriate carrying arrangement: _______ Observed result: SUITABLE / UNSUITABLE / UNRESOLVED Reason/evidence and next step: __________________________________________ TEST C: OCCASIONAL FOLDED-SEAT LOAD, IF NEEDED Seatbacks folded normally as instructed? ________________________________ Opening / useful width / length / floor step / hatch clearance: __________ Exact items/dimensions tried: ___________________________________________ Observed result: SUITABLE / UNSUITABLE / UNRESOLVED Reason/evidence and next step: __________________________________________ Do not force seat mechanisms or the hatch. No fit test authorizes driving with an unsafe load or using an unavailable seating position. MAINTENANCE AND CONDITION Exact manufacturer's schedule/booklet/source: ___________________________ Operating conditions and time/mileage schedule reconciled by: ___________ Engine-oil/filter invoices and work due: ________________________________ Transmission/CVT service evidence and applicable entry: _________________ AWD/differential evidence, if relevant to this car: ______________________ Spark plugs / brake fluid / coolant / other work due: ____________________ Tires checked against actual vehicle requirements by: ___________________ Repairs / collision/flood / modifications / warning lights: _____________ Recall VIN lookup/date and manufacturer remedy instructions: ____________ Independent shop / date / inspection scope and limits: ___________________ Safety findings / scheduled work / repairs / unresolved diagnosis: ________________________________________________________________________ Quoted work due now and evidence: _______________________________________ A reset service display or seller's 'major service done' is not an invoice. COMPLETE COST Written itemized purchase total: ________________________________________ Tax/registration/charges already included: _______________________________ Transfer/delivery/other costs paid elsewhere, not included above: _______ Independent inspection: ________________________________________________ Confirmed work due now: _________________________________________________ Total of those costs, each counted once: ________________________________ Cash retained after that total: _________________________________________ Unknown costs and next step to resolve them: ____________________________ Actual VIN/household insurance quote / date / coverage: __________________ Fuel assumption (annual miles / MPG x price per gallon): ________________ Future maintenance and other recurring costs considered: ________________ Keep running costs and financing terms separate from the purchase total. Do not add full price and loan principal payments twice. SIDE-BY-SIDE DECISION A / VIN ending / essential fit results / cost: ___________________________ B / VIN ending / essential fit results / cost: ___________________________ C / VIN ending / essential fit results / cost: ___________________________ Choice supported by records, fit and inspection: ________________________ Conditions to resolve before committing: ________________________________