Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 1998 Cadillac Seville
The 1998 Cadillac Seville holds up as a decent used car option with a few key issues. Electrical faults, particularly involving the alternator, and windshield wiper malfunctions are the main recall concerns. The engine and steering also have a moderate number of complaints, suggesting further scrutiny during inspection is advised.
Known issues to inspect
Alternator electrical shorts
How to check: Inspect for any burnt smells near the alternator.
Frequent overheating reports
How to check: Check for coolant leaks or low levels.
Steering stiffness or failure
How to check: Turn wheel at various speeds, listen for noise.
Windshield wiper malfunction
How to check: Test wiper function on all speeds.
Airbag deployment issues
How to check: Ask for seller's confirmation of airbag history.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for engine knocks or strange noises.
Red flag: Persistent knocking sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check for dashboard warning lights.
Red flag: Any persistent warning lights
- 03
City driving
What to check: Assess responsiveness of steering and brakes.
Red flag: Delayed response or weird noises
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Observe engine power and acceleration smoothness.
Red flag: Engine hesitates or jerks
- 05
Parking maneuver
What to check: Evaluate ease of steering and turning radius.
Red flag: Steering wheel locks or is hard to turn
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the alternator been replaced?
- Any history of engine overheating?
- Are all windshield wiper speeds functional?
- Has the steering system been serviced?
- Any recorded airbag issues?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Vehicle service records
- Recall repair documentation
- Current vehicle registration
- Title or proof of ownership
Generated by gpt-4o on 6/13/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 1998 Cadillac Seville.